They're so spiritual.
We're expected to be spiritual. We are talking about values, light, love, morality. We like to say that we are guided by the good, that we want to live by the principles of higher order. We declare that we are striving for harmony, meaning, truth.
In everyday life, universal rules are no longer truly universal. We adjust them to the situation, our own convenience, business, and sometimes just to the words of the guru. Evil, hidden in the robes of good, sneaks in unnoticed — and we feel rather good about it due to the fact that we think we are doing the right thing.
At specified moments we feel peace, peace with the world, content with our own reflection in the mirror.
My moral compass is based on Christian values, although I am an agnostic. Therefore, I will mention 3 examples that can be confronted with the teaching of the Church:
1. LGBT+
Ideology, which should be condemned due to the fact that Archbishop Jędraszewski said so and behind it all the Law and Justice?
Yet, even the conservative Church teaches that all person, regardless of sexual orientation, has equal dignity and value. Catechism (paragraph 2358) states:
"The homosexuals should be accepted with respect, compassion and gentleness. Any signs of unfair discrimination should be avoided."
In 2023, Pope Francis allowed individuals to individually bless homosexuals — not couples, but individuals.
2. Refugees
Out? Do Kaczyński and Tusk do well to build a wall?
The Church clearly stresses the dignity, rights and the request for solidarity towards migrants and refugees:
Human dignity — all man is created in the image of God, regardless of nationality or legal status. Francis repeats: “It is not just about migrants, it is about us all — about our humanity.”
Obligation of aid — The Gospel gives a clear command:
“For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you received me; I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.”
Right to homeland and work of hospitality — If life in the country is impossible, man has the right to search refuge elsewhere. Francis calls for 4 actions: accept, protect, promote, integrate.
Community certificate — the attitude towards refugees is simply a test of religion and mercy: “Every migrant has a name, face and history.”
3. Nationalism
The Church clearly distinguishes healthy patriotism from sinful nationalism that puts the nation above man and morality:
“Love for your own nation must not lead to hatred towards others.”
Pius XII called nationalism “the paganism of a fresh type”.
John Paul II warned: “Patriotism becomes nationalism erstwhile it closes to the values of another nations and seeks to submit to them.”
Francis: “Nationalism that puts its own country above the common good of all mankind is against Christianity.”
Many of my friends, who trust on Christian values, deny these teachings. It rationalizes, justifies action against it. In another words, they choose from the teachings of Jesus and the Church what suits them. It is the tallness of hypocrisy, it is hypocrisy — although frequently unaware.
I'm not talking about consciously doing evil with premeditation. We can as well put them in beautiful words, call them "a hard but essential choice." Then spiritual ideals become comfortable decoration. Underneath, there are instincts — primal, inexorable, wordless: Eat, shit, fuck, sleep, have. The remainder is phase plan — intricately woven, smelling of incense, with a quote from the guru.
Higher values? besides frequently they service as props. All this spirituality we talk about doesn't lead up. It is simply a veil — beautiful, intricately woven, but covering voidness or evil.
