Principles, popularity and the Fightin' Irish

A minor squall has been kicked up in political and religious circles lately over the invitation that Notre Dame University has extended to President Barack Obama to address their commencement. The president will also receive an honorary degree. I don't know all that is behind their decision in inviting the president, but I would understand any university feeling pride that the president of the United States would address its graduates. You may ask, then, what's the controversy?

Well, there is that little matter regarding the Catholic Church's teaching on abortion. It's not a criticism; it's just a simple fact that the president is a very pro-choice politician. He has had a long record of supporting pro-abortion positions. He has also promised to sign the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). This is a federal law that will remove virtually all restrictions at all levels of government in this country. Conservative Catholics are outraged that Notre Dame would give him this platform at one of the nation's most prestigious Catholic universities. In my mind, this whole incident raises some issues.

First, how far are we willing to go in sticking to our principles? If Obama were to speak at the U.S. Naval Academy or the University of South Carolina, nobody would even question such a visit. However, those institutions are different than Notre Dame or Brigham Young or Liberty University -- all colleges affiliated with religious organizations with teachings directly opposite to that of the president's positions on abortion.

Obama is still extremely popular with much of the country, but if Notre Dame wants to remain true to its Catholic roots, they can't trade momentary popularity for their timeless values.

Many will scream academic freedom. Freedom not only means the right for different groups to speak up equally, but it should also protect groups who exclude individuals, organizations and ideas based on principles on which they stand. Notre Dame chose, on their own, to invite the president. It's a concern of mine that they are losing their Catholic identity by de facto endorsing the president's stance on the unborn by honoring him in such a way. All of this, though, makes me wonder why Notre Dame would invite him in the first place.

It is no secret that Obama is extremely popular in academic circles. What concerns me is that Notre Dame is not willing to be different by not honoring the president. They should hold to their religious identity even when it means they are at odds with a popular president.

As a Christian, I know that it's not always popular to hold to your religious beliefs in every situation. However, in an age where skepticism is growing, Christian academic institutions should not back down from their convictions. I hope the decision makers at Notre Dame have not bought into the lie that religiosity somehow should make one less credible and less sophisticated. For centuries, many of the West's greatest thinkers were Christians, and, in many cases, church leaders. You do not combat stereotypes by giving in to those who believe those stereotypes.

Many might say that Notre Dame is being courageous by extending the invitation -- you know, sticking to those nut job pro-lifers. Well, it's my humble opinion that, nowadays, a high profile institution like Notre Dame criticizing the president's radical pro-choice positions would take much more courage than sucking up to him in such a grand fashion.

Well, discussion of the president's policies and the criticisms of them is for another article on another day. Right now, though, I'm just saddened that a great institution is being sucked into the vortex known as Obama-mania --and important principles are being compromised in the process.

This writer can be contacted at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.