... but I don't think the moral outrage is completely justified against steroids. Steroids, to be honest, have worked. People like athletes on steroids, because they love to go out and see people hit home runs, and baseball games that end 1-0 just cant compete with one where each team hits 5 hrs. Call it a lust for entertainment. As for why Bonds and Rodriguez used, its obvious: they were at their peak, and steroids could take them higher. Some people jsut peak higher, some peak at a .250 BA
...out to be. There are some side effects of steroids, namely atrophy in places dear to most men (which should scare most people away!), acne, and a few others. There's 0 evidence for "roid rage", heart damage, or suicidal tendencies. Pop culture medicine has gotten it very wrong. Thousands and thousands of athletes have used steroids for decades, to no severe consequences. As an amateur strength I don't do steroids, and won't (I don't like the stigma, the side effects, and the cost), ...cont
As someone who follows your blog, and finds your vlogs very insightful, I have to disagree with a lot of this video. I think a lot of our perceptions on steroids are simply wrong. There may be something subjectively wrong with steroids (if they are banned in a competition it would be wrong to use them), but arguing that they are objectively immoral is a tough sell. It's a tough sell because steroids aren't very dangerous for you, and certainly not as dangerous as they are made..cont
David Foster Wallace, the great authour, actually touched on this very topic during a commencement speech in 2005. He noted that belief in God could be the place of ultimate attachment like you talked about in this video, but if that were the only place of fulfillment, all those who question or disbelieve the existence of God would be like those players, which of course is absurd. Wallace included "a set of uncompromising principles" as another such attachment which could fulfill that. Thoughts?
Rather than having something "godlike" missing in their lives, could it not be that these players, engaging in an essentially unimportant and superfluous activity anyway, simply failed to exercise reason? Reason definitely argues counter to anabolic steroid or growth hormone use except for specifically therapeutic indications, primarily because of their long-term side effects. I would argue that the application of reason automatically leads to better decisions for ourselves. No need for god.
i've been clean for fifteen years but like i said i smoke a joint now and then for pain and nerves,like i said i'm no religious man but i do believe in GOD and he believes in me, my life is alot better, thanks for listening preacher.
wow preacher that was good, i did drugs before but i've stopped(well i smoke a joint now and then)but i'm no superstar but i do get up every morning and go to work pay my bills put away for my son, i'm no religious man i do believe in GOD,i have a heart condition my brother and i were doing gaggers(long lines of cocaine)my heart started to speed up, i thought i was having a heart attack scared the shit outta me i asked GOD for help to get me through that night and he did so i stopped, 2b cont...
Fr. Barron usually I am questioning your faith, but I wanted to add something on this videos subject. I played at CAL when Bonds was at ASU, I once moved his bat away from the action after he hit a double, I noticed he was swinging a 32" bat, I did a double take, and pictured Dave Parker swinging a 32" bat. LOL, from then on I used a 32" bat and plenty of doughnut swings prior to an AB. That's all, just want to say the bat size really helped Bonds besides the drugs.
Very insightful Father. Speaking as a Catechist, and one who loves our Faith, I want to say that your writing and your videos have been a great help to me, both in understanding our faith better and in representing it well. Thank you.
Fr. Barron, I don't know if you saw the Oscars on Sunday night--if so, would you consider doing a video in response to Sean Penn's acceptance speech for "Milk"? Maybe also for the speech of the movie's screenwriter?
When we talk ourselves into the idea, "My life will be better, if only I could just have [fill in the blank]" we are turning our backs on the truth that the only way to fill in that blank is relationship with God. Nothing else will satisfy us, because that's how we're made. And that is what God is trying to tell us in giving us the 10th Commandment. This video makes the point so much better. Now I'd like to see you make one about being a Cub fan, may God forgive you. Keep up the good work!
I would never have thought of this in this light. Great stuff, Father!
By the way, can you get the camera to pan really slowly across your bookshelves so I can write down the titles of the books and then go get my own copies and read them myself? Thanks! :D
Loved this one Father!!! Augustine knew that we are wired for God and the Buddha knew it as well through general revelation. Peter Kreeft best summed up general revelation of our thirst for a perfect supernatural being with his commentary on Tolkien's Catholic play with Norse mythology. Nothing eternally fulfilling and perfect will be found in this physical world. Only in the metaphysical world, beyond our physical senses will we find it. This world points beyond itself. God bless you Father!
Which book is it in which Peter Kreeft offer commentary on Tolkien's play with Norse mythology from a Christian standpoint? I would very much like to read that!
Oh it's called "The Philosophy of Tolkien." There's a free excerpt from the book that's already online that is fantastic. It shows how even though Tolkien, a devout Catholic, didn't put any Christian allegories in the Lord of the Rings, it's done with a Catholic light shined upon the story and illuminates the fact that pagan religions were simply imperfect indirect knowledge of God that were yet to be brought into fullness by God entering into history through Christ. It's great you'll love it.
"Yes, humans crave what we cannot obtain" unless you believe in your heart and proclaim with your mouth that Jesus is the Lord e Son of God, the Saviour of the world.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Not surprisingly, you are attempting to use an organ that most certainly will not reliably provide true beliefs. But, if you prefer to believe things just for the sake that they make you feel good, go ahead.
But if in fact the believer lessons his craving, that is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
mellow38,
Bro, I do like his videos.
Your desire to exile the skeptic is quite typical of a dogmatician: silence the heretic! To the flames, infidel!
As for the Padre, he is more secure with his views than you seem to be. Despite my sometimes over-the-top harshness, not once has he deleted a comment of mine, or asked that I leave.
I admire his openness and willingness to allow criticism. Perhaps you have something to learn.
Your over-reaction is typical of the ....whatever you consider yourself to be.
I think what would be nice to see is you say something positive about something, sometime, somewhere, somehow. in some way.
I admit that I have not read all your posts. But, never have I seen anything positive come from your keyboard. It will be a happy day when i see that.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
dans0622,
You have never seen anything positive from me?
What about "I do like his videos"?
Or "I admire his openness and willingness to allow criticism"?
Are those not positive?
Religious beliefs are open to critique as are political beliefs or any other belief. Are your beliefs so fragile that you fear a few words from an atheist? I'm sure you would like to show me the instruments of torture to shut me up.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
dans0622,
"comment toward someone else."
If you say so.
Perhaps in the future, if you do not intend your comment as a reply to another persons comment, then do not click the 'reply' button on that person's comment.
... but I don't think the moral outrage is completely justified against steroids. Steroids, to be honest, have worked. People like athletes on steroids, because they love to go out and see people hit home runs, and baseball games that end 1-0 just cant compete with one where each team hits 5 hrs. Call it a lust for entertainment. As for why Bonds and Rodriguez used, its obvious: they were at their peak, and steroids could take them higher. Some people jsut peak higher, some peak at a .250 BA
tubermann1 1 month ago
...out to be. There are some side effects of steroids, namely atrophy in places dear to most men (which should scare most people away!), acne, and a few others. There's 0 evidence for "roid rage", heart damage, or suicidal tendencies. Pop culture medicine has gotten it very wrong. Thousands and thousands of athletes have used steroids for decades, to no severe consequences. As an amateur strength I don't do steroids, and won't (I don't like the stigma, the side effects, and the cost), ...cont
tubermann1 1 month ago
Fr. Barron,
As someone who follows your blog, and finds your vlogs very insightful, I have to disagree with a lot of this video. I think a lot of our perceptions on steroids are simply wrong. There may be something subjectively wrong with steroids (if they are banned in a competition it would be wrong to use them), but arguing that they are objectively immoral is a tough sell. It's a tough sell because steroids aren't very dangerous for you, and certainly not as dangerous as they are made..cont
tubermann1 1 month ago
that was a great explanation of addiction and as a recovering addict myself, it is the most uplifting and freeing solution, i have ever heard.
i wish i had heard that before i started using, but am glad to hear it now.
when i get a job im definitly going to donate to wordonfire cause its so full of truth and one is always more dignified after listening to it.
drdoyle1000 4 months ago in playlist More videos from wordonfirevideo
David Foster Wallace, the great authour, actually touched on this very topic during a commencement speech in 2005. He noted that belief in God could be the place of ultimate attachment like you talked about in this video, but if that were the only place of fulfillment, all those who question or disbelieve the existence of God would be like those players, which of course is absurd. Wallace included "a set of uncompromising principles" as another such attachment which could fulfill that. Thoughts?
