Lying is bad

So we heard.  Again and again and again and again, ever since the Great Lila Rose disaster that swept the Catholic Blogosphere a few years ago.  Of course we also got a dose of Catholic legalism then, when we learned there is a massive difference between lying and dishonesty, in which some argued you could be the most dishonest person in the world, weaving entire tapestries of falsehoods and deceit, as long as you didn’t technically lie.  Pharisee anyone?

But on the real level of reality, the emphasis was on not lying, not being dishonest, condemning the idea that lies and falsehoods could ever be good for anything.  The Gospel?  Falsehoods and deceit?  Not compatible.  OK.  Fine.

So now it turns out Sir. Elton John hearts Pope Francis.  Like most of the followers of the Post Modern Way, Sir John loves the Pope. He loves him because, like most who only recently hated the popes and the Church, they think Francis is all about trashing this laughable old religion to conform to the Post-Modern Way.  Especially when it comes to the Ultimate Question of Gay Marriage.

This brought out a certain reaction by some, who pointed out that the reasons Sir John hearts Francis is based upon falsehoods and false assumptions. This, in turn, brought the wrath of The Shea, who found some off the wall loony statements and suggested anyone not celebrating Sir John’s step toward conversion was in the same boat as the loonies.

While some were hesitant, most jumped in to say that anything that bridges gaps with the unbeliever, and any positive response, was therefore good.  Even if it’s not true, or the assumptions are false, it matters not.  Positive is positive.  That’s all that matters.

Suddenly, in stepped the legendary Zippy Catholic.  Mr. Zippy came to our aid once, so I have no heavy criticism there.  Certainly an intelligent person, though the alias makes it tough to figure out anything about his assumptions or the framework from which he operates.  Still, he is learned and does a good job conveying his ideas.  Especially when it comes to this, the reminder that shrugging shoulders about falsehoods and deception is not good.  It never is good.  If we remember.  If we believe the Catholic blogosphere.

So we have a dose of consistency.   Something that can often be lost where amateurs are concerned.  And in much of the Catholic apologetics world, amateurs are the professionals of the vocation.

Updated Note: It looks like more have jumped into the post and questioned some of the statements and approaches, including the indisputable claim that everything about Francis is beautiful and praiseworthy, and that it matters not how it’s done, as long as people who hated the Church now love Francis at least.  Good to see.