Here are Harrison Butker’s words to women during his commencement address at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas:
“For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives. I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
Translation: Butker guesses that most of the young ladies graduating are more excited about marrying and having children than in pursuing business careers.
Distortion: Butker thinks women should be more excited about making babies, happy husbands and homes than making bank. They’re made to be make dinner, beds and homes, not deals.
More from Butker:
“I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother. I’m on the stage today and able to be the man I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation. I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.”
Translation: Butker’s wife feels most fulfilled as a wife and mother. How does he know this? Because she says so. He credits all his success in life to his wife and to her commitment to their family. He praises her for her influence on their children and for her ability to build a loving home.
Distortion: Butker thinks his wife didn’t have a life until she met and married him. Her life really took off when she bore their children. His wife’s true vocation as a woman is as a supportive wife and mother. If not for those roles, she’d be lost and unmotivated (and unqualified) in the working world. Why? Because she’s a woman.
Even more:
“Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the Sign of the Cross during a pro- abortion rally. He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I’m sure to many people it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.”
Translation: As a professing Catholic, President Biden must be delusional to think his catholicism is compatible with his pro-choice beliefs.
Distortion: Butker thinks that real Catholics are only pro-life and want to strip women of their reproductive rights.
A bit more:
“I am certain the reporters at the AP could not have imagined that their attempt to rebuke and embarrass places and people like those here at Benedictine wouldn’t be met with anger, but instead met with excitement and pride. Not the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it, but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the Holy Ghost to glorify him.”
Translation: Pride in self is sinful. Godly pride—the pride that results from being faithful to God—is good.
Distortion: Butker thinks LGBTQ folks who are proud of their sexual preferences are unholy sinners whose sins lead to death and judgement. He hates homosexuals and lesbians because he fears them and their pride. He’s holier than thou (and them) because he’s heterosexual.
Thoughtful analysis
Translations and distortions aside, can we agree that Harrison Butker’s opinions would be considered mainstream 40 years ago—or 400 years ago—and in any healthy culture in any time in history? His views on marriage and family reflect Catholic, Christian and Judaism and other religions’ values and are bedrock foundations of any civilization.
Or conversely, you may think Butker’s opinions are archaic and best left to sexists and religious extremists.
If so, ask yourself this:
Is there a correlation between stratospheric levels of crime, children without fathers, cultural and political strife, abortion, drug abuse, homelessness, etc. and the devaluation of traditional families?
Do you think American culture—or any culture—is better off embracing nontraditional same-sex relationships, unlimited sexual freedom and abortion on demand, the blurring of gender roles, and embrace of gender delusion?
Do you think the NFL was right to stray outside its lane by condemning Harrison Butker’s opinions while claiming his words run counter to their commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion? Yet they have nothing to say about unmarried players who father children with multiple women.
Kneeling at the wrong altars
Remember Colin Kaepernick? He coopted the culture by kneeling during the national anthem. He divided fans and fellow Americans with his perception of racial inequity in a league whose stars are overwhelmingly African American. The NFL then jumped on his bandwagon and fully embraced BLM and DEI.
Harrison Butker, a committed Catholic and Christian, is guilty of the sin of sharing deeply personal opinions on marriage and family to other Catholics at a Catholic college. He’s vilified as a hater, sexist, misogynist, and religious extremist. His speech is being compared to The Handmaid’s Tale.
According to voices on The View, in media and social media, Butker and his wife are hyper-religious bigots who hold outdated and destructive views that are harmful to women, gay and trans people, and culture and country.
Question: Are their views better for our future? Should marriage and childbirth be secondary to cohabitation and the pursuit of fulfillment with multiple partners and a belief in more than two genders?
Centuries of success backs one view; the other became a thing five minutes ago.
If Harrison Bukter bothers you, ask yourself if it’s what he said or what people say he said. His words are personal and reflect his opinions. Your reaction to them reveals your values.
Mr. Butker was provided a platform. He could have done a traditional inspirational graduation speech without being controversial, but he didn’t. His faith is more important to him. It is paramount in his life. That is good for him, his family, and ultimately society.
I do see a paradox though in his criticism of President Biden and the criticism he is receiving. Mr. Biden and Mr. Butker have a difference of opinion. There are many Catholics who are pro-choice. It is a conversation that has been had within the church for decades and will continue long past when Mr. Biden and Mr. Butker are off the stage, as long as the Lord tarries.
Mr. Butker speaks from a place of privilege. He does and that’s okay. I do also. I do also. I disagree with much of his worldview, though I appreciate how he got there.
Mr. Butker is a good man, I have no doubt. The views he expressed do deserve a public debate. Unfortunately, for many the hyperbole on both sides, those opposed to his views and those supporting them, have prevented a thorough vetting or discussion of them.
Returning to hearth and home and a “good old day” mindset isn’t where our hope for the nation lies. Our hope lies in having intelligent debate and constructive disagreement in roles and choices.
Allowing folks to live their lives as they are called to.