Pride. How many times have we seen or heard this word over the last 20 years? We have heard it used to support warped agendas and repeatedly shouted by those in media, entertainment, education, and politics. This word is everywhere and, unfortunately, it is not going away any time soon.
Those who suffer from homosexual attraction and gender dysphoria need psychological and spiritual help, but most of them will probably not receive it any time soon. And those who support their destructive behavior need an awakening of mind and soul. Sadly, they are so entrenched in their causes that they cannot see the true purposes of human existence and behavior.
St. Paul’s Words on This Issue
Their behavior reminds me of St. Paul’s words in Romans 1:20-32,
Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, His eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; for although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man or birds or animals or reptiles.
Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason, God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct. They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them.
I know this is a lengthy quote, but St. Paul’s words are so appropriate for describing today’s culture that summarizing them would not have done justice to the point he was, and still is, making.
“Pride” and How We Should Respond to It
A recent article by CatholicVote relates how an LGBTQ “Pride Fest” event was canceled after the Florida legislature passed a law forbidding sexually explicit and lewd entertainment from being displayed in front of children.
First, the fact that such a law needs to be passed reflects the sad state of our society. Second, why would any adult want to make sexually explicit and lewd gestures in front of children? Third, why would any parent take their child to an event filled with such perversion and stupidity? These events are not entertainment, they are demonic assaults exhibited and defended by people who are all too willing to do the devil’s work.
And let’s not obscure what is going on here. These events are nothing more than an attempt to desensitize society to child molestation. They are merely a prelude to the eventual legalization of pedophilia. And let’s not mince words about the political party to blame for all of this. It is the same party that perpetually and almost unanimously defends and expands access to baby killing – the Democrat party. If they are already murdering children, then raping them is just a walk in the park.
But their disgusting behavior at least leads to a pertinent question, How do we deal with such evil and imbecility? Honestly, I know of only one answer, and Jesus gave it to us. In Mark 9:14-29, a father brings his son, who has a deaf and dumb spirit, to Jesus for healing. Jesus tells the father that all things are possible to those who believe. Then the father replies, “I believe; help my unbelief.” I love the father’s response. It reflects both his faith and humility. He knows he needs Jesus as much as his son needs Him.
After this, Jesus heals the boy, but his disciples are bewildered as to why they could not heal him. Jesus responds, “This kind [of spirit] cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.” “This kind” of spirit is deaf (cannot listen) and dumb (cannot understand) and, therefore, will not respond to the typical exorcism invocations. Hence, prayer and fasting are required.
Like the situation presented in Mark 9, we must respond to this kind of spirit, who is active in our world, with prayer and fasting. Unfortunately, we cannot teach people to turn to God when they are so willingly futile in their thinking. Rather, we must put our trust in God through prayer and fasting. Lord Jesus, I believe; help my unbelief.
True Pride
Now, true pride does not seek to put oneself, one’s ideology, one’s sexuality, or one’s identity above God. It acknowledges and loves God as Creator and Father. It puts Him above all else. Again, St. Paul’s words are apropos. He writes, “Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31). Boasting of the Lord means conforming our lives to His standard of being, not the other way around. We let Him change us, we do not manipulate Him. We tell others about Him and pray that they will reflect on His commands and actions with a spirit of love.
I have begun to take this posture of boasting when dealing with Protestants. Rather than getting bogged down in arguments about this or that Catholic doctrine, I simply tell people that Jesus founded the Catholic Church to continue His mission in the world, and He does not make mistakes. In other words, I boast of the Lord.
If they want to have a civilized conversation after this, I am all for it. But the fact that Jesus founded the Catholic Church and gave her His preeminent authority is not up for dispute. (If you want to learn more on this topic, please read my two-part article on counterfeit churches.) Catholics have pride in this fact: We belong to the Church founded by God the Son. We are members of His body. This is a beautiful truth to behold and to transmit to a world full of lies. We must be proud of it, and we must never compromise in the face of evil!
24 thoughts on “Pride, Pride, Pride”
Maybe people who “suffer from homosexual attraction and gender dysphoria need psychological and spiritual help” — just like everyone else. Including those who embrace being LGBTQ+ but face homophobia on a daily basis. LGBTQ+ people are more likely to be in therapy than the general population, so it’s interesting the author implies they somehow do not partake in it. But even more amusing is the reality that every major mainstream accrediting association overseeing professional therapists holds views of orientation and gender that are diametrically opposed to those of the author. And obviously if procreation were the one, “true purpose of human existence,” the barren state of celibacy would be no less sinful.
John – Please prove that everyone needs psychological help. Please prove that these accrediting associations are our moral standards for behavior. Further, please prove that just because someone has a penis they must use it for sexual purposes.
Finally, I never wrote that procreation is the one “true purpose of human existent” and you know it. You’re a liar like your father, Satan. So, knock off the crap!
So ironic how the author starts off with the importance of therapy when, in fact, LGBTQ+ people are more open to it than the population as a whole AND every major mainstream accrediting organization in the field has a diametrically opposite view of sexual orientation and gender than the author does. The author also seems to be clueless to the reality that most people immediately discredit any discussion of orientation that resorts to the tired old trope of “child molesters coming after your children.” In the entirety of the 50+ years of Stonewall, not one mainstream LGBTQ+ organization has advocated for legalizing sex between adults and children (nor has any state legislature even proposed such legislation!). Once you get past the fear mongering and hysteria, which most people in the US now have, the anti-LGBTQ+ arguments vanish.
John:
Let me start my response by saying that I do not always agree with Nate on issues. But he has his good points.
However, if you believe that the Bible is a foundation of the Church, there are numerous scriptural passages in the OT and NT that should be considered by the Pride community.
There are also segments of the Church that seem to ignore these same scriptures, yet these passages were given to us for guidance.
As members of the Church, we are often labeled as homophobes, domestic terrorists, etc. for raising concerns about the acceptance of the lifestyles/beliefs of the LGBTQ+ community.
I’m reminded of the words of Paul to Timothy:
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: 2 proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. 3 For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers 4 and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths.”
We are in the midst of spiritual warfare for the souls on earth. Satan and his minions are seeking to drag as many people with them away from God’s kingdom.
Pray for the LGBTQ+ community to repent and turn to Jesus, not give them the stamp of approval
What I find remarkable is that the “active” life long behaviors of some politicians esteemed as a kind of savior by the Christian right are so easily excused, dismissed and even forgiven while LGBTQ+ couples in monogamous relationships are demonized as disordered and sinful. It’s the blatant hypocrisy of the Christian right that is its downfall. Not all pride is expressed with a rainbow flag. People with certainty in dogma (at least as they define their versions of “dogma” and “sound doctrine”) are usually the most closed off to encountering any version of Christ they have already pre-judged and pre-determined. So I would say we all minimally, equally need to repent and turn to Jesus for compassion, tolerance, understanding and reconciliation and not pridefully suggest only “they,” the “other side” needs to do so.
John – Regarding the first part of your comment, allow me to explain this in terms even you can understand. The penis is made for the vagina and the vagina is made for the penis. The penis is not made for the anus and the vagina is not made for another vagina. I hope that’s clear enough for you.
Regarding the second part of your comment, an abuser can sexually abuse/molest children through both physical and mental means. A molester does not need to physically molest a child for their actions to be deemed molestation. For instance, exhibitionism is one of those means. Please search “types of child molestation” in your favorite search engine and you will see what I’m saying. You will find plenty national, state, and foreign websites that confirm this.
By the way, neither I nor anyone I know fear a bunch of men dressed like women. Rather, we pity them because they are so psychologically damaged. So, instead of creating more excuses for those who need help, I suggest you help them. I also suggest that you put forth an argument that’s grounded in reason instead of this slop you have written.
Robert – Thanks for your comment! It’s dead on.
John – Regarding your second comment on adultery, how many adultery pride parades, events, and flags have you seen? I have never seen one. Why? Because no one celebrates the sin of adultery! Even media reports regarding this or that politician’s adulterous behavior never describe their behavior in a favorable light. Instead, they always report it as scandalous. Get your facts straight.
The true antidote for the sin of pride is, IMO, humility; a true virtue that sadly enough, many of us fail to cultivate. It would be good to be humble before the Lord our God and ask him to lead us in cultivating this great virtue.
Thanks John! Humility is definitely needed.
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Love the article, Nate. As always, I appreciate that you are more devoted to Truth than receiving the acceptance of those who have chosen to follow Satan’s lies.
The Marxist Democrats always preach to us that we must be tolerant of other people (who are sinning and willfully unrepentant about committing it). In the language of Marxism, tolerance (by those defending God’s Laws) translates into admitting you’re wrong and they are right. What does Scripture have to say? “But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice [sexual] immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols” (Rev 2:20).
