In recent years, and now even more recently, the self-designated “science guy,” Bill Nye has made some rather interesting comments in regards to science, climate change, and the penalizing of parents who have large families. Although the last comment was made in regard to families in poor countries, I would bet if you pushed him on the subject, he would make the claim that countries that can sustain large families should do the same thing. This whole notion that the world is overpopulated is a big pile of horse dung. Every few years these crackpots come out their cocoons to make these ridiculous comments.
In regards to “Mr. Science Guy”, let’s make something very clear. He does not have a degree in a Physical science like Biology, Chemistry, or Physics; his degree is in Mechanical Engineering, which is an Applied Science. Not that mechanical engineers aren’t intelligent, not saying that at all, but claiming that you are a “science guy” with that degree is just nonsense. What is ironic about Bill Nye is that he promotes science and the study of life, but really he is anti-family, anti-children, and anti-life. The National Catholic Register article says it all – Bill Nye the Pseudoscience Guy.
So with this being said, let’s briefly examine what the Catholic Church teaches on family, children, and society’s role in developing families from the Catechism of the Catholic Church –
“Honor your father and your mother” (Deut 5:16; Mk 7:10). [#2247]
According to the fourth commandment, God has willed that, after him, we should honor our parents and those whom he has vested with authority for our good. [#2248]
The conjugal community is established upon the covenant and consent of the spouses. Marriage and family are ordered to the good of the spouses, to the procreation and the education of children. [#2249]
“The well-being of the individual person and of both human and Christian society is closely bound up with the healthy state of conjugal and family life” (GS 47 § 1). [#2250]
Children owe their parents respect, gratitude, just obedience, and assistance. Filial respect fosters harmony in all of family life. [#2251]
Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children in the faith, prayer, and all the virtues. They have the duty to provide as far as possible for the physical and spiritual needs of their children. [#2252]
Parents should respect and encourage their children’s vocations. They should remember and teach that the first calling of the Christian is to follow Jesus. [#2253]
Public authority is obliged to respect the fundamental rights of the human person and the conditions for the exercise of his freedom. [#2254]
It is the duty of citizens to work with civil authority for building up society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. [#2255]
Citizens are obliged in conscience not to follow the directives of civil authorities when they are contrary to the demands of the moral order. “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). [#2256]
Every society’s judgments and conduct reflect a vision of man and his destiny. Without the light the Gospel sheds on God and man, societies easily become totalitarian. [#2257]
For a more complete understanding of this topic, I would encourage you to read paragraphs 2196-2246.
I have written on this topic in the past in other articles, if you are interested, here they are: 7 Quotes on Family Life from Mother Teresa, 10 Quotes on the Holy Family from Pope St. John Paul II, “Mondays with Mary” – Pope St. John Paul II, Challenges of the Family, and Marian Prayer, and “Mondays with Mary” – 10 Quotes on the Family from the Guardian of the Redeemer.
