The dogma of the modern world in light of Catholic teaching.

Liberty is a dogma of the modern world. Liberty is enthroned as one of the great goods to be cherished in life, something worth dying for. The American War of Independence was fought for liberty’s sake. World War II was fought for liberty, and was financed in part by “Liberty Bonds.” For a long time our money had an image of a woman who personified liberty, and even wore a crown with the word liberty inscribed on it. This “Miss Liberty” as well wore a “Liberty Bonnet,” which can also be found on the insignia of many states, including those of New York and New Jersey. In New York’s harbor stands the colossal Statue of Liberty, holding a torch. The original name of this statue is “Liberty Enlightening the World.” The red and white stripes of the American flag are derived from the flag of the “Sons of Liberty.” Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty´-or-give me death.”

Thomas Jefferson enthroned liberty in the Declaration of Independence by numbering it among the inalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Bill of Rights touts freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press as great goods to be guaranteed. Norman Rockwell, after the suggestion of Franklin D. Roosevelt, portrayed in art the four great freedoms: freedom from want, freedom from fear, freedom of worship, freedom of speech. The Declaration of Independence was heralded by the ringing of the “Liberty Bell,” now a national relic and shrine.

The cherishing of freedom is very much a part of, if not the essence of, American culture. Nor is it confined to America. French money always has the word liberté engraved upon it, together with égalité (equality) and fraternité (fraternity). Nearly every European democracy enthrones the concept of liberty in one form´-or-other.

Since all culture must come under the scrutiny of the Catholic Faith, it is necessary to take a look at this cult of liberty which is so much a part of the American culture, and of all Western culture since the eighteenth century.

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