The Seven Big Myths about the Catholic Faith: Dr. Christopher Haczor, Ph.D

“An atheistic journalist, Peter Seewald, once asked Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, the following question, how many paths are there to God? Cardinal Ratzinger replied, as many as there are people.” Kaczor, Christopher. The Seven Big Myths about the Catholic Church (p. 9). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.

The Catholic faith offers the grace of the sacraments necessary for salvation that builds on the nature of the human person. When we defend our faith and teach it, we are part of an experience of grace. Dr. Christopher Haczor, Ph.D a professor of philosophy at Loyola Marymount University offer his analysis of the myths that undermines peoples path to the Catholic church and the call for Catholics to share in God's grace. Those myths and those moments of grace-filled opportunity are:

The Myths

1. The Church Opposes Science: The Myth of Catholic Irrationality.

Dr. Haczor asks the rational question,

“If the Catholic Church were opposed to science, we would expect to find no or very few Catholic scientists, no sponsorship of scientific research by Catholic institutions, and an explicit distrust of reason in general and scientific reasoning in particular taught in official Catholic teaching. In fact, we find none of these things. Kaczor, Christopher. The Seven Big Myths about the Catholic Church (p. 19). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
Instead, the list of Catholics who have been instrumental in the success of science is impressive. Gregory Mendel, a contemporary of Darwin, a monk whose work founded the basis for modern genetic study.  Fr. George LeMaitre, the Belgian priest and proponent of the big bang.  Blaise Pascal, the originator of modern probability theory. In addition, the Church founded the Vatican Observatory and Catholic Universities science faculties.

2. The Church Opposes Freedom and Happiness: The Myth of Catholic Indifference to Earthly Welfare

Some people, it turns out, are naturally more optimistic, joyful, and upbeat. Therefore, we should not feel bad if we find ourselves with a less cheerful temperament than others. At the same time, circumstances of life—great wealth, good weather, and a promotion at work—have a relatively minor effect on our long-term level of happiness. The scientific evidence indicates that changing our circumstances will only slightly affect our outlook, as we quickly adapt to our new circumstances. Yet, while we cannot alter our genetic background, and altering our circumstances will not make much of a lasting difference to our happiness, we can dramatically change our intentional activities—that is, our goals in life. Engaging in work toward meaningful goals that strengthen our relationships with others can make us much happier. And regardless of our circumstances, we can become happier if we choose our priorities wisely. It turns out that our intentional activities can help us find or can inhibit finding happiness. Kaczor, Christopher. The Seven Big Myths about the Catholic Church (p. 39). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.

 In fact, religious people report higher levels of happiness and satisfaction than the non-religious. Religion, as it turns out, is not a burden but is the agent of real freedom.

3. The Church Hates Women: The Myth of Catholic Misogyny

Dr. Haczor points out the way in which Jesus was uniquely open to women. He also points out the ways in which generations of disciples were not. Still, there is a reason that women have a different status in Christian influenced countries than in Islam or Asia. Dr. Haczor writes,

“… those cultures unaffected by Christian belief—the ancient pagan world, the Orient, and we might add Islamic countries—do not accord women the same status as do countries such as France and Germany, who were deeply influenced by Christian ideas about the fundamental equality between men and women, husband and wife.  Kaczor, Christopher. The Seven Big Myths about the Catholic Church (p. 76). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.

 I am not sure that we always see ourselves as others see us. Dr. Haczor’s observations are helpful.

4. Indifferent to Love, the Church Banned Contraception: The Myth of Opposition between Love and Procreation

Dr. Haczor points out that children lead husband and wife to a deeper emotional maturity.

Children therefore help parents realize the goals of erotic love—to be together, unified physically, psychologically, socially, and emotionally. Each child unifies these two people together, and no one else, in a unity that is lasting and exclusive. Children are a good of marriage that unites the husband and wife in a way that realizes the aspirations of erotic love.”  Kaczor, Christopher. The Seven Big Myths about the Catholic Church (p. 95). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.

5. The Church Hates Gays: The Myth of Catholic “Homophobia” and Inaction against AIDS / HIV

This is, of course, nonsense. The Church does not preach hate. Mere polemics. Dr. Haczor responds

These statements are false. The Catholic Church could not disagree more with such statements of bigotry as “God hates fags.” The Church teaches, “It is deplorable that homosexual persons have been and are the object of violent malice in speech or in action. Such treatment deserves condemnation from the Church’s pastors wherever it occurs.”1 God loves everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, regardless of anything, and this is a basis for the intrinsic dignity of every single person. God’s love includes every single man on earth unconditionally—gay, straight, bisexual, or whatever the case may be. Kaczor, Christopher. The Seven Big Myths about the Catholic Church (pp. 111-112). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.

At the same time, sexual orientation is not a choice, but the Christian life of chastity is.

6. The Church Opposes Same-Sex Marriage Because of Bigotry: The Myth That There Is No Rational Basis for Limiting Marriage to One Man and One Woman

Dr. Haczor defends the rationality of matrimony being the gift of one man and one woman for the good of the spouses and the children. This is based nature and the image of Christ and the Church.
 
7.  Priestly Celibacy Caused the Crisis of Sexual Abuse of Minors: The Myth of Priestly Pedophilia
 
If some Catholics, especially priests most recently, are poor witnesses to the love of God, well you can't defend sin or lunacy.  Dr. Haczor asks

Would it be fair to judge a hospital by the patients who disregard doctor’s orders and fail to take their medication? Would it be fair to judge a school by the students who do not pay attention in class and fail to do their homework? The Church’s holiness, her unity with Jesus, is best seen in the saints, by those who most fully lived the message and sacramental life of the Church, by Saint Francis of Assisi and by Mother Teresa, as well as by the holy people that we’ve known personally in our lives. The Seven Big Myths about the Catholic Church (pp. 111-112). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.

The problem, as the Holy Father  and Pope Emeritus Benedict, have pointed out is abuse of power. President Bill Clinton when asked why he did what he did, truthfully responded, "Because I could." That about sums up the priest abuse scandal. People ought to just call the cops on criminality. But, in my view, we should defend our faith against all comers, especially those that would undermine our community from within. 
 
A thoughtful read if you are looking for some guidance in regard to some frequently encountered, but poorly thought through criticisms of faith. This book is well worth the effort. Fr. John