The TrueManhood Podcast Episode 3 – The Devil’s Top 5 Lies
The TrueManhood Podcast, brought to you by TrueManhood Men’s Ministry, in Episode 3, will examine what we believe are the Devil’s Top 5 Lies to win souls. Lie #1: Pornography. #2: Decay of Marriage/Okay of Divorce. #3: Abortion/Contraception. #4: Gender Agenda. #5: Atheism/Secular Humanism
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Homosexuals, Homophobes, Homosapiens – The Third Way
Recently, several dynamic Catholic speakers teamed up to teach the actual, the real, the reasonable, and the true belief that Catholics hold regarding same-sex attraction. The video, called “The Third Way”, is posted below. The video is about 35 minutes long, but well worth the time.
Important Notes:
- Catholics believe that homosexuality is a sin. People are not homosexuals, acts are homosexual. People are people.
- The proper term, instead of “homosexual”, is a person with same-sex attraction (SSA). This describes the person who wrestles with (or struggles with, gives into, indulges in, etc.) homosexual acts.
- Same-sex attraction is a disorder (meaning it goes against the natural law) and should be avoided, as should all other disorders.
- Catholics believe that every single solitary person has innate value, no matter what their disorder(s) may be, and should be loved.
- Catholics love people, even if they indulge in sinful behavior. Love the sinner, hate the sin.
- The Catholic faith isn’t homophobic, individual people might be. I am not. See #4.
- All persons are called to chastity (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2337.)
- Simply because people who profess to be Catholic have acted or spoken improperly about the subject does not negate the teachings found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 2357-2359.
- TrueMen support, inspire, encourage, and challenge other males with SSA.
- The Catholic Church offers support and encouragement to individuals with SSA through a group called Courage, as well as support groups for family/friends of individuals with SSA called Encourage.
This is, obviously, a very complex issue and widely discussed. It would not be possible to write about every aspect, and I’m not intending to do so. The bottom line… love people!
Here’s the video:
TrueMan up!
The Third Way from Blackstone Films on Vimeo.
3 Most Damaging Words? – Nope
March 12, 2014 by admin
Filed under Blog, cultural manliness, Faith, Fatherhood, For Women, manliness, pornography, Virtue
Have you seen the PSA style video “The Mask You Live In”? It talks about boys in our culture, and stereotypes of how boys handle the stresses of growing up male, in addition to the struggles of living up to the standards the culture and peers place on them. There are truths in the video, but I disagree with their take on “the 3 most destructive words you could say to a boy.” Here’s the video:
The suggestion is made that telling a boy to “Be a Man” is detrimental to him. If we’re speaking from the context of cultural manliness, then sure, I could see that. If, however, we’re speaking from the context of authentic masculinity (ie: TrueManhood), then this is absolutely what we should be telling our boys! We should be encouraging them, teaching them, forming them, and exemplifying for them what it means to be a man so they are able to set a goal and become what they were created to be. A TrueMan!
We must, unequivocally, call, lead, and guide our boys into true manhood. We must expect it, and set our boys up to meet the expectation. If we do not, they will land somewhere on either extreme. On the one hand, we have a “hyper-masculinity” (other negative words have been associated with this, such as “macho man or machismo”, “bravado”, “meathead”, “jock”, etc.) and on the other, we have an effeminate version of masculinity (which doesn’t even make sense), which is incredibly disordered. In fact, both versions are a false, counterfeit version, and are incredibly disordered.
Some of the buzz words used, and my thoughts:
- “Don’t cry.” Men, you can cry. God wouldn’t have given us emotion and tear ducts if He didn’t want us doing it. And oh yeah, Jesus wept.
- “Pick yourself up.” Yes, we’re going to fall. Pick yourself up and get back on track.
- “Respect.” Respect is earned. Give it, and you will likely gain it in return.
- “Proving masculinity.” Yes, this has to happen. This is how we grow in virtue, by proving our masculinity. This is very different from the view the video takes, which is speaking about becoming violent or using violence to be the proof.
- “Closeness.” This is very hard for males in our society! It is vital, essential, critical that fathers have a closeness with their sons! Hugs, kisses, embracing, physical closeness, as well as emotional closeness and a spiritual closeness are all so important between fathers and sons. (Thanks Dad, for always being close when I was a kid, and now.)
- “Vulnerability.” Our culture tells men that being vulnerable is feminine. Vulnerability actually requires strength.
- “Hyper-masculine.” When masculinity is distorted, it will appear to be either side of the extremes, but never what it should be.
What I don’t like about the video is that it generalizes all of the negative aspects of masculinity overall, as if there is or needs to be some redefined version of masculinity out there. No, there are two versions of masculinity: 1. The truth. 2. The lie. That’s why TrueManhood.com exists, to perpetuate the truth, and to help get rid of the lie. The truth is that a man (a human being with an XY chromosomal makeup) has the God-given ability, and the responsibility, to live up to what he was created for – to live virtuously. The lie is cultural manliness; the more power, money, sex, and stuff a male has, the more manly he is. Let’s work together, not at the loss of the truth, but together so that the truth can be proclaimed!
TrueMan up!
No, Ken Doll DOESN’T Make Metrosexual Cool
Maybe you’ve heard this… some people think that Ken (from Toy Story 3) makes being ‘metrosexual’ cool. Ummm… well… no. Being metrosexual isn’t cool. More importantly, being metrosexual isn’t virtuous, so therefore, it’s not manly.
What is metrosexual? From my research, there’s not one widely-agreed-upon definition. Personally, I think Wikipedia actually got it right for once… “Metrosexual… a man who has a strong concern for his appearance or a lifestyle that displays attributes stereotypically associated with homosexual men, although he is not homosexual.” Manicures, pedicures, facials, ridiculous hair treatments, eyebrow plucking, spray-on tanner, gossip magazines/sites… ugh. Short-tempered. Shallow and selfish – “Solid ride. Solid physique. Solid hair. Solid.”
Please note, there is a drastic difference between being a metrosexual and a gentleman. A gentleman is concerned with his appearance, but not overly concerned with it and never in a self-centered or conceited way. A gentleman is prudent in his decisions, temperate in his actions, courageous in all things and seeks justice for all. A gentleman lives an ordered life, not the disordered life of a metrosexual. A gentleman is authentically masculine while a metrosexual is effeminate. A gentleman praises others, while a metrosexual seeks praise as an end, in and of itself. A gentleman always respects a woman and fights to defend her. Sometimes, women are falsely drawn towards metrosexual men, often times because metros are more tender and understanding (all emotional)… see how Barbie feels about Ken initially in the video below. These women typically end up hurt and alone because those characteristics wear off eventually, leaving the woman in pain and alone.
Back to Ken… the dolldude obviously has issues… attachment to worldly possessions, personal appearance and a desire for shallow and empty “swagger”. “A whole room, just for trying on clothes.” Come on, Ken.
TrueMan up!
