Rationalizations: The Easy Way Out

Virtue. Doesn't that word just get you pumped?! Unfortunately many ethical thinkers have realized that virtue is an "impoverished word" in that is has been robbed of much of it's original meaning and potency. Instead of rambling on about virtue, I want to talk about how rationalizations are such a real danger for all of us in our relationships, work, school, faith, and our vocation in life. Then, I will explain how the virtue of Prudence is the key to be conquering this fearsome beast of rationalization (see how I tied it back in to virtue). 

Prudence in general is a freaking awesome virtue, but it is the first step of making a prudent decision that is the key to overcoming rationalizations. This first step is called Deliberation. Deliberation is where one analyzes the circumstances and gathers information about a situation in as objective a way as possible. Seems simple enough, right? Easy to understand, but very hard to apply to one's life, especially with our fearsome foe of rationalization ready to squash our efforts to deliberate. Alexandre Havard defines rationalization as, “to twist objective data, consciously or unconsciously, to make them fit pre-conceived notions.” This is a very good definition and, upon reflection, is clear that rationalization is a serious problem for all of us. It is simply easier, more convenient, and less scary to categorize a situation into a “pre-conceived notion” of reality than face the unique challenges of each of the situations that life presents us with. Rationalizations can take many forms: clichés, cultural or social expectations, stereotypes, past experiences, and well-worn patterns of thought. 

I would like to show examples how rationalizations affect our vocation as college students to demonstrate the destructive effect that rationalizations can have on our ability to live the virtue of prudence, and more importantly, to live our vocation. Obviously there are the obvious dangers of alcohol abuse, partying, and immorality in college, but I want to focus on the more subtle rationalizations that keep up in mediocrity. As a college student, we often sacrifice sleep by staying up too late because of the stereotype of college students staying up late. We also could easily stay up too late because of social expectations to do so for socializing. As students, we also often procrastinate studying and writing papers because of deeply engrained thought patterns and habits that have formed our self-image as being a procrastinator and a “last-minute” person. Often we tend to complain and focus on the negative of our college experience because of stereotypes and social expectations to complain. Instead of appreciating the hard work of our professors, the administration, and even cafeteria workers, we tend to give in to complaining and thus rationalizing our own mediocrity, negativity, and lack of commitment. How do we overcome these crippling rationalizations? 

You guessed it: Prudence! I mean Deliberation (which is part of Prudence)! Instead of following our rationalizations, we must take a step back from our well-worn thought pattern, and examine the objective facts of the situation. Let's use the "staying-up-late-to-socialize" example. Do we have a test tomorrow? Do we have an early commitment or can we sleep in? How are we doing physically right now: are we already tired or sick? Conversely, we should consider the objective positives of staying up late. Is this social time something valuable to me? Is the activity we are doing worth sacrificing sleep (are you watching YouTube or having a deep, life transforming conversation)? These are the type of “deliberating” questions we must ask in order to make prudent decisions and avoid the poison of rationalizations.  

 Deliberation is only the first step. It will take the next two steps of prudence: judgement (where we evaluate the data we have collected while deliberating), and actually deciding to get us where we want to be. Oh, and we better throw in the virtue of courage because it will take courage to go against our deep-seated and habitual rationalizations. However, even if we aren't yet ready to break free from our rationalizations, if we begin to truly deliberate decisions it will open our eyes to the truth and break the most powerful bondage of rationalizations which is it trap us in "rational-lies".

Isn’t Virtue looking cooler already? 

NOTE: I am reading Alexandre Havard's book Virtuous Leadership for my Center for Leadership class at Franciscan University and his chapter on the virtue of Prudence was the inspiration and primary source of this post. 

What do you think are the most dangerous rationalizations that we make in our lives? 

James Lohrmann

God's not Dead, but Christian cinema is

I try to be understanding towards Christian films. I really do. I try to give them the benefit of the doubt. But after watching the trailer for the new film "God's Not Dead" being release this spring by Pure Flix Entertainment, I feel impelled to share my opinion: we need to stop support "Christian" films that insult the intelligence of its audience and plays on emotions and stereotypes.

But how can I be so harsh? The movie hasn't even been released yet, I don't know really know how good this movie is. Valid point, but let me tell you what I saw when I watched the trailer and then see whether you agree with my opinion. But first, check out the link to the film trailer yourself so you can have an idea of what I'm talking about.

God's Not Dead Trailer


Let me start with the production value. It isn't terrible, but for a film that is seems primed for release to theaters across the country as a major motion picture, why is it roughly the same quality as B-film Sharknado? At least Sharknado had a greater variety of locations and some cool special effects.

