Reflection on Religion

A religion that does not cost you anything is not worth anything. It does not bind you to God but deceivingly only to yourself.

Reflection on Laws

An abuse of a principal does not invalidate it. It merely confirms a further rule; that of the general sinfulness of man.

Reflection on "Equal Marriage"

It is rather bemusing that those who head up this 'equal marriage' campaign are those who have so vociferously persecuted marriage in the first place.

Reflection on Youth

Our reckless party culture claims the patronage of Youth, yet it is actually an interminable childishness on the loose. It is a perversion of a true and stable joy founded on being.

Reflections on Repentance/Marriage/Truth

The first words of our Lord when He began to preach were "Repent and believe the good news". Not conform and legalise.

One may argue for same-sex marriage on the basic of secularisation or sentimentalism (are they not the same nowadays?) but one may not argue on the basis of Christianity. Is anything so perverse to Scripture and the Church Fathers as this invention?

A man may speak the truth not because a constitution gives him the right, but because it is true.

Reflection on Property

The abolition of private property does not mean that everyone gets something, but rather, no one gets anything.

Reflection on Freedom of Thought

It is amusing that in this day and age, it is the Catholic who is the free thinker.

Reflection on Intentions

No man has ever been condemned for the best of intentions. However, many have for the best of sentiments. Do not confound the two.

Reflection of Restoring the Church/Love/Two Vital Doctrines

The restoration and exaltation of Holy Mother Church consists in mainly, to love the Lord our God with our whole heart, strength and mind and our neighbour as ourselves. Any other basis for Traditional Catholicism is a false one.

To love a man is to desire the highest good for him. It is almost hatred to placate a man to walk merrily into Hell.

The two doctrines that must be taught today are: creation out of nothing and the redemptive Incarnation. Once these are known, no commandment will ever seem a burden, but will be the loving response to the God to Whom we owe everything.

Reflection on Drunkeness

I do not know whether there is anything so repugnant to human nature as drunkenness.

On the Assumption

It was fitting that Christ should bring to Himself to dwell perpetually she who brought Him to dwell with us.

Reflection on the Traditional Latin Mass

The true Mass of the Roman Rite presents in itself a magnificent catechesis. Yet if one assists with a false notion of Catholic worship, one will remain stubbornly closed to its beauty and reality.

Reflection on Sentimentalism and Animals

The anthropomorphising tendencies of many on the internet towards animals arises neither from a true understanding of zoology nor based upon a sound knowledge of the best philosophy. It derives from a useless sentimentalism that in the end debases even man itself.

The Useful Idiot

The leftist ecclesiastic is no more than an eccentric secularist.

Reflection on Socialism

Against Socialism

It is not by tinkering with institutions that justice and peace are achieved. As long as sin exists in the heart of man, exploitation and cruelty will persist among men.

The Fallacy of the Opposition and the Credo of the Scientist

One can no more argue that science has disproved the existence of God any more than one can claim that the conjugation of the French verb pouvoir destroys the theory of evolution.

It could be claimed that the great fallacy of our times is that of the opposition between the natural sciences and that of the existence of God. As I have written on this blog recently, one must follow the discipline and methods of a particular branch of knowledge faithfully to arrive at a true solution. If one strays, as often too many will do in these times, the very integrity of the science is not just brought into dispute, in fact it is annihilated.
 The natural sciences can only interact with and cover what can be empirically verified, submitted to close scrutiny and repeated with due care. It deals with matter however great or small and certain forces that act upon it which can be tested. To wish to extend this method to other branches of knowledge is absurd. Dawkins and his cult may wish for this scientific approach to be extended to other areas but by doing this they destroy everything else. Not only does the existence of God cast out of the window, but out goes with it literature, poetry, architecture, beauty.....and morality. It is inconsistent with his principles and protests to claim that a particular incident in the history of the Church is evil, as he is overstepped his self-imposed boundaries.
 It is by respecting the methods of natural science that advances are made. To twist them for a certain personal purpose is to ruin it's purpose and true glory.
 Yet, it must be noted that the scientist must have a creed, a profound belief before he can set to work. He must believe that the phenomena that appears to surround him is in fact real, that it can be interacted with, and when it yields it's secrets, it does so consistently. He has to believe with great commitment that the results are worth having. If he believes that a particular result may fluctuate from a certain second on a Tuesday in California to something else in Toledo, he can not unearth a universal law .If he does not passionately believe in the consistence of the universe, he has no reason to commence the process. The validity of what surrounds us and the fact that it is orderly underpins all that he attempts to do. He must passionately believe this. You can not uncover this reality by working but it must proceed the work itself. The scientist must be dogmatic before he can be open-minded. It must be noted that such a belief is far more in harmony with Christianity than it is with atheism. 
 No, you will never find God in science. He is not there at least according to an orthodox 'description' of His being. If one uncovered God in science, it would be an idol. Many men who happen to be scientists may believe in God with the assistance of their discipline, but only by moving beyond it to consider it's true foundation.

