American Catholic
Catholicism's Role in Shaping Our Democratic Values
Can morality be legislated? Should it?
Yes and Yes.
John Adams once said, “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” Morality and virtue are the foundation of our republic and necessary for a society to be free.” And yes, while the constitution and the Bill of Rights affords every man woman and child the freedom to worship or not worship whomever they like, there is still a case for the requirement of a universal code of morality. One that offers the path to freedom. The problem lies is in those that mistake freedom for a society without morals to guide them. This does not imply a theocracy by any means, but a proclaimation that morality is not subjective or relative.
In the heart of Catholic teaching lies a profound understanding of freedom, one that diverges significantly from contemporary society's interpretation. This understanding isn't derived from societal norms or the shifting sands of cultural trends but from the foundational teachings of Christ as encapsulated in the Beatitudes. These sacred verses from Matthew 5.3-12 not only instruct us on how to live a life aligned with divine will but also redefine freedom in a way that transcends mere autonomy or the unrestrained pursuit of personal desires. Catholic thought prompts us to reconsider freedom not as the license to do as we please but as the liberty to pursue what is good, true, and noble.
At its core, the Catholic perspective on morality and, by extension, freedom, is a journey towards eternal happiness with God. It is a preparation for a life beyond the confines of our earthly existence. This preparation involves rules, but these are not arbitrary impositions from an external authority. Instead, they are natural outgrowths of a heart seeking alignment with the divine. The fundamental moral question shifts from "How far can I go?" to "What must I do to live a good life?" It's a shift from exploring boundaries to seeking a path towards becoming the person capable of living in eternal communion with God. This path is marked by guidelines that emerge organically from the process of spiritual and moral maturation.
The concept of freedom in American culture, often encapsulated by Frank Sinatra’s "I did it my way," stands in contrast to the Catholic understanding freedom. This popular notion equates freedom with self-assertion and choice devoid of moral considerations. It suggests that asserting one's will is the highest expression of freedom, neglecting the importance of what we choose and why. Catholicism offers a counterpoint: freedom and goodness are inextricably linked. The moral life, and by extension, true freedom, is about learning to make choices that align with our highest good and our deepest desire for happiness and communion with God.
The absence of boundaries does not equal freedom. It hinders it. The discipline required to master the piano or to learn a new language may initially feel restrictive. However, these "rules" eventually enable a richer form of expression and understanding. Similarly, the moral guidelines informed by Catholic teaching do not constrain us but free us to live more fully, to express the best of our human nature, and to align our lives with the divine will.
This understanding of freedom is vital for the cultural health of America. A nation untethered from moral truth, where freedom is reduced to mere personal satisfaction, is at risk of devolving into coercion and conflict. And let’s face it. We’ve been there for a while. The Catholic vision offers a remedy to this ailment through the concept of "freedom for excellence" - the freedom to do the right thing, for the right reasons, as a habit. This form of freedom, deeply rooted in virtue, is not only the path to personal fulfillment but also the bedrock of a just and moral society.
The erosion of a moral core in American society, where relativism and a content-free notion of liberty prevail, presents a challenge to the integrity of democratic values. The Supreme Court's elevation of subjective definitions of existence and meaning as the heart of liberty, as seen in cases like Casey v. Planned Parenthood and Lawrence v. Texas, epitomizes this drift from the Founders' vision of self-evident moral truths. This reductive view of democracy, devoid of a moral dimension, undermines the communal fabric and the pursuit of justice for all.
As 21st century Catholics, we are called to engage with these challenges, to affirm that true freedom is intimately linked with goodness and moral truth. Our task is to articulate and embody a vision of freedom that transcends the superficial allure of "doing it my way" and to demonstrate how a life grounded in virtue and aligned with divine will is the most liberating of all. This calling is not merely about personal sanctification but about contributing to the flourishing of our nation and it’s people, ensuring it remains connected to its deepest moral and spiritual roots.
We can draw some inspiration from the rich heritage of Catholic thought and the lives of saints who have navigated the complexities of faith and freedom. Their lives remind us that the truest expression of freedom lies in self-gift, in pouring out oneself for the good of others and in faithful adherence to God's will. The Beatitudes help us in embracing a concept of freedom that enriches both our personal lives and the communal life of our nation. Through our witness and action, we can cultivate a society that recognizes the indissoluble bond between freedom, morality, and the pursuit of the common good.