Hey Father,
First, let me say that I am a protestant Christian, but I have always enjoyed reading your column when it shows up on the site. I’m excited about this as a forum, and I hope that people of all perspectives can have an honest an open discussion about the issues that are affecting our world, right now!

As you asked, this is my first post, and as a thinking, active member of the Washington DC metro area getting (and giving) perspectives is not difficult. The hard part is taking the facts from arguments and removing the needless emotion that comes with conflict and the fact that you might not be the only one who is right.

Keep fighting the good fight, and I will be here to cheer you on and offer my thoughts as well, I hope to find others with the same approach!

-ESR

I chose this post to respond to as I feel that this topic is at the heart of all the problems we face today. Not religion per se, but respect for our fellow human beings. There is no respect for each other anymore. No two people are alike, and no two people think alike. We have lost the ability to respect each other’s talents, thoughts, and differences.

Here’s a novel thought: We are ALL correct! For my life, my way works; for you, your way works. But your way may not work for me, and mine wouldn’t work for you. We need to come together and realize that we are all products of our environment, and as such there is always going to be differences. When we learn to respect those differences we will find the world a much happier and more peaceful place in which to live, work, and enjoy life.

It does seem to be that in today’s world moral relativism is on the rise. The attitidue seems to be as long as you aren’t interfering in anyone else’s life, do whatever you want. Many people who actually say something is wrong, immoral or evil are oftened labeled as judgmental, hypocritical or at best an anachronism.

I wonder if it all stems from a rise in narcissism and lack of personal responsibility? There seems to be a distinct lack of any sense of honor or duty.

I’ve got a hunch. One year from now we will look back and remember today as the genesis of an on-line community that has set itself apart for its wildly diverse membership and for the rational and respectful tone of its debate of ethical issues.
I’ve got a hunch that you are deluding yourself. While you think that Fox strives to provide a balanced view, the reality is that your viewership, and by extension most of those who will be attracted to this forum, are of a specific political leaning. The forum will degenerate into a ‘circle-jerk’ between most of the users, and the flame wars involving the few angry opponents who will try to come here to ‘tell us how it really is’.

Well said Father.
I must admit though I am a disillusioned Christian. I do believe in the Holy trinity, but have lost faith in the church.

The longer I live the more I feel that God has left us. I see the Catholic Church in shambles and covering up major sin. I see different so called Christian faiths name calling and back biting each other.

The only faith I see united is the Muslim faith and all they want to do is force their religion onto me or kill me if I don’t convert.

What is wrong? I hope to see this forum help in answering those questions as it is world wide and affects us all.

Yours truly,
A lonely believer in an unholy world.

Father Jonathan,

The value of an accurate moral compass is an obsession of mine. As a girl in the 1960’s I watched an old social order which had relied heavily upon fear, shame, and exclusion, torn down. News flash—we forgot to construct a new social order, based upon an enlightened sense of our own best interests!

Liberty, or license?
Dignity, or vanity?
Moral courage, or contempt for authority?
Do we know the difference? Do we care?

The personal and social troubles we could spare ourselves by charting a virtuous course are immeasurable.

Thanks for the invitation. I accept.

I totally agree with your post. After just completing Focus on the Family’s Truth Forum it’s amazing at how far most Americans, and Christians in particular (as I am one), have subscribed to the secular humanistic viewpoint. So, thanks for your voice!

As for the introduction part, I’m a stay-at-home mom of two. I homeschool and started my own business last year. We are evangelical Christians who strive to do God’s will everyday, and wonder how our voices can be heard above all the fray.

Vicki D
From the Midwest, soon to be South.

I hope this site can truly be what you intend it to be. I fear in this age of annonymous web postings that too often people choose to be rude. I hope that all views will be respected as those of us that are less sure of our religious beliefs have as much to contribute as those who are more devout.

