Kevin, you quite misread me if you think I "want to dismiss our most fundamental beliefs." It is indeed my intention, however, to distinguish "fundamental beliefs" from those that are not fundamental, especially those that have had destructive consequences. It's important to recognize that the latter do not logically follow from the former.

It is not clear what the antecedent to "they" is meant to be, in "they appear to be self-serving." "Our most fundamental beliefs"? But that doesn't seem to fit, does it. Perhaps you meant "Your comments," or better "Your intentions," forgetting to say so? Well, in that case, you might explain what personal private benefit I am supposed to get from recommending that Catholics cultivate intellectual discipline, self-respect, justice, charity, and discernment, the "mother of all the virtues."