We can point to many modern issues or problems, such as the attack on families, culture, and the Church today. I would propose that one can argue that relativism is the greatest evil of modernity. But you do not have to take my word for it.
Pope Francis said, “Relativism has wounded humanity, deeply wounded,” and that “Relativism is the spiritual poverty of our age.” Pope Benedict XVI stated that “Relativism is the greatest problem of our time” and often called it the “Dictatorship of Relativism.”
Let’s ensure we are clear on what we mean by relativism before addressing it. Relativism philosophically is the belief that there are no universal or objective truths. In the practice of moral relativism, one subjectively determines one’s own truth; in practice, it becomes nothing more than individual moral preference.
The idea of relativism can lead to interesting discussions, but it doesn’t work. For instance, if I were to take the car keys away from a relativist, they would quickly assert the objective truth of ownership of their car. Despite obvious flaws in a relativist philosophy, relativism has found a home in modern ideas of ethics and morality. Moral relativism is, let’s face it, easier and more comfortable, and it avoids confrontation. After all, no one wants to be thought of as a bigot, intolerant, or a hypocrite, so instead, to the relativist, everyone is right. Each in their own way.
Relativism has become very common in the debate on abortion or sexual issues. You may have heard something similar to this statement: “I don’t agree with abortion, but as a man, who am I to say a woman shouldn’t have an abortion if it’s right for them?” This position may sound compassionate and tolerant; however, tolerance still implies disagreement, which relativism attempts to avoid. As Christians, we should be tolerant; however, Christian tolerance is not submitting to something that disagrees with objective morality but is instead objecting to it and continuing to love the person.
There are some problems with using a relativist philosophy. We tend to rely on feelings if we cannot use rational intellect to arrive at moral answers. However, feelings are subjective, and they can change and be unreliable. So, making decisions based on current feelings, especially life-changing ones, can be disastrous and, at the least, haphazard.
Moreover, relativism can lead to emptiness and despair. It tells us that life has no inherent meaning, a deeply depressing notion. In the United States, suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among Americans ages 15-24. In part, relativism probably contributes to this suicide rate because of the disruption in authentic human relationships that it causes. I propose that relativism plays a significant role in failing to form healthy human connections, causing people to struggle to build authentic relationships.
Relativism is also inherently boring. It dismisses the profound and meaningful discussions about life and purpose as irrelevant. Pope Benedict pointed out that true dialogue and debate become impossible when all ideas are deemed equally valid. Relativism makes moral laws seem arbitrary and oppressive. However, laws based on truth are not restrictions on freedom but enablers of true freedom.
True tolerance involves disagreement about significant matters while respecting and loving one another; this is the Christian approach. Figures like Mother Teresa exemplified this by serving and loving those she disagreed with fundamentally.
Christ calls us to be saints in the face of moral relativism. Being Catholic today is challenging, and there is no room for mediocrity. We must live the Truth with clarity and charity, embodying the stories of the saints who stood firm against moral relativism. The martyrs are our great examples of truth worth living and dying for. We must reject the false notion of moral relativism to embrace a life grounded in objective truth, which strengthens our relationships and aligns us with our true purpose and identity.
Chris Stewart — SFA Theologians Guild Member