Good Evening Father,

I reside on the east coast and am affiliated with the Armed Forces. While I agree with the tenets of the UDHR, I feel that it will continue to remain ineffective. Even though the governments of the world participate in the UN, it is not a superior government to the member nations. This being said, the rights therein are not representative of the peoples that would be subject to them. I believe that given time and the right conditions, they would eventually come around to these same rights on their own but they must make the journey for themselves. Just as everyone must find their own spiritual path, so too the nations and the rights of their people. Where would our freedoms be if they were not once suppressed at one point in time?
In other words, the UDHR can be likened to the words of a father to a child. The father, speaking from experience, tries to impart wisdom on his child only to fall on deaf ears. The father only wishes the best for their child and would like for the child not to have to endure the same hardships to learn the lesson in the first place. The child only understands the advice of the father fully once they have experienced similar hardships as the father experienced. Unfortunately, human rights are only realized after years and years of oppression and the UNs declaration will continue to fall upon deaf ears of leaders for possibly 60 more years.
One way to hasten the adoption of the rights contained in the UDHR is to live by them, just as a christian lives by the words of the Lord. Just as any christian will falter, we too will falter, and just like a good christian, we must recognize our faults, reconcile them, and do our best to not falter again.
I applaud the UN’s and Catholic church’s advocation for Human Rights world wide. I just hope that their message of human rights will eventually be heeded.

v/r
Jose V
Hampton, VA

Hi Father!

Quote from you: but if we form the habit of thinking critically, listening attentively, and expressing our opinions with respect, we will do the world and ourselves a great deal of good.

We have none of that and it shows in all of our attitudes and beliefs. Here’s to wishing this blog a long, happy, and trusting life that will help us learn to make a habit of all of the above!!

To DKH: I was once at your crossroads. Thankfully a Catholic started talking to me about the Catholic faith, since I was a believer although had given up long ago on churches for the same reasons you cited. I started reading some great Catholic books about the saints and slowly progressed from there. To make a long story short, I finally realized that we are all human. We all make mistakes and that includes priests (sorry Father! ) and pastors of all shapes and sizes. What I found works for me is concentrating on the message, not the messenger. We cannot be held accountable for our leaders’ actions, but we are accountable for our own. The main reason that I felt at home with the Catholic faith is because their beliefs are stated in the Catechism and are not left open to each individual’s interpretation. I see differing interpretations as the reason for our current ‘crises’ in all faiths of today.

Thank you Father, for allowing us into your ‘living room’ so we can have lots of interesting discussions. I am looking forward to it!

Hey Father,
I’m a Bible Believing Christian, married, father of two home schooled kids, retired military, motorcycle ridin’, short haired, prison guard. I know right from wrong. I know how to be polite.

I think affixing a moral barometer to popular culture and politics in an election year will yield some interesting debates.

Ed in NC

Father Jonathan-
I am a married father of three boys who is an American living overseas. I do hope this forum thrives and hope to add my comments when I can. I do appreciate your writing and see you as an encourager, which in today’s time is hard to find. Thank you and I look forward to seeing what others have to say so I can learn more. Have a blessed day!

Father Jonathan,
I am a born again Christian, a minister, and faithful member of my local church. I appreciate your comments on The Fox News network, and am thankful for the access made available by this forum. I believe there are many silent moral Christians and people of faith in God. I think there are many people who are displeased with the current events that are going on in our nation and world due to a lack of personal responsibility, and a rejection of faith in a Higher Power and ultimate Judge. If the voice of the silent majority can rise above the news selling voice of those who will not allow us to be public with our voice and beliefs, while taking every opportunity to push their lives and beliefs on us, I think the world will see there really is a majority of people who are tired of the failures of our society following after morales and ideas that lead to lives of disappointment, failure, and destruction. That there really is a life of peace in living a life with a personal relationship with a very loving and forgiving God. That all He really requires is that we love and serve Him and love and serve our fellow man. May God Bless you Father Jonathan, and may God again bless the United States of America and give His peace and liberty to the world.

Hey, Father.

I am a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene. I am also a certified public accountant, father of two very energetic boys, and husband of one very beautiful wife. I have been reading your posts for some time and eagerly await your comments each week. You have helped me learn to think before I respond. Although we may think differently on some doctrinal points, it seems that we both trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation and in God’s word as our true moral compass. St. Augustine’s directive has become a driving motto for my life, and your columns have helped me implement it in various ways - “In essentials, unity, in non-essentials diversity, in all things charity.”

