IN the last installment I commented, somewhat, on the current controversy involving the administration’s requirement that contraception and abortions being included in its mandated health care program. The general consensus was that this was a mistake. The government policy would antagonize the “Catholic Vote.” It might also offend members of any religion who take their beliefs seriously. This is because the mandate may be seen as an attack on religion in general, rather than on Catholicism.
The view is wrong. Catholicism is unique. Let me offer an analogy. There are those who resent and dislike Blacks. These bigots usually invent reasons. Blacks are lazy, stupid, criminally inclined, etc. These same bigots may dislike Asians. But they do not use the same attacks. And if they dislike Jews they do not call them stupid or lazy. Bigotry normally uses individual criteria. There are different standards for different groups.
Catholicism is not attacked in the same way that other “religions” are. Evangelicals are silly, fat and Southern. Modhammedeans are primitive and violent. Catholics are usually considered to be intellectual. More than this, true holiness is routinely attributed to them. Recall the exceptionally favorable press given to Mother Theresa and John Paul II. Catholicism is attacked precisely because it is true, valid and satisfying. The more it is examined, the more “dangerous” (to secular values) it becomes.
Cromwell ruled England as totalitarian tyrant. Yet he expanded some freedoms. He re-invited Jews back to England. And he allowed freedom of all religions… except for Catholics. He knew that, in any open exchange of doctrines, Catholicism would triumph. Thus it must be forcibly silenced, lest men of good will embrace it.
The Protestant majority of the USA can be defined only as people claiming to be Christians who are not Catholic. Their religious existence is one solely of opposition and rejection. Thus any attack on their official enemy is to be welcomed. Consider it in this way. The Red Sox fan may not wish evil on the Yankees. However, should something bad happen to the team, he will be pleased. And should the commissioner of baseball make a decision that hurts the Yankees then he will be more inclined to like the commissioner.
Anti-Catholic prejudice, and it is almost universal (including the millions of “ex Catholics”), although not always fevered, will be served by slapping around “Holy Mother Church.” Bambam already did that. Regardless of what happens---even if he backs down totally (and I doubt that will happen)---he has already gained political capital.
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