BloggerMusicMan 6 months ago
Rather than having something "godlike" missing in their lives, could it not be that these players, engaging in an essentially unimportant and superfluous activity anyway, simply failed to exercise reason? Reason definitely argues counter to anabolic steroid or growth hormone use except for specifically therapeutic indications, primarily because of their long-term side effects. I would argue that the application of reason automatically leads to better decisions for ourselves. No need for god.
Nodelusionnow 7 months ago
You don't have to know a thing about either theology or baseball to know that Father Robert Barron is right about this.
billybagbom 8 months ago
i've been clean for fifteen years but like i said i smoke a joint now and then for pain and nerves,like i said i'm no religious man but i do believe in GOD and he believes in me, my life is alot better, thanks for listening preacher.
62rome 2 years ago
wow preacher that was good, i did drugs before but i've stopped(well i smoke a joint now and then)but i'm no superstar but i do get up every morning and go to work pay my bills put away for my son, i'm no religious man i do believe in GOD,i have a heart condition my brother and i were doing gaggers(long lines of cocaine)my heart started to speed up, i thought i was having a heart attack scared the shit outta me i asked GOD for help to get me through that night and he did so i stopped, 2b cont...
62rome 2 years ago
Man, this guy is good! INTERSTING.
JaneAlex09 2 years ago 2
Brilliant video Fr. Barron, thankyou.
double07status 2 years ago 3
true dat. this guy knows whats up.
jchamp32 2 years ago 5
Fr. Barron usually I am questioning your faith, but I wanted to add something on this videos subject. I played at CAL when Bonds was at ASU, I once moved his bat away from the action after he hit a double, I noticed he was swinging a 32" bat, I did a double take, and pictured Dave Parker swinging a 32" bat. LOL, from then on I used a 32" bat and plenty of doughnut swings prior to an AB. That's all, just want to say the bat size really helped Bonds besides the drugs.
elvismilk 2 years ago
My gosh - just brilliant!
kinghitter1 2 years ago 2
Father, I'd would love to hear more about the Catholic response to addiction. Very interesting.
I must say, I've watched so many of your videos. I would have loved to hear your seminary lectures.
God Bless
JohnKepha 2 years ago 2
This was one of my favourite videos of yours. Very powerful, beautiful thought out and said.
koobyy 2 years ago
Probably needed some stimulation to play that game that is even more boring than cricket!
MarkB1ngham 3 years ago
Very insightful Father. Speaking as a Catechist, and one who loves our Faith, I want to say that your writing and your videos have been a great help to me, both in understanding our faith better and in representing it well. Thank you.
kaymac1112 3 years ago 3
mindblowing
niinja2 3 years ago
Thank you Father for another great video!
Catholicdrummer 3 years ago
Thank you Father
atruvietboy 3 years ago
Fr. Barron, I don't know if you saw the Oscars on Sunday night--if so, would you consider doing a video in response to Sean Penn's acceptance speech for "Milk"? Maybe also for the speech of the movie's screenwriter?
1r1shCath0l1c 3 years ago 2
Wow I'd love to his response to that as well. Good suggestion.
muertos06 3 years ago 2
When we talk ourselves into the idea, "My life will be better, if only I could just have [fill in the blank]" we are turning our backs on the truth that the only way to fill in that blank is relationship with God. Nothing else will satisfy us, because that's how we're made. And that is what God is trying to tell us in giving us the 10th Commandment. This video makes the point so much better. Now I'd like to see you make one about being a Cub fan, may God forgive you. Keep up the good work!
slowerrobin 3 years ago
I'm so happy to know your take on this, Bob. Great message for the Lenten season.
hapipadi 3 years ago
That's an interesting way of thinking about that.
NutCheese 3 years ago
I would never have thought of this in this light. Great stuff, Father!
