• Our Blogger

    Fr. Joseph Jenkins

  • The blog header depicts an important and yet mis-understood New Testament scene, Jesus flogging the money-changers out of the temple. I selected it because the faith that gives us consolation can also make us very uncomfortable. Both Divine Mercy and Divine Justice meet in Jesus. Priests are ministers of reconciliation, but never at the cost of truth. In or out of season, we must be courageous in preaching and living out the Gospel of Life. The title of my blog is a play on words, not Flogger Priest but Blogger Priest.

  • Archives

  • Categories

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    forsamuraimarket's avatarforsamuraimarket on Ask a Priest
    Jeremy Kok's avatarJeremy Kok on Ask a Priest
    Jeremy Kok's avatarJeremy Kok on Ask a Priest
    V's avatarV on Fallen Priests & Their…
    anonymous's avataranonymous on Ask a Priest

Satan Club at Anne Arundel Community College

Anne Arundel Community College is literally in our backyard. Montgomery County is also considering adding a Satan Club to their approved campus organizations. Disguised behind a false rationalism and a host of liberal causes, it is a hate group and exists only to mock both faith and believers.

When people claim Satan but then argue that it is all a ploy, don’t believe it. They are fooling themselves. I have no doubt that the devil has his hand in this!

The Satanic Circle asserts that it does not believe in a literal Satan. Members claim a degree of enlightenment they do not possess. Dismissive of the many great scientists and thinkers who posited faith in a higher power, they grant to science a form of natural faith even though it asks different questions than philosophy and theology. Deductive science might tell us how a watch runs but not who made the watch. The theoretical sciences and mathematics deal with abstraction over the real. While many aggressive atheistic thinkers attack religion as espousing a “God of the Gaps,” they are blind to their own gaps in understanding both the macro- and micro universe. Many of the so-called rational satanists are those with weak minds who parrot the arguments of influential atheists in the scientific community. They are particularly influenced by those in the media. Kids in high school and rebellious youths in college are quick to distance themselves from the beliefs and values of parents and others. They image religious believers as ignorant fools while in fact they are the ones who have little knowledge of anything and know next to nothing about the ultimate questions. They live lives devoid of any appreciation of metaphysics and genuine intellectual reflection. Adherents rattle on against theistic faith even as they make a religion or cult of their atheism and proposed satanism.

Their reasoning signifies dislocated or illogical atheistic rationalism. They make many claims but do not know how to think for themselves.  Question them about the definition of a syllogism and they would only give a blank stare. Those with recourse to a dictionary or the internet might answer with words they do not understand. Unable to truly debate, they turn to so-called proof-statements from leaders in the movement.  But those answers fail to satisfy so they turn to mockery and ridicule.  These new militants who promulgate an evangelistic or missionary atheism, have fooled themselves. We must not allow the wool to be pulled over our own eyes.  This is a real concern at a time when many youths are only superficially Christian. They do not understand their faith as they should, and they cannot defend it.

The devil is powerful, and he strategically exploits doubts and denials about his existence. Those who caricature him as a joke do not know that the joke is on them. This new breed of satanist might welcome occult witches or Wiccans or even new age religionists to their gatherings for “fun,” but in debates they are also criticized as closet theists. They purloin their symbols and nomenclature as their own. They deny that the supernatural is real even as they come under a hidden spiritual oppression. Signs of such manipulation are realized in the dark fruits of their coalition. They go out of their way to mock Christian believers while demanding respect for themselves. They hate the Jews as the progenitors of the Judeo-Christian faith. Indeed, they would side with terrorists against the state of Israel. They are inherently Marxist, contending for “mischief” or revolution to overthrow genuine faith and the Mosaic commandments.  They create a false dichotomy between reason and faith, elevating a science that does not have all the answers, especially about the ultimate meaning for humanity.

They are political activists. Instead of arguing for Christian stewardship over creation, they raise up nature and ecology as in rivalry or war with humanity. They would save whales but exterminate unwanted human babies. The new Gnostics, while they claim an allegiance to science and nature, wholeheartedly endorse same-sex disorientation and gender dysphoria. They not only support the LGBTQ+ agenda, but they also embrace a no holds barred sexual expression between consenting adults. Despite the clear mention of the Almighty in our founding documents as a nation, their interpretation of separation of church and state would go far beyond the intent of our founding fathers. Instead of a mere prohibition of a national denomination or confession, they propose the disavowal of any belief in God and the accompanying religious values. Under the heading of “bodily autonomy,” they would deny the right to life of the unborn. Against the Gospel of Life, they are activists for abortion on demand “whenever women want it.” This false secular humanism allows hidden demons to savor their favorite food, the sacrifice of children to the lust and selfishness of their sycophants.