JLB

Hi Father,

I have always enjoyed your column and appearances on Fox News. I am a “cradle” Catholic and I think that while you are appearing as yourself and not representing the Church officially, you do put the Church and priesthood into a good light.
You remind me of the fine Jesuits who taught me in school to think critically and were always playing “devils advocate” to get me to see both sides of an issue.

Regarding the state of the World and moral relativism, I fear that this is going to destroy our culture. The total narcissm and self-absorption of our society has led to the destruction of the family, our political system being more corrupt than ever, and the total disrespect of Life in general.

I am a student of History and I read an incredible book years ago that was written by a Psychiatrist who interviewed most of the Nazi War criminals during the Nerumburg Trials after WW2. His question was that many of these men were not thugs, indeed many were highly educated and from fine families. So, how could they do these horrible things to people ???
The answer was total narcissm and lack of empathy for others. Answers were: “I would have lost my job and position if I didn’t”, or “It was war and I was just following orders”, or “I knew it was wrong, but you have to understand the position I was in”.

In my mind, this is where Moral Relativism can lead–to horrors and evils beyond comprehension.

I look forward to this column, and keep up the good work Father.

I look forward to this forum. Having written to you quite a few times and never missing your essays.

Good morning,
I look forward to this forum and what you propose to discuss.
I as with several of your respondents, believe we are in need of developing and establishing a moral compass in our society, which in many cases is or seems non-existent (not to say that some persons do not have a moral compass nor that it never existed, because I believe it did and can).
I am a practicing Catholic and believe that we must all work together to rebuild a society with moral and ethical standards and values. We can start by suporting and participating in these types of discussion which can reach a great audience, and giving those who have lost faith a little bit of hope that we can make a difference. We need to start caring again…

Welcome sir,

I love this new forum that you have created. I would like to say that Moral Reletivism has created a mess inside the halls of academia, and in this great country of ours. What used to be wrong is now normal today, and is being called right. Legal protection under the law does not make something moral. As the great teacher Dr Zacharias teaches, whether you are in the east or the west…if you step in front of a bus that is going 80 miles an hour..it is EITHER you OR the bus, not both!!! We in America need to make a descision who’s side we are going to be one..the good or the bad..it CANNOT be both.

Thank you,

Robert

ps God Bless

Hello Father,

I agree that moral relativism is a questionable worldview in that it can lead to varying levels of respect or acknowledgement of human rights, as opposed to truly universally accepted and supported human rights.

Faith and reason should go hand in hand. If faith promotes a truth, and reason seeks a truth, then the two will result in the same conclusion. In this case that conclusion is a universally accepted and supported declaration of human rights.

Mark in Iowa

Will your forum still have links to other religious news? I appreciated reading those stories.

My hope is that we as a community can discuss issues with common respect for each other’s views. Just because I may disagree with you doesn’t mean I hate you. I may hate or detest what you find acceptable. It’s the sin not the sinner I have a problem with.
Today our society is more accepting of things my parents would find revolting. I wonder why, are we more enlightend or just being exposed to these things over and over to the point we except it as the norm. An elephant painted pink is an odd thing to see but it’s still an elephant.

Hello Father,

I agree that moral relativism is a questionable worldview in that it can lead to varying levels of respect or acknowledgement of human rights, as opposed to truly universally accepted and supported human rights.

Faith and reason should go hand in hand. If faith promotes a truth, and reason seeks a truth, then the two will result in the same conclusion. In this case that conclusion is a universally accepted and supported declaration of human rights.

Mark in Iowa

Will your forum still have links to other religious news? I appreciated reading those stories.

Father Jonathan,

I agree with you that “we either live according to what we believe or eventually we change what we believe to coincide with how we live”. That is exactly what I did. I am a cradle Catholic who left the Church for a short time and then returned when my daughter entered the religious education program at our church. I left the church because I knew the way I was living was not ok with the Church. I wanted to return when I saw how excited my daughter was to learn and live her faith. As I have learned more about the Catholic Church, my faith has expanded.

Your column allows people of faith at all levels to think about and discuss the moral implications of news stories in our world. I pray that this column is a success by not only being around a long time, but more importantly inspiring others to treat each other better.

God Bless,
Ronny in KC

p.s. I am currently reading your book and I am really enjoying it. I just wish Kansas City was a stop on your book tour.

