Taken from a spiritual perspective, atheism is no more than a juvenile rebellion against your Father. Sometimes prompted by real-life tragedy or betrayal, atheism nonetheless remains intellectually untenable and politically dangerous. It is shocking that such a worldview could continue to hold water -- and attract believers -- after the bloody century of relativism we have just left behind.
This new atheism is truly a bigoted fundamentalism in disguise; as an anti-religion, it attempts to enshrine the very things which almost ended our society over the past 100 years. When otherwise intellectually sharp people like Christopher Hitchens stubbornly insist on a doctrine that has led to nothing but heartache and tragedy, we can only wonder about their sanity.
A fascinating article was recently penned by other Hitchens -- Peter -- about his tenuous journey back to the faith of his fathers. Considering the strong climate of anti-religion in Europe, he writes:
"Why is there such a fury against religion now? Because religion is the one reliable force that stands in the way of the power of the strong over the weak. The one reliable force that forms the foundation of the concept of the rule of law. The one reliable force that restrains the hand of the man of power. In an age of powerworship, the Christian religion has become the principal obstacle to the desire of earthly utopians for absolute power."
And yet Hitchens give us hope in the fact that he is able to reconcile with his fundamentally atheist brother. As far as the faith goes, history has taught us a lesson: Either cultures and civilizations return to their faith, or they collapse tragically. The faith, when chased away, always finds a new home and a willing ear. Civilizations are mortal, the faith is imperishable. In our overly anthropocentric age, it is important to realize that the faith is paramount, and that the faith will always survive, whether the rebellion be a single juvenile act or an entire society's folly.
Already, I feel, the tide is turning back towards the faith. This latest attack, it seems, is fizzling away...
I highly encourage you to read what Peter Hitchens has to say:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1255983/How-I-God-peace-atheist-brother-PETER-HITCHENS-traces-journey-Christianity.html
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Monday, March 8, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
The Answer to Everything
We live in a society where the answer to everything is only moments away. Whether it regards tweaking the visual settings on my blog, getting a new piece of software to integrate seamlessly into my studio setup, or finding the quickest route to Toledo, the internet answers any question I can throw at it.
So how is it acceptable to ask a question and not answer it?
What if this question can change the course of your entire life?
Such is the problem with many fallen-away Catholics in our culture. They'll come up with a few "objections" to the faith, and subsequently use them as an excuse to water-down or even stop practicing their religion.
These objections are usually far from legitimate concerns, and rather questions that people haven't taken the time to find an answer for yet. Some of the examples I hear most often:
"Why can't I just confess my sins to God? I don't think confession to a Priest is necessary."
"Why can't Priests marry? I don't think the Church is being fair."
"Why do I have to attend weekly Mass?"
Unfortunately the people who utter such questions tend to regard them as legitimate arguments, rather than intellectually lazy self-justification. Such questions are usually followed by a cynical or defiant facial expression, and the attempt to feel self-satisfied for being "modern" or "clever" enough to dupe the Church.
You haven't fooled anybody, friend. The beautiful Catholic answers -- spiritually full and intellectually satisfying -- are only a few clicks away. Just as easily as you can find the fastest route to Toledo, you can also find the fastest and fullest answer for your faith. It's all there, in unforgiving black and white.
Be it laziness or the fear of finding the right answer, you no longer have an excuse not to find the answer to your question.
Will God be willing to accept our lazy half-objections? In an age where the answer to everything is only a click away, will ignorance still be a tolerated excuse?
So how is it acceptable to ask a question and not answer it?
What if this question can change the course of your entire life?
Such is the problem with many fallen-away Catholics in our culture. They'll come up with a few "objections" to the faith, and subsequently use them as an excuse to water-down or even stop practicing their religion.
These objections are usually far from legitimate concerns, and rather questions that people haven't taken the time to find an answer for yet. Some of the examples I hear most often:
"Why can't I just confess my sins to God? I don't think confession to a Priest is necessary."
"Why can't Priests marry? I don't think the Church is being fair."
"Why do I have to attend weekly Mass?"
Unfortunately the people who utter such questions tend to regard them as legitimate arguments, rather than intellectually lazy self-justification. Such questions are usually followed by a cynical or defiant facial expression, and the attempt to feel self-satisfied for being "modern" or "clever" enough to dupe the Church.
You haven't fooled anybody, friend. The beautiful Catholic answers -- spiritually full and intellectually satisfying -- are only a few clicks away. Just as easily as you can find the fastest route to Toledo, you can also find the fastest and fullest answer for your faith. It's all there, in unforgiving black and white.
Be it laziness or the fear of finding the right answer, you no longer have an excuse not to find the answer to your question.
Will God be willing to accept our lazy half-objections? In an age where the answer to everything is only a click away, will ignorance still be a tolerated excuse?
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