The satanists are of two types, exhibitionists on one side and cowards on the other.  The first group believes in shock value.  They are often heavily tattooed and have disturbing body piercings.  They wear clothes that immediately offend with crude or derogatory messages. The second group are outright cowards.  They love to wear masks and hoods to disguise their identities.  Both feel that they can use Satan as a weapon and not get hurt, themselves. But they are slaves of the devil even if they are unaware. They are wounded by sin and sentinels for hell.

The Blight of Atheism

Atheism is regarded as a sin against faith. It is not simply a matter of one not finding the evidence for God as intellectually satisfying; rather, it is an active impediment to credulity. It signifies a spiritual drought. Worst yet, it might be compared to the locusts that swarm to consume the awaited harvest. Rather than trusting in God’s providence and intervention, atheists lament that all their hard work is quickly undone. Their toil is in vain. The lack of lasting meaning tempts them to despair.

When it comes to Jesus, the disciple must possess a readiness to believe. The ground of the soul must be prepared as fertile and receptive for the seed. The crop must be watered by instruction, witness and grace. There is no naïve gullibility but rather an honesty in intellect and a willingness in consent. Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy. He is the long-awaited Messiah (John 8:24-28). He confirms his power and identity by performing miracles. A claim is made for divinity by his acts of mercy. Only God can forgive sins.  He raises the dead. God alone is the author of life.  He walks on water. He is the God of nature or creation. The great precursor and prophet, John the Baptist, attests to who he is and to his mission. The hearts of believers, past and present, are burning with the truth.  Only those who are spiritually cold, not wanting to believe, are the ones to reject him and his message.  Hundreds will witness the aftermath of his revivification. The apostles who celebrate his victory over the grave will testify to his resurrection by their constant preaching and martyrdom. What sane person would die for a lie? No one! A refusal to believe constitutes a rejection of grace. Saving faith is made real not just in the mind but in the heart. 

The greatest remedy to atheism is the Eucharist. Along with the Word, it is the food that satisfies for the hunger of the soul. Non-believers go hungry. Those who deny the Eucharistic Christ are spiritually malnourished, starving for meaning and the life of grace. Believers become one with this Eucharist, part of the harvest of faith.

What Makes You So Sure That There’s Only One God?

Krystal Smith poses this question at STAPLER CONFESSIONS and states: “Most believers take the Bible or whatever their religious text may be as absolute truth. This is a matter of faith, something that atheists often have a hard time understanding or relating to.  Atheists often point out the unknowable nature of an all powerful creator or concept of God or many gods. Without scientific proof, they find it illogical to believe so strongly in something that plays such an important role.”

Critics of Scripture often play fast and loose with how Christian believers regard and use the Bible.  But of course, there is no unanimity between believers either. Protestant fundamentalists who believe in the Bible alone are a far cry away from Catholic integralists who interpret the Bible against the horizon of Sacred Tradition. There is also the tension between private interpretation and magisterial teaching authority.  The issue is not just that atheists reject “the book,” but they general question any supposed revelation or communication from God as either delusion or as deception.  Many refuse to seriously consider the arguments of either theologians or philosophers.  If God cannot be shown through their microscopes or telescopes, then no ground is given for his existence. 

While the atheist may find it illogical to believe in a “God” proclaimed from a book and not proven from science to his satisfaction, there may be far more anxiety with the prospect that we are alone and unloved in this vast universe. It is here that Pascal’s wager speaks to the agnostic. Pascal argued that if you believe in God and this truth should be realized, then you win everything. Whereas if he does not exist, then you have lost nothing regardless of your stance. While insightful, this approach is unsatisfactory for the believer because faith is about more than hedging your bets.    

The atheist narrows truth to the scientific and even that is restricted by their bias.  They make no distinction between the belief of one God and the notion of multiple deities.  However, Christians, Jews and Moslems insist that there is a God and he is ONE. True, Christians speak of a Trinity, but he is defined as one divine nature in three divine Persons.  The multiple deities of ancient pagans and the present-day Hindus are treated as idolatry and superstition.  Here we would agree with atheists. There are indeed counterfeit religions and false gods. The early Christians regarded the pagan gods as demons in disguise.  The Judaeo-Christian appreciation of one God signified a step forward to true religion and away from magic.

The pagan gods often behaved badly, and some were not even regarded as immortal.  They were more like the Marvel comics vision of such gods as super-powerful aliens.  Look at how Catholicism defines and speaks about God. He has within himself all perfections and is the Creator of all things.  You cannot have two omnipotent beings because such would cancel each other out.  God is perfect and that means he must logically be simple or one.  All creatures receive their existence from God or participate or share in his existence.  Nothing can exist apart from him. He keeps all things in being.

While we do not see God face-to-face, we know him in the created order from his effects. Revealing himself to us in salvation history, the God of reason becomes the God of faith.  He wants to establish a relationship with us. Sacred signs or miracles are performed to help our unbelief.            

Do You Believe People Can Still Be Moral Without Religion?

Krystal Smith poses this question at STAPLER CONFESSIONS and states: “Religion provides guidance for many people. It set laws and rules for ancient societies to abide by. And many religious people feel these laws are necessary to dictate what is right and wrong for humankind.  Many atheists feel that morality is innate and modern society’s laws are sufficient to govern mankind.”

The Church had hoped that a healthy universal respect for natural law would bring consensus and cooperation in forming a better and moral society.  However, the current clash in values is readily interpreted by believers as ample evidence that apart from God, men and women do not know how to be good. We would likely agree with the more reasonable atheists that there should be an innate sense of right and wrong, at least for most people. But we should not forget that human nature while good is also fallen. 

Morality includes not only prohibitive acts but also altruism for the good of others and the poor.  Ayn Rand’s thinking is particularly popular among conservative politicians on the right. She would also appeal to atheists. Her philosophy of selfishness shuns expressions of charity. It has been noted by certain atheists themselves that the charity and social justice efforts are disproportionately linked to churches and religious people.  Both the civil rights efforts for racial integration and the marches for the lives of the unborn are heavily populated by believers. The faithful and Christian organizations are often the first on the ground to support the poor and disadvantaged. Where would they be if people of faith were to disappear?    

Many a believer has prayed that he might be spared from the terrible compassion of non-believers with benign intentions but with a lack of guidance about right or wrong.  A mother panics about an unplanned pregnancy and destroys her unborn baby. A family frets about the pain that an elderly grandmother suffers and opts for euthanization to end her misery. The Christian places ultimate trust in God. By contrast, the atheist must place his trust in mankind alone, and in practice this means politicians and the state.  While believers speak of inalienable and God-given rights, what the state gives, the state can take away. Right and wrong becomes a capricious exercise of pandering to power. The wealthy and powerful will always win in this scenario. The poor and the weak will be victimized and manipulated.  It is in recognizing God that we safeguard human dignity and rights.  Nothing else satisfies as well.

Why Have So Many Wars Have Been Fought in the Name of Religion?

Krystal Smith poses this question at STAPLER CONFESSIONS and states: “From biblical times to modern day, it’s true that many wars have been fought in the name of religion. From the Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades, to modern religious extremists and terror attacks, many have suffered. However, most religious people don’t support going to war with people who have different beliefs. Those who have been mislead to resort to violence fail to see the peaceful messages that are present in virtually all religious texts. Some atheists feel that the world would be more peaceful without the impact of any religions.”

Were there many wars fought over religion? While Hitler ordered the holocaust of six million Jews, it was not really a war over religion. The first World War had to do with clashing empires, alliances and money. The Japanese wanted sovereignty over Asia and control of the Pacific Ocean. Korea and Vietnam was all about the aggression of Chinese atheistic Communism. The Inquisition employed religion as a tool but besides stamping out heresy was essentially a political effort to secure Europe from Moslem occupation. The Crusades preserved Europe from Islamic invasion. Religion was a factor in the Crusades because it was hoped that the Holy Land might be reopened to pilgrims. Religion is merely one factor among many in such questions about human congress and tension. It is not necessarily the single root-cause for hostilities.

