The morality of what we cannot alter... Cannot Change!..

(Also appeared at : Journey in a Broken World 26 / 08 | August / 2009)


Title: The morality of what we cannot alter... Cannot Change!..

Apologetical Article by Marc Aupiais

Shadow sprayed across the moon... this night. Night, darkness... Hiding the terror, the horror of the deep black, deathly shadow of lightless fog.

The thick, heavy dark clouds passed across innocently harsh waves of the reflecting moon. The trees splintered shadows, as the light filtered down in airy silver sheets of visible nightmares.

Within this place, horrors happened. Within that place, people were hurt... People- We... We never heard about, never saw... Or knew at all.

Yet, if this airy place exists, if it is as whole nations are at times... Evil, horrendous, murderous and worse. If it is real- do you truly care what occurs there? Do you mind if infants are killed, or children hurt? Do you care if women are abused, men treated as animals? Would you still care if it were done by your government, race, culture, ideology or party, or religion?

What happens out of our control, we are not guilty of. What happens beyond our ability to know... We are not guilty of. These things, we read about afterwards- in articles by media and books by persons, who never encompass the fullness of happenings. And sometimes we learn hate from these, or believe what is not true or really sourced. We find sometimes- we learn the devil's lesson, and unwittingly mimic the faulty beliefs of the oppressors- while holding as martyrs- the oppressed.

We are never guilty of what we had no chance to prevent- or fight against. Yet, there is another dimension at play- another role of the conscience's dice.

The reason the Christian must become part of a creative minority, as the Pope called our modern day mission when still a Cardinal- my reason for this, not his, which I do not remember, my reason which I shall speak of: is simple. The Christian must look sceptical at the news, and statements of officials of so many groupings. He must be suspicious of those tasked with the care of souls, and suspicious of those opposing them. He must attempt to see the truth, to dig deeper and understand the real issues at play.

What we do not know of- we are not guilty of not stopping. What we cannot stop, we are not guilty of not succeeding against... Yet- what if we were able to know and chose not to know ... What if we could have strengthened our cause, and endurance, and have fought against evil... And won?

We are not guilty of what we cannot stop, but we are guilty if our negligence is our own doing- this is why gluttony is a sin, and sloth is evil.

Yet- what of that we cannot stop, it seems, when we come face to face, nose to nose with it- we merely observe its happening and oft forget morality. We look coldly at history, and justify acts of evil, or ignore them, or heartlessly study these... in icy cold. When we cannot act- we turn morality off; we observe?

The truth is- that when we do so, we learn apathy. When we consign ourselves to doing nothing, to neglecting even judgement of evil as what it deeply is and neglect keeping memory... When we turn to holding tight onto justification of evil- we forget the effect that which we cannot halt has... Even... on us.

There are times we tolerate evil, but the righteous must only do so for a time. There are times when doing nothing is right, but inside we must condemn the evil we watch. Inside we must note it, and should we ever be able to combat it justly- we must ensure justice prevails.

I may not be able to prevent abortion, or oppose the killing of other innocents throughout the world- but I can observe it as evil, speak of it as inhumane, note it- and attach the wrong to those guilty of it- and account for this as evil- whatever it is. It must be remembered, whatever the evil- and the one who did it must not be forgotten for what they have done. Forgiveness, as sound theology relays- is not weakness or amnesia. Forgiveness is a state when one analyses a situation and does what is most right, most just and Godly to do.

I may be helpless, but do I pray? And should I be able to act- do I do something... Something solid and powerful, something tactical and worthwhile?

... Shall I choose to do the right thing- or lose my life in refusing to do wrong?

To be a Catholic is to never stand by and do nothing when evil takes action... It is to act or omit action in the way which best benefits good over evil- or less evil over greater evil.

One does not have to be righteous to have God on their side. The world is a system, thereby... Sadly, truthfully... where there is greater evil, all suffer. The smaller evil becomes, the greater the situation is... for all.

We may not be able to stop evil, or even confront it- but we can win the small victories we are able. We can win the victory within, that of Faith- a mind set which attempts to view the world as it really is. Every matter, every issue in the world pertains to proportional truth, and to falsehood- and to their children- life and death...

