Ethical Values in Elections: The Big Five December 2004IntroductionWe know from the Gospels that Jesus was crucified because Pontius Pilate allowed it. We also know that others had a hand in the Jesus' death: the religious leaders of the time, Judas, and the fickle crowds. Christians know too that Jesus' death was caused by the sin of each of us. 1We too had a hand in his death Yet, Pontius Pilate was personally opposed to Jesus' crucifixion. He said so several times during the course of Christ's trial. And ultimately he washed his hands of Christ's blood before he turned him over for crucifixion. So the question becomes: did his personal opposition to Christ being crucified truly absolve him of his responsibility in the matter? Personally opposed or not, he still gave his permission for it to happen. Now fast-forward 2,000 years to our current political climate, where our leaders must decide on many important issues. Some matters are as serious as life and death The Church has recently been reminding politicians and voters about five non-negotiable issues we must consider when choosing a candidate in the upcoming elections. In this lesson, we will examine these non-negotiable issues , which we can call the "Big Five": • Abortion Why so important?Of course, Americans face more than these five issues during this election. There are economic issues, security and world peace issues, including the war on terrorism and Iraq. With so many pressing issues, why does the Church say these five issues are essential and non-negotiable? The reason is that the right to life comes before all other rights. The First Four: Life-and-Death Issues Abortion and euthanasia are deliberate acts to terminate life in its most vulnerable stages: in the womb, and in sickness or old age. Both are hot topics in current elections. Candidates fiercely debate the morality of abortion and partial-birth abortion --a procedure in which the baby is partially removed from the womb, and then killed. The state of Oregon has approved euthanasia , but part of the federal government is challenging this. Many courts of law are dealing with the issue of the killing of the sick or elderly. Embryonic stem cell research and human cloning involve the manipulation and killing of human life for scientific purposes. Scientists want to use stem cells from human embryos to create healthy cells for sick people. Stem cells are cells that have the potential to become many different things within the human body. There are two type of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells . An embryo is a human being in the very first stages of his or her life. Harvesting embryonic stem cells involves killing a human being in order to extract the stem cells. Harvesting adult stem cells does no harm to a human being. Adult stem cells can be found especially in a person's spinal fluid. Some scientists also promote human cloning as a way to reproduce, or mass produce, healthy organs and body parts for medical use. The Fifth Issue: Protection of Marriage The last of the Big Five is homosexual "marriage."2 Some elected officials want government to allow and recognize the union of two people of the same sex as a marriage. Some judges or politicians have declared homosexual marriages legal even though these decisions often disregard laws that have been enacted to protect the definition of marriage . Even though most Americans oppose legalizing same-sex marriages, a very vocal minority is gaining the sympathy of many politicians and judges. The Church's Role: Reminding about Basic Human RightsThe Church is not interested in political parties. In this case it is interested only in helping us distinguish between right and wrong. That is why it offers guidance also during election years, when we face the responsibility of choosing legislative leaders. Right to Life Abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem-cell research and human cloning all result in the deliberate ending of human life. They go against the most basic human right: the right to life. T his is not just a faith issue. Yes, as Christians we know that these things directly violate the Fifth Commandment ( "You shall not kill."). But every human being is capable of understanding that killing innocent human beings is gravely wrong, whether he believes in God or not. That is why the Church is very clear when it speaks on these issues. Abortion is a "moral evil" and this teaching is unchangeable (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2271). Euthanasia is "morally unacceptable" and "constitutes a murder" (CCC, 2277). Likewise, human cloning and embryonic stem cell research violate human dignity because they involve creating, manipulating, and oftentimes the killing of human embryos solely for research. "It is immoral to produce human embryos intended for exploitation as disposable biological material" (CCC, 2275). The reason is that a newly formed embryo carries all the genetic material the person will ever need during his or her entire life. A new human being is there- just not in the form that is obvious to the naked eye. Therefore, any attempt to manipulate the embryo or genetic material is the manipulation or destruction of a human being. Some argue that embryos are not human beings, but consider this: either the embryo is a human being or it is not. If it is not, then it should not become a child and then an adult. To use a simple example: a human embryo will definitely not grow into a a kitten. From the moment of conception, a human embryo has all the elements necessary for its full development. Saying that it only becomes a human life after a certain amount of cell multiplication is arbitrary , and contradicts the facts. The embryo becomes a human life because it already is a human life. Respect for Marriage In regards to homosexual "marriage," the Church has always upheld and defended the sanctity of marriage as an intimate union between a man and a woman. In marriage, a lot is at stake. Studies have always shown that children are healthier and happier when they have both a mom and a dad. Happy families make for a healthy society.3 There are real consequences for everyone when marriage is called something it is not. It promotes a culture of deception and moral confusion.4 The very things that give society stability will be considered optional, and eventually will be despised. Calling homosexual unions marriage will promote a lack of respect for the essential things in real marriage. Vices and Virtues in the Political ProcessIn a perfect world, the sound moral judgments of voters would put moral leaders in office. Unfortunately, certain negative factors can affect the outcome of an election. One is the deceit and confusion that occurs when politicians give false information about issues or are not clear with us about where they really stand. News media can sometimes add to this problem. Voters must show discernment when choosing a candidate. Discernment is figuring out which issues are the most important, based on what is right and wrong. Another negative factor is moral cowardice on part of politicians. Even if politicians are convinced of the right thing, it is difficult for them to stand up for it. This leaves voters with imperfect or poor options when going to the polls. It takes moral courage to stand up for what is right, both as a politician and as a supporter. Voters may also hinder the political process by way of their laziness and indifference . Either they do not make the effort to inform themselves properly on the candidates' true positions or they do not vote because they think their effort will not amount to anything. In fact, little more than half of all eligible voters actually vote. Victory, however, results from tenacity and action. Get InvolvedSome say the Church has no place in politics, but there is more than politics involved in an election. The Church has a duty to educate consciences on moral matters, just as lay people have a responsibility to spread Gospel values in the secular world. Many times during his pontificate, Pope John Paul II has reaffirmed this vocation to evangelize by reminding us, "Be not afraid." While we do not have the right to impose our beliefs on others, we have a right and a duty to propose the truth to them. Truth has a special power because it makes sense, like the difference between life and death. It also carries a special grace, as God uses it to convert hearts and minds. 1 "All sinners were the authors of Christ's Passion ... the Church does not hesitate to impute to Christians the gravest responsibility for the torments inflicted upon Jesus. ( Catechism of the Catholic Church number 598) 2 "No ideology can erase from the human spirit the certainty that marriage exists solely between a man and a woman..."( Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Note on Legal Recognition to Unions of Homosexual Persons , November 24, 2002, number 2) 3 "Society owes its continued survival to the family, founded on marriage." ( Note on Legal Recognition to Unions of Homosexual Persons , number 8) 4 "Legal recognition of homosexual unions or placing them on the same level as marriage would mean... making it a model in present-day society..(and) would also obscure basic values which belong to the common inheritance of humanity."( Note on Legal Recognition to Unions of Homosexual Persons , number 11)
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