Sir, - I joined the debate on the above because, in view of Father Dominic Johnson's dogmatic assertions (April 13th), I presumed that he had some "historical factual evidence". Two sermons later and a plethora of quotations from the Gospels, he seems unable to produce any "hard" facts!
Unfortunately, despite some beautiful prose, Father Johnson - never actually answers directly; any of my queries, e.g., (1) the dubious accuracy of the Gospels which were written nearly 2,000 years ago by persons unknown who did not personally witness any of the events? (2) Ditto the 33 year old oral record on which the written Gospels were based?
(3) The serious historical mistakes and (Father Johnson's) "discrepancies" between the various Gospels? (4) The questions' raised by comparisons between the "untouched" Dead Sea: Scrolls and the Gospels as "amended" by the Roman Catholic Church over the centuries? (5) The church's attempted suppression of the scrolls themselves?
Much as I enjoyed the courteous debate with Father Johnson, I'm afraid my last word on the subject must be that, liberally using quotations from the Gospels to prove the accuracy of the same Gospels, is akin to a person attempting to pay their monthly Visa account with their Visa credit card! - Yours, etc.
Stoney Road,
Dublin 14.