ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 22, 2025
I’m not wanting to argue the politics… maybe another day, but I was both fascinated and deeply troubled by a proposal to require “good moral character” for anyone who is seeking to become a naturalized citizen. In theory, I believe most all of us are in favor of good moral character for everyone, not just those seeking citizenship. But isn’t that subjective? For my grandparents, right at the top of the list for good moral character would be absolutely no drinking. And not only did they oppose drinking, but they wanted to see the Eighteenth Amendment reinstated—outlawing all alcohol. I had a fascinating conversation with someone during my sabbatical who felt that out-of-wedlock pregnancy was the greatest moral flaw in our culture, and though he wasn’t too sure how to do it, this man felt like it should be outlawed—some sort of prison sentence, at least for the father. And of course, most of the Founding Fathers of this country were slaveowners, and at that time, owning slaves was never considered at odds with good moral character. All three of those examples are sort of extreme, but I use them to ask HOW exactly do we determine “good moral character” and WHO makes that determination? In a free society, respectful of religious pluralism, following the law is what most of us would describe as a good starting place, but then you have those who have protested the laws of this country during Women’s Suffrage, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Anti-War Movement, even choosing to be arrested in what they believed to be an act of moral duty. And of course, Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and many other early followers of Jesus were arrested and even executed for not showing good moral character, at least according to the Roman Empire. This is all to say it is complicated, and though I have my own definition of what good moral character might be, I am having a hard enough time living up to my own standards. I don’t know if I am quite ready to impose my definition on others, and I am guessing there would be many people who would disagree with my definition.
Continue to encourage my exploration of your high standards of moral and ethical living, O Lord. I pray for necessary strength to be the example you have called me to be—never imposing, only choosing to model for others. Thanks, O Spirit of Tenacity, for all your help. Amen.
