RESISTING THE TIDE | KAIROS GLOBAL | DECEMBER 2023

Author:  Diana Pulicken

Intro: Diana Pulicken writes about the culture war that seeks to destroy our young, and the armour we can use against it.

…be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:10-17).

As a young mom in my early thirties, I can't help but marvel at the beauty and significance of the Catholic Christian view on family and gender. It's something I'm truly passionate about, especially as a youth minister and someone who deeply believes in the natural and God-designed traditional roles of marriage and family. For me, it all starts with recognising the family as the bedrock of our faith. Within the sacrament of matrimony, I see a sacred purpose and a profound meaning that extends far beyond a simple ‘contractual’ union. 

From the dawn of civilization up until recently, it was instinctively and inherently understood that though men and women are different they complement each other.  We have different strengths and weaknesses, and these differences are meant to be celebrated and embraced. In our fast-paced world, it's easy to lose sight of the beauty and significance of traditional gender roles and dynamics. The spousal bond is not just for their own benefit, but for the good of their children and society. Speaking of children, they are a couple’s primary responsibility. Nurturing and shaping the faith of our children is at the core of our journey. It's incredible to witness the impact we can have on our children as we navigate the challenges and joys of parenthood together.

I understand that these views may be seen as controversial or outdated by some, especially in today's rapidly changing society. However, my goal is to approach these discussions with empathy and understanding, seeking to foster dialogue rather than division. 

As a youth minister and speaker, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of gender ideology and media hypocrisies on the equilibrium that God has beautifully instituted. While guiding youth to traditional values and helping them become torchbearers of truth and faith are our motives, we are surrounded by the myriad of evil forces that work to extinguish these motives with equal ardour.

I was talking to a few high school students at one of our weekly gatherings, particularly addressing the topic of gender ideology and the importance of maintaining an atmosphere of truth and being rooted in objective reality. In conversation, these kids casually mentioned how some of their classmates identify as cats and ‘furries’, while some others mentioned knowing of fellow Catholic friends who were confused about their ‘gender identity’. 

How did this spirit of confusion get a chokehold on our youth? When did faith become so irrelevant to so many people? The Catholic Church boasts a little over 1 billion members around the world and yet we have lost our voices in the face of the culture war. We are being forced into submission by first being asked to be ‘tolerant’ and ‘accepting’ to now being required to celebrate sinfulness in all its wretchedness. Cancel culture is in full rigour. On multiple social media platforms Catholic media is being censored with mounting pressure to conform to secular values, to bow to the ‘woke-gods’, and not to mention lack of support from secular institutions. It seems with growing certainty that a so-called marginalised minority with the loudest voices get to dictate the tone and vibe of our culture. How did we get to this point? 

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5:20).

This verse encapsulates the current cultural condition of much of the world, where what is wrong is often seen as right, and what is right is often seen as wrong. This reversal of values is a significant issue, where traditional values are often seen as outdated and oppressive, while progressive values are seen as liberating and just. The verse reminds us that there are consequences to our actions and that we must be careful not to promote what is evil while labelling what is good as evil. As Catholics, we must continue to express our beliefs and live out our faith in public, even in the face of opposition and censorship. 

The first step in winning the culture war is to recognise that we are at war. Popular apologist and professor of philosophy Dr Peter Kreeft identifies the real enemies facing the Church today as the ‘three demons of the modern world’: relativism, hedonism, and narcissism. These demons are the root of many of the problems facing our society today, including the breakdown of the family, the rise of secularism, and the erosion of traditional family values.  

The second step in winning the culture war is to know your weapons. Dr Kreeft argues that the only weapon strong enough to defeat the demons of this age are saints. He notes that throughout history, it has been the saints who have transformed society and brought about lasting change. In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis explores the power of prayer and the importance of spiritual discipline in the fight against evil. The book is a reminder that we must be diligent in our spiritual practices and that we must rely on the power of God to overcome evil.

The third step in winning the culture war is to engage the enemy. Dr Kreeft notes that we must engage the enemy on key battlefields, including family, education, and the media. We must be proactive in our engagement and that we must be willing to take risks and make sacrifices. In The Screwtape Letters, Lewis explores the tactics used by demons to corrupt human souls. The book is a reminder that we must be vigilant in our fight against evil, always on guard because the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

On June 16, 2023, thousands of Catholic protesters gathered outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles to protest the team's celebration of the controversial drag group, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, during the stadium's ‘Pride Night’. The Dodgers honoured the self-proclaimed group of ‘queer and transgender nuns’ by presenting them with the Community Hero Award to a stadium that was mostly empty.  The protesters carried signs with messages such as ‘stop anti-Catholic hate’ and ‘God will not be mocked’. The protest was one example of ordinary Catholics standing up for their faith in the face of a cultural attack.

What are some ways to realistically re-engage our youth? 

Prioritising faith: Placing God foremost in our families is essential in maintaining a strong family foundation. Regular church attendance and frequenting the sacraments can help reinforce these priorities.

Fostering a safe environment for open communication: Parents should actively discuss good values and morals with their children, helping them understand right from wrong and the importance of respecting others. This can be done through family discussions, prayer, and engaging in outreach activities that promote compassion and understanding. Constant channels of open communication within the family allow children to safely express their thoughts and feelings, helping them navigate the challenges they face.

Addressing the poisonous effect of gender ideology: The recent rise of gender ideology has had a harmful effect on young minds, leading to confusion about objective reality and the erosion of traditional values. Parents should educate themselves and their children on the importance of biological sex, proper use of language and pronouns and the dangers of promoting gender discordance as normal.

Promote critical thinking: Encourage young people to question and critically analyse the messages they receive from the media and society regarding gender ideology. Invite them to analyse the ideological messaging with an honest and critical mind they receive from their peers and the culture around them. 

Join me on this journey of being a witness of hope, arming ourselves with Scripture, fasting, and prayer. Despite the challenges and opposition, we know with certainty that God is in control, knowing that God has placed us in our current circumstances for a specific purpose and that we each have a distinct role in his larger plan. Let's navigate the challenges, celebrate the cultural wins both big and small, and create a nurturing environment where our children can thrive and experience the profound love of God within the warmth of our family. We were made for such a time as this!

Diana Pulicken lives in Houston with her husband and 3 children. She works as an RN Case Manager for an insurance company. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to a variety of podcasts, and watching movies. 

Pulicken 

Phone: 832-586-6663

Email: dianapulicken@gmail.com

Address: 1211 Lakes Edge Lane, Missouri city, TX, 77459