Catholicism, Revolution, and Conformity

 It has been suggested that Catholicism is stodgy, old-fashioned, constraining, and conformist. The truth is that none of these descriptions of Catholicism are true; rather Catholicism is consistently revolutionary, challenging the demands for conformity in every age. In his masterpiece, “Orthodoxy”, G.K. Chesterton succinctly noted, “People have fallen into the foolish habit of speaking of orthodoxy as something heavy, humdrum, and safe. There never has been anything so perilous or as exciting as orthodoxy.”

 The modern world trumpets freedom and self expression, yet it is in reality conformist in the extreme. Moderns must conform to concepts of the day, to the hip music, to whatever is in vogue, and, most importantly, to the glorification of self.  Modernity is a slave to the self; its freedom is not liberating, but rather is very confining. Its sole object is the self. It has made science and government (the state), the new gods, possessing answers to all questions. The modern emphasis on the self demands that man subjugates everything to that which enhances the self. Consequently, those objects that represent an inconvenience or threat to the self can be eliminated or severely restricted, such as unwanted unborn (or even born) children, the elderly, or other supposedly “non productive” people.

On the other hand, only Catholicism is the true revolutionary, challenging each generation in every society to view liberty as the limiting of the selfish, while focusing outward on others and on the Other. For this reason, Catholicism is viewed as a great peril by those that want to limit man’s vision to the narrow confines of self. Notwithstanding the personal failures of many within the Church, Catholicism remains the only true revolutionary. It alone defines the true objection of man’s efforts – God. It is not conformist or stagnate, but rather is challenging and alive, seeking man’s fulfillment through and with God.

Catholicism is hated and feared by many as the most radical system of beliefs, not only because its belief and total acceptance of God, but also because it is seen as a threat to self-centered individualism and the power of the state.

Suggested Reading:

“Orthodoxy” by G.K. Chesterton, published by Ignatius Press