wfn.org | Public vs Private Morality - Can We Separate Them?

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

Ga99027 
20-June-1999 
 
        Public vs Private Morality - Can We Separate Them? 
 
 
FORT WORTH-The Rev. Dr .J. Philip Wogaman, pastor of Foundry United 
Methodist Church, Washington D.C. and pastor to President Clinton spoke to 
a capacity crowd at the Witherspoon Society luncheon at the Ramada Hotel. 
The word "politics" has become a suspect word, said Dr.  Wogaman.  Yet 
there is no way any of us can escape the political nature of our actions. 
Since politics involves the power of influence, anything that influences 
our will is, thus,  political. There is , he said "no hiding place in which 
to preserve one's moral purity."   
     Can a politician then, ever claim pure motive for anything which he or 
she does?  Can a politician separate his or her private life from public 
life, claiming as President Clinton did that "Even presidents have personal 
lives."   
     There are two differing viewpoints expressed by Russell Baker, retired 
columnist for the New York Times on the one side and William J. Bennett on 
the other. 
     Baker doubts that telling all  the vices of politicians must be told 
so that the public can make vitally important judgments about their 
"character."  "It has never been clear to me that the sexual adventures of 
Franklin Roosevelt, John Kennedy and Martin Luther King affected the 
creation of the New Deal, the conduct of World War II and the Cuban missile 
crisis, or the progress of the Civil Rights movement," Baker contends.   
     In contrast William J. Bennett is among those who argue that "the 
leader must be whole; he (sic) cannot have his public character honest and 
his private character deceitful."      
     Underlining the universality of sin and the near impossibility of 
being able to be morally pure,  Wogaman said that character counts 
immensely, but cannot be defined narrowly.  It is the virtue of love that 
is most important.  If what we do is done out of love, sometimes it may not 
be right, but ultimately it is moral.  People may do things which will turn 
out to be wrong, but they can only be judged by what motivated them to do 
it.  If that motivation is love, then it cannot be judged immoral.      
     Speaking to issue of the homosexuality which continues to be a 
difficult issue for most churches and society at this time, Wogaman said 
"their faith is undeniable and their Christian practice is as good as 
anybody else's.  You will validate your criticism (of them) only by the 
quality of your love."  
     In this way, it is a nearly impossible task for us to "hate the sin 
and love the sinner."  Wogaman's remarks gave those present a lot to ponder 
in their own personal lives and faith responses to topics which so often 
divide the Presbyterian Church.   
     The Witherspoon Society also presented their Congregation Award to 
Gethsemane Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth, Texas for their service and 
witness to the Hispanic population and their efforts toward peace, social 
justice and evangelism. 
     The Andrew Murray Award was given to Rev. Trina Zelle, pastor of 
Manhattan Presbyterian Church, El Paso, Texas and coordinator of Border 
Ministries, Sunland Park, N.M.  She thanked the Society for the award 
stating that the greater award was being invited to be a part of the lives 
of those with whom she ministered in the areas of refugee advocacy and 
community organizations. 
 
Joanne Hines 

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