"Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure (and) which insures to the good eternal happiness, are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments," Charles Carroll, the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Happy stick it to England day!
Our Lady, Queen of America, ora pro nobis!
3 comments:
I wonder who Carroll was talking about... Benjamin Franklin? Thomas Jefferson? John Adams? George Washington, who declined to stay for communion? Carroll was part of a VERY small religious minority in the thirteen colonies, among people who had quite recently been strong adherents of "Protestant succession" in the British crown. His presence, and the variety of denominations among different colonies, laid the groundwork for providing that NO church could be officially established or politically dominant.
Modern day secularists ARE missing something, but the manner in which the quote from Carroll is presented doesn't quite root it out. Our republic was an experiment, among other things, in not prescribing morality from above, but counting on citizens to possess it in discharging their responsibilities as citizens. That hasn't always been perfect of course.
Those who want EVERYTHING morally wrong to be a criminal offense, and those who want all moral standards to be "relative" are both missing the point. Just because it is immoral, doesn't mean the law can effectively prevent it. Just because it is legal, does not mean that it is moral, or even desirable.
Too often, the response to a moral condemnation is "It's legal, so leave me alone." Yes, it is legal. That means you won't go to prison for it. You could still hurt yourself, or others, badly. Maybe you shouldn't do it. (Sometimes, you could also be sued, civilly).
... Why does it not surprise me you would disagree with Carroll SJ? What about Washington?
"Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports," President George Washington's Farewell Address, 1796.
As it happens, I've just been writing on that subject, in response to a similar post on another of my favorite Roman Catholic sites:
http://siarlysjenkins.blogspot.com/2011/07/american-morals-in-secular-republic.html
Feel free to do unto me as I have done unto you. I don't want to be part of a mutual admiration society. I want to be engaged with the world. One of the great things about living in Wisconsin is people with very different views from mine, or anyone's are right next door, not on the next coast.
I don't believe I disagree with Carroll, although with 200 years 20/20 hindsight, I might disagree that the Christian faith has exclusive claim to promote moral living.
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