The TradCaths dillema

TradCaths, as they are commonly called, are "Traditional Catholic", or that's what they call themselves. Their hallmarks are a distain for Vatican 2, what they refer to as "Modernism"/Modernists, an obsession with the traditional Latin Mass (though the majority admit they don't speak Latin), and a host of other issues they have with the Church as it is today.

From my interactions with them, I've come across many (by no means all) who are, I must be blunt, some of the most toxic people I've ever had the misfortune to talk to. Bigotry is at an all-time high with alot of these types, especially Antisemitism, Anti-Masonry (many are obsessed with Freemasonry-- come on! Even the Freemasons don't take Fremasonry seriously anymore!) anti-Communism (are there really any Communists left? ) etc. etc. etc.

There are fanatics and extermists in every religion, political, and social organization, and extremism of every type is becoming more and more mainstream in today's world? Why is this?

I believe it is because the modern world has become too laxidaisical, too laid back and complacent. People ned something to be passionate about, and the only thing our shallow Western culture gives them to be passionate about are celebrities and general pop-culture nonsense.

Religion, of whatever kind, at least gives people something meaningful. However, when taken to extremes, religion becomes deadly. It takes someting good and turns it into a poisonous "us vs. Them" mindset, where everyone who doesn't hold to the "right, one true religion" (that is, their particular version of it, which tends to become smaller and more marginalized, the more extreme it gets) is "the enemy", "servants of Satan" etc.

This is not good for the individuals involved or the overall society. There are also many schitzophrenics, who find their delusions justified by fanatical interpretations of faith. One fellow I talked to was convinced he was the "French Monarch" spoken of in the Prophcies of St. Malachy...of course, he lives in the Southern United States, is basically uneducated, and doesn't seem to realize he's neither French, nor a Monarch; or that France no longer has a Monarchy! There was a whole Revolution about that...

It is in balance that we find Truth, not over-the-top extremism.