The paragraph concludes:
1957 Application of the natural law varies greatly; it can demand reflection that takes account of various conditions of life according to places, times, and circumstances. Nevertheless, in the diversity of cultures, the natural law remains as a rule that binds men among themselves and imposes on them, beyond the inevitable differences, common principles.
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1957.htm
For demonstrated example…the world is watching events unfold in the Ukraine. And as the conflict there might “go nuclear” and involve more and more countries I expect all discussions as to “why...how...when” to be encouraged. And not just because I am a fan of free speech but also good science and balanced theory...”come let us reason”
Politics, resources, race, language, historical boundaries all aside there is yet one aspect in this conflict in Ukraine which has not been given much attention at Phora...or elsewhere to be fair...and that is Religion. A discussion here being stifled or censured?
Would religion motivate Putin to act as he does and why? This loss of life and destruction of property is amongst primarily Christians on both sides. Is there religious grievance behind the current action? And if so how did come to this?
I opened with the teaching that even in diverse cultures the natural law (given by God?) binds men with common principals and yet demands reflection that must take account for the variety of place time and conditions of life. That appears to be a fair assessment of history its tradition.
This reflection of course concludes that natural law is merely applied variously in its accounting to serve as its function to bind men beyond differences but to common principals. And yet throughout history, its traditions, there has been much conflict over “what is to be common”.
Is this being played out now in the Ukraine? And if there is indeed such variance why conflict?
“Uniates share many of the Byzantine rituals of Orthodoxy, but unlike the Russian church recognize the supremacy of the pope -- a difference that makes the two religions incompatible and points up the injustice of the Orthodox Church's effective takeover of its small western neighbor in 1946.”
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/1...n-Lvovs-Catholic-Cathedral-for/3556719294400/
The article does conclude with the understanding of the common principals of the Law despite its varied applications...”We all believe in Jesus Christ,' says Sister Matko. 'We should be praying for unity, not fighting like this” Ibid. And yet...
And yet NOT common enough.
But is merely switching allegiance to Rome as Ukraine’s spiritual leader enough to mobilize Putin his corrective reform? Or is there further consequence to this varied application of natural law?
Now to be fair this charismatic extreme has also infected Protestants (as by design) and varied their application of law even further with similar consequences.
So does Putin ignore this Uniate variance to focus merely on JWs?
And what of the Queen of Heaven herself? Was this charismatic extreme what she had in mind?
She however did prophecy that Ukraine would be a free, independent state:
Is Putin now acting in her good faith then?
The frontlines between Rome and Moscow have been long ancient and constant...but I doubt this is the common principal binding these men which was intended by the OP.
And yet even as Ukraine returns to Rome the variance of application still remains:
As Ukrainian Catholics still retain from the East the leavened bread and co-mingled with “His blood” served together with a spoon from a chalice and not an unleavened wafer maybe with wine. COVID has had impact here too to the varied application of His teaching.
However beyond the Latin’s crusade Putin must also contend with variations to application WITHIN Orthodoxy...as now it is Moscow vs Constantinople…and Ukraine is insisting to have “reflection that takes account of various conditions of life according to places, times, and circumstances” and is willing to die for that independent variance.
Please note I chose Al Jazeera in hopes of a more neutral source.
So not only is Ukraine submitting to Rome altogether but is also separating from Third Rome within the Orthodox faith.
Understandably Putin feels he is fighting defensively. And now add the other reasons for war Putin’s political and economic isolation…and even also adoration by those in the West who feel betrayed by a TOO VARIED application of natural law and long for a White Russian savior.
I hope as time allows this thread will continue with content added with the consequences of a great variation to the application of natural law. A variation by “the traditions of the elders” and “founding fathers of the faith” indeed a common principal binding all men...but in war?