I would like to add my thoughts about why it is so difficult to get the Marxists (the prideFULL elitists) to see their error, as reflective of Mark’s words, “‘This kind’ of spirit is deaf (cannot listen) and dumb (cannot understand) — to which I would add, will not see. For those full of pride, everything revolves around them; their pleasure, their power, their receipt of adoration, etc. Herein lies the key that identifies that which drives their actions. When man gives themselves over to the Father of lives, they turn themselves into beasts/animals. Animals define good by that which makes them feel good and bad by that which makes them feel bad.
In large part, atheistic Marxists are ruled by their biological passions. In other words, their concept of good and evil is ruled, in most part, by genetically produced hormones. Hormones are produced in response to sensual input. Lust, and addictions formed by giving in to those lusts, are fed through hormones which are distributed to target cells through the bloodstream.
Informed by God, Hildegard tells us that after Adam’s sin, man’s blood carried within itself: 1) sweet, but deadly, poison, i.e., hormones; 2) shameful and turbulent acts, thus increasing the body’s appetite for those very crimes carried in the blood, i.e., slavery to sin; and, 3) impure filth which changed Adam’s blood into a liquid of pollution. [Hildegard of Bingen, Scivias, trans. Columba Hart and Jane Bishop (New York: Paulist Press, 1990), 257-258, 417]
Hormones also produce what can be called biological/chemical compassion. Our body was designed by God to biologically reward good behaviors, such as love, charity, helping our brothers and sisters; through the expression of hormones.
The catch is this: our fallen human heart is that which informs the body what good is. The human heart can easily trick the body. Consequently, if the heart tells the brain that taking a woman to get an abortion is a good thing, the body will produce hormones to reward that behavior. To a prideful elitist, the chemical reward from that biological compassion makes them feel good about themselves, which is all that really matters to them. They don’t really care about the mother, they simply want to feel good.
If you doubt that biological compassion is purely bio-chemical, just try to stop them or contradict their belief. The response will be passionately intense.
Hey Stephen! It’s great to hear from you and I appreciate/agree with your insights! Thank you!!
Poor Adam; blaming an allegorical archetype for a blood disorder is not unlike condemning Prometheus for stealing fire from the gods as a gift to humanity.
See that I’m on the “do not allow comments” list.
So much for your open invitation for discussions.
Hey Robert! Looks like this comment is visible. Try to post your other comment again. Thanks!
I submitted three separate comments, two of them twice. I’m not optimistic that another submission will be successful. But here goes!
Since your article starts by indicating homosexuals are in need of counseling and spiritual help, aren’t you a bit concerned about the Catholic priesthood’s culture of gays? We are being led by individuals who don’t seem to want to follow the Bible or the Catholic Church.
After all, the pope has acknowledged its existence.(https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/07/29/catholic-priests-its-empirical-fact-that-many-clergy-are-gay).
And then there is the whole issue of the numerous sexual abusers in the priesthood, still being uncovered in the US and the world.
Robert – Yes. Thanks!
“Pride” here is used as the antithesis of “Shame” and it’s not a concept you really disagree with. Think of a parent saying “I’m proud of my child!” after she gets a perfect score on a test.
Also I don’t know why you think Pride Parades would create pedophiles. The Catholic priesthood has had a lot more success at doing that.
Crisis – Where did I write, or even remotely suggest, that pride parades create pedophiles?
Weekly Eucharistic Adoration and the daily Rosary are the most powerful prayers we have for this time. The Bishops conference has begun a Eucharistic Revival, nation wide, which will culminate in June of 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana and the Dominicans have started a Rosary pilgrimage which will culminate in September of 2023 at the Immaculate Conception Basilica in Washington D.C. I am participating from my home with the daily Rosary and weekly Adoration and if I’m able will attend those events.
I’m glad to hear this, Diane, and I hope your participation brings much fruit! Thank you!
Prayer and fasting indeed. That is exactly what is needed right now. Every bishop in the world should be requiring every parish to begin a mountain of prayer to offset the evil that is covering our planet. (For example. how about a seven day a week rosary said outside every church at noon. Require pastors to participate at least twice a week with a parishioner volunteer to guarantee that at least one person will always be there. As for the fasting, good luck!!!) Seem like that’s too extreme? It’s not even close. What we’re facing is monumental. We indeed need a large mountain of prayer. Deo Gratias!!
Amen, Len! An all-the-above approach is definitely needed. Thanks!