Expert: Michael Clark, Ph.D. - 12/31/2004

Question
Well hmmm...I guess that is the problem I'm coming to.  It's ok to impose our will about abortion, but not ok about other issues.  Shouldn't there be some Catholic principle to determine what exactly is an issue where "it's ok to impose our will" and where "it's not ok to impose our will"?  Are you just saying there is no such principle in your opinion?

Thanks again!

- Louis Tourtellotte

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Followup To
Question -
What about assertions such as the "Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics" (http://www.catholic.com/library/voters_guide.asp)?  They cite a document promulgated by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which states "...it must be noted also that a well-formed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political program or an individual law which contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals".  It seems, then, that one is obliged to legislate all morality, for how can we properly discern what aspects of morality are exactly fundamental?  Can Catholics come to differing conclusions and still be talking about the same absolute morality?

Also, you assert: "what people say in public and what they truly believe (and practice) may differ".  Do you mean people are allowed to differ or that sometimes people just don't act in accordance with what they believe?

Thank you for your time and I want to thank you in advance for your follow up.

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Followup To
Question -
Generally Christians are supposed to try to make immoral things illegal.  For instance, it seems every Catholic thinks that we should try to outlaw abortion.  Most Catholics seem to think we should continue to try to keep doing drugs illegal.  However, to suggest making committing adultery illegal or even crazier, making contracepting illegal would certainly raise many people's eyebrows.  Where do we draw the line as Catholics?  What exactly should we be legislating?
Answer -
This is a very complicated question. I suggest you study the relationship between law and religious belief as manifested in history and also today in various countries. A good book for this is "Theology and Social Theory."

http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/Book.asp?ref=0631189483

A summary of this book can be found here.

http://www.lasalle.edu/~garver/milbank.htm

And remember that "Christians" and "Catholics" are two different things. Also, it seems reasonable to suggest that each and every Catholic differs. Last, what people say in public and what they truly believe (and practice) may differ.

I hope this helps.

Answer -
Hi.. thanks for the interesting link! Catholic teaching also stresses the importance of freedom of religion. Different religions may contain different ethical structures. So if you get into the idea of legislating every aspect of morality for every member of society, it seems there's a potential conflict.  

Answer
Hi.. I must confess that my strongest areas are in the psychology of religion and comparative mysticism--that kind of thing. But I will point out that abortion has been and remains legal in some countries. And the Church doesn't really "impose" its will. It teaches and guides. If it imposed its will it would just be a dictatorial entity, robbing individuals of their God-given free will.