March 29, 2013 – Catechism 2232 – 2243

Sorry, you must pay taxes.  But that does become a difficult thing to figure out when taxes are going to fund abortions or support of homosexual marriage (if you don’t think taxes are going to support this, I think you are naive).  Here again, it becomes a balance that I am not sure I fully have the answer for.  You should have the right (and an obligation) to speak out against the things a government does that are against moral and natural law, but when are words not enough.  The requirements to use force are almost unobtainable, but there are steps between mere words and force.  There are many lawsuits trying to curtail some of the immoral actions taken by government, however there are as many wanting to increase such actions, so that is something, but may not be productive.

One thing that is between is allowing yourself to be acted upon without action.  There will be, and in some places already are, times for us to stand there, be ridiculed, harassed, or possibly physically attacked for our beliefs.  Those that attack us are the same ones that preach tolerance and freedom, which is another subject.  But this maybe our strongest way to act is to be victimized without recoiling or attacking.  That is one of the things that spread Christianity throughout the world is not the way the martyrs preached, but how they died.  Being willing to witness in that way is a great witness to all.  Striking back is not going to win anyone over anyway.  Giving our reasons, making our case, loving those that hate us, that is the way Jesus wanted us to change the world and that is the only way the world will change.  And changing hearts is out of our control anyway, so there is no need to get discouraged when it appears you are beating your head against a wall.  We plant the seeds and God makes it grow.