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I
6.
All the evils which poison men and nations and trouble so many hearts have a
single cause and a single source: ignorance of the truth-and at times even more
than ignorance, a contempt for truth and a reckless rejection of it. Thus arise
all manner of errors, which enter the recesses of men's hearts and the
bloodstream of human society as would a plague. These errors turn everything
upside down: they menace individuals and society itself.
7.
And yet, God gave each of us an intellect capable of attaining natural truth.
If we adhere to this truth, we adhere to God Himself, the author of truth, the
lawgiver and ruler of our lives. But if we reject this truth, whether out of
foolishness, neglect, or malice, we turn our backs on the highest good itself
and on the very norm for right living.
Revealed Truth
8.
As We have said, it is possible for us to attain natural truth by virtue of our
intellects. But all cannot do this easily; often their efforts will result in a
mixture of truth and error. This is particularly the case in matters of
religion and sound morals. Moreover, we cannot possibly attain those truths
which exceed the capacity of nature and the grasp of reason, unless God enlightens
and inspires us. This is why the word of God, "who dwells in light
inaccessible,"2 in His great love took pity on man's plight,
"became flesh and dwelt among us,"3 that He might
"enlighten every man who cometh into the world"4 and lead him
not only to full and perfect truth, but to virtue and eternal happiness. All
men, therefore, are bound to accept the teaching of the gospel. For if this is
rejected, the very foundations of truth, goodness, and civilization are
endangered.
Truth and Error
9.
It is clear that We are discussing a serious matter, with which our eternal
salvation is very intimately connected. Some men, as the Apostle of the
Gentiles warns us, are "ever learning yet never attaining knowledge of the
truth."5 They contend that the human mind can discover no truth
that is certain or sure; they reject the truths revealed by God and necessary
for our eternal salvation.
10.
Such men have strayed pathetically far from the teaching of Christ and the
views expressed by the Apostle when he said, "Let us all attain to the
unity of the faith and of the deep knowledge of the son of God . . . that we
may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of
doctrine devised in the wickedness of men, in craftiness, according to the
wiles of error. Rather are we to practice the truth in love, and grow up in all
things in him who is the head, Christ. For from him the whole body (being
closely joined and knit together through every joint of the system according to
the functioning in due measure of each single part) derives its increase to the
building up of itself in love."6
11.
Anyone who consciously and wantonly attacks known truth, who arms himself with
falsehood in his speech, his writings, or his conduct in order to attract and
win over less learned men and to shape the inexperienced and impressionable
minds of the young to his own way of thinking, takes advantage of the
inexperience and innocence of others and engages in an altogether despicable
business.
The Duties of the Press
12.
In this connection we must urge to careful, exact, and prudent presentation of
the truth those especially who, through the books, magazines, and daily
newspapers which are so abundant today, have such a great effect on the
instruction and development of the minds of men, and especially of the young,
and play such a large part in forming their opinions and shaping their
characters. These people have a serious duty to disseminate, not lies, error,
and obscenity, but only the truth; they are particularly bound to publicize
what is conducive to good and virtuous conduct, not to vice.
13.
For we see with deep sorrow what Our predecessor of immortal memory, Leo XIII,
lamented: "Lies are boldly insinuated . . . into weighty tomes and slender
volumes, into the transient pages of periodicals and the extravagant
advertisements of the theater."7 We see "books and magazines
written to mock virtue and exalt depravity."8
Modem Media of Communication
14.
And in this day of ours, as you well know, Venerable Brethren and beloved sons,
we also have radio broadcasts, motion pictures, and television (which can enter
easily into the home). All of these can provide inspiration and incentive for
morality and goodness, even Christian virtue. Unfortunately, however, they can
also entice men, especially the young, to loose morality and ignoble behavior,
to treacherous error and perilous vice.
15.
The weapons of truth, then, must be used in defense against these weapons of
evil. We must strive zealously and relentlessly to ward off the impact of this
great evil which every day insinuates itself more deeply.
16.
We must fight immoral and false literature with literature that is wholesome
and sincere. Radio broadcasts, motion pictures, and television shows which make
error and vice attractive must be opposed by shows which defend truth and
strive to preserve the integrity and safety of morals. Thus these new arts,
which can work much evil, will be turned to the well-being and benefit of men,
and at the same time will supply worthwhile recreation. Health will come from a
source which has often produced only devastating sickness.
Indifference to Truth
17.
Some men, indeed do not attack the truth wilfully, but work in heedless
disregard of it. They act as though God had given us intellects for some
purpose other than the pursuit and attainment of truth. This mistaken sort of
action leads directly to that absurd proposition: one religion is just as good
as another, for there is no distinction here between truth and falsehood.
"This attitude," to quote Pope Leo again, "is directed to the
destruction of all religions, but particularly the Catholic faith, which cannot
be placed on a level with other religions without serious injustice, since it
alone is true."9 Moreover, to contend that there is nothing to
choose between contradictories and among contraries can lead only to this fatal
conclusion: a reluctance to accept any religion either in theory or practice.
18.
How can God, who is truth, approve or tolerate the indifference, neglect, and
sloth of those who attach no importance to matters on which our eternal
salvation depends; who attach no importance to pursuit and attainment of
necessary truths, or to the offering of that proper worship which is owed to
God alone?
19.
So much toil and effort is expended today in mastering and advancing human
knowledge that our age glories-and rightly-in the amazing progress it has made
in the field of scientific research. But why do we not devote as much energy, ingenuity,
and enthusiasm to the sure and safe attainment of that learning which concerns
not this earthly, mortal life but the life which lies ahead of us in heaven?
Our spirit will rest in peace and joy only when we have reached that truth
which is taught in the gospels and which should be reduced to action in our
lives. This is a joy which surpasses by far any pleasure which can come from
the study of things human or from those marvelous inventions which we use today
and are constantly praising to the skies.
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