If all we can do is acknowledge something is evil- at least we may take a step to truth and hope. If we can do more... We should wisely, prudently, cautiously, if not boldly and firmly act! It takes creativity to be good, does it not..?

The logic and illogic of judging-- based of birth and breeding!

(Also appeared at : Journey in a Broken World 26 / 08 | August / 2009)


Editorial by Marc Aupiais

Hopefully, this article will clear up some of what I see as misperceptions of which sort of judgement based on birth and breeding is illogical and thereby superstitious and evil, and which judgement based on birth and breeding- is just and good.

A lot in society, in morality is based on geneology. Joseph, the step father of Jesus- was descended of Solomon, and Solomon was the son of David. The Jews were the Chosen People, the gentiles were not. Based on genetics, and their results- it is moral to kill a chimpanzee for food, but not to unjustifiably murder a human being. It is moral to easily hunt one form of animal- but not another which is endangered- this too is told us.

In modern times, we have become increasingly acute to the prejudice of racism. Racism is wrong, but so is unpreparedness.

Philosophically- is the treatment of one's own child with more care than another's, or the way in which inheritance is distributed wrong- I would say not so. It is "prejudging" in some perspectives, it is judging based on lineage, based on one's physical makeup- but just judgement, is it not.

If one assumes that a child is good because of the parent- this is not itself illogic- but if, having used prejudice (judging, based- often: not on behaviour of the individual or what may well be seen as apparent fact, but otherwise- often done prior the time- and kept up), we cease to judge- seeing the person act badly, this is illogical, as with sweepingly condemning all people of a race. Prejudice itself can prepare one to avoid danger or embarrassment- if in its right place- as speculation, or preparedness.

In one of my law books, when it was speaking of logic- it mentioned that most criminals in South Africa are black- something oft mentioned by some. I felt offended- I am white, but I hate racist comments. It went on to explain that the majority of South Africans are black. It is only logical that the majority ethnicity in a nation, are the majority of convicts in addition to this. Any percentage increase would also be explained- by poverty and history, and possibly other factors.

The race of a person is incidental to their circumstance.

While racism is illogical, as with bigotry- compensating for race is not, and the same with for instance- compensating for culture, is also certainly not. Not making a meat meal when a Catholic visits you on a Friday- is not bigotry. Knowing the values which are regular in a culture, and vetting what you share is not wrong, but correct.

I would be careful about saying "I love you" to an Afrikaans girl. In my English Speaking etc culture- it oft is an expression of friendship- though one should only say it to girls. For the Afrikaans culture- it means so much more. In my culture- it portrays everything from like, to humour- to undying affection and unending love!

And this does extend further. It is illogical to treat different people like one and the same. They are different- in good and bad ways, and if we judged persons of a different culture as though they belonged to our own- we endanger ourselves and the friendship.

It is wrong to judge on race in isolation, but just as illogical not to take people's race into account as we serve God and our fellow men- including those whose race and nation and culture we must also take into account while serving them, or accounting for them. When one has something firmer than culture to judge on, then the rebuttable presumptions of prejudice seem to fade or solidify.

If I were talking about the Gospel to an ethnic European, I may well compare the sacraments, and grace of God to a sort of Magic, as C.S. Lewis does with grace to magic, acknowledging that magic is evil. Knowing the cultural climate, I would hesitate to use the same example when speaking to some other South Africans- given our history of superstition and "witch" hunts and burnings in South Africa, of whole families. This is not to impart guilt, but to acknowledge a fear which haunts some or their fellows.

When the church therefore considers it an honour for a person of one or other race to be sainted. When a pope says that it is a favour to his country that he is elected and made leader- this is not illogical, "racism" as the slur says, said on these matters.

Race matters, appearances give hints of culture- but it should never blind us. This is why it is evil and superstition to purely judge on race if given more- or to class all of a race as one man, but not evil to assume relatively who a person may well be- based on what can be ascertained from their background.

