While perusing facebook today an article entitled On Our Intolerant Faith and I thought wow I just wrote about that (in that post about flipping tables). I wanted to share it as a follow up because it summed up the idea that tolerance is not necessarily good when it comes to sinful and harmful ideas. He references Archbishop Charles Chaput, who said recently:
And there you have it folks. I promise to write something which consists of my own original thoughts soon.
I’ve had a few comments concerning my posts about persecution. Since it seems to be a common concern, I thought this issue deserved another post.
Firstly, there was concern that I am feeling hopeless in the face of this persecution or afraid in some way. Don’t worry readers, this is not the case. God tells us over and over to “be not afraid.” Matthew 16:18 says, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” I know that no matter what we go through, the Church will endure. And we can be assured that no matter how hard the devil fights, God will always win.
Another reader made an interesting point that made me think about an underlying problem in the world. This reader reminded me that Christians are not alone in being persecuted. This is absolutely true. I realize that the discrimination Catholics experience in America is nothing compared to the lack of religious freedom in other countries. I don’t mean to belittle the atrocity of persecutions that are happening in places like Nigeria. Our world is becoming more secularized and distancing itself from all religion. I have to wonder if this means we are getting farther from the basic tenet which makes up most mainstream religions: loving our neighbors. An attack on religion in general is equally as disturbing as the persecution of a certain belief. We are abandoning basic values and embracing relativism.
As for the persecution of Catholics – I was referring to the United States specifically. Historically, there has always been anti-catholic sentiment in this country and at times that sentiment is stronger. For example, the New York Times had no problem posting the ad I referenced in another post, but hesitates to offend muslims with similar cartoons. The healthcare reform, which would violate our religious freedom, may be ushering in a new era for our nation, which was originally built on Christian values.
All of this is a warning to not become complacent. Christianity holds counter cultural beliefs – as society rejects those beliefs more and more strongly, we will come under attack. Yes, there has always been religious persecution, but that doesn’t mean it can’t get worse, especially for those us who haven’t ever experienced overt persecution. Regardless of this, we have always been and are now, taking part in a spiritual battle of good and evil. Charles Baudelaire said, ‘The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing the world that he did not exist.’ Please don’t forget the daily battle that we are all waged in, so that when it comes out of the shadows you will be fit and ready for war.
The Catholic Church is so cool! Since its very beginnings (aka Christ), it has remained faithful to its teachings and foundations, despite internal corruption and turmoil. The Church has endured persecution throughout time and today is no different. What has been a subtle persecution is becoming a full fledged attack on the institution which everyone loves to hate. Here’s an example from the New York Times. This ad is targeted at those who call themselves Catholic but don’t really follow the teachings of the Church; it encourages them to just leave. I hope that the people who fall into this category will learn why the Church teaches what it does and embrace those teachings rather than just leaving.
Have you ever noticed that Catholics get the short end of the stick when it comes to cartoons, jokes and just generally making fun of religion? People are very careful about not insulting Jewish and Muslim faiths, but have no problem with things like the ad that appeared in the NY Times. For example, this article explains that the Times chose to publish this ad over an anti-muslim one because it is “safer”.
More than ever, Catholics are being challenged by society and our counter cultural and often radical beliefs are being questioned. This is an opportune time for evangelization and for strengthening our convictions. Persection usually serves to strengthen the persecuted. JPII stated at one point that he forsees the Church getting smaller, but stronger and I wholeheartedly agree with this prophetic statement. The U.S. Bishops immediate and unified response to the HHS mandate showed the world that the Catholic Church is still alive and well. It showed that we will fight attacks against our beloved mother Church.
This article, from another great blogger who terms himself a “bad catholic”, details some of the failed attempts to attack the Church and how they are making us stronger.
And here are some encouraging words from the Savior himself:
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.” – John 15:18-20
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
Matthew 16:17
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