Reflection on Atheism

One may put an entire continent to the sword and an atheist could not with any reason consistent with his principles assert that such an act is evil. It is merely the sudden causing of the disintegration of man who carries these seeds of material corruption within him. The accumulation of brute matter is torn asunder and this may be a hard sight to bear, but such is not to be classed among evil deeds. 
 Much is heard of a life truly worth living today, which involves the forming of natural, emotional, sentimental bonds and experiences. The right thinking man must respond that these are no less fairy tales to comfort man than they accuse us of.
 It is not to be wondered at that the atheist existentialists in the previous century considered the only true question to be proposed and answered was whether to commit suicide or not...

Respondeo:

http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/12/19/a-holiday-message-from-ricky-gervais-why-im-an-atheist/

I wish to attempt a short refutation of some of Gervais' points in his article. I can not set out a complete apology of the Christian Faith here as that has been done elsewhere (has our defender of logic and reason bothered to read them?).
 There are many objections that he makes, too many to counter. However, there is a deadly flaw in his arguments. He implicitly accepts, without any proposed reason, that such a thing as morality exists. He claims to be guided by natural science and he says that he is fascinated by beauty, love and the environment. Very well, these things appeal to me too.
It is a law of any branch of knowledge (scientia: knowledge) that one must proceed upon the appropriate lines of inquiry. This truth is often forgotten by many who go astray from their area of expertise and end up making rash pronouncements on issues that they are foreign to. One may arrive at some truth (such as the spherical nature of the earth) by approaching the object through different methods (empirical observation or geometry etc), but the correct line of inquiry must be upheld in each branch of science.
 The category of good or evil can not be accessed by empirical investigation. It is certainly true that good is the aspect of being that is desirable. Being is also the first thing apprehended by our intellect (the proper object of the human intellect is the essence of sensible things) Far too many atheists will launch the tired objection, 'If God exists, why is there evil?'. I can mentally picture the lips curl to a smug grin. I answer with Boethius and St. Thomas Aquinas, if there is evil (which you claim), then you must accept a prior good. It is an illegitimate leap to go from a claim that something is unpleasant (which is empirically verifiable) to something being evil. Goodness is a reflection beyond what appears to the senses (can we even trust what appears? If we say yes, there is another belief and assumption about the universe and humanity) Neither, it is not a self-evident truth that one must be nice to one's neighbour. This is a moral belief. From a naked, mechanistic, cause and effect approach to the universe, such a belief exceeds one's line of inquiry. Being nice, holding to the dignity of each man, democracy and accepting people for who they are, have no basis of truth in an atheistic account of the universe. It is a belief system (or sentiment) derived by religion, whether they like it or not. These new atheists instead of sneering with their 'unsolvable' objections to theism have not truly reflected upon their own innate assumptions of life and man.
 I ask you to propose a reason why, in a universe that exists without any sufficient external reason, you can have a dogmatic belief in morality. You may respond that morality is a convenient way to foster cooperation and achieve progress, yet this can only be a human construct with no universal validity.
I believe that so many of our modern errors are simply a distortion of Christianity. Our Lord certainly wills the salvation of men, but He was (and is) not a simple-minded fool who wants us only to be nice to each other. Christianity is far more radical and unique than that.
 The Catholic Tradition and its consideration of God, the universe and man are far more profound that what is normally presented or believed. It is an article of faith that man can prove with certainty that God exists, not from a consideration of the terms (a priori) but from an investigation into what surrounds us (a posteriori), advancing from cause to effect with a correct understanding of metaphysics. It is not a surprise that many will claim that they 'simply feel' their belief in God, and that he 'adds meaning and comfort to my life'. This latter may be true yet there is an objective validity to the existence of God and His Revelation. It is modernism to claim that a belief in God arises from a subjective 'need' for Him. True Catholic catechesis would go a long way in combating these nefarious errors of so many believers.   


I have yet to encounter a serious objection to the existence of God that is not based upon some unreflected assumption of reality or a distortion of Christianity or religion.

