The 'Two Step' of the New Censors. A Threat to Catholics?
Catholic Christians insist that there is a Natural Law which can be known by all men and women through the exercise of reason
The first step of a new 'two step' would be to diminish our truth claims by insisting that our positions are 'religious' and must be confined within our Church Walls.
PrintCHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - Catholic Christians insist that there is a Natural Law, “present in the heart of each man and established by reason.” This law “is universal in its precepts and its authority extends to all men. It expresses the dignity of the person and determines the basis for his fundamental rights and duties.” (CCC# 1956) It is here that we find the ground for the moral truths which should inform our life together if we hope to be a truly just and free society. It is here where we also find those fundamental and foundational human rights which we insist must be recognized by the civil or positive law as rightfully belonging to all men and women.
There is a real problem emerging in the United States and much of the West. One has only to examine the voting patterns and positions espoused by some Catholics to come to a conclusion that we are desperately in need of catechesis, instruction in what the Church teaches. We live in an age of relativism and sadly, some Catholics and other Christians do not understand the dangers which we face. The relativists of this age have managed to persuade many, including many Catholics, that there are no objective truths; there are only “my” truths and “your” truths. Further, they have relegated our position on the very existence of truths and rights to simply being “religious” positions in order to marginalize or dismiss them. In the midst of this confused age we must maintain that there are objective truths which can be known and that those truths are the only solid basis for building the foundation for a truly free, just and human society.
Dr. Deal Hudson’s recent insightful piece entitled “Why Catholics Should Take a Position on the Hate-Crimes Bill” has drawn quite an array of comments from our readers. I offered a response when it first appeared on his publication, "Inside Catholic". My concerns are rooted in my experience as a human rights/ constitutional lawyer and my training in “Catholic Social Doctrine.” I see a pattern on the rise in our Nation, indeed in the West. I call it the "Two Step" of the New Censors. It is at work in many of the serious debates over social and cultural issues. It is aimed at excluding our positions from being heard in the public square or influencing the positive/civil law. Let me give just one example, though there are many. The Catholic position on homosexual sexual practices as objectively disordered and our opposition to all efforts to undermine true marriage through what we should call the "Homosexual Equivalency Movement" - the movement which wants to call what can never be a marriage a marriage and then use the Police Power of the State to force all of us to do the same - is rooted in the Natural Law which binds all men and women. It is not simply a “religious” position.
This position that marriage - and the family founded upon it - is the first society, is a "truth claim”. It grates against some in this age properly called a "dictatorship of Relativism" by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger before he assumed the Chair of Peter. He has repeated the phrase several times since assuming Peter’s Chair underscoring its importance. Yes, our position on what constitutes a true marriage is confirmed by Revelation, as is evident in the Sacred Scripture and the Tradition. However, Catholic Christians insist that the truth concerning marriage and the family founded upon it is rooted in the Natural Law which can be known by all men and women through the exercise of reason. Catholic Christians insist that these objective truths must be the basis of any truly just civil society. They inform a true humanism and help us live together in peace by promoting human flourishing.
The topic of Dr. Hudson’s article was recent “Hate Crimes” legislation which includes those who engage in homosexual behavior as a “protected class” in the very same manner as it includes gender and race. Some are concerned over where this legislation could lead. Others take comfort in language found within the legislation which seeks to protect people with “religious positions”. It is here where I raise the concern that a "two step" may be underway. If unchecked, the trends emerging could have the effect of censoring our right to contend in the Public Square. Here is how it happens. First, those who oppose our positions on matters such as the Right to Life for every human being from conception to natural death and the normative nature of the two parent, marriage bound family will relegate our truth claims to simply being "religious positions." Then they will require that these truth claims be confined to expression only within our Church Walls or we will face the Police power of the State.
There is a Cultural Revolution brewing in the West with two conflicting visions of the human person, human freedom, human flourishing and marriage and the family founded upon it as the first cell of a truly ...
There is a real problem emerging in the United States and much of the West. One has only to examine the voting patterns and positions espoused by some Catholics to come to a conclusion that we are desperately in need of catechesis, instruction in what the Church teaches. We live in an age of relativism and sadly, some Catholics and other Christians do not understand the dangers which we face. The relativists of this age have managed to persuade many, including many Catholics, that there are no objective truths; there are only “my” truths and “your” truths. Further, they have relegated our position on the very existence of truths and rights to simply being “religious” positions in order to marginalize or dismiss them. In the midst of this confused age we must maintain that there are objective truths which can be known and that those truths are the only solid basis for building the foundation for a truly free, just and human society.
Dr. Deal Hudson’s recent insightful piece entitled “Why Catholics Should Take a Position on the Hate-Crimes Bill” has drawn quite an array of comments from our readers. I offered a response when it first appeared on his publication, "Inside Catholic". My concerns are rooted in my experience as a human rights/ constitutional lawyer and my training in “Catholic Social Doctrine.” I see a pattern on the rise in our Nation, indeed in the West. I call it the "Two Step" of the New Censors. It is at work in many of the serious debates over social and cultural issues. It is aimed at excluding our positions from being heard in the public square or influencing the positive/civil law. Let me give just one example, though there are many. The Catholic position on homosexual sexual practices as objectively disordered and our opposition to all efforts to undermine true marriage through what we should call the "Homosexual Equivalency Movement" - the movement which wants to call what can never be a marriage a marriage and then use the Police Power of the State to force all of us to do the same - is rooted in the Natural Law which binds all men and women. It is not simply a “religious” position.
This position that marriage - and the family founded upon it - is the first society, is a "truth claim”. It grates against some in this age properly called a "dictatorship of Relativism" by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger before he assumed the Chair of Peter. He has repeated the phrase several times since assuming Peter’s Chair underscoring its importance. Yes, our position on what constitutes a true marriage is confirmed by Revelation, as is evident in the Sacred Scripture and the Tradition. However, Catholic Christians insist that the truth concerning marriage and the family founded upon it is rooted in the Natural Law which can be known by all men and women through the exercise of reason. Catholic Christians insist that these objective truths must be the basis of any truly just civil society. They inform a true humanism and help us live together in peace by promoting human flourishing.
The topic of Dr. Hudson’s article was recent “Hate Crimes” legislation which includes those who engage in homosexual behavior as a “protected class” in the very same manner as it includes gender and race. Some are concerned over where this legislation could lead. Others take comfort in language found within the legislation which seeks to protect people with “religious positions”. It is here where I raise the concern that a "two step" may be underway. If unchecked, the trends emerging could have the effect of censoring our right to contend in the Public Square. Here is how it happens. First, those who oppose our positions on matters such as the Right to Life for every human being from conception to natural death and the normative nature of the two parent, marriage bound family will relegate our truth claims to simply being "religious positions." Then they will require that these truth claims be confined to expression only within our Church Walls or we will face the Police power of the State.
There is a Cultural Revolution brewing in the West with two conflicting visions of the human person, human freedom, human flourishing and marriage and the family founded upon it as the first cell of a truly ...
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I figure let the people of the state live as they will and the people of the Church live as we will. The Church helps regardless of status or way of life. More is expected from the Church yet we have shown through out the centuries the secular world is very much part of our foundation. I have known clergy, brothers and sisters who are homosexual, some celibate some not, yet they hold to their Vows. So, the inside (the Church) is no different than the outside (the secular world).
in ireland during the famine catholics where offered soup but they had to turn away from the church thousands died rather than TAKE THE SOUP I THINK ALOT OF AMERICANS HAVE TAKEN THE SOUP SAUL SAUL WHY DO YOU PERSECUTE ME GOD
The "Two Step" has already taken place. The House Health Care Bill included a "Hate Speech" amendment. Today the senate will pass this incidious Health Care bill that will accomplish what the fanatical left-wing has wanted for decades. This nation is in bad trouble and it promises to get worse.
The USCCB has finally drafted a document that clarifies the Catholic Churches position on Marriage and so-called Same-sex marriage. This comes late in the game but better late than never. It amazes me that there were 45 bishops who voted against it and 3 abstentions. I believe these 48 bishops need to find something else to do because they do not belong in their offices.
All USCCB need to be engaged in the "Culture War". The reason we are here having these discussions is that our bishops have been MIA for the last 40 years.
