The Mask Bully: Relativism

The Mask Bully is here, ready to face off with a superhero ready to challenge relativism.

Some people felt that I should have kept my “opinion” on masks to myself. They said that since OP was asking for recommendations about places where her family could get away with not masking, I shouldn’t have encouraged her to wear a mask.

Now, if this was something inconsequential like a restaurant recommendation, I would agree that I should have kept my mouth shut. If she was asking for recommendations for the best pizza place in town, it would be silly of me to recommend a burger joint.

But masks are not inconsequential. Their use shouldn’t be a matter of opinion with the evidence we have in front of us. Masks are one (of several) ways that we can protect ourselves and others during the pandemic. Refusal to wear masks could make someone ill or even lead to their death.

If OP had asked for a recommendation for the best bar for getting black-out drunk, people wouldn’t recommend bars; they would encourage OP to seek help and provide counsel.

If OP asked for the best bikini to wear to Mass, people wouldn’t send Amazon links; they would (hopefully) gently encourage more modest attire. No one would be mad if someone sent a link to a cute modest dress instead.

But masks are not inconsequential. Their use shouldn't be a matter of opinion with the evidence we have in front of us. Click To Tweet

The issue wasn’t so much that it was off-topic; the issue is that it is a topic Christians are unfortunately divided on.

My intent was to remind people of our responsibility to love our neighbor by taking safe, easy, and effective precautions to reduce the spread.

Masks are a Moral Issue

Yes, I am arguing that the decision to wear or not wear a mask in a moral issue.

Though wearing a mask or not wearing a mask in itself is morally neutral, the intent behind it and the circumstances also influence whether or not is it a moral act.

Some (of many) considerations:

• It is a way to protect the health (and potentially lives) of those in our community, especially those who are most vulnerable.
• Public health officials advise it, and they have the proper authority to do so.
• Bishops and priests are advising that people wear masks at Mass and church functions. They have the proper authority to do so, and we should be obedient.
• Wearing a mask is not an extraordinary act.
• Claims that masks are harmful to the general public and demonic are unfounded so wearing a mask is not evil.
• Some people have legitimate medical exemptions from wearing masks.

Andrew J. Spencer wrote an excellent piece called “On our Moral Duty to Wear Masks.” I disagree with his comment “Our obligation is to ensure we are not spreading the disease, not to ensure others are not doing so,” because as Christians, we should encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ to do things that are good. However, it’s a very well-written, logical, and charitable explanation of why Christians should wear masks.

Relativism

One woman said

You do you, we’ll do us and we can respect each other.

Again, if this were an inconsequential matter, this would be a very reasonable response. However, since this is a moral issue, we can just “do us” while others “do them.”

This is a relativistic perspective. True, she’s not explicitly saying that each person can have their own truth about COVID precautions, but the idea that we should let things try when there is a clear moral act and clear immoral act is relativistic.

To be fair, I don’t think a conversation on relativism will get far when discussing this topic with someone else. I don’t know that moral relitavism would be the best starting point because there are probably more concrete issues that need to be addressed first (looking at reputable evidence, talking about responsibilities as Christians, etc.).

If you do want to look a little more into moral relativism, Dr. Edward Sri wrote an amazing book on the topic, Who am I to Judge? There is an interview with him on The Catholic World Report, too.

Free Will

In addition to some of the women lightly advocating for moral relativism, I was told that I was violating peoples’ free will by encouraging them to wear masks.

It’s true we have free will, and ultimately, we can’t force anyone to do anything.

However, Christians also have a responsibility to correct their brothers and sisters who are in error.

We have a responsibility to try to encourage each other to live more virtuous lives.

Respect

The one thing I agree with is “we can respect each other.” No matter our stances, we are all made in the image and likeness of God. We all deserve love and respect.

Though I may disagree with your ideas of how to address the pandemic, I recognize that you likely believe the things you do out of a desire to help people.

Because I respect you, I want you and your loved ones to be safe.

Because we are one body in Christ, I want to work with you.

Because I care about the truth, I’m going to call out errors even if it leads to uncomfortable conversations.

Because we need to follow truth as we seek Truth.