How Today’s Ways of Thinking Contradict Catholicism

Author and evangelist Matthew Kelly noted in his recent book, Everybody Evangelizes About Something, that Catholicism contrasts with the modern philosophies of our day. Those philosophies are individualism, hedonism, relativism and minimalism. And that if Catholics want to change the world, they would have to challenge the allure of these four approaches to life on this planet. Let us investigate this challenge.

Individualism, most pronounced in the west and especially the United States, are the behaviors based on the belief of the importance of the individual that include one’s personal virtues, independence of thought and action, and self-reliance. It also refers indirectly to a political view of freedom from government regulation while pursuing economic goals. In the west, individual interests take precedence over the interests of the group, whether it be race, ethnicity, class, even nation; ie. human rights. Eastern cultures focus on the group over the individual, the race, the nation, the political party and believe western cultures overvalue this individualism thing. As it is, the West has taken individualism to a new extreme – sexual behaviors, self-created identities and aberrant religions.  

Hedonism is that way of life that leads people to devote themselves to pleasure, especially sensual pleasure – materialism, drink, food, sex and other excesses of fun and delight. Seeking pleasure and avoiding pain is the only good, both philosophically and psychologically speaking, a-la  Epicurus and Freud. Hedonism is promoted via magazines, TV and movies. “I mean what else is there or should there be?” So they say.

Relativism is today’s liberal mantra. There is no absolute truth, beauty and morality. All are in the eye of the beholder and pretty much anything goes. It’s all good and judgments be damned. Terrorism, misogyny, homosexuality, child exploitation can all be morally tolerated. Righteousness can stem from many a cultural standpoint and the concept of sin nonexistent. Whatever floats your boat!

Minimalism is the rage of today’s youth. Do only what is barely needed. Slackers. It is an aversion to work. It is more than just laziness or indolence for energy abounds with the young. It is the purposeful avoidance of what is necessary and an actual lukewarmness to the focus on God. It is almost sloth if you will. Let the government do it and while we are at it, let them pay our salaries. Thus commences an opposition to faith, hope and joy. The effort to become the best version of yourself eludes them. Whatever.

The first thing I learned as a youth going to catechism class is what my parish priest taught. He said the purpose of life was to know, love and serve the Lord. And we find in the Apostle’s Creed our doctrines of belief. Catholicism is a corporate culture. Catholic culture refers to groups with recognizably Catholic habits, customs and behavioral patterns pertaining to the faith expressed in the above-mentioned Apostle’s Creed, and to the living of life. Traditions of Catholicism such as attending Mass, Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmations, and Marriages all contribute to this culture. There is no stepping outside the bounds of tradition, doctrine and the Ten Commandments, which are all written in the Bible, thus constricting excessive individualism. We are the body of Christ.

Hedonists focus mostly on sexual activity. Do whatever you want if it feels good. This flies against the teachings of the church. Christian teaching is that marriage is the proper context for sexual activity and for child-bearing, for the good of children, women, and men alike, as well as society as a whole. Hedonism exists at the expense of a well-ordered and healthy society.

Catholicism also teaches that God created the sciences of physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, mathematics, etc. It works everywhere in the world. What about morality? Are there separate moralities or is there one God given morality? Can we improve our morality or do we have to bow to the diverse moralities of the diverse cultures? Can they really coexist? Catholicism teaches its morality around the world. The universal Church is the same Church whether in America, Brazil, France, China, Nigeria, Iraq, or India. Catholicism is to spread its morality of truth universally while cultural relativity bows to the varying moralities and the varying proclamations of truth.  

Finally, Catholicism calls an individual to become holy or the best version of themselves. This calls for work, discipline, mindfulness and sobriety. Anything less is minimalism, even sloth. To not participate in this struggle is the lack of personal responsibility toward self-improvement. It denies the existence of spiritual warfare in our relationships to self, others and God. But it is the devotion to Christ that allows us to overcome this battle whether through our commitment to the faith, grace or mercy.  

So, I suppose what is needed are standards of morality that is universally communicated, and to do so through a stronger more disciplined Catholic Church. We need to convince others around the world the personal imperative toward holiness or pursuing our best versions of ourselves in order to fulfill a God given purpose. Matthew Kelly says that to achieve this, we as Catholics need to pass on great Catholic books, invite others to Catholic events, know Church positions on important social issues, and explain Catholicism to those open to hearing the Word. We can start by contrasting the philosophies of the day with our religion.