By Fr. Eugene Hemrick
Yeshua Institute Fellow
“At times one wonders if a certain combativeness is not prevalent in Catholicism, a compunction to be always right and to prove an adversary wrong. A compulsion which easily leads to witch hunting in which, when turned the wrong way, hunts its witches in the church herself and finally needs to find them in Rome.”
French philosopher Blaise Pascal’s pondering addresses a reoccurring theme in today’s society: combative rhetoric used against a person considered a foe, competitor, rival or adversary.
What needs to be considered in evaluating its pros and cons?
A spirit lauded
The spirit of combative rhetoric is universally lauded in sports, the business world, religion and politics. From our early education combativeness is seen as a way to learn and get ahead.
And too, we often hear of people fighting for their lives being lauded for their competitiveness and staying power -- heroics teaching us of its beautiful spirit and powers of prolonging life.
With responsibilities
Competitiveness comes with responsibilities; one being enlisting skillful conversation. Author Gretchen Rubin reminds us, “Skillful conversationalists can explore disagreements and make points in ways that feel constructive and positive rather than combative or corrective.”
French writer and author Andre Gide reminds us to consider more peaceful laborious means for settling differences: “It is easier to lead men to combat, stirring up their passion, than to restrain them and direct them toward the patient labors of peace.”
With, not over
Before imploring competitiveness, French judge Montesquieu reminds us, as does Pascal, that competitiveness tends to walk over another and not with him or her. They point out, “To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.”
Before using competitiveness to achieve its goal, Swiss writer Jean-Jacques Rousseau recommends where to start: “Virtue is a state of war, and to live in it we have always to do combat within ourselves.”
Former president Jimmy Carter and actress Carmen Carrera urge us to employ heartfulness for defeating competitiveness.
- “The only way to combat hate is by demonstrating empathy and love,” says Carrer.
- “There should be an honest attempt at the reconciliation of differences before resorting to combat,” states Carter.
Competitiveness is in our blood and runs throughout the Bible and our history. It is core to life. Peace, unity, and goodness are transcendental terms. Where there is one so too is the other, blessing us with a moral compass for directing competitiveness in the right direction of unity, peace and goodness -- the core of holiness.