http://www.trailfire.com/akarra/trails/63231akarra/trails60http://www.trailfire.com/akarra/marks/226802
But the cultural significance of the Church is going to be our main concern. We must look at two things almost unique to Catholicism first, though.]]>Why Should You Know Anything About Catholicism?akarraTue, 08 Jul 2008 13:33:21 -0700trailfire:markId:226802http://www.trailfire.com/akarra/marks/226806Confessions he seems to say that a search for what Being is will lead one to the truth of Scripture.

Here, a blogger grapples with St. Anselm (c. 11th century AD) and his ontological proof: the greatest thing you can conceive is God, and therefore He must exist. You not only conceive of Him, you act everyday as if you know who God truly is and what He's about.]]>Why Should You Know Anything About Catholicism?akarraWed, 09 Jul 2008 00:31:55 -0700trailfire:markId:226806http://www.trailfire.com/akarra/marks/226811
This blogger argues that it isn't that simple: any church should argue that it makes people closer to God. The question of rituals and authority speaks to a much deeper problem that may never go away.]]>Why Should You Know Anything About Catholicism?akarraTue, 08 Jul 2008 14:05:03 -0700trailfire:markId:226811http://www.trailfire.com/akarra/marks/226812
Here, in Masaccio's "The Holy Trinity," take note of the Roman archway and the hall it frames. That creates the idea that the Father is moving towards us, the dove (the Holy Spirit) is moving down upon us, and we, of course, facing the painting are drawn towards them. The meeting point, of course, is Christ on the cross.]]>Why Should You Know Anything About Catholicism?akarraTue, 08 Jul 2008 14:09:05 -0700trailfire:markId:226812http://www.trailfire.com/akarra/marks/226910
Dante is one of the first people to put forth the idea of a separation of Church and State - cf. "De Monarchia." The Comedy certainly argues for that in places while making a very subtle theological critique. Again, an understanding of Catholicism is crucial for the project: this one of the most complicated works ever written, too.]]>Why Should You Know Anything About Catholicism?akarraWed, 09 Jul 2008 00:35:50 -0700trailfire:markId:226910http://www.trailfire.com/akarra/marks/226814Why Should You Know Anything About Catholicism?akarraTue, 08 Jul 2008 14:15:56 -0700trailfire:markId:226814