We all have the same species DNA. We are mankind and one race, yet our differences- while sometimes historic are there for a reason. It is just as evil to be entirely "colour blind" as to be racist. And it is wrong to judge on race- while ignoring the facts. Racism, the vice- is foolishly out of proportion and is thereby evil, yet we need to also guard against those who want a world without culture, religion or race, that idea is dangerous. It is the basis of much of the modern persecution many face.

Judgement in the kingdom of Dust, in this veil of tears, the banishment from heaven!

(Journey in a Broken World )

Article by Marc Aupiais

Sand blows immersed, and infused inside the small night breeze. In the distance, the ice creeks, and mourns an unknown death, as frost slowly seeks out the uncovered parts of the green grass, and in the distant sky there is a castle. Figures with wings, they slowly mount the passages, they move up and down- to a ladder which opens into light, and paradisaical beauty of heaven above. A sound, like the dying of an animal, or a crying child makes the ears freeze, as the combination of desert on one side, and paradise between, and icy tundra on the opposite comes to be noted.

We judge, do we not? Fiery expanses and ashes blow against our face! We see, and we define, sometimes we see paradox, snow in the desert, or many other things- yet do we now say that it is not snow- for our judgment. True judgment, Righteous Judgment- is but so often followed by war, or diplomacy- under the yellow, gold and white flag of freedom.

Real judgment is the sort which is observation- we see snow in the desert, and wonder at it- and consider what it means, and perhaps act. False judgments always are evils which attempt to lie- to say a person is not human, or snow is not snow. True judgment is apposed to heterodoxy- to common incorrect belief, to wrong assumption, to undefined precepts for action. Real judgment is noted of Saint Paul "The Spiritual Man- he judges all things- yet he is not judged" (Paraphrasing his wording in his letter to the believers in Corinth)- surely the rebuking of misinterpreting by some of the words of Jesus : "Judge not least you be Judged!"

To judge- we must always treat people as their dignity is- sometimes this means war, sometimes, it means enmity, or many things...

I describe this kingdom I see, I speak of opposites as one- yet opposites which are true in this kingdom. It is a fool who sees white falling in the desert and says- no, it is not so- and a mad fool also- for either he sees it, or he doesn't- yet to deny it is utterly devious, and harmful. In fact, it is apathy which does such damage- people who know something is wrong tolerate it- in other words, they judge- not man but God, who speaks in their conscience. Now, how much worse than judging another man! Those who lie to themselves and others about what they see- about their conscience, and tolerate evil without just reason- these judge God, and condemn the oppressed.

These crucify Christ on his cross. Non-judgment is utter foolish enmity with God. In fact, in Africa, we note the "unbiased" view of our leaders- as mass murderers and better men are treated as equals- as governments and terrorists are concerned as equal at the negotiating table. We see people starve for this apathy- which condemns itself utterly when it justifies itself via faith.

In the stream of the rivers of time- we see all things come to pass- but it is short term to treat right and wrong as equal- in fact- justice must be done. In the Congo we now see revenge for Rwanda taken.

Refugees, they are not saints- anger touches- and enters, hatred fills, these are people, with emotions- do not be surprised if they pick up arms. With one injustice, another chases it. When injustice is permitted- when terror is allowed- it continues- small and large.

It is the gravest of sins- that we should participate in mortal sin- by doing nothing. Let us judge utterly, but judge via truth, and the morality of faith, and the manner of faith's way forward. Light, it breaks the clouds, golden, and sunset- it enters the heart. Do not ignore conscience- but act prudently, and with timing which is of benefit- yet never ever back off from justice- for in this you condemn your soul!

Let us be prudent in judging- and act in just the right proportionate doses of action- in truth, and the prayer God wants of us!

(Clarifying what just judgment is: it is not petty, not foolish, not evil, yet while we say so much of not "judging", which is a condemnation of the counter-society so often present among those who think this is Christian- we need to say what we actually mean in this veil of tears, and so us who know clarify, in any case... I was staring at a painting of a boat, and simply had to right down the complete images which molded into my consciousness- and their meaning I gave them. When we say this, now you know what it should mean- it fits in somehow- and has proportion- do not judge by appearances- but by conscience, and always ask when in doubt- those who have proven themselves true, for more, research it in our engine- with very professional sources, and others.)

