Was Catholicism the same religion that rebuked Galileo for declaring that the earth moved around the sun.

Was Catholicism the same religion that rebuked Galileo for declaring that the earth moved around the sun.
Was Catholicism the same religion that rebuked Galileo for declaring that the earth moved around the sun.

Catholicism is a variety of Christianity rather than a religion, but yes, it was the Catholic Church. Galileo’s works were removed from the Church’s index of banned works in the 19th century, and Pope John Paul II issued an apology of sorts in 1992. Historians, theologians, and scientists all have opinions on this, and they’re all represented in our collection if you’d like to go deeper: bit.ly/bc-galileo

Trump Train or Win with Warren? or …. Communism?

Trump Train or Win with Warren? or .... Communism?
Trump Train or Win with Warren? or …. Communism?

If you’re asking about my own leanings, I’m a Wall, so it’s not in my nature to lean. If you’re asking about the outcomes, just remember that the remarkable thing about a democracy is that everyone who takes part helps write the outcomes. All of these (and many more) are possibilities. I guess you could call me a possibilitarian. I have to just stand here, so please, all of you, be active on my behalf!

Why doesn’t administration acknowledge the need for a GLBTQ+ Resource Centre?

Why doesn't administration acknowledge the need for a GLBTQ+ Resource Centre?
Why doesn’t administration acknowledge the need for a GLBTQ+ Resource Centre?

IDK. I can’t presume to speak for BC’s administration. The student body, through UGBC votes in 2016 for an LGBTQ resource center (bit.ly/Heights-lgbtq1) and 2018 for a full-time staff member (bit.ly/Heights-lgbtq2) has made its needs clear. For a longer, in-depth view of the history of LGBTQ+ issues at BC, read this excellent 2016 article: bit.ly/Heights-lgbtq3. Keep communicating the need.

Are you Pro-Life or Pro-Choice?

Are you Pro-Life or Pro-Choice?
Are you Pro-Life or Pro-Choice?

You’ve heard of fence-sitting, right? I’m the fence itself. This is not a decision a Wall needs to make, because walls don’t procreate or give birth. Being a Wall in a library, I can guide you to many, many resources. For a bioethics perspective, try an article in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on Pregnancy, Birth, and Medicine: bit.ly/sep-pregnancy. To get a sense of the many different perspectives on this thorny moral issue, do a subject search on abortion in the library catalog, and scan all the subjects that are related: law, religion, moral & ethical aspects, pro-life movement, government policy, pro-choice movements, political aspects, Catholic Church, medical ethics… it’s a long list, which means deciding is potentially a very complex struggle.

How long untill the world/U.S. is Caramel + Queer?

How long untill the world/U.S. is Caramel + Queer?
How long untill the world/U.S. is Caramel + Queer?

The mixing of races isn’t new, just more talked about in places where it hasn’t been acceptable in the past. Regardless, I suspect it will take more than 3 generations. You should know that some people bristle when complexions are described as caramel, toffee, coffee, etc. because those terms equate skin tone with food, and there can be underlying connotations with that. As for becoming queer, the number of people who publicly identify as LGBTQ may go up as societal acceptance increases, but the overall percentage of the population is unlikely to change much. I just hope that the world keeps trending toward more acceptance of others, regardless of what makes them who they are.

How to approach/educate ignorant ppl? — if they are your BEST friends.

How to approach/educate ignorant ppl? -- if they are your BEST friends.
How to approach/educate ignorant ppl? — if they are your BEST friends.

Empathy. It can be extremely frustrating to care for someone deeply (as with a best friend) and disagree with the way they view the world. Just remember that they are humans too and have experiences that have guided them to their current viewpoints. I recommend engaging them on their experiences and asking what led them to see the world as they see it today. Also remember that you should be just as open about changing your views if they’re able to present a compelling argument. Mutual respect for each others’ opinions and open dialogue are how friendships blossom – the “education” part will come naturally if you focus on the dialogue.

Since capatilism kills more than it helps, now what? ALSO… Booker, Harris, Warren, Yang, Biden or Bernie–>2020?

