Out of step with reality

The Association of Catholic Priests’ report on Priest Council meetings contained some very informative statements regarding the attitude of bishops and some priests to those people of little or no faith in Ireland.

The ‘convenient belief’ that the ‘evils of materialism and consumerism’ are subverting the Church’s efforts to evangelise is so horribly narrow- minded. What happened is that a generation of people has come of age, one that possesses a rational view of the world .

With this rational view comes the acceptance there is no need for faith in the catch-all ‘God did it’ argument to explain the unknown. Not believing as they do, leads them to label as ‘pagan’ all those who oppose their view. I find this offensive. I am an atheist, I believe based on evidence that is scientifically verifiable and reproducible. The view that I have bought into the ‘evils of materialism and consumerism’ is dated, inaccurate and condescending.