I have enjoyed many of your op-ed articles and look forward to this opportunity to share my thoughts and concerns with your readers. I have always felt that honest discussion was one of the most important ways available for us to resolve differences between individuals and one of my most frequent questions has always been “why” another person thinks as they do. Only when I learn “why” another person thinks as they do have I been able to understand their viewpoint and only then do I have the opportunity to change my viewpoint if I feel that I have been wrong in my own thinking. None of us are smart enough to know everything about every subject and we can always learn from others if we pay attention to why they believe as they do. Being critical of another person’s opinion has never taught me anything and only through learning can we increase our own knowledge.
May God give everyone who is willing to share on this forum the ability to recognize the value of this opportunity.

Wow!!! This will be neat reading everyone’s responses. From reading the responses, I realize that I am not as smart and articulate as everyone else. I do try to think critically and try to ask questions rather than accepting everything that I hear.

I live in the Midwest am married, no kids, Catholic, and work in a large corporation. I have voted for both parties; I don’t know if I am conservative or liberal. I think that it is important for both parties to listen to each other and work together to solve our nation’s problems. By our nation’s problems, I mean the problems the government should fix, like the roads, making sure we are not invaded, and not eliminating poverty and making sure that everyone is treated fairly everywhere.

I agree with what one of the previous posters said about respect others. I will not be disrespectful to anyone who respectfully disagrees with me.

Dear Fr. Jonathan,

I love the forum idea - I do hope that we will continue to be able to read your columns as well as your favorite links section. I often find many interesting and thought-provoking articles among your recommended reading, and I enjoy your column very much.

I would like to comment briefly on Deb’s post. I disagree with her statement. We cannot ALL be correct. We can certainly respect our differences, but there is an objective right and wrong. Morality is not subjective. When did saying or believing that become being judgemental? And when did saying that become society or an individual’s greatest shortcoming?

Thank you,
Isabel

I live in a mid-size town in Colorado, and grew up in the midwest. I agree that the U.N.’s initial reason to start up is valid but it has lost its compass along the way. As a parent, I also believe it is my duty to teach my children right and wrong and help them to see how we can be blindsided by our environment into thinking things are “okay” when they are not. For instance, my 11 year old daughter loved Myley Cyrus and the Hannah Montana show. About 6 months ago we sat down and watched it with her and we banned it from her viewership. Why? This is a show that is gearing itself to 7 to 12 year olds yet the whole premise was about boys and dating. Not okay. Now this young, professed Christian, girl has taken photos that are well beyond her 15 years. I’m glad we made the decision before this most recent uproar to let our daughter know that this is not what a role model does and that she is far better served to look to someone “closer to home” as her role model. It’s tough out there for these kids to know what is right and wrong - and as parents who’ve gone through this before with two children who are much older than our caboose, I can tell you that we have to be even more vigilant than 10 years ago. God bless you Father, for your thoughts and wisdom and may this discussion board be of value to many families.

Fr. Jonathan: Your reports have been informative and positive regarding most subjects even when they are hard ones. As a representative of the Catholic Church I you need to be duplicated many times over as your level-headed approach is inspiring. As a Catholic from birth/baptism I have always had strong faith and have had many blessings from God. My Dad died when I was 15 and my family was not well off but we did o.k.. I married at 21 and celebrated 45 yrs in May..yes, w/the same wonderful woman who tolerates all of my faults,not always w/o expressing her own. We have 3 very successful daughters and they are “good” people which is all I ever wanted for them to be but they are so much more. I pray daily multiple times as my youngest married someone who when their daughter was born 5 yrs ago no longer was #1..never thought about that myself. As a result, he has now decided to live a life that fits what he wants and really has no core beliefs and for over a year only gone further astray. I even pray for himas he might need it most, but mostly I pray for the innocent child in this situation. I hopre by reading your posts and articles I can continue to be inspired by you and others to not just pray but live my faith as I should. God Bless You and The Pope for enriching our lives. Peace to all. K

I look forward to reading and participating in the forum. I am a single mother trying to raise a 13 year old daugher in this world. It is not always easy to install morals when all around there are so many negative influences.

I do think that a lack of morals and accepting personal responsibility for one’s actions has lead to a decline in society.

Dr. Fr. Jonathan:
Thank You Very Much for instituting this weblog!
I am hoping that this will be a vital link in getting “the faithful’s” concerns expressed, respectfully and prayerfully, to The Magisterium, who has the responsibility to correct morally relativistic beliefs/practices of the liberal faction that scandalizes The Church and those who work hard to live by and remain faithful to Her and Christ’s teachings.
In my opinion, it is not enough for Church hierarchy to only speak the words that someone is stubbornly defiant of Church teachings and unfit to participate in The Sacraments. In order for The Church to re-establish Herself as THE moral compass, the public has to tangibly see that those causing scandal are summarily dealt with. (sorry about the grammar) -And not as is now, -that “…one does not have to live according to Church and Christ’s teaching, and still promote themselves as Catholic.”
I look forward to the evolution of your weblog, and wish it every success!
I am truly grateful for being afforded this opportunity.
God Bless You in your continuing great works.
Chris Szwagiel

I agree with you and many of the posts here. Often, I refrain from posting on, or even reading forums such as this due to the fact that many of the posts are rude rantings that, if they make a point, are not based on anything reasonable.

I look forward to seeing how this forum turns out and maybe even participating every now and then. While I am not Catholic, I am a Christian and believe that most Christian faiths have at their core a similar bond - a love of Jesus Christ. Out of that love comes a love (and respect) for all other people, which I hope shows on a forum such as this.

Father,
Let me start by saying that although I believe in universal human rights, I also believe that the declaration by the UN was as disingenuous in 1948 as your use of it is today. Not only is the basic concept flawed, but the declaration is subject to tinkering at the whim of the general assembly; it very nearly was amended to include abortion rights a few years ago.

The intent of the UN, as with its predecessor the League of Nations, was and is to replace the various wills of the many governments (and peoples) of the world with the will of one single non-representative governing body. Declarations such as the UDHR were and are intended to “prove” to all of us that “they” mean us only the most wonderful things in the world. I don’t believe them and I think you are either fully deluded by or maliciously complicit in their attempt to subjugate all peoples under one world government.

Political or physical power cannot be ceded for a purpose- it can only be ceded. I cannot give you the power over me to act in my best interests; I can only give you the power to act. When you choose to act contrary to my interests, once I have given up the power to defend myself I cannot take it back.

One nation, whether a dictatorship of 100,000 or a representative republic of many millions, gets one vote. All of the moral choices reflected in the form of government are washed away and made equivalent. The right to govern of Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot, and Fidel Castro were considered the same as that of Harry Truman.

The League of Nations was created by a humanist elitist (Wilson) who intended to rule the world. that he and his conspirators may have intended “good” for the people of the world is of no consequence; they intended to have all international power to themselves, with no acceptible recourse left to the nations.

The UN was the reincarnation of the League, with an olive branch tossed to the Chief remaining tyrant of the age, the USSR. Roosevelt, the godfather of the UN, would have completed the smashing of the US Constitution had his disease not ended his reign of terror. Collectivism, secular humanism, anti-Christian progressivism- these are not the seeds from which good fruits grow.

Fr. Jonathan,

I have enjoyed your column over the past several months. I’m not much of a blogger (don’t have the time to read a million posts), but I try to make time for your column and a few others with whom I can “agree to disagree” on occasion and still feel like we’re friends.

I’m from a conservative Protestant background, married with two adopted children, and struggling to live my faith in an increasingly faithless world. I agree that relativism is taking over our culture where being “open minded” means agreeing completely with an extremely liberal world-view (I recall a conversation with my brother where I was told that I needed to be more open-minded, there is no right & wrong, and that my belief in an absolute standard of right & wrong was actually wrong). This forum should be interesting. I hope that the respectful tone of your column will be maintained in this forum.

Father,

Thank you for your invitation. I am a cradle Catholic who loves my faith though I don’t always live it the way I should. I love the idea of this forum and, like many others, I hope it works but I have my reservations. I have seen the venom that can come from people.

I look forward to seeing how this plays out and hope to have a positive impact on the conversation.

Thank you, Father, for all you do.

Joel in Colorado

Father, Always enjoy reading your columns. Sorry to see someone like al252130 jump on here so fast, shoot off a drive-by insult then jump off again. A perfect example of how true debate doesn’t exists any more, only name calling (in the angriest tone you can muster).

