I fully appreciate and support Christopher G. Tasy's commentary (Valley Voices Dec. 27), and his letter (Dec. 29). It is not often one reads such logical and clearly stated objective truth presented in The Bee.Guess what? America, not Catholic.
It is tragic that many in our country consider themselves Catholic, but are in fact living out American pop culture, while disregarding Catholic church teaching. They are in truth American before being Catholic.
As much as they wish it were true, the church is not a democracy. Mr. Tasy is correct, the Catholic church is like a loving parent, who only wants the best for her children; i.e. eternal life. She does that by presenting the truth. The truth will set us free; not to do whatever we want, but to live a virtuous life.
In holy scripture, Jesus gave his guarantee; the holy spirit will always guide his church and keep her from error, when it comes to faith and morals. Consequently, Catholics are obligated to follow her teachings, even if one considers them difficult, inconvenient or incorrect. While we are free to choose, we cannot deem ourselves "in communion" with our church unless we live in accordance with her teaching.
Deacon Gary Stevens
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
Clovis
"Consequently, Catholics are obligated to follow her teachings, even if one considers them difficult, inconvenient or incorrect."
That leaves all "true" Catholics in quite a position. Either, you fight to institute Catholicism's laws as common societal laws, or you ignore societal laws in favor of Catholicism.
This is the problem with those who view religion so fundamentally. One way or another, you're seeking to limit someone else's rights in favor of yours. You're working to codify God's laws into secular laws, or you're doing something like intimidating those who would walk into a Planned Parenthood or doctor's office that offers abortions.
Either way, it's based on guilt and ostracization. You're not a true, or good, or proper member of your chosen religion if you falter in these endeavors. You're strong-armed into supporting things. This isn't how ethical systems should work. It shouldn't be fear-based, it should be logic-based.
UPDATE:
Scott Hatfield over at Monkey Trials compiled some thoughts about the proliferation of Tasy at his blog a couple days ago.
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6 comments:
You wrote:
"That leaves all "true" Catholics in quite a position. Either, you fight to institute Catholicism's laws as common societal laws, or you ignore societal laws in favor of Catholicism."
Does your conclusion really follow what the letter said?
I mean, couldn't a Catholic abide by their church's laws without foisting it upon a secular government/set of laws?
I mean, couldn't they keep the laws 'personally'--i.e. "if you don't believe in abortion, don't have one", without feeling that one needs to make a pile of U.S. laws?
p.s. I appreciated the link to Scott Hatfield's blog. Stangely enough, of the two times I've ever had the pleasure to speak with him, one of those times was just like three days ago.
I mean, couldn't a Catholic abide by their church's laws without foisting it upon a secular government/set of laws?
I guess that depends on how fundamentally they follow Catholicism and whether or not the Vatican advocates Catholics following God's laws while idly standing by and being okay with everyone else not.
Therein lies the problem. Religion, in most instances, puts itself at odds with secular society and other competing religions. If Catholicism, or Mormonism, or fundamentalist Evangelical Christians, or certain sects of Islam (and the list goes on ad infinitum) could do as you say, we wouldn't be fighting issues like Prop. 8, or dealing with abortion clinic bombers, or ludicrous groups like the Exodus Movement that initially wanted to take over South Carolina and turn it into a Christion Nation that would secede from the Union.
"If Catholicism.[etc.]....could do as you say, we wouldn't be fighting issues like Prop. 8,"
Yeah. Exactly. I realize that many of these are sincere people, sincerely trying to do 'the right thing' in their own mind, but I wish they wouldn't feel the need to make it into the society's law.
(I also realize that mine is not an original thought.)
I had a spirited exchange with my own pastor (He lies on the conservative end of being Lutheran)
and asked him why folks weren't up in arms and passing a proposition banning divorce since divorce is also spoken of as being not so great in the Bible. ( I didn't *advocate* this move, just brought it up to make a point.)
To his credit, it was a respectful and friendly exchange and he didn't threaten me with any kind of 'not being in communion' thing like in the Fresno Bee letter.
I guess I also don't see 'not making it all into a municipal law' as the same thing as standing idly by. One could lead by example and try and show how 'groovy' 'loving' (or whatever) Mormanism/Catholicism/Islam(or whatever) is.
To your credit, and those who also take your position, I don't particularly take issue with your brand of belief.
And that's because you generally follow the principles you've decided on, without stepping on anyone else's toes. Or, at the very least, you try I suppose. Yours is a personal belief that as far as I can tell, you're not trying to impose on others. I hope you didn't feel this post was directed at you.
as they say: 'oh pshaw!' Never took it personally, I just
like it when I have the chance to toss out the idea that one can have religious beliefs and still not...you know, burn witches or start civil wars(extreme) or even
just make people feel 'less-than' and outside (like Jesus did--ok, that was sarcasm). And that idea is probably most important to throw out to those who make themselves part of a religious organization.
I just feel bad that the religion that I belong to (one founded on a guy who was all "love your neighbor"), has (often rightly) gained such a reputation for intollerance and obliviousself-righteousness.--but such are humans(often).
And as far as your blog goes, I appreciate the indulgence and hopitality of yourself (an intelligent and thought-provoking writer o' blogs).
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