A national sex study (subsidized by Trojan condoms!) included one notable finding: teens are more abstinent today. The numbers are not astounding but noteworthy. Would any/many dispute the predominant cultural normalcy of erotic sexual expression in our society, engineered by the media (magazines, internet, advertising)? It is big money! In light of this, the retreat of erotic sex among teens is amazing. I would hope that the study analyzes why this is happening, a surprise given our culture.
Culture is that complex configuration of value-labeling of social human acts. These values supersede instinct; in other words, culture embodies our ability to image ourselves and to act by choices (cognitive, affective). By virtue of cultural norms a social group coordinates its activities in order to survive and thrive. This non-material compass is powerful, as manifested in such cultural values as courage and fairness: persons doing what might be deleterious to the self but of greater value in their self-understanding.
In the midst of the larger social culture, we who are religious, who are Christian, who are Catholic, find ourselves negotiating between oft-times competing values. Why are we forced into a culture war? In other words, why can’t society just abide by our value system (wouldn’t that be lovely)? Or are we intimidated by society if we cannot overcome those values (a defeatist attitude)? This dilemma has been the plight of Christians in every age. It just happens to be our turn.
So, in contrast to sexual license in society, we hold that acts of deep intimacy have such effects on us that they are reserved for a covenantal commitment—full, sexual expression in a covenant commitment and abstinence in lesser circumstances. Perfect adherence to these values may not happen and probably won’t happen. This ‘imperfect observance” does not negate our values, and those who “fall short” are not to be eliminated (shunned; ‘The Scarlet Letter”). We Catholic Christians, then, contend with an awareness of the challenge of gospel values in our daily lives and the burden of forgiveness, reconciliation, and support.
Our way through this is a gospel culture of patient and diligent conversation. By conversation I don’t mean chit-chat; rather, how do we speak and listen to each other about the essence of our values and probe the application of these values. We may not change how society acts, but we should mirror the gospel values. We need to practice a “patience” that neither adopts simplistic answers (that generally are too adolescent) nor too relative that we suffer paralysis of analysis. We need to practice a diligence of thinking so that we understand what challenges us and dare to estimate the sacrifice of following the gospel demands in a hostile or indifferent society.
The issues of concern are monumental: abortion, homosexuality, the death penalty, war, immigration, and stewardship of the earth. We Catholics have a reservoir of theological (philosophical) perspective by which we can grasp the human translation of grace into action, and analyze what good and what chaff society has to offer. Although public policy and legal canons are important—for which the Church delicately encourages her membership to vote responsibly—these are not the only solution for us as disciples or even as citizens. Can the Church manifest a culture of life, a culture of grace, today? One might ask, “What does that look like in practice?” Can we reply, “Look at us”?
