The Problem of Using Guilt by Association Arguments Against Roman Catholicism
It should be worth a facepalm or facedesk to think how some anti-Catholic ministries themselves don't bother to argue logically against Roman Catholicism. One of the most common fallacies is the use of the guilt by association fallacy. It means that you argue something is wrong because somebody does it - instead of arguing something is wrong because it goes against the Word of God.
I could remember these following fallacies are so commonly used by anti-Catholic cults against their rival cult Roman Catholicism to dismiss the following biblical truths:
Unfortunately, the are based on logical fallacies instead of the Bible. Sadly, the book "The Two Babylons" by Alexander Hislop is so full of logical fallacies that it's not something I'd recommend for serious study. It's really bad comedy that it's not funny to read through all its fallacies. Many of the arguments were rather based on similarities rather than based on the Word of God. What Hislop heavily ignores (and fortunately David W. Daniels of Chick Publications raises it) is that pagan stories don't only copy from each other but they also copied from the Bible. We could think of the following areas where the Bible can be condemned as "pagan" by merely looking at guilt by association:
The whole idea of because somebody does it then it's wrong would mean that a lot of acts today would be wrong because Roman Catholics do it. Here's a couple of stuff that born again Christians and Roman Catholics also do:
Again, will those food make Christians unclean because certain Popes that have come and go liked them? No. Christians can eat a lot of food named after Pope John Paul II, enjoy Italian food, have a healthy dose of chocolates and yet these don't matter. What Christians must avoid with the Popes is not their common preferences of favorite foods but their heresies. I could go ahead and eat Italian food, chocolates, Polish food, salsa and the like as long as I stay clear of the heresies of the Popes.
I could remember these following fallacies are so commonly used by anti-Catholic cults against their rival cult Roman Catholicism to dismiss the following biblical truths:
- Seventh Day Adventists argue that going to Sunday isn't biblical because Roman Catholics go to church on Sundays.
- Anti-Trinitarian cults have some of its apologists dictate that the Trinity is unbiblical because Roman Catholicism teaches it.
Unfortunately, the are based on logical fallacies instead of the Bible. Sadly, the book "The Two Babylons" by Alexander Hislop is so full of logical fallacies that it's not something I'd recommend for serious study. It's really bad comedy that it's not funny to read through all its fallacies. Many of the arguments were rather based on similarities rather than based on the Word of God. What Hislop heavily ignores (and fortunately David W. Daniels of Chick Publications raises it) is that pagan stories don't only copy from each other but they also copied from the Bible. We could think of the following areas where the Bible can be condemned as "pagan" by merely looking at guilt by association:
- Genesis 3:15 talks about a virgin birth before paganism created its own stories of pagan virgin births.
- The Old Testament priests wore miters as God commanded.
- Pomegranates adorned the high priest's robe (Exodus 28, 39).
- The story of Hercules also copies some parts of Samson's life such as the latter's strength.
- The story of Adonis found in a basket was copied from Moses in Exodus 2.
- Many world civilizations have their own version of the worldwide flood that destroyed the world all taken from Noah's Ark.
The whole idea of because somebody does it then it's wrong would mean that a lot of acts today would be wrong because Roman Catholics do it. Here's a couple of stuff that born again Christians and Roman Catholics also do:
- Both eat food and drink milk.
- Having feeding programs for the poor and needy.
- Donating relief goods for calamity victims.
- Conducting prayer meetings and Bible study.
- Have worship services and emphasize Hebrews 10:25 to justify the need to gather together on Sundays.
- Use the Gregorian calendar which was given by a Pope.
- Use the printing press which was invented by a Roman Catholic named Johannes Gutenberg.
- Use Mendelian principle to study which was named after a Roman Catholic priest named Gregor Mendel. Not to mention we could name stuff we use from various pagans too:
- Confucian principles such as treating others right and honoring one's parents.
- Many contributions to the field of Math and science also came from the pagan world. Many of the best Mathematicians in the ancient world were unsaved idolaters such as Pythagoras and Socrates.
- The Senate was a concept by the pagan Romans.
Did all those activities become wrong because it was done by someone? No. They aren't wrong because they aren't against the Word of God. Besides, I should name some things that would be wrong to eat them because deceased Pope or even the incumbent Pope loves them:
- Pope Paul VI was a huge fan of Italian food.
- Pope John Paul II loved Polish Cream Cake so much that it was later named after him.
- Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI loves chocolates.
- Pope Francis loves salsa and tomato bruschetta.
Again, will those food make Christians unclean because certain Popes that have come and go liked them? No. Christians can eat a lot of food named after Pope John Paul II, enjoy Italian food, have a healthy dose of chocolates and yet these don't matter. What Christians must avoid with the Popes is not their common preferences of favorite foods but their heresies. I could go ahead and eat Italian food, chocolates, Polish food, salsa and the like as long as I stay clear of the heresies of the Popes.
I hope this helps in setting a logical ground in refuting Roman Catholicism.
See also: