AS I See It

MAKING SENSE OF THE RELIGIOSITY OF SELF-ASSERTION‍

Valson Thampu There is a practical reason why the Bible presents God as living God. To be alive is to be able to respond. In contrast, idols, Jesus said, have eyes that see not. They are there; but not so in relation to anything beyond themselves. Idolatry is man adoring himself as God, of which [&h

DEMOCRACY IS DECLINING AND WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED

M.K.George S J Ever since humans started living in common, there have been various forms of governance. The primary classification has been democratic, non-democratic and other types. In the democratic type, there have been direct democracy, representative democracy (republic government, parliamentary government), and constitutional democracy. In the non-democratic types, we have seen authoritarian, totalitarian, oligarchy, […]

RAM MANDIR AND BEYOND

As I write this, the Ram Mandir fervour is being worked up to a fever pitch. No one is in any doubt that what is envisaged is a great deal more than the inauguration of a temple. It is, as Swapan Dasgupta of the BJP said the other day, ‘a symbol of Hindu self-assertion’. Self-assertion […]

IS THE MASS CONTROVERSY SACRAMETAL?

Valson Thampu When controversies break out the need to think, and think radically, becomes imperative. That is all the more so, when controversies persist and refuse to settle down. The persistence of a problem issues from the vitality of the truth that is denied in the extant scheme of things. Controversies are to our religious […]

IS THE SOIL OF INDIA TOO HARD FOR CHRISTIANITY?

Valson Thampu I have heard it said ever and anon, ‘Christianity has been in India for two thousand years. Yet we are only a little over two per cent of the population!’ Why so? Well, it is certainly not because resources, opportunities and mission-and-conversion enterprises have been lacking. Surprisingly, it is not even because the […]

SCRIPTURE AND CREATIVE FREEDOM : A view on Sarah Joseph’s novel, Kara

Valson Thampu I have wondered for long as to what is more spiritual: theology or literature? Theology makes the concrete abstract. Literature makes the abstract concrete. Literature, like spirituality, is incarnational. But Incarnation is a paradox. To be incarnated is to be stained. Sarah Joseph certainly thinks so. Hence the title of her new novel: […]

Page 1 of 2112 3 4 5...10 20...»Last »

Pope: Red Cross’ humanitarian work shows that fraternity is possible

New Vatican document lists ‘grave violations’ of human dignity