Monday, August 08, 2005

Values

A democracy without values is totalitarianism in disguise

Inquirer News Service

THESE days, our civil authorities and lawmakers are peddling the idea that a change in our system of government will solve our political and economic crises. They are like witch doctors prescribing quack medicine for a serious ailment. One system of government can be as good as another. The good of the people and the development of society are advanced when civil authorities and citizens alike lead upright lives and uphold the right values.

This is what the "Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church" says: "An authentic democracy is not merely the result of a formal observation of a set of rules but is the fruit of a convinced acceptance of the values that inspire democratic procedures: the dignity of every human person, the respect of human rights, commitment to the common good as the purpose and guiding criterion for political life. If there is no consensus on these values, the deepest meaning of democracy is lost and its stability is compromised (No. 407)."

A value that will help us achieve the common good—though it is very difficult to obtain and to live by in our present society—is the truth.

We too easily compromise the truth. The late Pope John Paul II wrote, "It must be observed that if there is no ultimate truth to guide and direct political action, then ideas and convictions can easily be manipulated for reasons of power. As history demonstrates, a democracy without values easily turns into open or thinly disguised totalitarianism. ('Centessimus Annus,' 46)." So until we all love the truth and live according to the truth, we will always remain slaves and victims of those who manipulate the truth.

What I think we all need is a change of mind and heart. A change in the system of government will not solve anything if we don't change ourselves.


—FR. CECILIO L. MAGSINO, chaplain, Southridge School, Alabang, Muntinlupa City, via–email