Apologetics

...is a field I’ve been very interested in for years. The idea that there is a reasonable defence to all objections to the Catholic Faith appeals to me. St. Thomas Aquinas argues against the idea that there are separate spheres of truth, such that apparent contradictions between them can be tolerated. Truth is one, since it all comes from God.

Notice that this isn’t the same thing as proving every Catholic belief is true, only that they are neither self-contradictory nor contradict what we know about world otherwise.

Video meliora, proboque; Deteriora sequor (How’s that for a snappy Latin title?) talks about Cardinal Dulles book The History of Apologetics here. And he confesses to a problem with some religions (from an apologetic viewpoint):

        ...what I don't understand, and concerning which I
        can scarcely be charitable, is not only Islam, but sects
        like Jehovah Witnesses and others. It makes me want
        to read their literature in hopes of lessening my
        disgust. Yet millions and millions of people can and
        do accept them, such that I begin to wonder what is
        the point of apologetics, or even what place
        rationalism has in religion.

There is an aspect of these two (Islam and JW’s) which is rational to a fault. They are each trapped inside their own revelation, having constructed a fairly coherent internal logic that keeps them satisfied. These systems are bound, according to Aquinas, to contradict themselves and reality sooner or later since they’re not completely true. So one apologetic technique is to explore the contradictions (internal and external). I’m not sure it’s successful all that often, though.

What is baffling is the human need to believe, even in the face of overwhelming contrary evidence. Having been once convinced by a plausible, though false, system of thought we are all prone to cling to it despite all evidence to the contrary. Chesterton writes about what we now call the Fundamentalist Christian almost admiringly, particularly their stubborn refusal to concede defeat (intellectually). And I confess to admiring the JW’s when they come to the door. It takes a certain kind of courage to endure the abuse they must receive.

Perhaps relationships are the most important thing in convincing us of the truth of things. The Muslim has the Umma (community) to sustains him, the JW has the Fellowship. These satisfy a deep need to belong, that, in the case of converts to these religions, wasn’t being met elsewhere.

So what can we do? Love them, I guess. Treat them with respect and dignity. And pray for them. But I still say Aquinas is right and we shouldn’t let their false beliefs go unchallenged if they challenge us with them. Otherwise our silence may tend to confirm them in the (otherwise comforting) lie they’ve bought into.