In this powerful and thought-provoking lecture, Bishop Fulton Sheen explores the philosophical foundations of life and the destructive ideologies that have led to the normalization of abortion. Using humor, personal stories, and historical examples, Sheen addresses deep moral and spiritual questions about modern society’s understanding of freedom and love.
Sheen begins with anecdotes that highlight misunderstandings, including a humorous story of a chauffeur posing as a professor, revealing how appearances can deceive, much like false philosophies that mask deeper truths. He transitions into the serious topic of abortion, contrasting the Christian philosophy of life, which sees each person as made in the image of God, with the modern view that places the self above all else.
Sheen critiques the idea of freedom as the right to do anything, arguing that this leads to a culture of selfishness and the destruction of life. True freedom, he says, involves responsibility and respect for boundaries, both moral and societal. He compares this to the Communist philosophy, which replaces individual freedom with absolute obedience to the state.
Central to Sheen’s argument is the contrast between “biophilics” (lovers of life) and “necrophilics” (lovers of death). He argues that modern society, especially through the acceptance of abortion, has embraced necrophilia—a love of death. Sheen connects this shift to historical moments like the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, which he sees as a turning point in humanity’s disregard for life.
He draws on examples from Nazi Germany and Communist Russia to show how false ideologies lead to atrocities, and he warns that America, with its embrace of “freedom without limits,” risks falling into the same trap. Sheen also speaks about the distortion of love, which has become focused on personal pleasure rather than self-giving responsibility.
In one of the most poignant moments of the lecture, Sheen reads a letter from a woman who had an abortion, sharing her deep regret and the emotional scars she carries. This letter serves as a powerful testimony to the real consequences of the philosophy of death that Sheen critiques.
Sheen concludes by pointing to Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and the forgiveness available to those who seek it, calling for a return to a culture that values life at every stage, from conception to natural death. He warns that unless society reverses its path, it will continue to spiral into greater destruction, but he offers hope through faith and the redemptive power of God’s love.
Through this lecture, Bishop Sheen urges his listeners to stand firm in defending life and to recognize the false philosophies that threaten both individuals and society as a whole.
