Leslie Shaw Klinger: Church not perfect, and neither was critic
The lack of funding for public schools as well as the proliferation of “experts” with websites has lead to an amazing amount of ignorance when it comes to history. Recently, someone wrote of the Inquisition in the 12th century (“We must seek a living prophet,” modbee.com, Nov. 3). I wonder which inquisition is being referenced, since the Spanish Inquisition started in the late 15th century?
No institution staffed by humans can claim perfect behavior. No race, no religion and no political party can point to a history devoid of sin, hatred, poor decisions and problems. The difference between the teachings of the Catholic Church and the behaviors of the humans who try to apply the teachings to their every-day lives is pretty plain to anyone with basic philosophy knowledge and critical-thinking skills.
To use an analogy: We would not destroy a Democratic Republic simply because the people trying to live according to its principles have failed. Rather, we uphold those principles to the best of our ability and keep trying.
The Catholic Church has been in existence for 2,000 years. To point out her failures and ignore her gifts to civilization is, quite frankly, silly. Jesus founded His Church. We struggle to uphold it.
Leslie Shaw Klinger, Modesto
This story was originally published November 5, 2014 at 6:22 PM with the headline "Leslie Shaw Klinger: Church not perfect, and neither was critic."