Moral Relativism

All of the posts under the "Moral Relativism" category.

Modernists Love Luther

Modernism is the synthesis of all heresies. It is a disease which has infiltrated the Church. Seeing Modernism for the evil it was, Pope St. Pius X wrote the encyclical Pascendi Dominici Gregis (On Modernism).

This is must read material for any Catholic who wishes to adhere to the dogmas, doctrines, and truths of Catholicism. The encyclical can be read on Papal Encyclicals. If you are looking for a good synopsis, I suggest reading The Old Evangelization’s excellent series on the subject.

Q. And in other scientific matters, how do they proceed?

A. Acting on the principle that science in no way depends upon faith, when they treat of philosophy, history, criticism, feeling no horror at treading in the footsteps of Luther they are wont to display a certain contempt for Catholic doctrines, for the Holy Fathers, for the Ecumenical Councils, for the ecclesiastical magisterium; and should they be rebuked for this, they complain that they are being deprived of their liberty.

Modernists do not feel sorrow for following in the footsteps of Luther. In fact, they feel joy for basking in his rebellion against the Church. They will argue that Luther has much to teach the Catholic Church in regards to being a better “Christian”.

There are far too many prelates within the hierarchy of the Vatican who believe that Luther was misunderstood. You can find proof of this on Vatican Radio’s website here. There will be discussion on how Catholics and Lutherans can work together and learn from each other’s “witness”, rather than Lutherans being reprimanded for being in a 500 year protest of the Catholic Church, the Church Christ founded.

These heretics (both the Lutherans and the “Catholics”) who are promoting this evil event will cause scandal and confusion among the faithful. Yes, this event is evil because it goes against the teaching of Christ and His Church. Any action that goes against Our Lord and is offensive to Him, is evil.

It is likely this event will occur without a hitch, much like the dreadful Assisi gatherings. However, pray this event does not go forth. The last thing the Church needs during this ridiculous time is this heinous event.

Jeff March 18, 2015 2 Comments Permalink

Novelty Divides

There are many in the Church today who talk about unity and division, we’ll call them Uniters. Specifically, the Uniters will mention a certain group of Catholics who are always causing division (read “Traditionalists”).

It is crucial to read the scriptures, as St. Jerome says “ignorance of the scriptures is ignorance of Christ”. Jesus has something to say about division. We read in Luke:

I am come to cast fire on the earth; and what will I, but that it be kindled? And I have a baptism wherewith I am to be baptized: and how am I straitened until it be accomplished? Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation. For there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided: three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against his father, the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother, the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. Luke 12:49-53 DR

The natural order of things to come is those who profess a faith in Jesus Christ will cause divisions among the Earth. While unity is an important aspect of the faith, we must remember Jesus Christ and His Church holds all Truth. To separate oneself from either of these causes division.

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In my own experience, I have found the Uniters who profess a “spirit of unity” to be the ones who are against the sacred traditions we have inherited. So much so, they will label and isolate those who do profess the Truths and traditions of our faith. How? Calling someone divisive comes to mind.

St. Paul warns against those who cause division by not upholding the doctrine handed down in his letter to the Romans:

Now I beseech you, brethren, to mark them who make dissensions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such, serve not Christ our Lord, but their own belly; and by pleasing speeches and good words, seduce the hearts of the innocent. For your obedience is published in every place. I rejoice therefore in you. But I would have you to be wise in good, and simple in evil. Romans 16:17-19 DR

True unity occurs once we unite ourselves with the teachings, doctrines, and traditions that have been passed on from prior generations through Christ and the Church.

To the Uniters, I give the benefit of the doubt. They do not know their faith well enough and believe they are preaching it. Pray for them and encourage them to delve deeper into Catholicism.

Jeff October 2, 2014 2 Comments Permalink

Compromising Morality

Too often in today’s culture, we are encouraged to compromise morality. Sadly, many people have ill-formed consciences and have no problem justifying a compromise, as they feel it is not a big deal. In all reality, it is a big deal, as any time we compromise morality we are turning ourselves away from God and committing sin. This sin, if left unrepentant, can be our undoing and allow ourselves to be thrown into the fiery abyss that is Hell.

There are two types of morality. Objective morality and subjective morality.

Objective Morality

Objective morality is the moral law that God has given us through Him, His Son, or through the Church. This is the moral code that does not change through the ages. It is constant, meaning if it was bad 1000 years ago, it is also bad today, and will still be bad 1000 years from today. It will always be immoral. Likewise, the same can be said in regards to something that is good. If it was good yesterday, it is good today and it is good tomorrow.

This is the type of morality that the Church upholds, that through God, we can know what is and isn’t moral regardless of what society may tell us. Since God is omnipotent and unchanging the morality that He gives to us remains true for all eternity. It is not up to changing by subjective morality.

Subjective Morality

Subjective morality is the moral law that is up to individual or societal interpretation. It changes from time to time depending on what people think is right or wrong. What may have been deemed good yesterday can be deemed immoral today and potentially amoral tomorrow. The Church has no issues with subjective morality as long as it does not interfere with morality that has been declared as objective.

An example of subjective morality would be a law involving stopping for school buses. 50 years ago, it would have been considered just fine to not stop for a school bus. Today you are to stop when the lights are flashing and be about 50 feet away (depending on state). Tomorrow, it may be that you must be 50 yards away. However, it is subject to the time and societal constraints that determine if it is moral or not and none of these are absolutely immoral.

I bring up objective and subjective morality because it is almost impossible to fully understand what mortal sins are mortal and the reasoning behind that if you do not fully grasp these two types of morality. It also makes far more sense when you understand that God’s law is unchanging and that many sins are derived from breaking the Ten Commandments from varying degrees.

It is also important to grasp because when it comes to morality, we can not compromise that morality, that is, the ends can never justify the means.

For example, if a terrorist tells the city of La-La Land that they must kill a particular innocent civilian in order to prevent the total annihilation of the city, it would be immoral to do so. The end (saving an entire city from certain destruction) does not justify the means (killing an innocent person). On top of this, we do not know if the terrorist is actually going to blow up the city, or if they will blow up the city even if you kill this innocent person.

A more realistic scenario would be the end (getting a promotion) does not justify the means (lying, cheating and stealing to get the promotion).

If you have committed sins in order to do good, those are stains on your soul. Go to confession and get rid of them. Only the pure can enter Heaven, and a stained soul is not pure. Confess and atone for your sins.

This post is one of many in a series on Mortal Sins. Click here for more posts explaining and defining mortal sins.

Jeff May 12, 2014 Leave A Comment Permalink

Catholic Gold – The Concise Catholic Dictionary 1943

One of my favorite activities that I enjoy is going to Protestant Rummage Sales and finding all of the Catholic books they have. Generally, these books are cheap, seeing as Protestants don’t generally care to have Catholic books laying around. Also, a lot of times these books are old as well, but not necessarily. Many times these books came from deceased relatives or recent fallen away Catholics into this particular Protestant parish. Regardless, its a win for me, even if its a huge loss for them.

A few years ago, at one of these sales, I happened to come across a book titled “Concise Catholic Dictionary”. It’s a plain black leather bound book. It had a dollar price tag and I figured it’d be a good book to have, after all, having a book that defines all Catholic terms could prove to be quite useful.

Well, like most books I have, it sat on the bookshelf for a few years until I decided to thumb through it a couple of months ago. It was compiled in 1943 by Robert C. Broderick M.A. and published by the Catechetical Guild Educational Society of St. Paul, Minnesota. After doing some searching online, you can purchase your own copy at Amazon or you can even view it online here. I *highly* suggest looking at this treasure chest of gold.

The reason I mention this book to you all, is first, it is a treasure to have. If you want great definitions for key Catholic terms, this is the book for you. It is also put together prior to Vatican 2, so it doesn’t have the lengthy definitions that are quite common these days. Secondly, I will be referencing this book a lot in the coming posts, and would like you to be aware that I am using these definitions. After going through this book, I’m saddened to see how some of the definitions of Catholic terms today have been watered down to seem unimportant.

Jeff January 6, 2014 9 Comments Permalink

Another Pope Francis Interview – Am I Wrong?

Pope Francis has done, yet another interview with the press, in which he says some good things and says some…bad things.

First, I direct your attention to the interview, which is posted in its entirety here.

