Why Christianity is Despised & Hated

Pope Benedict XVI while leading a Vespers service in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls commented on what he called a "growing aversion" to the Christian faith in the world.

"In a world marked by religious indifference and even by a growing aversion toward the Christian faith, a new, intense activity of evangelization is necessary," the Pope said.

He urged Christians to overcome their differences through dialogue so that they can unite their efforts to influence debates in society on ethical issues like abortion, euthanasia and the limits of science and technology. (courtesy of the Associated Press)

In an address Archbishop Charles Chaput delivered at the Fifth Symposium Rome: Priests and Laity on Mission, titled "The Prince of This World and Evangelization of Culture." Archbishop Chaput hits on some points that are dear to my heart: in my humble opinion because of the internet and the rapid speed of the communication of information we are producing ignorant and lazy human beings whose thoughts and opinions come pre-packaged, biased, even false and untrue, are not analyzed or discussed but rather spewed back as a tenet of one's beliefs. Archbishop Chaput said:

"Part of what blocks a serious awareness and rethinking of our current culture is the “knowledge economy” we have created. In its 1999 statement Towards a Pastoral Approach to Culture, the Pontifical Council for Culture saw that the constant flow of “information provided by [today's] mass media . . . affects the way things are perceived: What people come to know is not reality as such, but what they are shown. [The] constant repetition of selected items of information involves a decline in critical awareness, and this is a crucial factor in forming what is considered public opinion.” It also causes “a loss of intrinsic value [in the specific] items of information, an undifferentiated uniformity in messages which are reduced to pure information, a lack of responsible feedback, and a . . . discouragement of interpersonal relationships.” This is all true. Much of modern technology isolates people as often as it brings them together. It attacks community as easily as it builds it up. It also forms the human mind in habits of thought and expression that are very different from traditional culture based on the printed word. And that has implications both for the Word of God and for the Church."

Another point he makes is one that I have been preaching for years: Satan exists and he is having great success with this great technology we have. If we do not acknowledge that we have an enemy, then how can we possibly fight him. This is one reason why I love Ignatian Spirituality - Ignatius knew who the enemy was! Archbishop Chaput added:

"It is very odd that in the wake of the bloodiest century in history – a century when tens of millions of human beings were shot, starved, gassed and incinerated with superhuman ingenuity – even many religious leaders are embarrassed to talk about the devil. In fact, it is more than odd. It is revealing. Mass murder and exquisitely organized cruelty are not just really big “mental health” problems. They are sins that cry out to heaven for justice, and they carry the fingerprints of an Intelligence who is personal, gifted, calculating and powerful. The devil is only unbelievable if we imagine him as the black monster of medieval paintings, or think The Inferno is intended as a literal road map to hell. Satan was very real for Jesus. He was very real for Paul and the other great saints throughout history. And he is profoundly formidable."

Christians acknowledge a unique relationship with the Creator. Jesus is one of us, He pitched His tent among us. That fact drives Satan crazy and He is working overtime with all the tricks and tools of his trade to attack and cause harm to Christianity. He is very comfortable using technology to destroy us. His number 1 enemy is family, the very model of the Trinity. The greatest industry in terms of dollars on the internet is pornography - whose earnings exceed all of professional sports (NFL NBA MLB NHL etc) combined! We better wake up and call Satan out for who he is. Remember what Jesus said:

"Then they will hand you over to persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of my name.

And then many will be led into sin; they will betray and hate one another.

Many false prophets will arise and deceive many;

and because of the increase of evildoing, the love of many will grow cold.

But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved."