BOTH of them
may share a lot of similarities. They can
share some common ground. But they too have a lot of
differences, and
sharp and radical differences at that!
We have to be
keenly aware of these similarities and
differences as much as possible so that we can be
properly guided in
our life. We cannot deny that nowadays many people just
go by what
they see around—the fads and trends—without checking on
the basis and
orientations of these fads and trends.
The
similarities between political correctness, and for
that matter, any idea or sense of correctness, on the one
hand, and
moral correctness on the other, stem from the fact that
the basic
truths about man cannot be denied.
Everyone wants
to know the truth and to pursue what is
good and beautiful. That common, universal desire can put
political
correctness and moral correctness on the same footing.
It’s when
knowing what is true and what is genuinely good and
beautiful when
differences start to appear. And the differences can be
sharp and
radical.
The main source
of their sharp differences is none other
than that political correctness is based only on some
political
consensus that perhaps at the start and for a while can
coincide with
moral correctness, but it can stray from it to the point
of
contradicting God’s laws. Sad to say, we are seeing this
trend in many
places.
The idea of
political correctness often regards God’s laws
as not the primary consideration to make. What is
considered of
primary importance is what people want. And when they
gather enough
consensus, it can happen that God’s laws end up
marginalized, then
ignored, and then contradicted and rejected. Thus, some
countries have
now legalized abortion, euthanasia, same-sex marriage,
etc.
In many
countries nowadays, to refer to God’s laws in the
discussion of social and political issues, for example,
is considered
a violation of political correctness. Nowadays in many
places, to
practice charity and mercy in politics is often deemed
anathema.
In the
understanding of many people about political
correctness, one can be brutal and even violent in
defending his
position and views. They believe that is the only way
truth and
justice can be ferreted out from the many options placed
on the table.
Part of the
mistaken assumption behind this attitude is
the belief that there is supposed to be separation
between Church and
state, and therefore anything that has reference to the
Church, to
God, to religion and faith, should not be made part of
any political
and social discussion.
Moral
correctness, on the other hand, is based on God’s
laws that are interpreted by the Church and by the
individual
consciences of persons. It covers the entire scope of our
moral life.
It is, of course, a very dynamic thing, for it requires
nothing less
than a vital identification with Christ that can and
should take place
in all aspects and levels of our life.
It involves a
lot of things or requirements—study of the
faith, development of one spiritual life, recourse to the
spiritual
and supernatural means made available by Christ in the
Church,
development of virtues, especially prudence and justice,
etc.
Moral
correctness is not rigidity or blind adherence to
unbending principles. There definitely is something
absolute,
essential, immutable and universal in it, but because its
fundamental
principle is charity, justice and mercy, it would also
know how to
adapt itself to changing circumstances. It would know how
to flow with
the times, updating itself constantly as new developments
emerge.
We have to
strive our best to aim at moral correctness,
and not just political, or social, cultural correctness.
Better said,
our political, social, cultural correctness, etc. should
be inspired
by moral correctness.
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