The Pope’s Authority Decline Among American Catholics

Nathan Barrus

            The Popes authority in the United States used to be as strong as a steel bar among Catholic Americans.  However, in recent history the Pope’s stance on many controversial subjects have led many Catholic Americans to see the Pope in a different light.  Some might say that Catholic Americans have even taken Protestant ideas and mannerisms into their religious practices and beliefs.  In an article, “The future of Catholicism in America” by Mark Silk, Silk writes about some of the reasons the Pope’s authority in the United States has continued to decline. Silks discussion of millennial women and recent sexual abuse controversies presents evidence that the Popes decline in authority among American Catholics has steadily declined.

            Silk talks about Millennial women and how they have been leaving Catholicism in the United States.  He writes, “Women [were] historically the mainstay of the church but have been put out as a second-class citizen in a world where men rule the roost.[1]”  Catholic men have held the positions of power among Catholics throughout history.  In world where women have been pushing harder and harder for equal rights Catholic authority has stood in opposition.  Rather than continue fighting many millennial women have decided to leave.  In the article Silk quoted Kathleen McNutt a PhD student in theology at Loyola when he talk about this exodus.  He quoted, “’Why are millennials leaving? Sometimes it is death by a thousand papercuts.’[2]”  In other words, the battle over civil liberties have gone so long with little victories to show that for many it is easier just to leave.  The Popes authority has declined because of his unwillingness to include women in positions of authority.

            Furthermore, the Popes authority has declined in response to the Sexual Abuse Scandals.   Silk wrote, “The sexual abuse crisis, now rolling into its fourth decade, has steepened the trajectory of demographic decline[3]”  Sexual abuse has been increasingly become the highlight in the United States.  Prominent coaches have faced controversies and been fired.  Safety is an inherent freedom and should be especially felt in places of worship.  Controversies about Catholics and sexual abuse has become more and more common. So much that in fact, many Catholic’s do not feel safe any longer.  It is similar to the reason why people are more afraid of dying in a plane crash than a care crash.  Even if it the majority of places are safe for worship the public news have made things so widely known that fear has increased.  Silk says it has caused a fundamental change in the United States he says, “The question has changed from who is Catholic, to why be Catholic.[4]”  The Popes authority among American Catholic has declined because of the sexual abuse controversies.

            Overall, the Popes authority among American Catholics has continued to decline because of millennial women and the sexual abuse controversies.  This decline started in the early 20^th century with the churches stance on birth control and is still declining today.  As American Catholics continue to not see the Popes as an authority figure, will they continue to identify as Catholic?

Sources Cited:

Silk, Mark. “The Future of American Catholicism.” 2019. Religious News Service. https://religionnews.com/2019/04/09/the-future-of-catholicism-in-america/ Date Accessed:4/20/19

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[1] Mark Silk. “The Future of American Catholicism.” 2019. Religious News Service. https://religionnews.com/2019/04/09/the-future-of-catholicism-in-america/ Date Accessed:4/20/19

[2] Mark Silk. “The Future of American Catholicism.” 2019. Religious News Service. https://religionnews.com/2019/04/09/the-future-of-catholicism-in-america/ Date Accessed:4/20/19

[3] Mark Silk. “The Future of American Catholicism.” 2019. Religious News Service. https://religionnews.com/2019/04/09/the-future-of-catholicism-in-america/ Date Accessed:4/20/19

[4] Mark Silk. “The Future of American Catholicism.” 2019. Religious News Service. https://religionnews.com/2019/04/09/the-future-of-catholicism-in-america/ Date Accessed:4/20/19

Islamophobia and It’s Recent Impact

3/15/19 Nathan Barrus

           “Islamophobia” is a term that has grown in significance ever since the September 11^th attack on the World Trade Center in the United States. Islamophobia refers to fearing all Muslims because a few radicals commit acts of terror.  Recently, fear has led people to act out in violence.  Today in New Zealand, two Islamic Mosques were attacked.  49 people died and 20 were wounded.  In the article, “Mosque attacks fuel outrage, fuel concern over Islamophobia,” Mike Corder documents the reactions of important people across the world.  Their reactions show how fear can cause people to commit the very atrocities that a person fears.

This history of Islamophobia shows that fear has steadily increased over time.  What starts as simple protesting against Muslims has led to full on attacks.  Iran’s foreign minster criticized some countries tolerance of Muslim protests.  He said some countries “defend the demonization of Muslims ‘as freedom of expression.’”  As people express Islamophobic ideas, people get the message that Muslims are to be feared.  Tolerating these ideas spreads fear.  When fear gets out of control, it turns into misunderstanding and hate.  One general of an Islamic Nations group said “this attack further warns (the world) of the dangers of hate, intolerance and islamophobia.”  When fear turns to hate and intolerance, violent crimes follow.  Along with this recent attack Canada reported a similar attack in 2017 when “six Muslim men were shot and killed.”   Fear has progressed from anti-Muslim propaganda and protesting to violent crimes.

Muslims just want to be treated fairly and with respect.  The terrorist attack from radical Muslims does not represent the majority of peaceful practitioners.  Christians profess that they are a religion of peace, but they must remember that their history has been one tainted with blood.  The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in the United States was not unlike the terrorist attacks of today.  Many of those people though they were doing their Christian duty.  Christians today expect to put those dark practices in the past.  The Muslims of today are only asking the same.  Pakistans Prime minister put it like this, “these increasing terrorist attacks of Islamophobia…(are because) 1.3 billion Muslims are blamed by the actions of only one.”

A person acting in fear often commits the very act he or she fears.  Because of terrorist attacks by radical Muslims, people fear being attack in the places they feel safe.  The Prime Minister of Canada said, “all too often people experience great sorrow and loss in places they should feel the safest.”  Living without fear is one of the universal human rights brought forth after World War 2.   Losing people at work and home is unimaginable.  Acting in fear, hatred and misunderstanding and killing people in their worship is the very act that people fear.  One cannot fight fear with fear.  Fear breeds misunderstanding.  To combat fear, understanding forgiveness and justice are the most powerful weapons. 

In conclusion, Islamophobia has increased throughout the past two decades, Christians should identify with the pleas of Muslims, and acting out of fear will only lead to committing the acts you fear.  With understanding, forgiveness and justice true peace can be found for Muslims and Christians alike.

Mosque attacks spark outrage, fuel concern over Islamophobia