Would like resources against atheistic sociology objections

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PraiseChrist

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Dear CAF members,

Need Catholic-only perspective to provide some apologetics help against some atheistic objections
  1. Does anyone have resources refuting the objections of the modern thought that religion was socially constructed as a means of understanding human nature, to understand the world in human terms, and to fulfill human desires.
  2. In a classroom setting, if a professor or teacher makes a statement in contradiction with the Catholic Faith, are we obligated (not just recommended) to speak up and ask questions, like–“I feel that religion and science are always in war with one another. We can make great scientific discoveries, if it weren’t for our nation’s religious background”?
    What about if the professor is just plain wrong–“Christianity is the first monotheistic religion”
Any help would be appreciated
 
  1. The argument of religion as a human construct doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. In so far as for it to explain the unexplainable. Religion is in large part based on observation, not of people, but of everything else including the intangible. People/religions have always put themselves(humans) as a co-participants of God/god within creation. It’s more of a, “why are we here?” question. ancient.eu/religion/
Again, religion is not a construct in so far as to explain why we are capable of asking such a question as, "why are we here?’. It is a construct in so far as a way for people to understand revelation that has been experienced by certain people and verified by others from time to time.

Revelation is the key here, some have never experienced it and so will never understand. Some have had a little revelation/grace and will dig deeper from the initial revelation. Some will have a road to Demascus moment and be responsible for huge leaps forward in helping the rest of us understand the relationship of God to His people.

2.For you, No, your not there to teach your professor. Perhaps if you see them in private, by chance or otherwise, you could express your understanding of your faith.
 
This is a common (and very weak) objection to the Christian faith. Unfortunately persons who propose faith as a human construct see belief in God as believing in a white bearded old man…which is of course not what we profess. The Christian faith has never been a “crutch” to help explain scientific mysteries…but instead it is a revealed faith that answers unscientific transcendent questions that science can never answer…such as “what is the purpose of my life?”, “What is the nature of evil?”, “How must I live?”, etc.
I would also remind your sceptic friend that the Catholic Church has always vigorously supported education in the sciences…in fact our whole western education system has its roots in the catheral and monestary schools from over 1000 years ago.
A great general resource is the book “Handbook of Christian Apologetics” by Peter Kreeft

To answer your 2nd question…I would be respectful to your professor and discern the right time to address some of his/her false assumptions/conclusions…perhaps in the context of an open class discussion or term paper…whenever appropriate. Remember Matthew 10:32 -
“So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven;”
Whenever you defend the faith…God will remember that instance of courage for all eternity…and will surely reward you.
 
Thank you very much. They were helpful responses.

But a followup question about being obligated:
If I never speak up on anything at all, is that wrong? You two said that I could do so outside of class discussion, but is it objectively wrong to not say anything?
Does Matthew 10:33 come into play here?
*But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven. *
 
You are not being asked to do anything contrary to your faith.
When you write your essays and exams you should be quoting the sources anyway and not making statements of fact as is your professor.
The humanities and soft science courses I took way, way back when seemed to be indoctrination into Marxism, feminism, etc, etc.; I’m not surprised.
It’s not up to you to defend your faith against someone who is not only not interested in your point of view but likely hostile to it.
You may find that contemplating and researching the issues the prof brings up, will strengthen your faith.
At some point you may be asked to do something that actually is a sin. It would be then important to stand up for what’s right. If you are a good student, they can’t fail you. They may block your advancement in that area, but it will be of no loss. Another, better door will open.
 
Aloysium said:
You are not being asked to do anything contrary to your faith.
When you write your essays and exams you should be quoting the sources anyway and not making statements of fact as is your professor.
The humanities and soft science courses I took way, way back when seemed to be indoctrination into Marxism, feminism, etc, etc.; I’m not surprised.
It’s not up to you to defend your faith against someone who is not only not interested in your point of view but likely hostile to it.
You may find that contemplating and researching the issues the prof brings up, will strengthen your faith.
At some point you may be asked to do something that actually is a sin. It would be then important to stand up for what’s right. If you are a good student, they can’t fail you. They may block your advancement in that area, but it will be of no loss. Another, better door will open.
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👍

PraiseChrist, you’re not denying Jesus. Your shaking the dust off your sandals.
 
Thank you for all the answers. All of them were good.
You’re shaking the dust off your sandals.
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I’m not an apostle, just a student, but thank you

All the best everyone
 
Stay away from psychology and sociology courses. Junk science at best. 🤷
 
PraiseChrist said:
  1. Does anyone have resources refuting the objections of the modern thought that religion was socially constructed as a means of understanding human nature, to understand the world in human terms, and to fulfill human desires.
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Are you interested in understanding whether it was, or only in trying to demonstrate that it wasn’t? In other words, if you’re sure it wasn’t, you must surely already have your “refutation” to hand.
  1. In a classroom setting, if a professor or teacher makes a statement in contradiction with the Catholic Faith, are we obligated (not just recommended) to speak up and ask questions, like–“I feel that religion and science are always in war with one another. We can make great scientific discoveries, if it weren’t for our nation’s religious background”?
    What about if the professor is just plain wrong–“Christianity is the first monotheistic religion”
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Depends on the class, I expect. If it’s a science class, religion shouldn’t ever really come into it. If it’s a religion class, you might want to challenge the statement in your second example.
 
wanstronian said:
Are you interested in understanding whether it was, or only in trying to demonstrate that it wasn’t? In other words, if you’re sure it wasn’t, you must surely already have your “refutation” to hand.
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Sorry for the late reply,

I wanted to know the Catholic perspective to this objection. I didn’t have my refutation yet, but I believe that the Catholic Church has truth, even though I didn’t know how the Church would respond to this. Although the best evidence at that time was in favor of religion being false, I still have an assurance and Faith of Catholicism having the response to this objection and ultimately having truth.
 
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