At first, the banner read: "Merry Christmas, Happy New Year", then was added Happy Chanuka. It changed again to say "Seasons' Greetings" Next it was Happy Holidays, Happy Kwanza. The tree decoratioms changed over time from candles and angels with a Manger to toys and teddy bears. This happened in my place of employment and then moved onto the Public Square. It's been going on for years and we are now almost totally secular
Ike and Kim, take heart:
Our nation's founders thought deeply about religion, but they were not wedded to the finer points of church doctrine. George Washington disclaimed any interest in whether people were "Mohametans, Jews, or Christians of any sect, or Atheists.” His sole concern was that they should have the right to exercise freedom of worship, expression, and thought.
The second president, John Adams, was a Unitarian. Adams’ successor, Thomas Jefferson, wrote that the Christian clergy was one of “the greatest obstacles to the advancement of the real doctrines of Jesus.”
I don't subscribe to those views, but here's what I think:
Our current political leaders (even - gasp - Obama) are much more Christian than our founders. For every one of us who looks at the world and the future with fear and trepidation, there is another who looks on with anticipation and resolve to make things better.
We can rise above our failures of the last eight years. Whether it’s with Obama or the next president, we don’t have to let the Bush Administrations incompetence and failures doom our nation. Take heart.
It started with what is shown to us on TV. First there was divorce shown more and more as the norm. Then a man and woman who were not married were shown living together in a TV show and we were all expected to accept it. Then the homosexual references started getting bolder and more frequent. Pretty soon, the TV and movies "expected" us to accept this behavior as normal in order to watch the entertainment. Reality shows displayed tatooed wonders as being normal everyday people, and as a consequence, getting a tatoo is now commonplace, even among Christians. What is next? Homosexual love will be forced... more and more... at our youth in TV and movies and in our schools. Then will come pediophilia being pushed as normal. It will not be long after this that you will be expected to view a family with multiple mothers and fathers living together as "OK" and just another "lifestyle". How depraved will our nation get? It is up to all Christians and especially Catholic Christians to stop the downward spiral. Stand up and be counted!!!
I agree that this is a profoundly pagan nation. I used to give presentations for SAVE (suicide awareness/voices of education) In my personal testimony, I give credit to God for saving my life after my numerous suicide attempts. SAVE no longer asks me to do any more presentations after some public schools complained that I spoke about God. This nation was founded on Christian principles. Unfortunately, this is not a Christian nation anymore.
The west and u.s are in post christian era.we catholics in particular and all christains have to pray against further decline and for conversion
Yes this is happening fast! My problem with all of this is the large number of friends and family members who have no idea what we are talking about. Culture war? People have accepted false ideas without thnking. They have not looked into these concerns and have accepted the easy morality of the day, sympathetic and tolerant without recognizing the deeper meaning of the issues. They are put off by the shrill alarmists of talk radio, never watch EWTN, are distracted from these issues by their jobs and finances and daily schedules… and so will not hear the warnings….in my experience, most people are not tuned in to this even those who are faithful Catholics…
As I’m writing this I realize maybe my sense of being overwhelmed is because I’m thinking as you would of the “big board” in a war room (the same mistake they are making when they talk about health care reform) solving the whole huge snarl of problems with phalanxes and tanks and huge strategies instead of realizing it comes down to solving the problems of patients.
— I am thinking globally and need to think of local effect, of Jesus sending out his disciples two by two— keep trying! ...but we'd better talk fast!
@Laurence: I think many times those "empty arguments" you speak of are tested and come up empty. That's not the issue. The issue is getting people to hold those views to accept that they have hollow arguments. They are so full of their pride and so-called accomplishment that they think they are justified in anything they do.
There are no magic words to make everything ok. I think Jesus is the best orator history has ever had and even His words only went so far. Jesus is a brilliant speaker as he could get a deep point across in 10 minutes or less. We write books of explanations on the things He spoke of and people are still arrogant as ever.
There is an ironic parallel between Obama's rise to power and past bad leaders. They rose at a time when people we desperate. They also both "played nice" with with Church at first but then started disgracing it when they didn't agree with it.