Denialism vs. Doubtalism

There are very few things in life about which we can be absolutely certain. Much of what we think we ‘know’, we actually have an opinion. It may be a very strong opinion, either that a given proposition is true, or that it is false. It may even touch upon certainty, or uncertainty. But a smidgen, or at times more than a smidgen, of doubt is requisite to approach and appropriate what is presented to us as ‘truth’. I will leave aside for now questions of Faith, which are supernatural and elevated by grace. There, no doubt is permitted.

For any other sorts of truths, especially those presented to us by various authorities, we must maintain our critical faculties, and this all gets quite unhealthy, and short-circuited, when the power of the state gets involved, to force us to accept as absolutely true what may be true, but may also not be true, or, at least, not quite in the way it is presented as ‘true’.

Case in point (amongst many others): Trudeau and his Liberals want to make illegal any ‘denial’ that there are mass graves of indigenous children outside residential schools. There seem to be sub-narratives to this narrative, that children were murdered, or mistreated and neglected, secretly buried and so on.

My point here is not to sift the evidence of all this – beyond my capacity and knowledge – but only to say that having some doubts about the ‘mass graves’ is different from denying that there are ‘mass graves’. It is difficult to prove beyond any doubt a universal negative.

Father Raymond de Souza has a curious and disconcerting column, where he claims there is no need for such draconian censorship since’ ‘everyone already toeing the line on residential schools – no gag law required’. Is his implication that if everyone weren’t ‘toeing the line on residential schools’ a gag law would be required?

What they want to make illegal is not so much denialism – ‘mass graves are absolutely impossible and unthinkable’ – but ‘doubtalism’, which, again, is a natural, necessary and healthy reaction to any empirical data, seeking certainty, clarifications, distinctions and evidence and so on. The key is to prove something ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, as is done in a court of law, with ‘reasonable certainty’ being defined as ‘enough certainty to act’. But, even there, a sliver of doubt remains, and even convicted criminals are allowed to proclaim their innocence, a retrial, appeals and on it goes.

Truth, dear reader, is a journey, which never ends, and asking questions are the steps along the way.

A Closed, Unsustainable, Descending Loop

As a follow-up to my thoughts on Payette’s payout, here be a stark image of where are here in Canada. As the graph shows in, well, graphic terms, since 2025, the public sector has contributed to 95.5% of economic growth. The private sector – which funds the public sector, or is supposed to – has[…]Continue reading→

Remembering Father Alphonse de Valk

(Today marks the sixth anniversary of the death of Father Alphonse de Valk, C.S.B., a faithful, courageous and indefatigable Basilian priest, pro-life-and-family apostle, and the founder of Catholic Insight magazine. Here is what we wrote those on his entering into eternity five years ago, as we continue to remember him in our prayers and thoughts)[…]Continue reading→

Presidential Pardon of Weronika Krawczyk

As a good news, follow-up to our story from Poland, of the persecution of Weronika Krawczyk for her pro-life views, we heard that she has been granted a presidential pardon. One might still wonder why one needs a presidential pardon for simply holding the long-held belief that the child within the womb is a child,[…]Continue reading→

Pope Leo and a Rosary for Peace

Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics across the world to join him in a Rosary for peace today, at 18:00 Rome time (6 pm), which would be noon from where I write (EST). If you are able, whether at that time or another, and in whatever way you pray, to join in intercession with the[…]Continue reading→

Payette’s Payout

I was glancing through some headlines, and noticed a mention of Julie Payette – engineer and astronaut and sometime the Queen’s representative in Canada – which brought back vague memories. She was appointed Governor-General by Justin Trudeau in 2017. Ms. Payette resigned in 2021, amidst claims that she created a ‘toxic work environment’, with allegations[…]Continue reading→

Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów

We celebrate Saint Stanislaus today (+ April 11, 1079), in light of this Easter Octave, a bishop and martyr who accepted the episcopacy only at the direct order of Pope Alexander II. He proved a wise and courageous leader of his flock, put to death by his own king, Boleslaus, for rebuking the monarch’s ‘immoral[…]Continue reading→

Weronika Krawczyk and Injustice in Poland

Catholic Action in Poland has issued a formal statement appealing to the President of the Republic of Poland to pardon Weronika Krawczyk—convicted for warning other women against an abortion-performing gynaecologist. Catholic Action (AK) emphasizes that no apology is owed to a doctor who has performed numerous abortions and proposed others; furthermore, the organization considers the[…]Continue reading→

Three Easter Musical Gems: Bach, Palestrina and Byrd

A very blessed and glorious Easter! Christus surrexit vere, alleluia! As we begin this Easter Octave with the great Solemnity of Easter, music to lift the soul would be one of Bach’s Easter cantatas, composed during his time at Leipzig in the early 1700’s, for the six Sundays of this festive season, leading up to[…]Continue reading→

Saint Isidore of Seville, the Internet and Industriousness

Today, April 4th, muted this year by Holy Saturday, is the commemoration of Saint Isidore of Seville (560-636) a bishop and doctor of the Church during a tumultuous age, when civilization was crumbling, coming apart at its very seams, which may sound sort of au courant. Then again, the form of this world has always[…]Continue reading→

An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday

The time between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is one of waiting, in silence, as the world wonders – anticipates – what will happen, after the death of Christ. We re-live this time each year in the anamnesis of our liturgy, and in turn look forward to the glorious re-creation of all things at the[…]Continue reading→