The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1961-12-01

others. The rosy deception is
rated good if it succeeds-ln
selling more products, in win
ming more votes, in convinc-
ing more taxpayers.
Popular education also bears
a measure of responsibility for
the decline and rejection of
moral principles. At first,
there was no intention of ex-
GLIDING either religion or NOR
atty from the common tax
supported school. But the di-
versity of our religious pat
tern and the rising pressure
of secularism have produced
the school without religion,
and it was idle to suppose
that this school could long in
culcate in American youth
moral convictions which would
be firmly held. The result is
that our society is now faced
with great numbers Of young
people almost completely de-
void Of religious belief and
moral guidance-young peo-
pie who are causing increas-
ing concern at every level of
the community and in all
parts Of our country.
Beneath these present
trends and pervading all mod
ern society has been the in
fluence of secularism the
Punishment of God from pub
lie and private life and the
enforcement of human ma
ture in His place. Born in the
Enlightenment" of the 18th
century, deriving its great inn
petus from the French Revolu-
ton, adopted and fostered by
10Th century Liberalism, il
became and still remains the
principal characteristic of
modern society. Under its in.
fluence, men may not perhaps
deny God; on formal occa.
sions, they may even mention
His name. In practice, howev-
err, they simply ignore His
existence. They do not openly
reject moral principles; they
may even pay them lip-service.
But they disregard them or
reduce them to hazy general
tiles. In general, the only
sanctions they recognize are
those supplied by Individual
taste, public opinion and the
power Of the state.
THE RESULT OF THESE
trends has been, even among
those who have not rejected
moral principles, a widespread
moral apathy which touches
practically every group; citi
Zens who are not concerned
enough to exercise the right
to vote; elected officials who
are interested only in their
"public image" their per.
sonal power; union members
labor leaders, and industrial
lists who place their selfish
interests above national Sc
curity and the common good
Harmful as these weaknesses
are, our acknowledgement oi
them can give no real com
fort to our enemies. II is the
American tradition to look al
ourselves, to examine oul
conscience, to reappraise oul
moral position. In a dictator
ship this is impossible. In /
democracy il is a constan
necessity.
Both apathy and amoralit,
certainly run counter TO thu
American tradition. Becaus,
we have been a moral people
II has been characteristic o
Americans ultimately to b,
guided by moral consideration
and, even in periods Of laxity
to respond vigorously to MOI
N appeals. Our best tradition
have been based or mora
principles and ideals. We mus
remain true to them. We o
the household OF the faitI
have a special obligation /
promote them What, then, ar
our particular duties in tn
face OF present conditions?
IN ToDAY's WORLD, OH
most obvious duty is I
speak out, to make open prt
fession Of religious belief
and moral convictions, to RI
affirm morality as the -four
dation Of our nations pa:
greatness and of its future a
pirations. We must indeed b
prepared to demonstrate til
falseness OF the claims {
scientism, the hollowness an
futility Of the cult of TIL
image. the corrosive effe,
OF Secularism on both the il
dividual and society. Especia
" we must recognize and a