A Conversion Story

I have been considering whether to write an entry this like for a long time. It has sat uneasy with me as I did not wish to stray beyond matters of the Faith, theology, Church life or spiritual meditations. Yet, I believe that it may bring about some spiritual good to myself and to those who stumble across this piece. I wish in a few simple words to offer a reflection on my own life as a Catholic and its trials, worries and confusions. I hope to do this without the usual pretentious attempts of erudition that frequently appear in my writing, or the various half-jumbled up from memory, scriptural quotations.
 My 'knowledge' of the Catholic Faith before 2005 was limited a recognition of suspicion towards those followers of the pope and that the father of a friend spoke a funny language (I would now assume that it was Latin). I was completely oblivious to anything of true substance of the Catholic Church. Of course I had seen some foreign footballers enter the pitch by touching the ground and tracing a cross upon themselves, yet the purpose and importance of such acts of faith were beyond me, even though I had until the age of around 11 attended a Protestant church.
 The first contact I had was an intriguing one, the usual starting point for the telling of my conversion story. In 2005 I was on holiday to Mallorca with my mother and grandmother and since the only English channel that was available to us was the news, I became engrossed in the last moments of the life of H.H. Blessed Pope John Paul II and the sentiments of love and emotion that he evoked from my soon to be brother Catholics. I will pass over in silence the various criticisms of his pontificate that many in the traditionalist movement may make. Suffering was in fact the reason I stopped attending my church, along with, I suppose, a general indifference. Modern liberal Protestantism is hardly a faith to sacrifice for. My auntie died when I was around 11 and it hit me hard. It was probably the first death that I had experienced of a close family member. I mention this as it can only be inspiring to see a man remain steadfast to what he believed God had called him to do and be even when great suffering overtook him. To him (a fellow Charles) and His Master, I can only say thank you. My first proper correct with the Faith was a positive one that will remain with me for the rest of my days.
 I will leave out here the process of R.C.I.A. and my reception into communion with the Catholic Church and offer some considerations I have had.
The Christian life is not easy. It has been a struggle these 4 years with many ups and downs, with great enthusiasm and much lukewarmness. The beauty of Christianity is that it is not merely exterior, a cloak to wear but by the action of the Holy Ghost man is truly renewed and made like to the Son. Many can claim to be Catholic or Christian yet many in the mind, in the heart are untouched by the reality. I have found my greatest difficulty here. I hold the Orthodox Faith with a decent knowledge of theology, yet I could never say with honesty that I am what I believe or know. Hypocrisy is a charge frequently launched at believers (although often such an accusation is an attempt to destroy any intelligent discussion) and I know the problem in my own person. I know my sins, they make me shiver at times.Too often waves of memories of some sin attacks me and disturbs me in spirit. On the outside, many are impressed with me, I can act with piety with devotion and serving at Mass. A cert for sanctity, probably by means of the priesthood. It would be reckless and foolish for me to truly believe them. I can often receive the feeling that I am living insincerely which at times is probably correct.
 However, on the whole, I can only be grateful and filled with joy that I was given the efficacious grace to convert when I did. I wonder in what state I would be today if this had not been given. Huge errors, false beliefs and missteps have occurred since the night of the 22nd of March, 2008. Very frequently I feel that very little progress has been made and it does shame me. I can only recognise that the Faith is a greater treasure than I knew before 2008. It is even more profound that I could ever imagine and I pray that I will remain true to it until my last breath.
 These words are sombre, a sinner's words. I am certain that many have felt the same and have taken the necessary steps in grace to overcome them. I am heading in the same way as many of my brothers today and in the past. May I continue this journey with greater sentiments of faith, hope and charity until He comes.

Reflection on the Piety of the Young

It is a rather unfortunate sign of the times that when a young man shows some degree of piety that they consider him almost papabile.

Reflection on Paradise and Sin

No saint was ever created in paradise. Infact, out of there, came two sinners.

Reflection on Sacrifice

It is often said of this generation that it does not know the reality of sacrifice. Yet the truth is that each generation does know how to sacrifice. Unfortunately, it is usually for the wrong things.

The Perfection of Beauty

Too often the consideration of beauty in our ever-corrupt culture is being even more false. The ancient concept of beauty focused upon, what we today would call abstract or 'detached' notions such as proportionality or harmony. To the modern mind this approach is odd in the extreme.
 For all the attention that beauty receives in the media and various magazines, in fact it can rightly be said to be an obsession for us. However, it is not appreciated enough. Nor is it truly understood.
 It is a common feature of our approach to highlight a particular aspect of a person and from this chosen delight to dwell upon it without penetrating any further. It is from this pernicious error that lust, irrationality and disorder derives. It is entirely licit to be attracted by a feature, whether it belong to the body or the personality (a certain 'quirk' perhaps) yet to be a legitimate and true choice it must allow us to access further. Rather, we must allow ourselves to be taken beyond what first attracts us. Yet, whether we allow ourselves this journey depends in great measure on the intention for the pursuit, the 'what' we are searching for. These principles can either allow us to experience the truth or, unfortunately be blocked further and held in a mortal grasp. On a theoretical level, our conception may be pure but so often hic et nunc, based on further considerations, we can easily be distracted and seeking for a quick release or refuge. The intellect must judge upon what is presented to it at a particular moment, not always in an objective fashion and consider what is better at the present moment.  An approach of the quick fix is not an acceptable route to take. However, it is the common way of fallen man.
 The remedy is to consider the totality of the person and their purpose. By this I do not mean reflexion based upon sentimentality, but by a sober consideration of wisdom, which concerns things in their causes. Without holding a true belief of first principles or the destiny of the human person, it is all too easy to be suffocated by the various demands and passions of the moment.
 It may be stated however that what we find may offer us an opportunity to come to know the truth of beauty by beholding it on some occasion. It may proceed from this window (a glimpse into the divine perfections) that we not only find the other which has at first attracted us, but ourselves as well.