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The Left column

Can Catholic Authors
Include the Following:

· Violence
· Immorality
· Tobacco use
· Drinking
· Racism
· Politically Incorrectness

- and still be called “Catholic?

       Yes. It all depends on how the Catholic Christian author treats these subjects. I will even go so far as to suggest that a new author should not hesitate to include any or all of these sometimes sensitive issues, but give them a Christian treatment.
     For example:
     King David in the Bible has his general killed so that David can take the General’s wife as his own. This is no doubt a great evil and in the end David pays dearly for his wrong doing. The Bible story says that what David did in that case is wrong, sever and genuine repentance is in order, and the Bible story on David speaks of God’s mercy, love and forgiveness.

     Tobacco use is not directly covered for obvious reasons; the people in the Bible did not know about tobacco. Addictions are covered.
     Tobacco is part of God’s creation and so it has uses other than as a recreational herb or as a harmful addictive herb. Tobacco had a long history of acceptability in the general society. It’s only recently that tobacco has been placed in a bad light through popular political movements in addition to the fact that it can have very harmful effects.
     I included light mention of smoking in my novels. First of all, its use is during a time Church and the general society found its recreational use perfectly acceptable; and only adults in my stories smoke. There is some circumstantial evidence in the first book that hints at the remote possibility of some minors possessing a pack of cigarettes, but those circumstances do not say clearly if any minor in my books smoked.
     I describe religious ceremonial use of tobacco by Native Americans in the books, a use I find to be proper if done in accord with Indigenous traditions and only as approved of by Native People.

     Drinking alcohol can vary from avoidance to light social or ritual use, to excessive, harmful and addictive use. The writer’s treatment of all levels of drinking can accept the reality of use and abuse without condoning abuse.
     Race, religious and ethnic bigotry is also a given in human history and our current condition. It can be written about in all its ugliness, but a Christian writer of course should not approve of such behavior or encourage its continuance.
     As for “political correctness,” I find the term disgusting. I don’t all out reject the term, but it can be a means of manipulating others in unfair ways. Political correctness aids in liberating marginalized populations, but can also be used to approve of immoral behavior as well. A Catholic writer should not be concerned with what others claim is politically correct. A writer should have a strong moral conscience and let that guide his or her fingers over the computer’s keyboard.

     Self defense, protection of vulnerable innocent persons and their rights, defense of one’s country against an unjust aggressor is recognized as a just use of violent physical force. Knocking the heck out another person out of self serving anger is wrong. Using force as a means to take possession of another person’s hard earned grocery or rent money is wrong. Today’s legally organized boxing, which is a form of martial arts developed by a French Catholic priest to avert lethal dueling with pistol or sword that was considered a norm in his day, is wrong according to some people while other people consider it good family entertainment.

     Authors are certainly free to treat violence anyway they want to in their stories. A Christian author is not under any obligation to speak of religion in all their writings, but they should write in a religious way. If the over all theme of the book promotes good moral family values, then incidents of violent indiscretion will likewise be viewed as something that happens in life, but without condoning wrongful violence.
     Promoting a life of violence as might be done in certain fly by night publications glorifying street gang action, on the other hand, is not acceptable material to label as Christian. Acknowledging the presence of gang violence in society and in the story, on the other hand, can be done without approving of it, and can even serve in some degree to give respect to proper moral values.
     Writing about abortion is acceptable and the Catholic author is under no obligation to state if abortion is right or wrong. The moral concern is in how it is presented in the over all literary work. Detailing the thoughts and reasoning of persons who are willfully or coercively involved in having the abortion can be honestly portrayed. This does not imply that the Catholic author personally approves. An author that provides a little empathy in his or her story for persons involved in and perpetuating what we consider a great evil and the circumstances these people face can be beneficial in developing a well informed conscience. Getting a good understanding of how the other side, so to speak, on the abortion issue can aid readers in developing an effective and compassionate pro-life response. The pro-life Catholic author does not have to spell out or even mention the pro-life view point in his story. It’s there in the over all presentation of the story.
     We do not have to speak of religion in all our writings, but we should write religiously. I’ve provided links to two stories on this web site that addresses violence. Both stories are selected because they are cliff hangers. The authors of these two selections left their subjects dangling in their respective predicaments.
     Sherry Neary’s story, Lorraine, presents a protagonist dealing with a difficult pregnancy. My short story, Fishing Hole, is about a victim of a violent crime. The fact that both stories are left open without resolve to their predicament leaves the reader to wonder what sort of fate and decisions is left for each protagonist.
     Neither story has a mention of God, Church, and Christianity or of the Catholic Church in particular. Yet, both stories can be considered for Christian reading; in part because both authors are Catholic Christians, but moreover because our respective treatment of our stories has the ability to stir up and exercise good moral conscious development and compassion for the troubles and dangers others have to endure or face.

The Right column

Notes

     Read the two short stories before comparing these notes.

Lorraine, a domestic situation.

Fishing Hole, confronting crime.

     Lorraine and Amos are in dangerous situations that they could not avoid. Resistance, running away or fighting back would have meant their lives. Submitting could also cost them their lives; and from the way the Fishing Hole ends, one doesn't know if Amos stands a chance.
     I thought it opportune that both stories are on my web site because I feel that both protagonists have no control over what will happen to them at the hands of those wielding unmatchable power over them. Lorraine lives out her life knowing Max can kill her at any time. We don’t know what kind of time is left for Amos to live. He might be at the point of deliverance from his mortal enemies or his life may be at an end; or he might have met up with someone with the connections to enslave him.

     These two stories might not be what one would expect under the heading of Christian short story or novels; but surely our Christian consciences have been picked.
     How do we base our judgments over others?

     I have heard from Pro-Life group members about their protests outside of abortion clinics. I agree with the fundamental purpose of many of these protesters, but I sometimes cringe at their angry self righteous slogans. How many Lorraine’s have sought those clinic doors?
     My admiration goes to those who find means to take on the Max’s in society; and in doing so, save the lives of far more of the unborn for the next seven generations than those who curl their lips and shake their heads at women like Lorraine.

     We don’t know what became of Amos. If he was rescued, he’ll probably do fine. I certainly hope he is a happy proud Grandpa today.
     If he died, then that’s all there is to say for him; but pity his family.
     If he was abducted for a time, then what sort of scars from the drama would he end up acting out if he managed an escape later on; anger, drinking, drugs?
     How many ravished looking street men out there might have been someone like Amos?

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What if you are the only person in a car driving down a back road out in the country or in the more worn out portion of an inner city and you saw a person in a predicament like Amos'? I'm certain we would all want to stop and aid him, but don't be hasty in your answer. Many people with gages and bound hands are destined for execution. Dangerous crooks or gang members might be forth coming at any moment brandishing pistols.




     Check out the two Magazines I publish and have printed via MAGcloud. Let me know if you think you have a story to publish in these magazines.