One more thing-if athesists are so sure there’s no God why don’t they ever name their kids Judas?

Father Jonathan,

I am a protestant, evangelical Christian who loves your insight/wisdom and has been impressed by your approach to discussing difficult issues and handling challenging responses. I do think this forum is important, necessary, and healthy. Respectful, open dialogue about morality, human rights, and religion seems extremely rare today. It’s tough. Insults and sarcasm typically rule any open forum (’cause it’s easy and a cheap “win”), and without heavy editing/control I’m not sure it will remain a respectful environment for too long. I hope I’m wrong! Maybe you have some great filtering resources at your disposal…

Thanks for all your hard work and ministry - I am confident you are making a very positive impact.

Father Jonathan,
I am a born-again Christian, married mother of three kids (under age 3!), have a PhD in chemical engineering and teach at a Division 1 university in “flyover country”. I have always enjoyed reading your column because you are able to bring things into their proper perspective. It’s easy to get carried away with what we see and hear on the news, it’s another matter to see it in light of who God is - Holy, loving and unchanging.

I do hope that this forum will accomplish what you are seeking, and that people of many different viewpoints can express them without reservation, and that we can have a respectful discussion. It will be interesting to see how this works out.

SDL

Ok I,m retired Army (Airborne-Ranger, Special Forces) Father of three, Grandfather of three. An Attorney and Lay Pastor. I am active in a Christian non denominational ministry in Prison called Kairos.
those of us on the Kairos Team, have learned to love everybody, simply because God loves them, no matter if we agree with them or not. that policy seems to work miracles.

I agree with Cheryly from NC Concentrate on the message.. It is truely amazing to me how several people can read the exact same sentence and come up with several differant interpretations (ie the Bible)
Keep up the good work, Father J… you do make me think!!!!
(east coast medicxal professional, 50 ish)

I believe this is an excellent idea and an exciting initiative. What is happening in the country and world today is a real concern to many folks. I am a catholic, raised in South Boston (MA) and although I tend to want things around me to be stable, (conservative, status quo if you will) I question everything in my life. I think that it is essential to continually examine my own thoughts and ask for guidance from our maker, i.e.; ask, seek, and knock. I wish that people of influence would do more of that before going public with their agenda or view points, although in my view many don’t.

I have been a reader of your entries in the opinion section of fox news for a couple of years now Father Jonathan and eagerly look for the next one each week. I don’t see this forum developing a group of people into a certain mind set as much as having the ability of enriching everyone through the revelation of what others may be thinking. The laws governing creation seem to be in an other dimension but unless we discern them and try to bring ourselves into alignment with the will of our creator we will always be stumbling around no matter how intelligent we take ourselves to be.

I look forward to reading and perhaps occasionally taking part in this forum. Thank you so much Fr. Jonathan for giving us your time, energy and the benefit of your rational mind.

Father Jonathon:

I am a recent arrival on the FoxNew.com website, having been driven here by what I see is liberal bias in mainstream media. I am black, attorney, 45, single, mother of two adult sons living in the SF Bay Area. I was raised in the black southern Christian tradition, complete with long lively sermons and a lot of singing. I don’t go to church anymore, but do believe I have a personal relationship with a God of my own understanding that helps me get through life.

Being that I live in probably the most liberal pocket of the country, most of the time I feel out of place. It’s a weird kind of liberalism, though. For example, people here are accepting of gay marriage, but don’t tolerate opposing viewpoints that are more conservative than their own. I am also, while not perfect, very old fashioned, in that I have a lot of traditional values (i.e. getting married before having children, adultery is wrong, respect for elders, etc.) While I don’t judge others, I tried to impart these values to my own sons and other young people over whom I have influence.

I believe that moral relativism is not a good thing. I think some things are bad, even evil, and some things are good. However, I live in a sea of moral relativism and am thus pretty isolated in my views.

I look forward to this forum and participating in it. I also enjoy reading your column.

Father Jonathan,

First of all, thank you for your articles on FoxNews. com. I find them to be a great alternative to the rabble and clamor of other sources of opinion.

