Today I’m thinking about
the different belief systems that are out there and how these systems respond
to some current issues in society. I would like to consider examples
of what might be called crimes by some and sins by others.
Most people, regardless of their belief system,
have a basic moral character about them. In other words, there are
some crimes that are forbidden in all belief systems. Examples are
taking the life of another and rape. Everyone, without exception,
probably agrees that murder and rape need to be on the absolutely forbidden
list. Even the perpetrators probably believe this. So we
have laws on the books so that these perpetrators are brought to justice.
All would judge the perpetrators as being guilty of wrongdoing
There are crimes or sins that some believe
should be forbidden but others think they should not. Examples are
viewing pornography and abortion. Those people say that as long as
no one gets hurt, they can commit these things in private or in consultation
with their doctor. Abortion is thought to be murder in some belief
systems but not in others, hence those who oppose abortion want it to be
forbidden while those who do not oppose abortion want it be a matter of
personal choice to be considered a form of health care for the
mother. This latter group also says that it is religion interfering
in personal choices. And so we would have people accusing other people of
judging them for their private acts based on a misguided belief system, which
then results in resentment and more conflict.
There are also crimes (or perhaps “sins” would
be the better term here) which indeed only particular religions
forbid. Examples are pre-marital and extra-marital sexual relations
and missing religious services (Mass) on Sundays. The Catholic
Church, for example, have deemed both of these acts as very serious mortal
sins. Finally, there are also many perhaps trivial acts that the
Catholic Church would consider venial (less serious) sins while everyone else
wouldn’t think twice about committing them. So we have a wide array
of acts that run the full range of urgency in public opinion resulting from a
wide range of beliefs.
So what is my take on all of
this. Everyone who regularly reads my blog or knows me personally
knows that I strive to be a devoted Catholic. I believe that if
everyone could would have this striving that there would be much more harmony
in the world. Everyone would be striving to be a good person who
believes in God and in his son, Jesus Christ. There would be no
difference of opinion as to what is right and wrong. Everyone would
go to Mass and receive the Eucharist daily. Everyone would know that
Satan exists and that he is working hard to bring everyone down by tempting
them to serious sin. Everyone would resist this. Judgements
could be made without resentment. And it would not be imposing my faith
on others, as is often claimed. You would still have a choice. I am simply stating what I believe is right
and following Christ's mandate to "go and make disciples of all nations." (Matt 28:19).
What people should know is that God loves each
of us immeasurably. He is filled with mercy and wants us to love him
back. I love this famous passage from Scripture, the words of Jesus
himself: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with
all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.” And, “You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:30-31). How
transformative this would be for everyone and what a wonderful world we would
have! Amen!
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