Is it America's job to "run the world"?

[JanSobieskiIII]

Maybe, it was a pretty chaotic time. We could what if it to death

 

[FiveLinden]

Am I the only one who finds the virtual absence of Catholic teaching and perspectives on CA threads to do with US politics and foreign policy strange? Do Catholics have a faith that ends at politics?

 

[Vonsalza]

Am I the only one who finds the virtual absence of Catholic teaching and perspectives on CA threads to do with US politics and foreign policy strange? Do Catholics have a faith that ends at politics?

It is a different lane, so yeah. Somewhat.

Faith might inform political views. But how it does that is, generally, wildly subjective. On one hand you have a Catholic proclaiming some conflict a “just war”. On the other you have another Catholic proclaiming “I’m pro-life, so bring the boys and girls home!”.

 

[JanSobieskiIII]

My faith informs every one of my political opinions. What specifically have you seen that makes you think its not been the case? (Not just me, any example is fine)

 

[Vonsalza]

If there was any chance of that happening and the ensuing government not being completely corrupt and robbing they own country blind I’d be in favor of that

I see your point. But on corruption; my stance is that if the citizenry of the corrupt country tolerate it, then I don’t particularly care (unless that corrupt country is my own).

In my old poly-sci classes I heard it argued that obvious corruption was simply greater transparency in how influence is purchased by special interest and that supposedly less-corrupt regimes are just as bad, but with less direct visibility.

-Or! In less-corrupt regimes, the process of purchasing influence has simply been normalized and was not considered “corrupt”.

 

[JanSobieskiIII]

Fair enough, that makes sense. My problem arises though in the traditional Russian response to accusations of corruption is to blame outside forces. I can imagine a Pan-Slavic nation being extremely hostile to its neighbors to keep its internal population agitated against perceived outside threats instead of internal corruption.

 

[FiveLinden]

My faith informs every one of my political opinions. What specifically have you seen that makes you think its not been the case? (Not just me, any example is fine)

Well the problem is that generally I have seen nothing, so it is hard to quote. Have a look at the posts in this thread. There are many comments that clearly derive from particular political philosophies and US patriotism but almost none that reference Church teaching or tradition. One concrete example is the repeated use of the word ‘we’ to refer to US citizens or the country instead of Catholics.

 

[JanSobieskiIII]

political philosophies and US patriotism

I’d imagine that’s because we’re countrymen, regardless of faith the laws and policies effect US citizens, and making arguments from a Catholic standpoint on US policy is kind of a non starter due to the fact that A) Catholics are a minority in the US and B) it’s a functionally atheist society that doesn’t put much weight behind a religious argument.

 

[FiveLinden]

I’d imagine that’s because we’re countrymen, regardless of faith the laws and policies effect US citizens, and making arguments from a Catholic standpoint on US policy is kind of a non starter due to the fact that A) Catholics are a minority in the US and B) it’s a functionally atheist society that doesn’t put much weight behind a religious argument.

So why are Catholics so active on things like abortion?

 

[JanSobieskiIII]

Because even honest atheists can admit that it’s a human life being extinguished. It’s something that transcends religious belief. Even when I was an atheist I was against abortion.

 

[FiveLinden]

Because even honest atheists can admit that it’s a human life being extinguished. It’s something that transcends religious belief. Even when I was an atheist I was against abortion.

So Catholics witness to the truth they hold only when there is a good chance of success in argument?

 

[JanSobieskiIII]

I tend to pick my battles. I can’t speak for everyone.

 

[Vonsalza]

JanSobieskiIII:

Because even honest atheists can admit that it’s a human life being extinguished. It’s something that transcends religious belief. Even when I was an atheist I was against abortion.

So Catholics witness to the truth they hold only when there is a good chance of success in argument?

It’s usually not that clear. Rephrased; in a political problem, there may not be a “Catholic” solution.

Moreover, we do need to pick the hills we’re willing to die on…

 

[JanetF]

USA’s massive expenditure in major weapon systems definitely has had helped to keep at least 2/3 of the western hemisphere relatively free from aggression

where the USA has FAILED (imo) is in wars of occupation (eg vietnam) policing (korea) and nation building (middle east)

perhaps the US would be better off minding our own beeswax & letting sovereign nations take care of themselves

Except that if we create a void by “minding our own beeswax” who’s to stop another nation such as China or Russia from interfering to the detriment of the entire globe?

 

[Erikaspirit16]

Am I the only one who finds the virtual absence of Catholic teaching and perspectives on CA threads to do with US politics and foreign policy strange? Do Catholics have a faith that ends at politics?

Depends on what you mean. I certainly see a lack of Catholic belief when people simply dismiss
“It’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter Heaven.”
or
“Blessed are the poor…”
or
“Sell what you have, give the money to the poor, and then follow me.”

There is a long list of such verses. Many (most?) of the people on this forum seem to hold the opinion that these were either 1) meant as a joke, 2) inserted in 1848 by Karl Marx, or 3) Only apply in the 1st century.

Meanwhile, just the mere suggestion that Jews or Muslims follow the guidance of their own faiths regarding abortion brings down the wrath of absolutists who believe everyone on earth is bound to follow Catholic teaching.

 

[starshiptrooper]

Communism is not a morally neutral stance. As history shows us advocating for communism is calling for murder, theft, and tyranny.

(Western) Civilization requires reciprocity of ethical principles. Since communists do not share those principles and actively advocate against them, they are not protected by them.

 

[Crusaderbear]

Run it? No…try and make everyone behave? Yes!
That should be every nations goal.

 

[deMontfort]

I am simply suggesting that communism, which is strongly condemned by the Catholic Church, should be considered deviant.

Always good to remind people of that. The Church has explicitly condemned Marxism in general and Communism and Socialism in particular.

 

[jeannetherese]

Are you arguing for deportation of those who do not share your ideology?
Or are you arguing for deportation of those who engage in certain actions?
Or both?
Is there a conflict between such an argument and either Christian or democratic ideals?

 

[starshiptrooper]

I believe that exile should be used as I stated earlier in the the thread.

It certainly conflicts with democratic ideals but I do not regard them as sacrosanct or valid.