Moral principle

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When is it right to put loving a person in front of standing on a moral principle?
 
“Love the sinner, hate the sin.”

Heard that from so many Dominican Friars…🤷
 
There’s never a conflict between these two. Ever.

The obligation to love people is a moral principle. Moral principles describe what it means to love people and how to love people.
 
Ok, now that you’ve explained, I see what you’re talking about, but I think you’ve set up a false dichotomy here.

Sometimes it is easy to slip into anger when we must deal with a person who has done something hurtful. We can convince ourselves that this is so-called righteous anger, but in most cases it is not–especially when we act on that anger and cause further hurt and resentment.

It is a good thing to admonish a sinner, but “to admonish” in a Christian spirit means to correct with love and kindness. We need to exercise special care when we are dealing with someone who is living a sinful lifestyle. Sinners are making the mistake of seeking out what they believe to be goodness, in the wrong place. So it is our responsibility to behave with utmost charity toward them, so that they can experience the goodness of the Lord working through us and hopefully be encouraged to turn toward Him.

Sometimes even when we take care to word a gentle admonishment in a loving manner, the sinner will still become defensive and rude. That’s not your fault.

However, in this instance it sounds like you’re pretty steamed about the issue and I’m guessing that your letter really didn’t have a very nice tone to it. If that’s the case, if would be a good idea to apologize for any hurtful or angry words you might have said, and to note that you do really believe her actions are wrong, but that you love her more than your life.

You don’t have to compromise your principles in order to be kind to someone. For most of us, it takes a lot of trial and error to figure out how best to approach those who have wronged us. Ask Christ to give you a kind and gentle heart so that you can do His will. I know this has helped me a great deal in my life, though I still have far to go.
 
Gospel said:
Ok, now that you’ve explained, I see what you’re talking about, but I think you’ve set up a false dichotomy here.

Sometimes it is easy to slip into anger when we must deal with a person who has done something hurtful. We can convince ourselves that this is so-called righteous anger, but in most cases it is not–especially when we act on that anger and cause further hurt and resentment.

It is a good thing to admonish a sinner, but “to admonish” in a Christian spirit means to correct with love and kindness. We need to exercise special care when we are dealing with someone who is living a sinful lifestyle. Sinners are making the mistake of seeking out what they believe to be goodness, in the wrong place. So it is our responsibility to behave with utmost charity toward them, so that they can experience the goodness of the Lord working through us and hopefully be encouraged to turn toward Him.

Sometimes even when we take care to word a gentle admonishment in a loving manner, the sinner will still become defensive and rude. That’s not your fault.

However, in this instance it sounds like you’re pretty steamed about the issue and I’m guessing that your letter really didn’t have a very nice tone to it. If that’s the case, if would be a good idea to apologize for any hurtful or angry words you might have said, and to note that you do really believe her actions are wrong, but that you love her more than your life.

You don’t have to compromise your principles in order to be kind to someone. For most of us, it takes a lot of trial and error to figure out how best to approach those who have wronged us. Ask Christ to give you a kind and gentle heart so that you can do His will. I know this has helped me a great deal in my life, though I still have far to go.
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Yes. Part of loving someone is telling him the truth.
 
dylanschrader said:
There’s never a conflict between these two. Ever.

The obligation to love people is a moral principle. Moral principles describe what it means to love people and how to love people.
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The shrug was for not knowing whom to cite. Sorry for the confusion.
 
Aramis said:
The shrug was for not knowing whom to cite. Sorry for the confusion.
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I’m sorry, I don’t understand. I meant to respond to the O.P. (not a Dominican joke), so I was trying to say that there’s no conflict between loving someone and upholding moral principles. How could there be?
 
Eventually, especially once one has children, one needs to make a choice…

Allow the sinner around one’s children, or not. It is a hard choice. One I have HAD to make, for my children’s souls.

In the original poster’s situation: You must chose how to best love both the sinning family member and how to love one’s immediate family, as well as folow gods commands.

Pray like it all depends upon you. But, if your relative tries to validate their way of life to your children, cut them off from your children. Lay the ground rules.
 
I don’t honestly understand; if a moral principle comes into conflict with Godly love, it is really an immoral principle. Could we have a specific example?

God bless
 
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