No offense, but that's the kind of arguing that Liberals do. Locomotive Breath has an idea, a moral principle which is, I think VERY worth examining. My personal opinion is that LB is mistaken, but I have on very rare occasion been mistaken myself so I have to be open to the laughably minuscule possibility that I am in error this time.
It's like this, I think: Lies, misdirection, suggesting the false, are bad. Even when they are done in a good cause, at least some of their bad sequelae persist. E.g.: If today I lie to you in a morally licit way (if any) and in a good cause, tomorrow you may doubt my word and my cause when I need you to believe me.
To contend fairly, the reason or goal of the fight must be fair, and the manner of fighting must also be fair. So LB thinks that Mr. Harvey fought unfairly.
I think homicide is just as evil as lying, and I can imagine cases where homicide is licit -- for example: I have very good reason to believe that that spare tire you're toting is actually a suicide bomb -- VERY GOOD reason.
Similarly, I don't think I know enough about the parliamentary procedures and expectations of the assembly where Mr. Harvey did this. But it is at least possible that he encouraged folks to give him permission to have the young lady sing for reasons which were not his true reasons. I think it's legitimate to question this.
And I'm NOT upset, dammit!
heh heh heh
What? Just because I asked him why he's so upset? And you certainly didn't address the other questions I asked either:
Do you think the Holy Apostles cared one whit if they caused an agitation? Do you think Jesus cared that he stirred up the scribes and Pharisees?
I think homicide is just as evil as lying, and I can imagine cases where homicide is licit -- for example: I have very good reason to believe that that spare tire you're toting is actually a suicide bomb -- VERY GOOD reason.
Um.. I saw in a recent post where you have converted to the Church. Is your conversion recent? I don't mean to offend you, but the Church doesn't agree with you about lying being just as evil as homicide. Homicide and abortion are considered as crimes crying out to Heaven for vengenance. Lying is not on the same plane.
Catechism:
2484 The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims. If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity.
I hardly think Mr. Harvey's actions rose to the level of injuring anyone nor did he do grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity.
Abortion and homicide on the other hand:
2322 From its conception, the child has the right to life. Direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as an end or as a means, is a "criminal" practice (GS 27 § 3), gravely contrary to the moral law. The Church imposes the canonical penalty of excommunication for this crime against human life.
On the other hand, Harvey confronted those who support what the Church has deemed a criminal practice. As I said earlier, they are aiding and abetting a crime. Who bears the greater sin here? Harvey or the Democrats? His sin was venial, theirs is mortal!
2268 The fifth commandment forbids direct and intentional killing as gravely sinful. The murderer and those who cooperate voluntarily in murder commit a sin that cries out to heaven for vengeance.
I hope that has changed your mind that lying is just as evil as homicide.