The Charge of Moral Relativism

Relativism is a philosophical position in which one asserts that there are no absolute truths. Moral relativism refines this to say that one's moral viewpoint is dependent on one's cultural worldview. In theory its opposite is absolutism, but in the United States to take a non-relative moral position is to be ethnocentric, which is abhorrent in our multicultural community.

Relativism, like nearly any philosophical position, is rarely ever found in its pure state. "The self-proclaimed moral relativist does not and cannot maintain his or her commitment to the "philosophy" of moral relativism. In fact, the record clearly shows that these "moral relativists" are not relativists at all, but moral absolutists" (Dolhenty). For example, women's rights activists are often quick to point out the horrible subjugation of women in Muslim-dominated societies. When members of those societies try to defend their policies, they are accused of moral relativism. The fact that an American woman's role in society is a creation of our culture seems lost on them. Catholics believe that though women have a right to life and the means to live with dignity ((Michigan Catholic Conference, 2), ind

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ve us the Church, with Christ as her head to guide it. We need the rules and advice that comes from 2,000 of watching mistakes and counseling sinners and seeing what happens when evil runs unchecked. When in doubt we are duty bound to recognize the wisdom of the Church and follow her teachings. As we grow in the community of the Church, all of the above eventually forms a conscience in us. The Holy Spirit then directs us as to when our conscience is leading us along the best path. All the rules in the world will never take the place of a well-developed spiritual morality. Sin occurs when we disregard all of this direction and do things that hurt either us, others, or both. Even crimes that seem to happen only in our mind can have devastating effects on the world. Racial discrimination, hunger when there is more than enough food to go around, and even personal drug use all ravage communities every day by diminishing the integrity of the people within them. People may follow the rules with the intention of going to heaven. Yet God is a good father to us, and his path of righteousness also leads to happiness or at least nights of peaceful sleep during our time on Earth as well. Part III Elective abortion of a
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