Christopher Hitchens Condemns and Mocks Mother Teresa

[Havard]

This is not that complex. The man has a right to his opinion as long as we live in a free society. Let him have his opinion. This does not mean that people have to agree with him. Some will and most will not. There are more important news items in this world.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

I’d agree with you if I didn’t see signs of his prosthelytization. All signs I see point to a growing trend of Americans moving to atheism (in general).

 

[JReducation]

I’d agree with you if I didn’t see signs of his prosthelytization. All signs I see point to a growing trend of Americans moving to atheism (in general).

I don’t know if Americans are that prone to atheism as much as agnosticism. Is there such a word?

Even atheists and agnostics seem to have a special admiration for Mother Teresa. That’s why I said that I don’t think this is newsworthy.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Havard]

I don’t know if Americans are that prone to atheism as much as agnosticism. Is there such a word?

Even atheists and agnostics seem to have a special admiration for Mother Teresa. That’s why I said that I don’t think this is newsworthy.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Perhaps it’s my work with a lot of young non-believers, but I’ve been running into more and more people who aren’t just leaving the Church, they’re actually hostile toward it. I’ve seen or heard dozens of people say the most hateful things about the Holy Father, no exaggeration. It usually stems from his unfortunate association with the Hitler Youth, so you can imagine what they say… Young people’s ideas of the Church are getting more and more out of touch with reality. Many actually are surprised when they find out that I’m Catholic… it’s like they expect I should be some fascist nutjob.

 

[JReducation]

Perhaps it’s my work with a lot of young non-believers, but I’ve been running into more and more people who aren’t just leaving the Church, they’re actually hostile toward it. I’ve seen or heard dozens of people say the most hateful things about the Holy Father, no exaggeration. It usually stems from his unfortunate association with the Hitler Youth, so you can imagine what they say… Young people’s ideas of the Church are getting more and more out of touch with reality. Many actually are surprised when they find out that I’m Catholic… it’s like they expect I should be some fascist nutjob.

But are they atheists or simply (not so simple) non believers? There is a difference. Many people have no use for organized religion, but they still believe in God. These folks are not atheists. They are agnostics.

Not all agnostics or atheists are hostile toward religion. They simply do not believe. Some are very antagonistic. My last assignment was to a school where the director was antagonistic toward all religion. He described himself as a believer in God, but had nothing nice to say about any religioin. He was very difficult to deal with when the topic of religion came up. Finally, one day I had to set him straight and tell him that I did not appreciate his comments and was not interested in hearing them. I reminded him that he could think anything he wanted, but not say it. This was difficult, because he was my boss. No, this was not a Catholic school. It was a secular school.

Our community is completely dedicated to Respect Life and Gospel of Life Ministry. We do not charge for our work. Nor does the diocese give us any kind of stipend. Our constitutions do not allow us to ask the Church for any money for us. The way that we eat and pay rent is for one of us to have a job that pays a salary. That person brings home the bacon and the other brothers are free to minister full-time to the unborn, their parents, the healing of those who have had abortions, education of the community, monitor and educate on legal issues and so forth. So, since I was the guy who had the degree in education, I was a high school principal.

I had to work alongside people who had no interest in religion. Fortunately, only my boss was antagonistic. Everyone else was very affectionate and respectful. Some people actually started to go back to church. I’m not sure if it had anything to do with me, but they did know that I was a Franciscan and we’d often engage in wonderful conversations about God and faith. That’s why I’m asking if the people about whom you’re speaking are really atheists or simply hostile agnostics. I’ve met both and they are not the same, even though they are no practicing anything.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Havard]

Hmm, you make a good point. I suppose many could be agnostic, or even theistic in a very general sense (intelligent design or whatnot.) Regardless, the things that they rail against are the very same things that Hitchens does. They hate the concept of sin, and of guilt. They hate what they perceive as superstition. They hate the hierarchy and the “rules”. Hitchens is notable in that he advertises these supposed shortcomings of Christianity on a regular basis on a mass scale through major editorial publications.

 

[JReducation]

Hmm, you make a good point. I suppose many could be agnostic, or even theistic in a very general sense (intelligent design or whatnot.) Regardless, the things that they rail against are the very same things that Hitchens does. They hate the concept of sin, and of guilt. They hate what they perceive as superstition. They hate the hierarchy and the “rules”. Hitchens is notable in that he advertises these supposed shortcomings of Christianity on a regular basis on a mass scale through major editorial publications.

The real issue here is the antagonism. We can’t force people to have faith. In fact, the Church opposes such action. Faith is a gift of grace, which is given to us in degrees and through a process. Not all come to faith at the same time or in the same way. Just look at the great saints of the Church. My own spiritual father, St. Francis, was born a Catholic and was a good Catholic. Still, he underwent a conversion experience and became the perfect Christian. Paul was knocked off a horse and shocked into faith. Augustine arrived at the faith through a lifelong search for knowledge, understanding of reality and a search for meaning. The three are equivalent in their holiness, but very different in their journey. That’s why I don’t worry too much about non-believers. With good evangelization, which usually means, good example from other people of faith, many of these folks will come around.

That being said, I have a real concern about people who are antagonistic, inside and outside the Church. Antagonism is a poison that gradually destroys the person’s posibility to accept the gift of faith. The antagonist is usually filled with fear, anger, guilt, misinformation, and often with a sense of despair. St. Faustina had a great compassion for this person. She often said that she wanted to feel their fear, anger, etc to relieve them, so they could open themselves up to the grace of faith.

My own religious community often deals with this when we work with people who are seeking abortions or have had one. It is a very sad state to be in. We try to approach these people with great love, affection, compassion, mercy and humility. I always tell our brothers to be humble and remember that we are capable of much greater sin. If we keep that in mind, we can then give witness to Christ’s mercy, because we can speak from our own experience of being healed and protected by him.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF