Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli

At the very beginning of America’s fight for independence, Thomas Paine published his historic pamphlet Common Sense. In this highly incendiary work, he marshalled arguments to convince the members of the Thirteen Colonies to sever their union with England. He astutely noted that “Europe, and not England, is the parent country of America.” England, therefore, had no claim over the lives of all those in the colonies. Just common sense.

People fleeing from religious persecutions had come from different parts of Europe to the shores of America in search of the freedom to practice their religion. Paine argued that “they [had] fled, not from the tender embraces of the mother, but from the cruelty of the monster…” and hence should be independent. At the birth of our nation, it was common sense that helped people think through the issues of the day. Common sense was alive and well. But, things have changed.

Not too long ago, if an unruly student came home and said that he or she had been punished by the teacher, the parents would do likewise. Now many parents rush to the classroom and berate the teacher for correcting their child. Failing to discipline and teach their children manners, they will not allow others to accomplish this needed task. No common sense.

In all our schools, young boys and girls once took gym separately and played on separate teams. Now the courts have ruled that equality means sameness and girls and boys must be able to play on the same teams. In the past, boys and girls used separate locker rooms, showers and bathrooms. After all a boy is a boy and a girl is a girl. But not anymore. These facilities, we are being told, must be gender neutral. But gender does exist! Closing our eyes to reality is not common sense.

A nurse in a public school cannot give a young girl an aspirin, if needed, without parental consent. And, the same nurse cannot inform the parents that the young girl is with child and wants to abort her baby. A kindergarten boy has a crush on a little girl in his class. Parents were wont to smile benignly on such attraction. No longer. Some parents accuse the little boy of harassment. Is this common sense?

Parents used to teach their children that you only buy what you can afford. Our consumer culture makes some think that they have a right to whatever they want. No common sense, no financial responsibility.

Doctors used to take the Hippocratic Oath, dating from the 5th century B.C. They pledged “to help the sick according to [their] ability and judgment.” They swore never to harm their patient and never to administer a poison, even if the patient requested it. The doctor is for healing, for health, for life. Common sense. But, not today.

A person wishes to end their life. In many places, the doctor supplies the means. Is this the role of a doctor who has sworn to do no harm? A doctor interferes with the healthy reproductive system of a man or woman, frustrates its natural capacity to procreate children and calls it “reproductive healthcare.” Is this common sense? And, what about ending the life of a child in the womb and calling it woman’s healthcare?

There are bakers and photographers that cater to people who wish to celebrate same-sex marriages. Is it not common sense to go to one of them? Why would such individuals deliberately choose a vendor who holds to the Christian view of marriage? If we wish to live in peace, does it make sense to force people to do what we want in violation of their religious convictions?

When a parent or a spouse wishes to provide food and hydration for a loved one seriously ill, what sense is there in forbidding them to do so? Does it make any sense for a judge to decide whether or not to provide these basic services? Does it make good sense to have the government control every aspect of our lives?

A woman buys a steaming cup of coffee and then she herself spills it on herself. The court makes the seller pay her damages. A thief breaks into a suburban home at night. Weapon in hand, he threatens the life of the owner. The owner defends himself and his family. The court sides with the thief. He must pay for damages to the thief. Is it common sense to reverse the roles of victim and assailant?

The American abolitionist and author Harriet Beecher Stowe defined common sense as “seeing things as they are, and doing things as they should be.” But we can no longer agree on what is true and right and just. The standards of morality have been so undermined by relativism that everyone thinks that they can and should do as they please. When we do not embrace common moral values, we forfeit our common sense.

In the arena of life, common sense used to be a strong contender. But today, “Me-too,” “I-am-a-victim” and “My-rights” seem to be winning. Only if common sense can win in the final round, will society have a brighter future.