By way of short bio: I am a Christian by faith and a Baptist by conviction. I am a retired military guy. I have come to appreciate to the great diversity in the faith and practice of the Christianity. I have found, I believe, true believers inside that diversity. My interactions with people of varying viewpoints while in the military have broadened my outlook on belief and faith. I have purposely sought out what some would call left-leaning or very liberal authors of religious books to challenge and grow my faith. One of my favorites was by the Monks of New Skete (I have no affiliation with the Monks of New Skete or their publishing company).

I think this forum will be interesting in that I think many people have trouble with reasoned dialogue. So, I hope that this does work out. Maybe this will act as a “schoolhouse” for developing personal apologetics and critical thinking. My desire is that I will sharpen my skills so I can contribute fully and reasonably to this forum

I applaud your efforts. This will be a great ride!

What a privilege to join this forum! I’ve read Fr. Jonathan’s columns over the years and I’ve been impressed with his humanity and kindness. As for me — I’m nearing 60, consider myself a dedicated Conservative Republican but I do not belong to a church or attend services, and I do not approach politics from a religious standpoint at all. Ethical, maybe. I do draw a line between ethics and morals. I see ethics as governing outward actions, dealing with the world, while, in my opinion, morals are personal, inward decisions. Okay, that works for me! My family is Lutheran and I consider myself a Lutheran, although frankly the ELCA is w-a-y too liberal for my taste. I lived overseas in a Catholic country as a child and actually attended a convent school for the 1st grade. (An Italian woman feel to her knees in front of the Mother Superior and begged her to save my poor Protestant soul!) But I am far too American to appreciate the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Plus, sorry Fr. Jonathan, but I already have a father and really falter at calling a stranger by such a familial term. Also, I am unmarried and have no children. I do have poodles. Go ahead and laugh — they don’t require a college fund and they never get in trouble with the police! Onthe other hand, I have come to realize that children, and grandchildren, stretch a person to be more, understand more, and probably love more than they thought possible. Oh, well. It will be interesting to see how this forum develops. Thanks for including me.

I am an atheist-leaning agnostic, raised Methodist. I would like to make two points:

1) Re: moral relativism: in contrast to most here, I think that moral relativism has, thus far, been a GOOD thing for the world. Just think: the Inquisition killed millions (I know you say it wasn’t that many, Father J, but it was) in the name of moral absolutism. And who would deny that Islam today needs some moral relativism? I suppose that the argument is that it goes to far, looking the other way as atrocities happen. There must be a balance, but I would argue that we are still largely biased towards the side of absolutism.

2) Re: atheism and agnosticism: Not really related to anything said, but please know this truth about atheists and agnostics: we don’t WANT to not believe. Often atheism is described as if it’s a choice like Methodist vs. Baptist. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want to believe that there is life after death and a roadmap for how to live our lives. We don’t believe because we simply don’t believe. Think of it this way: you don’t choose to believe in Bigfoot. You have the choice to go out and research the evidence for and against his existence, but in the end you either believe in him or you don’t. It’s not a choice. Please keep this in mind when discussing atheism and agnosticism.

I empathize strongly with those disillusioned with the Church (as a collective whole) — I’ve been on the receiving end of a share of “righteous” scorn and derision over the years, and have seen some of the most unholy behaviors from many claiming to know God. That being said, I consider myself to be a “by the book” Christian…meaning, if it’s in God’s Word, I believe it and try to live by it.
It’s a sound point that Christians are just as human as the next person, and thereby fallible — actually, early on, they may be more so, as their renewed spirit wars with their unrenewed flesh. They’re also a bit too prone towards browbeating their newfound morality into others.
One thing I appreciate about you, Father, is that you speak truth and don’t waffle, yet you always do so with kindness and an eye for preserving the dignity of others. Thanks for the invitation : )
~~Anne in FL

Father Jonathan, what a great idea. I think this forum will be a fantastic way for people to share points of view. I truly enjoy reading your articles. I agree that the world has need of a moral redirection. I think we can all help with our actions today. I also believe we can help by teaching the younger generations right from wrong. Right and wrong are not relevant to any situation. Right and wrong are strong and static. I am about to be a father any day now. My greatest concern is not how the world will affect/effect my son, but how I can teach him to affect the world. I want to arm him with all he needs to be a good righteous person. I am realizing this will be the hardest task of my life. I hope with God’s help to succeed. Thank you for all that you do Father!

