Thursday, December 6, 2007

Spiritual Life/Public Life

A quote from Evelyn Underhill:
Here the further question of the relation of spiritual life to public life and politics comes in. It must mean, for all who take it seriously, judging public issues from the angle of eternity, never from that of national self-interest or expediency...Did we act thus, slowly but surely a body of opinion-a spiritual party, if you like-might be formed; and in the long run make its influence felt in the State. But such a programme demands much faith, hope, and charity; and courage too.
I wonder, if we were to apply the standards of "the least of these," and the Beatitudes, what kind of a public policy might we have?