A Dangerous Misconception about Common Good

The readings after Easter from Acts of the Apostles demonstrate the ebullient early Church, filled with the Holy Spirit and attracting people by the thousands.   After 2000 years of growth and general acceptance, despite persecution, martyrdom, heresy, and not a few misguided leaders, the history of the Church points to an interesting observation.  When the Church is persecuted, it seems to grow stronger, and when things seem to be running smoothly, the Church falls into decline.   Take Europe and America, for example.  Under Roman persecution, Christianity grew rapidly, despite the perils of martyrdom.  In America where Catholicism was distained and even outlawed in some of the colonies, it flourished and eventually became the largest segment of Christianity.  But when things settled down and economic growth brought prosperity during the 20^th century, Church attendance declined and so has general morality.

For thousands of years, spiritual concerns dictated the “common good” and undergird political decisions.  Now it seems that the common good is determined by an ideology of “whatever I want.” Absolute freedom of expression is considered the highest common good, “as long as no one gets hurt.”  Under this scenario, it’s easy to turn a blind eye to consequences that might indicate otherwise.  Morality is considered an antiquated notion, replaced by the secular norm of personal entitlement.

Taking a closer look at this, let’s consider how popular morality (or lack thereof) has evolved since we have scientifically separated fertility from sex.   Even Freud, an avowed atheist, warned that separating sex from procreation would wreck havoc on society.   Sex without consequences changes the very way we think and act.  Many say there’s no harm in masturbation; nobody gets hurt, it satisfies a natural human urge, etc.  Similarly, pornography is considered a “victimless” offense.  Or is it?  Masturbation can easily become habitual and if justified as “normal,” it changes the way that person views themselves and others.  They begin to see others as objects for their pleasure, and themselves as entitled to pleasure and satisfaction.   This changes the dynamic of personal relationships such that commitment is limited to what’s good for me, not the other person.  Personal dignity and respect are replaced by a “what’s in it for me” attitude.   Sex is considered a play thing, with no reason to practice self-control or continence.  No wonder there’s so much cohabitation without marriage, and such high divorce rates.  Perhaps people with this attitude are incapable of the spiritual maturity to make a lifelong commitment to the good of a spouse and children. 

As for the “victimless” notion?  There is a rape in this country every 2 minutes.  Does anyone really think this is completely separated from the selfish perception that I deserve whatever pleasure I want, and other people are there for my use?  As if 260,000 rapes a year weren’t bad enough, over 1 million babies are killed in their mothers’ womb every year because there were unintended and inconvenient.  All this violence has at its source, the notion that “I am entitled to whatever pleasure I want.”  Victimless?  Seriously?

As a society, we seem to be moving away from moral imperatives derived from our spiritual beliefs, and the consequences are staggering.   Spiritual realities are denied and considered superstitions from a bygone era, while the consequences of our moral decline are conveniently ignored.  I’ve written frequently about the serious economic and social consequences of the declining population in Europe, and America is on that same path.  Moreover, Christianity is under assault worldwide.  Persecution and martyrdom are once again becoming commonplace in Muslim countries.  Over a million Christians have fled Egypt since the Muslim brotherhood took control of the government, and 80 Christians were killed at an Easter service in Nigeria last week.  I bet you haven’t heard any of that from the mass media. 

In America, contraception and abortion are demanded by our government as fundamental “women’s rights,” to be funded with tax dollars.  The Oregon legislature recently passed a bill that will require all employers to pay for abortions, and New York wants to define abortion as a fundamental human right (while apparently ignoring and violating our first amendment right to religious freedom).   The freedom to practice our religious belief that contraception and abortion are wrong is being denied by our federal government.  Perhaps all this oppression and persecution will have the same effect as it did on the early Christians.   Paradoxically, now may be the time our faith will once again become a magnet to those who want more than the secular world can offer.  In a world rampant with disappointment, depression, and despair over violence and lack of meaningful relationships, perhaps our Christian witness will attract a resurgence of interest in fundamental morality as the foundation for our common good.  Pray for it!