Critics like to say that religion is divisive, or intellectually backward, or that it has no proper place in the public square.... But this is nonsense. Democracy depends on people of conviction carrying their beliefs into public debate - respectfully, legally and non-violently, but vigorously and without apology. If we are uncomfortable being Christians in a public debate, then we've already lost the war. In America the word "pluralism" is often conjured up like a kind of voodoo shield to get religious people to stop talking about right and wrong. In reality, our moral beliefs always shape social policy. Real pluralism actually demands that people with different beliefs should pursue their beliefs energetically in the public square. This is the only way a public debate can be honest and fruitful. We should never apologize for being Catholics. And this ought to be equally applicable to any Christian, Catholic or not.
Later he addressed those who believe the political battle over abortion has been lost and that we should accommodate ourselves to that political reality."Don't create or accept false oppositions," the archbishop cautioned as he waded into a topic that has caused great debate in the American pro-life community.
"During the last U.S. election," Chaput recalled, "we saw the emergence of so-called pro-life organizations that argued we should stop fighting the legal struggle over abortion. Instead we should join with 'pro-choice' supporters to seek 'common ground'."
"Their argument was simple: Why fight a losing battle on the legal, cultural and moral front since - according to them - we haven't yet made serious progress in ending legalized abortion? Let's drop the 'divisive' political battle, they said, and instead let's all work together to tackle the economic and health issues that might eventually reduce abortions," he explained.
But this argument doesn't sync with history, Archbishop Chaput stressed.
"Did Americans take a gradual, social-improvement road to 'reducing' racism? No. We passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964," he pointed out.
Taking the logic a step further, the Denver prelate said, "Nor have I ever heard anyone suggest that the best way to deal with murder, rape or domestic abuse is to improve the availability of health care and job training. We make rape illegal - even though we know it will still sometimes tragically occur - because rape is gravely evil. It's an act of violence, and the law should proscribe it.
"Of course, we also have a duty to improve the social conditions that can breed domestic and sexual violence. But that doesn't change the need for the law."
"Likewise," Chaput reasoned, "if we really believe that abortion is an intimate act of violence, then we can't aim at anything less than ending abortion.
"It doesn't matter that some abortions have always occurred, and some will always occur. If we really believe that abortion kills a developing unborn life, then we can never be satisfied with mere 'reductions' in the body count." Charles J. Chaput, from the introduction to his book "Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life":People who take God seriously will not remain silent about their faith. They will often disagree about doctrine or policy, but they won't be quiet. They can't be. They'll act on what they believe, sometimes at the cost of their reputations and careers. Obviously the common good demands a respect for other people with different beliefs and a willingness to compromise whenever possible. But for Catholics, the common good can never mean muting themselves in public debate on foundational issues of human dignity. Christian faith is always personal but never private. This is why any notion of tolerance that tries to reduce faith to private idiosyncrasy, or a set of opinions that we can indulge at home but need to be quiet about in public, will always fail.Thanks to Insight Scoop for the reference.
'Abortion reduction strategies' ignore half of the problem, Archbishop Chaput warns