Father Ron Rolheiser is often accused of giving in to secularism. Critics say that he dances a chancy jig with liberals and then moves on to more traditional Catholic partners in equal abandon. It’s hard sometimes to catch up with him. He finds good in most opinions while pointing out the shabby, the bad. He is not afraid of ambiguity.
In a recent article in America, the author selects several attributes of secularism as Rolheiser’s case study for accepting secularism.
Today’s secularism holds dear the following values:
TOLERANCE — Think of Pope Francis’s answer to journalists when he was asked to comment on the gay life style: “Who am I to judge?”
BENEVOLENCE — Wishing everyone well and helping as you are able. We take it for granted that Walgreen’s will send on our $5.oo addition to our checkout receipt to the fight against breast cancer. Imagine how many people do add a buck or two as a donation to a good thing.
RESPECT FOR INDIVIDUAL DIGNITY — Everyone has a right to their opinion, to courtesy, and accommodation: Think of the breaks in crosswalks meant for handicapped in wheel chairs; or, of the devices in hotels that lower and raise handicapped people into and our of their swimming pools and hot tubs. These things are just standard today.
FREEDOM — To speak your opinion; to manage your own life; to seek happiness.
Rolheiser believes that these values have deep Christian roots. So secularism is not a dirty word in Rolheiser’s view. There is a lot of good there.
It is, however, the Christian’s right and duty to stand up for the entire Gospel while embracing what it sees as good in our culture. Rolheiser believes this principle, too.