By the way, can you get the camera to pan really slowly across your bookshelves so I can write down the titles of the books and then go get my own copies and read them myself? Thanks! :D
tlh215 3 years ago 2
Loved this one Father!!! Augustine knew that we are wired for God and the Buddha knew it as well through general revelation. Peter Kreeft best summed up general revelation of our thirst for a perfect supernatural being with his commentary on Tolkien's Catholic play with Norse mythology. Nothing eternally fulfilling and perfect will be found in this physical world. Only in the metaphysical world, beyond our physical senses will we find it. This world points beyond itself. God bless you Father!
muertos06 3 years ago 2
Which book is it in which Peter Kreeft offer commentary on Tolkien's play with Norse mythology from a Christian standpoint? I would very much like to read that!
Peace and Blessings
1r1shCath0l1c 3 years ago
Oh it's called "The Philosophy of Tolkien." There's a free excerpt from the book that's already online that is fantastic. It shows how even though Tolkien, a devout Catholic, didn't put any Christian allegories in the Lord of the Rings, it's done with a Catholic light shined upon the story and illuminates the fact that pagan religions were simply imperfect indirect knowledge of God that were yet to be brought into fullness by God entering into history through Christ. It's great you'll love it.
muertos06 3 years ago
Thank you! I will try and check that out!God Bless
1r1shCath0l1c 3 years ago
Go Sox - and take the Cubs with you!
Just kidding
Orioles all the way - Cal Ripken Jr!
tlh215 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
"Augustine knew that we are wired for God."
The Buddha expressed it centuries sooner and without the unjustified introduction of a supernatural being. Yes, humans crave what we cannot obtain.
So it is wise to recognize this trap, and become detached, or at least don't let it rule us.
It seems to me a major flaw of your theology to preach that this perfection will be found in a life beyond.
This is our only life, as far as anyone can tell reliably.
UnBeguiled 3 years ago
I totally agree with that. Balance and moderation seems to be necessary in human existence.
NwZ2 3 years ago
"Yes, humans crave what we cannot obtain" unless you believe in your heart and proclaim with your mouth that Jesus is the Lord e Son of God, the Saviour of the world.
catolicobruno 3 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Not surprisingly, you are attempting to use an organ that most certainly will not reliably provide true beliefs. But, if you prefer to believe things just for the sake that they make you feel good, go ahead.
But if in fact the believer lessons his craving, that is no more to the point than the fact that a drunken man is happier than a sober one.
UnBeguiled 3 years ago
Bro, if you don't like this guys videos, watch something else...get over yourself
mellow38 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
mellow38,
Bro, I do like his videos.
Your desire to exile the skeptic is quite typical of a dogmatician: silence the heretic! To the flames, infidel!
As for the Padre, he is more secure with his views than you seem to be. Despite my sometimes over-the-top harshness, not once has he deleted a comment of mine, or asked that I leave.
I admire his openness and willingness to allow criticism. Perhaps you have something to learn.
UnBeguiled 3 years ago
Your over-reaction is typical of the ....whatever you consider yourself to be.
I think what would be nice to see is you say something positive about something, sometime, somewhere, somehow. in some way.
I admit that I have not read all your posts. But, never have I seen anything positive come from your keyboard. It will be a happy day when i see that.
dans0622 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
dans0622,
You have never seen anything positive from me?
What about "I do like his videos"?
Or "I admire his openness and willingness to allow criticism"?
Are those not positive?
Religious beliefs are open to critique as are political beliefs or any other belief. Are your beliefs so fragile that you fear a few words from an atheist? I'm sure you would like to show me the instruments of torture to shut me up.
curiousexpeditions (dot) org/?p=58
UnBeguiled 3 years ago
Unbeguiled,
Those comments were only stated in a broader context of negativity, in order to make an, ultimately, critical comment toward someone else.
But, nevertheless, today is a happy day for me because of your last, amusing remark. It made me laugh. Thanks for your time.
dans0622 3 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
dans0622,
"comment toward someone else."
If you say so.
Perhaps in the future, if you do not intend your comment as a reply to another persons comment, then do not click the 'reply' button on that person's comment.
UnBeguiled 3 years ago
You explained that very well. Your teaching a lot, man! Thanks
p.s. You were probably a really cool kid
bush555 3 years ago 4
Great Topic...Great perspective...keep spreading the Word in the way God has made you.
FarmersMinistry 3 years ago 10