Since capatilism kills more than it helps, now what? ALSO... Booker, Harris, Warren, Yang, Biden or Bernie--2020?
Since capatilism kills more than it helps, now what? ALSO… Booker, Harris, Warren, Yang, Biden or Bernie–2020?

Probably there is no “now what”. Capitalism, for all its flaws, is the only system that humans have ever known, and probably ever will know as long as we live on a planet with finite resources. Even in supposed “non-capitalist” regimes, the fundamentals of capitalism still exist in gray and black markets. It is fair to say that it has killed a lot of people by extension, but more than it helps? I dunno. A lot of people are alive today due to technological advances created in order to make a buck (or even to make a buck while being more effective at killing the other guy in war). I think that all of the candidates for 2020 are good people doing their best to make our country better as they see fit (how’s that for dodging a question?). You sound like you might enjoy reading Thomas Piketty’s The Economics of Inequality (O’Neill HB523 .P54713 2015).

President Trump wants $5 billion for the ‘WALL’. Aren’t you lucky :-) Can I have at least $1 billion from you?

President Trump wants $5 billion for the 'WALL'. Aren't you lucky :-) Can I have at least $1 billion from you?
President Trump wants $5 billion for the ‘WALL’. Aren’t you lucky 🙂 Can I have at least $1 billion from you?

It would be so great if that were what was going on, but I’ll believe it when I see the check. If it comes I might spend a little to spruce up my nook here, but it would mostly go to fund scholarships, particularly for international students. As for your billion? Well, we’ll see.

Beto 2020?

Beto 2020?
Beto 2020?

At this point, even an all-knowing wall does not know. So many candidates out there right now and it’s still so early – this may very well become the wildest primary season ever!

Hi Wall! Me again (wall-pun person) I recently heard about a certain butterfly sanctuary being in danger to get bulldozed because of one of your cousin walls. Any input?

Hi Wall! Me again (wall-pun person) I recently heard about a certain butterfly sanctuary being in danger to get bulldozed because of one of your cousin walls. Any input?
Hi Wall! Me again (wall-pun person) I recently heard about a certain butterfly sanctuary being in danger to get bulldozed because of one of your cousin walls. Any input?

I am fond of butterflies, nervous around bulldozers, and have deep philosophical and ethical disagreements with some of my kin.

How awesome is Susan B. Anthony?

How awesome is Susan B. Anthony?
How awesome is Susan B. Anthony?

<– Susan B. Anthony was actually v problematic and SUPER RACIST. Google it!

Susan B. Anthony is a champion of women’s rights, yes. But the feminist movement has struggled with inclusivity since its beginning. As your fellow respondent references, the “women” to whom these rights applied during the First Wave were considered to be straight, white, and mid-to-upper class. Although there’s been a lot of progress in this department, it’s still up to us to make amends and move forward together as one beautiful diverse body! For a great book on the history of feminism, I recommend Estelle B. Freedman’s No Turning Back (O’Neill Library HQ1121 .F74 2002). It does need a little updating since a lot has happened in the past 15 years. Perhaps a great mind like yours is up to the task?

Silence is still Violence

Silence is still Violence
Silence is still Violence

Speak, for your lips are free;
Speak, your tongue is still yours,
Your upright body is yours–
Speak, your life is still yours.
See how in the blacksmith’s shop
The flames are hot, the iron is red,
Mouths of locks have begun to open,
Each chain’s embrace has spread wide.
Speak, this little time is plenty
Before the death of body and tongue:
Speak, for truth is still alive–
Speak, say whatever is to be said.
–Faiz Ahmed Faiz, translated by V.G. Kiernan (Poem was recited by the Indian actress & activist Shabana Azmi at the UN in 2009, regarding the treatment of women in Afghanistan.)

I grew up Catholic; why is the Catholic Church so anti-female?

I grew up Catholic; why is the Catholic Church so anti-female?
I grew up Catholic; why is the Catholic Church so anti-female?

The Catholic Church is committed to traditions. This is both a strength and a weakness. However, any institution as old as the Church that places such a high importance on tradition is going to have some vestiges of old (and unfair) power structures in place. It was (and to a large extent remains) the case that men held most positions of power in all areas of life throughout history – whether that was the church, politics (ignoring the inseparability of the two for a second), on down to the individual household.