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Curse of the Billy Goat vs. Holy Water
In the “Holy Water Debate” (link to debate), I had made a comparison between the superstitions in baseball and the medieval superstitions surrounding “Holy Water.” Unexpectedly, the two have merged for TBS has broadcast some footage of a papist priest sprinkling the Cubs’ dugout with “Holy Water,” evidently in an effort to reverse the “Curse…
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Steve Ray – Wearing Rosary Keeps Away Demons?
On the May 8, 2008, edition of Catholic Answers Live, I was amazed to hear Steve Ray reference (seemingly approvingly) a book called, “The Secret of the Rosary,” for the idea that wearing a rosary “around your neck keeps the Devil away – it keeps the evil powers away, because they hate the rosary and…
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After-Splash – Paul Hoffer Responds to Holy Water Debate
Some time ago, PhatCatholic and I concluded a debate on the alleged efficacy of Holy Water (link to debate). Now, Paul Hoffer has taken up the cause in support of PhatCatholic’s position. His initial post is here (link), though I understand he plans a series of additional posts on the subject. A few quick thoughts…
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Anecdotal Rebuttal – Holy Water Debate Followup
Those who followed the Holy Water Debate may recall that the final refuge for PhatCatholic was under the theory that exorcisms actually occur and that holy water has proven its usefulness in such situations. The following article provides an anecdotal rebuttal to those claims. In the article, Italian prosecutors are essentially charging a Catholic priest,…
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Followup to the Holy Water Debate
Gene Bridges has provided a rebuttal (link) to the response (which I addressed at item 2 here) to his previous comments hosted on his own blog. I don’t know whether PhatCatholic will continue that dialog. Obviously, the official portion of the Holy Water Debate is complete, but that doesn’t mean that we have to stop…
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Thoughts on the Holy Water Debate
Some initial thoughts on the Holy Water debate. In no particular order. 1. Scapegoat Issues GodIsMyJudge has indicated that in his view my answer to Paul’s question about the scapegoat could use some refinement. Specifically, GIMJ has indicated that the NASB somehow suggests that scapegoat was offered, in some sense. Not sacrificed, but offered. The…
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Holy Water Debate is Complete
I plan to post some thoughts about the debate in due course, but just so that folks are aware, the Holy Water Debate is complete. Thanks very much to PhatCatholic for his courtesy and flexibility both before and during the debate. Perhaps, as the situation warrants, he will consider making a return appearance at the…
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Gene’s Comment on the Holy Water Debate
Brother Gene Bridges has commented on the Holy Water Debate over at Triablogue. (link) I’d love to comment on his comments, but I’m reserving my own off-debate-blog remarks about the debate until the audience question phase is complete. Still waiting, by the way, for the Pro-Holy-Water questions from PhatCatholic’s side … -Turretinfan To God be…
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Timely Article from the Trinity Review
This article from the Trinity Review is timed to address the 150th anniversary of the claims of the appearance of a Marian Apparition at Lourdes, France, to a peasant girl. (link to pdf) Nevertheless, the content of the article provides a remarkable context to frame the Holy Water Debate that is just concluding. To God…
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Last Chance for Audience Questions
The Holy Water Debate has mostly finished. My sparring partner, PhatCatholic, has posted his concluding argument, and consequently it is time for audience questions. I’ve received several questions so far. If you have a question that you would like to ask PhatCatholic or myself, please submit it for possible inclusion. Thanks to everyone who followed…