Faith makes sense

Published: 5 September 2010

THE Catholic Church is often bagged in the media as being irrational and anti-science, so I was interested to learn that a recent convert from Judaism to Catholicism was influenced by science and the Church's stance on abortion.

Hadley Arkes, a leading expert on American political philosophy, public policy and constitutional law stated, "It became more and more evident that the Church had become the main sanctuary for moral reasoning and natural law, standing against the currents of relativism that were corroding almost all other institutions.

"And in a world in which people with pricey educations were more and more drawn to exotic theories ever more implausible, the Church was grounded in the world as it really is."

Arkes, a pro-life advocate and the main architect of the United States Born-Alive Infants‚ Protection Act noted: "The media suggest that we're pro-life because we're religious, when in fact, many of us are won over by the force of the moral argument and the evidence of embryology. Then we're drawn to the Church that defends that argument." (From the Ark to the Barque, National Catholic Register, August 24, 2010)

A distinguished professor of law is led to the Church because he sees that its stance on abortion is consistent with science and moral reasoning.

This shows just how stark is the gap between reality and public perception.

ROSS HOWARD
Daisy Hill, Qld