Tag Archives: hate

Hating

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Hating

In utter frustration, she frantically screamed at her brother, “I hate you! I hate you! Why do I have such a mean brother?” She then turned around and defiantly marched out of the room, while her brother taunted her with a wry smile and an indifferent look. Most of us have experienced a, “I hate you”, response from a sister or brother or a friend as the individual charges off into a new direction. Of course, real hatred does not exist in such situations. What did exist was a short period of frustration or disappointment, to be followed shortly thereafter with an atmosphere of mutual reconciliation.

Yet there are many instances where actual hatred does exist. During a televised discussion on the subject of hatred between cultures, religions, and ethnic groups, several panelists offered the thought that the Jews are the most hated group in the world, while others commented that Muslins are the most hated. Finally, a Jewish rabbi countered that no not the Jews nor the Muslins nor any other group or individual is as hated as are those who hold tightly to the teachings of the Catholic faith. His comment stunned many of his fellow panelists. Yet his comment echoed the statement made by St. Cyprian in the third century, “The world hates Christians (Catholics).”

If the rabbi is accurate in his assessment that faithful followers of Catholicism are indeed the most hated individuals, why is this true?   The rabbi noted that whatever one thinks of Catholics, the actual teachings of the Catholic faith present a choice between its teachings, its emphasis on the truth, and the desires of many people. People do not like having their choices challenged by the arguments of the Church advocating objective truth. Few people want to have some of their choices in life be scrutinized and challenged by that which the Church presents as truth – reality. The Church’s positions on the existence of God, abortion, homosexuality, loving one’s neighbor, and many other issues all are frequently challenged by those who hold different views and cannot accept being contradicted. On many vital issues, such as God’s existence or abortion, some people strive to marginalize the Church, while others vehemently denounce the Church hoping to completely isolate her. Still others select and emphasize the failings of individual Catholics, both within the clergy and among the laity, in order to discredit not only certain individuals but all the teachings of the Church. By emphasizing the sins of important members of the Church, they hope to taint the entire Church. Even those who claim to be “Catholics” often join in the criticisms of the church, when it serves their own personal circumstances.

The most intense hatred of the Church occurs when the Church declares its position of any particular issue as the truth, as reality.  Many people vehemently reject the Church’s teachings about sex, freedom, objective truth, the nature and purpose of man and, more importantly, strongly reject the idea that their own positions / beliefs are contrary to the truth. Many people attempt to justify their actions and belief systems so that they are accepted as the truth. However, on many issues, the Catholic Church stands in front of them clearly stating the truth. Oh, how they wish this annoying Church would just go away! When the Church will not leave the field of battle, people try to destroy it in any way it can. Sometimes the Church’s antagonists are assisted by people within the Church, but in the end their efforts, though occasionally having some temporary success, are doomed to fail as Jesus Christ is the protector of the Church….now and forever.

Catholics who accept the teachings of the Church on faith and morals must know that others will try to marginalize, and yes, even hate them.  It part of the life of a Catholic. The response to this hatred is the same one Christ gave to his executioners….love. Oh, that is so difficult for us!  But love we must.

Suggested Reading:

“The Mind that is Catholic” by James V. Schall, published by the Catholic University Press, available on Amazon.  (Fr. Schall presents 23 essays for one’s review and contemplation. As usual, Fr.Schall’s writing is clear, concise, and understandable to a layman. )

Clarity

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CLARITY

The dictionary definition of the word clarity is “clearness or lucidity as to perception or understanding; freedom from indistinctness or ambiguity.” Or to state it in another manner, clarity is “the state or quality of being clear or transparent to the eye or mind.” When decisions are required, all people claim to seek clarity regarding the issues involved in the decision making process. It is a great benefit for individuals to be able to discern precisely the issue or decision presented to them. Unfortunately, clarity frequently escapes people, resulting in decisions being made that actually prevent people from achieving their objectives. Clarity or clearness is elusive. Unfortunately, in many instances, the lack of clarity occurs because people are more comfortable with ambiguity; to some this lack of clearness seems to provide an escape from the responsibility for the outcome of their decision.

Often individuals have a vested reason to obscure clarity from another individual. A salesman for a television product may receive a greater commission if he obtains an order for a newer version of the television, even though the customer is really interested in a basic and lower costing product. It is to the advantage of the salesperson to confuse the customer to change the customer’s vision of clarity to a different product. Thus throughout all of our daily lives there are forces and individuals who seek to cloud a person’s view of clarity.

As much as they pontificate about the clarity and rightness of their positions on political issues, few, if any, politicians really desire to present to their constituents a clear picture of their position on issues. They prefer ambiguity. Since they want to appeal to a large cross section of the voting public, many politicians purposely try to confuse the public about their positions on important issues. Clarity in politics is almost non- existent. It is very difficult for the individual voter to fully understand the precise issue at hand and the position of any particular politician.

On the other hand, possessing a clear unequivocal view of an issue often presents an individual with a clear choice that has to be made…. must be made. Frequently an individual comes face to face with the clearness of an issue when he is presented with a clear choice…possibly a choice he does not want to face. Often, in these instances, he would prefer ambiguity and confusion so as to avoid making a choice.  In the case of the taking of a life of an unborn child, it is clear that the child is a human being. Thus when one proposes to end the life of the unborn human being, one must face the reality that one is killing another human being…one who possesses the genes of the mother and father. In cases such as these, the individual does not want to face the clarity of the issue; it is too difficult to admit the ending of a life of the innocent. Thus clarity is avoided at all cost.

Thus real clarity faces several obstacles.

  • The desire of one or more persons to obstruct real clarity.  I.e. politicians, abortionists, etc.
  • The desire of an individual to avoid clarity because of the difficult choices that the individual may want to avoid.
  • An inability of the individual to have the necessary information to form a clear picture of the issue.

On many occasions, when a person or an organization presents a clear picture of an issue or idea for acceptance or rejection, they are met with hostility. Many people do not want to face the fact that their positions on an issue may be untenable under a clear examination. Others just do not want to tolerate any position that is counter to their own. Emotion often takes over and hatred commences for the individual or organization that is presenting clarity and the clear choices that must be faced. Frequently the hatred becomes vitriolic and violent.

An organization that offers clarity in it teachings and thus encounters the most hatred and opposition is the Catholic Church.  Many people hate the Catholic Church because its teachings on God, Jesus Christ, sin, hell, abortion, marriage, and numerous other issues are clear. These teachings force people to directly meet the prime issues of life, which often directly challenge their own beliefs and values. Even individuals within the Church, including people in senior clerical and lay positions, tremble at the clarity of the Church’s teachings on key issues. Thus rather than making a decision to accept the teaching or leaving the Church, they attempt to obfuscate the issue so as to appear to be in harmony with the Church’s official teaching, while, in fact, attempting to confuse the issue.

Clarity offers individuals the opportunity to contemplate an issue directly and then make a decision on it. However, in far too many issues, people would prefer obfuscation and confusion to clarity. They can avoid the real issue … their own unwillingness to accept the consequences of making a decision. A true Catholic will learn the teachings of the church regarding fundamental matters of faith and morals and make decisions based upon the clear unequivocal teachings of the church.  However, far too many “Catholics” do not want to accept the clarity offered by the Church’s magisterium. Oh, cowards that we are!