Stereotypes, Stereotypes, Stereotypes. It's the perfect way to turn powerful cinema into cheap propaganda. Way to present the stereotypical atheist professor who doesn't want any discussion but only wants to destroy the faith of those silly, ignorant Christians. How about we further the stereotype from the Christian point of view and reveal in the trailer his true motivations (which really takes the suspense out the film by the way), which are that he hates God. In between the clips of the openly Christian band "Newsboys" singing about how God isn't dead (more on this later), they show that fearless Christian college kid aggressively asking his wicked atheist teacher why he hates God, to which the professor is in dumbfounded silence. There it is! The atheist hates God! How convenient! Of course they couldn't show a humble, open-minded atheist who is genuinely seeking the truth. That would present to many sticky situations to the narrow-minded worldview of the filmmakers and ruin the pure, Christian propaganda, oops, I meant message of the movie.

But maybe I'm not giving the filmmakers enough credit. Maybe they are smarter than I am giving them credit for. They sure have a heck of a marketing campaign. Just because I have listened to some Chris Tomlin on Spotify I have been getting almost non-stop ads for "God is not Dead" film. They are targeting a very distinct demographic of Christians who actually listen to Praise and Worship music which are evangelical Christians, and other charismatic Christians like myself. Something that really bothers me about their marketing campaign is the use of the Band Newsboys and their hit song "God is not Dead" as big part of their trailer. They are using the Newsboys to give them star-power and name recognition among Christians. During the trailer, when interesting clips from the movie would have been appropriate, they show the Newsboys performing on stage. It's a marketing stunt, the Newsboys add nothing qualitative to the movie, if anything they hurt it's credibility and make it seem they are trying to compensate for the film's own lack of merit. It's like when another silly romantic comedy comes out they have to plaster big name actors and actresses all over the advertising to compensate for the film's own lack of originality. It's too bad the Newsboys don't even act ... well ... maybe they did for this movie.

Going to see a movie is not about "joining a movement"! All you are doing is rewarding opportunistic "Christian" producers with million of dollars for making cheap movies. Don't believe me? Look no further than the "Son of God" movie which was literally a re-cut television show (which also made gobs of money) that made 52.5 million at the box office. 52.5 million! You think that you are supporting quality Christian film being made while the producers are laughing their way to the bank!


Please comment and share your opinions! I feel very strongly about this issue but I am also eager to hear differing opinions and viewpoints on the Christian film industry and on this particular film.


In Christ,


James Lohrmann

Does Mary distract or detract from our love of Jesus?

This is a very important topic that I have discussed with both concerned Protestants and Catholics. As a Catholic, this is a very important topic because of the prominent role Mary plays in our Catholic faith. I don't pretend to have the perfect theological answer to this question, but I will share a reflection I had while sitting on my deck smoking my pipe (the pipe is how you know I'm a thoughtful, philosophical individual).

Something that I have greatly struggled with recently over my Christmas break is being charitable and patient towards my family members. I have been working on this, but not with a lot of apparent progress. The only success I have had has been the fruit of greater devotion to my prayer life. As I sit in God's presence and I let the grace and peace of Christ fill my heart (great here comes the spiritual pride), I find my heart expand with love for my family and my mind takes off the blinders of my selfish mindset. Through prayer, I find that Christ's love has filled my heart so that I have the desire and the ability to love my family members. So, what does this have to do with Mary? Let's go back to the pipe-smoking on the deck.

Today, as I was smoking my pipe under the starry sky, I found myself being drawn into prayer and worship of God. As I was praying, my mind went back to my family and my desire to be charitable towards them. In this moment of prayer, I felt renewed gratitude, appreciation, and love for the individual members of my family. I desired to love, bless, and be with my family as well. During this time of prayer, I also felt the desire to speak to Mary, my spiritual mother, and be in her loving presence. It was at this moment that I made the connection. Our love of Jesus is a love that expands our hearts and our desire to love others, particularly our family. Does it not seem natural that our deepening relationship with Christ will not only lead us to a deeper love of our human family, but also Christ's family, particularly God the Father and Mary his mother? If we are truly becoming one with Christ's heart, will we not begin to truly love Mary as Christ did?

Again, this is not an exhaustive explanation, but I hope this reflection can provide a fresh perspective for you as it did for me.

James enters the Blogisphere!

After dabbling unsuccessfully with WordPress, I have decided to give into the Google giant and become a Blogger so that I can actually start writing instead of dabbling (it's much more user-friendly). What I hope to do in this blog is share my thought, reflections, and arguments on a variety topics ... hopefully topics of significance; you can be the judge of that. Feel free to leave your comments, rebuttals, encouragements, criticisms, and carefully-worded insults (Shakespearean insults are appreciated).

I want to consecrate this blog to all that is true, good, and beautiful and to the One where all Truth, Goodness, and Beauty finds its source and fulfillment.

James Lohrmann