Life, Love, and Sex
A Search for Answers to Today's Moral Issues
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THE MORAL DIMENSION
There is much good in our culture as well as much evil. There is general consensus on many wonderful moral attitudes and yet keen difference of opinion on significant moral issues.
Clerical sexual abuse of minors is roiling the Church and the nation. But no one raises a question about the immorality of this sexual abuse. It is seen as despicable, criminal. But immoral? Not at issue. Risking one's life to save others is praised as morally good, indeed noble behavior. People rush to help those suffering disaster and money is poured out to aid them. It is judged morally good to do this. On these and many other issues there is moral agreement. Two of the issues which generate keen difference of opinion about the morality involved, however, are assisted suicide and abortion. Many people, moreover, are disconcerted by the current teaching of the Catholic Church that capital punishment is immoral. And living together seems to be more and more acceptable to young people but disconcerts older people. People have become confused about the morality of sex in general. It is politically correct to approve gay lifestyle, although many, especially older people, cannot understand it; they still may avoid discussing it. The abortion division goes on; few discuss it, for positions seem hardened and unbreachable. Contraception no longer seems a moral issue for the large percentage of people, including Catholics. So raising the question of its being immoral startles some.
Because I believe many intelligent educated Catholics experience confusion and anguish as they find themselves confronted with these moral issues, I offer this book, treating each of those contemporary issues. I do not attempt to propose an original approach to moral thinking or a scholarly treatment. I do clarify each issue, let the reader know what the Church teaches (using the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Pope John Paul II's encyclicals). And I show how reasonable the Church's position is (utilizing the writings of Professor Germain Grisez, a distinguished lay moral theologian and philosopher). Catholics need to be equipped to offer reasoned arguments to justify their own choices and to discuss these issues with non-Catholics.
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About the Book
People are being forced today to take a stand on same-sex marriage, assisted suicide and capital punishment. As they ponder how to vote on these issues, a critical question emerges: Is this morally right?
At the same time people have become confused about the morality of sex in general. What should they teach their teenagers and how talk with their older sons and daughters about living together. Undergirding current sexual practice is the unquestioned acceptance of contraception. Should contraception be explicitly examined?
Besides clarifying each issue I let the reader know what the Church teaches (using the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Pope John Paul II’s encyclicals). And I show how reasonable the Church's position is (utilizing the writings of Germain Grisez, a distinguished lay moral theologian and philosopher.) To ensure readers understand Grisez's solutions to these diverse issues I explain in simple terms his ethical approach.
Non-Catholics will find especially significant the human reasoning behind such teachings. They and Catholics can dialogue on this level. The Pope's early writings on conjugal love may prove impressive.
People just do not discuss abortion today, for positions seem hardened and unbreachable. By posing a series of fundamental questions, logically interrelated, I hope to breach the unbreachable. At least it will be clear precisely where participants part company from one another.
The most sensitive issue I find to be homosexuality. I have rewritten the treatment a number of times in an effort to be clear, fair, and sensitive.
About the Author
The author has taught ethics at the college level for many years so he knows not only the theory behind right choices but also the challenging snags that American culture meets in carrying out these choices. His academics degrees (MA-STL-PhD) and graduate studies at Harvard, NYU, and a fellowship at Yale have blended with his experience in parish and retreat work.
Other books: From Why to Yes
and God Is: From Question to Proof to Embracing the Truth.