Speaking in terms of Christianity, the pacifism of the earliest believers became increasing impracticable and hard to sustain. Believers were martyred like the killing of flies.  The Roman empire opposed the new religion because Christianity was intolerant of paganism and believers refused to compromise. One could not worship idols or the demons they signified and still claim the lordship of Jesus Christ. Old Rome saw the emergence of Christianity as a political threat to the empire— especially the language about turning the cheek, giving to those who take from you, and loving your enemies. Christians joined with Constantine to bring three centuries of persecution to an end. When it came to the relationship between the Church and Islam, the weight of guilt was more heavily upon Islam and its notion of jihad or holy war to force religious submission.  Islam was to Europe what the Soviet Union was to us during the Cold War. Our faith and civilization were all at stake.  The inquisition expelled an enemy from our midst. The crusades sought to open the holy land to pilgrims.  The tensions between Protestants and Catholics in Europe were part of a struggle for political power between princes, kings, and the Church.  The conflict was more about temporal matters than spiritual ones.   

While there are many apologists who argue that militant Islam is an aberration to a religion of peace, in truth every place that becomes 51% Islam experiences a repression of Christians, Jews and others.  We would concur with atheists that God’s children should not kill each other over religion; however, Christian believers have a right to defend themselves. When this becomes impossible, as with the Coptic men who had their throats cut, there is a witness to how we should remain faithful even if we must die. 

Those atheists who think that a world without religion would be more peaceful are delusional. Atheism has been tried, and as with Stalin, millions suffered the loss of rights and incarceration in the gulags. He killed 20 million of his own people.  The atheists who claim political power, subsequently treat their anti-god philosophy like a religion, seeking converts not through argument but through war and revolution.  When God is taken out of the picture, men assume his throne.  There can never be a vacuum.  While critics lament God’s laws and judgment, the verdict of men is much harsher. Separated from the Divine Mercy, why should we be surprised?

Do You Think Believing in an Afterlife Affects the Way You Behave in This Life?

Krystal Smith poses this question at STAPLER CONFESSIONS and states: “Atheists might point out the idea that some believers could allow the concept of an afterlife, heaven and hell, or reincarnation to weigh the significance of the events in their worldly life. The presumption that death isn’t the end could have an influence of people’s behavior and day to day decision making.”

This is a no brainer.  If religion with threats of eternal perdition cannot restrain some from evil acts, why should we expect atheism to do any better? Atheists have neither perfect contrition (sorrow for having offended God whom we are to love) or the imperfect (fear of the fires of hell and the loss of heaven).  Where is the incentive to be good when we can only expect to be forgotten and the looming prospect of becoming worm food?

The Christian perspective is more complex than simple reward and punishment.  The posture of the creature to the Creator is one of obedience and adoration.  We have been promised a share in Christ’s life and the reward of happiness in the presence of God forever. However, we do not deserve salvation and could not merit it on our own. Humanity fell from grace and God made a promise to redeem us— but this is entirely on the level of gift, not entitlement (no matter how good we might be). Even if God should have decided to leave us estranged from him; we would still be obliged to worship and obey him.  We thank God for what he gives us, but we praise or give him glory for who he is.  This is the high ground of Christian discipleship.  It is true that the resurrection is the hook of Christianity, and the prospect of heavenly reward or hellish punishment is real— but we are to love God because he is God.  The gifts he gives us are wonderful but there is no bargaining with God. Our love must be freely returned to God.  The love of a saint is not for sale and cannot be bought.  If God can love us then we must freely love God in return, even if our lot is suffering, sickness and death. Many fail to understand this. Note that some equate prayer entirely with petition— they want this, that, and the other thing.  The highest prayer of praise or adoration is very different— I love you; you know I love you; I will always love you.  We sing glory to God, not to pamper a deity but to pour out hearts to a God for whom we were made.

Having said all this, some will only be good because there is reward or punishment.  This appreciation is at the basis of most legal systems.  Do something wrong and you will face fines or imprisonment. There is something of it in the classroom as well. Get an “A” and you pass and have promotion. Get an “F” and you fail and get sent back. But truthfully, the Christian perspective looks at all of us as failures.  We receive merit or know victory in the salutary work of Christ and his Cross.  Jesus pays the price for us. Of course, it is a gift that must be received. Disposition is everything. 

The atheist must live with his failure. No matter what his earthly achievements, the end of one is the same for all.  No matter whether one is rich or poor, powerful or weak, good or evil, healthy or sick— it all comes to the same thing— absolutely nothing.  We along with all our works will be reduced to dust.  We might find some short satisfaction in the present, but loss, pain and death will quickly follow.  You cannot win. We all live in vain. Indeed, all the works of humanity will one day be destroyed and like the various species before us, we will know extinction. This view portrays humanity as a cosmic accident. There is no deeper meaning or purpose and definitely no hope.