To the editor:
The Social Gospels teach us that we must aid the economically less fortunate, visit the imprisoned, give assistance to the sick and safeguard the environment — God’s gift to us — to name a few. More recently, Catholic teaching introduced the “seamless garment” concept which includes the Social Gospels and a “pro-life” ethic. Unfortunately none of the candidates has a strong record on all of these teachings.
The recent George Weigel column (May 5: “Election will debate freedom”) was so convoluted as to be of no value in reaching a prayerful voting decision. His Sept. 10 vs. Sept. 12 people concept is not ethically, morally or intellectually sustainable. Likewise, his concept of freedom picks out three virtues and ignores the remainder of Social Gospel and Seamless Garment teachings. In America the “fundamental division over the nature of freedom” is not willfulness vs. a certain group’s definition of virtue, it is found in our Constitution. Let’s examine the candidates’ whole record, ask God’s guidance and vote.
Paul Stack
Colby Street
Rochester