Note to moderator: it’s been over 30 minutes since my post and your page does not appear to have received any updates since 11:48 AM. This seems to be a recurring issue with Fox, and for this type of forum inhibits the exchange of ideas and information. I’ve had the same issue on F&F green room blog. Just thought you should know about the impact.

Thanks for this opportunity to participate. I have read you column in the past. I am a practicing, faithful catholic, and truly welcome the opinions and inputs from others from all faiths. I truly believe that there is more uniting us than dividing us. If we build this community carefully, who knows what we might accomplish?

Hello! I am a married mother of one and we live in Michgan. I spent 15 years doing design work for General Motors, but after the birth of my daughter I’ve been blessed to be able to stay home with her…I also take care of two of my nephews a few days a week.
I’m looking forward to reading and taking part in some respectful discussions. It seems the media has a way of making us forget that’s possible….I think they are wrong!
Everyone take care and God bless.
Laura

This is in response to Chris in Oxnard. I don’t think of myself as an atheist; I’m open to the concept of religion but an not convinced by it yet. At any rate, I think the answer to what I assume is at least partially tongue in cheek regarding naming children Judas is that it’s just a bad name. There was the rock group Judas Priest but I guess that doesn’t count.

Dr. Fr. Morris
I have raised a family, been blessed with several grandchlidren. My children and wife still speak to me and sometimes even listen to what I tell them. I believe nothing bad can come from this forum and perhaps even understanding. I will be reading it those expectations.

As taught by Paul, all the commandments are summed up in this one rule, Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Pretty much says we have missed the mark as a nation. I believe as a country we have moved so far from the center that we are out of touch with what Christ taught. But perhaps forums such as this will serve a purpose to help recenter individual thought. I am willing to try.

MC in Missouri

Dear Father Jonathan:

Your statement, “I am also convinced that individuals, families, communities, and countries can lose their moral compass—the bad starts looking good, and the good, bad. Have you noticed that we either live according to what we believe or eventually we change what we believe to coincide with how we live?” describes a core issue that we must address. The country’s moral compass has lost its true north because our political leaders separate moral beliefs and public policy. As an example, a senator can have a personal belief that abortion is wrong yet vote against a ban on abortion.

Barak Obama, in defending his pro-choice position, argues “that we live in a pluralistic society, and that I can’t impose my religious views on another.” Unfortunately political leaders can conveniently hide behind the separating church and state argument in order to avoid taking a position on a defining moral issue such as abortion. As a country, we will face difficulties addressing moral issues (especially those for which religious organizations have strong positions) because of this convoluted application of the establishment clause.

We must commit to being a nation under God. As Ronald Reagan quipped, “If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” But before we can be a nation under God, we must be individuals willing to reaffirm our belief in God. No government body can do this for us. Yet we, acting through our elected representatives, can affirm our belief in God by enacting legislation that defends the “tenets of universal morality” that you mention.

If we look back in history, we can find individuals who strongly believed that black people should not share the same freedoms as whites or that women should not vote. I believe the hand of God provided guidance to move us away from these injustices. However, if we do not turn to God, we might see the confluence of how we live and what we believe (as you mention) taking us in the totally wrong direction. Looking forward in time, will someone be looking back at us and saying, “In the early 21st century some people actually objected to abortions and same sex marriages”? Without God’s help, we could drift that far!

We cannot let the establishment clause keep us from seeking guidance from the hand of God. I believe this is one of the greatest challenges we face.

Thank you and God bless,

Bill in WI

It will be interesting to discuss the various issues and how they relate to spirituality and morality. Many of us feel that we have strong faith, wisdom or beliefs. I pray that we all are open minded and listen to what others have to say rather than be quick to push our own views. Listening is a skill that we seem to have lost in our time.

Father Jonathan,

Thanks again for your articles and blogs. I look forward to reading this weblog to see your insight as well as the perceptions of others even though they may contradict my beliefs. I believe that is the only way to discern the truth as they always say there are three sides to every story; yours, mine, and the truth, which sometimes can be derived from the previous two.

I am an electrical engineer in Norfolk, VA. I am married to a beautiful woman who happens to be a Baptist minister. She was actually the first woman to be ordained in a church that is over 160 years old, which I think is quite an accomplis