I’m only going to comment on three things that I completely disagree and I find to be completely unacceptable for any Pope to say. But first, some disclaimers.

I don’t want to hear you say anything along the lines of “But he’s the Vicar of Christ, you shouldn’t disagree with him!” This is one of the most annoying arguments for disagreement. Just because he is the Pope, this does not elevate him from public criticism. If he is wrong, he is wrong. It just means he is a Vicar of Christ who is wrong. This is not being proclaimed as Dogma or Doctrine, so it is just personal opinion.

I will completely be honest, maybe I am immature in my faith and do not completely understand what he is getting at, so, if that is the case, please charitably respond in the comments and prove me wrong. After all, if I am wrong, the mature thing is to correct me, and help me understand where the Pope is coming from. It is also the Christian thing to do.

1. Your Holiness, is there is a single vision of the Good? And who decides what it is?
“Each of us has a vision of good and of evil. We have to encourage people to move towards what they think is Good.”

Your Holiness, you wrote that in your letter to me. The conscience is autonomous, you said, and everyone must obey his conscience. I think that’s one of the most courageous steps taken by a Pope.
“And I repeat it here. Everyone has his own idea of good and evil and must choose to follow the good and fight evil as he conceives them. That would be enough to make the world a better place.”

This to me seems to be moral relativism. Moral relativism in its simplicity is stating that if you believe something is good, than it must be good and if you believe something is bad, than it must be bad. How then, can the Pope promote something like this if we believe that Jesus Christ is the summit and source of all that is Good and True? You think robbing a bank is good? Go ahead and do it! Abortion isn’t evil? Than you say so!

2. Jesus in his preaching said that agape, love for others, is the only way to love God. Correct me if I’m wrong.
“You’re not wrong. The Son of God became incarnate in the souls of men to instill the feeling of brotherhood. All are brothers and all children of God. Abba, as he called the Father. I will show you the way, he said. Follow me and you will find the Father and you will all be his children and he will take delight in you. Agape, the love of each one of us for the other, from the closest to the furthest, is in fact the only way that Jesus has given us to find the way of salvation and of the Beatitudes.”

My confusion with regards to *why* he became incarnate is where I’m confused with what Pope Francis is saying. I thought Jesus came so that man can be saved? That is Jesus took on human flesh so that He could be offered as a perfect sacrifice, for the redemption of mankind and the forgiveness of our sins, hence why we don’t need the paschal lamb because Jesus IS The Paschal Lamb. This seems to me that it is a direct contradiction to what even the Church teaches us. Jesus came so that we may have eternal life and we are to follow Him so that we can partake in that eternal life.

3. Pope Francis told me: “The most serious of the evils that afflict the world these days are youth unemployment and the loneliness of the old. The old need care and companionship; the young need work and hope but have neither one nor the other, and the problem is they don’t even look for them any more. They have been crushed by the present. You tell me: can you live crushed under the weight of the present? Without a memory of the past and without the desire to look ahead to the future by building something, a future, a family? Can you go on like this? This, to me, is the most urgent problem that the Church is facing.”

I’m unsure how these are “evils”. I’ve read this interview on several site and another one referenced this paragraph as “problems with the Church”. To me, these are not problems. These are issues, yes, but not the two serious problems.

My thought would be the lack of priests we have in the Church to administer the Sacraments and the fleeing of the young from the Church after they have received Confirmation. 85% of those confirmed leave the Catholic Church within 5 years. How can a Church thrive when it posts losses like this? If a business lost 85% of its customers each year, they’d be…out of business. Granted Christ told us that Hell would not prevail against the Church, but this is still a major issue that needs addressing.

I do want to point out that I agree with Pope Francis on proper evangelization. We need to take people where they are at, explain the faith to them in ways they understand, without forcing it upon them. We may not get to see their conversion, but we may be an instrument for their conversion. We are planting the mustard seeds. I would like to come back to this in another post.

I’d like to end with this. I in all humility, may be wrong. These are my own personal thoughts and observations. If I am wrong, please tell me why. I would love to be able to say “oh, I get it now, this is awesome!” But I need your help!

Jeff October 1, 2013 4 Comments Permalink

Traditional Roman Catholic Thoughts