I see more and more people within the libertarian community expressing the view that religion is dangerous and that churches are instruments of evil. While this is to some extent correct, I would like to calm everyone down. Until relatively recently I considered myself a member of the Catholic Church. I also notice that it is the Catholic Church which gets attacked most often by libertarians (despite the fact the Catholic Church is actually the most libertarian of all churches). And the reason I left the Church was not that it was forcing people into anything or doing unlibertarian things. In fact, my reason was precisely the opposite. The Catholic Church hierarchy is not doing what it should be doing. It is not condemning evil people for doing evil things and it is not expressing or enforcing its views. Being a libertarian I am a strong believer in the power of ostracism, and I think we should all exercise that power. The Church should, in my opinion, be more consistent. It's positions on many issues are jumbled and incoherent. Furthermore, Church members (especially the clergy) are not doing what I think they should be doing - pointing our evil. We have lots of Catholics who seem to agree with some Church doctrines and completely ignore others. I personally know Catholics in the United States who vote for pro-choice political candidates or socialists of all kinds. These people are not not good Catholics and they should be condemned for what they are doing. But the Church refuses to do so. Today's Catholic intellectuals represent a pathetic mockery of their Scholastic predecessors.
I do not know if this situation is the result of the times - maybe religion as a whole is becoming outdated and is in its death throes? Nobody looks as majestic on their death bed as they did in the days of their youth (with the possible exception of King Elessar). Or maybe the reason is the same as the one in government - too many cushy beaurocratic jobs and the double-standard in judging behaviour. Either way, the Church needs urgent reform which I doubt will take place. Religion, just like the political sphere of life, has to be dismantled down to the personal and private level, where individuals will have control.
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I will not agree with you on this. I think the Pope is slowly (yes here is a criticism) trying to fix stuff and tighten the Church. Starting on doctrine and moving through clergy. I am not sure what you mean by 'religion has to be dismantled', but there are reasons why the faithful need the church as a organisation e.g. sacraments.
ReplyDeletePS: do you not think that the Orthodox Church is even more libertarian?
I strongly believe that one of the reasons I am so intellectually aware of freedom and liberty is because of my Catholic upbringing. There is a lot to be said about religion in general and the Catholic Church in particular. I have been writing posts about these things regularly. I am, however, starting to become very disappointed with the Church's general lack of integrity and lack of logical consistency (regarding doctrine and theology).
ReplyDeleteI do agree organized religion can be a good thing, but it isn't always a good thing. Sometimes it can be almost as exploitaitive as the State - it can indoctrinate very very efficiently.
As for the Orthodox Church, I do not really have an opinion because I have not read much of what was written by Orthodox theologians. For me Catholicism is still "freedom's religion" because of St. Thomas and all Scholastic thought.
I think as part of reform, the Pope would need to take a lot more firm stances on issues. This would probably cause him to lose a lot of followers and it might cost the Church a lot because in order to be more consistent the Pope would need to restart the age old war between Church and State. In recent decades I can't help but notice that the Church is always snuggling up to the State. Priests are often saying they are patriotic and advocating State programs or supporting political parties - this is unacceptable behaviour in my opinion. The average priest should teach that Catholic doctrine should be above politics and the Church needs to start excommunicating people who blatantly oppose Church doctrine while saying they are still Catholics (for example all politicians who support abortions or other sins should be excommunicated).
I can no longer be a Catholic because I want the Church to change too much. And I know this will not happen.
Well, you could fight for the changes, things do not always happen as fast as we want them to. Do not forget that as long as you have faith you can be Catholic, there are many movements like FSSPX that (kind of) follow that and remember of the importance of sacraments in your daily life:)
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