Journey in a Broken World- What is it to judge, or aim at justice, and what judgement does the body of faith indentify as a deadly, acidic danger to u

(Journey in a Broken World)

Article by Marc Aupiais

When we read, with reverence, caution, and context- the works of Saint James, as preserved in the scriptural texts- we see a fascinating detail in his works- he says that the banal anger of man does not itself aid God's true justice, yet the pragmatic saint does not seem to exclude every form of anger, all together, but rather throws a sort of confetti of ashes into the ever moving air- saying that justice is a duty which defines the Christian's mission- strongly enough, is this shown in God's word- that belief without this is like a fire without heat or smoke, or colour, or light.

The deadly sin, famous for many destructions of dignity- anger- or wrath- could well be what the noted saint refers to as but "human anger". When we visualize the form of this insanity as that harsh ugly form of man- which for his own survival, and for fear should judge another as dangerous to him, and what is dangerous as evil, and apposed somehow to him, we see the dark red image of fear at its source, even if delicately hidden in blankets of self love. The sin is then that he acts unjustly to such a man- even unjustly beyond any claim at proportion, or sanity. Just anger is sane, proportionate, and deserved, yet the twisting of this so cleverly justifies itself, as though it itself thought it were the true, good desire of Just "Anger", which is the agent of justice among the oppressed.

And so, we have said before that the mind oft judges threats to itself as evil, and that the Christian must be cautious not to judge purely on these standards- but rather to treat physical evils- threats- as but what they are, yet true evil as what it objectively is.

While we cannot tell where another will be in the future, we all have different parts in life, we can judge where they appear now- this is prudent, beneficial, and prevents us aiding evil. As Saint John Wrote in his letter- one who houses a heretic as he preaches- shares the sin of heresy via the sin of scandal.

Now, many think the only danger of even subtly wrong judgment lies purely, or mainly in mistreating others, but there is subtler, thinner, more hidden coils of preparation to strike within this great evil, where we call a threat evil, and not a threat. This lies in forgiving when we have no right to do so- it involves human anger being resolved- and for this.... sadly... evilly... God's justice being neglected. When our desire for justice is selfish and purely emotional, and driven by human standards alone- we forget the purpose of justice- that is the righting of wrongs- the punishment of evil- which is mercy to God, and to the oppressed. Whenever one acts, or does not act, the see-saw can swing in either direction- meeting out oppression and mercy- whether correct or incorrect.

Let us never let go of justice for any purely human, or personal reason- for anything we let through the stream gets into the water table, and poisons our own system in the end. We need not only ask forgiveness for what we have done, but also for what we have failed to do.

Let us not allow our flowing red and orange anger to too greatly spread, rather- let us recognize anger- and know that it either shows us a threat to our desires, and goals, so as to be cautious and prudent, or that what is happening should not be happening, or what is not happening should be happening, or else a lapse of judgment within us about what should or should not be. Once we realize the source of our anger- let us check if it is justified, for we may well be obligated to swiftly, or cautiously act, or prepare for action.

Once we know our desire's source, and purpose- let us query earnestly how we are now to serve God- whose nature is justice and love, and how most prudently to attack the enemies of truth. Every evil furthers evil, and even the smallest good aids goodness, this is an observation of my experience and prayer. Let us fight even the smallest, whitest disguise of evil- because it somehow affects our world, and the war for the culture of the planet. Let us slide down the white hill of snow, knowing always that that which could hurt us on our slippery journey- will hurt others unless we deal with it, or at least spread a warning about such!

The saints teach us a truth- we must always stand prepared to say no, to see through speculation, or sometimes action- what the result of saying no would be, before we say yes, and also do the same when we want to say no- except in matters where we are obligated by conscience to only give one response- where we must never dare even to imagine a slight glancing at the other immoral option- but rather- cautiously, and prudently act in such a way as to obey, knowing that the desire to do otherwise is not ours, but an illusion, prompted by true emotions which falsely seem to the eyes to appear in such form. As always we should recognize our truer, Godly desires below the illusion apparent, which it is a sin to endorse.