Tischner: Freedom as the Burden of Responsibility
Józef Tischner defined the unfortunate gift of freedom as a situation in which people fear the hardship of independent decision-making. Freedom becomes a scapegoat for anxieties regarding consumerism or shifting social norms. Instead of "unwrapping" it, many prefer to hand over the weight of choice to institutions that promise undisturbed peace. This article analyzes how this fear erodes the foundations of a mature democracy and the authority of the Church.
The Fear of Freedom Builds Political Religions
The fear of freedom gives rise to political religion. In this framework, God is demoted to a symbol on a banner, and the Church seeks legitimacy through state coercion. Homo sovieticus—an attitude defined by an escape from responsibility and chronic distrust—permeates religious structures. This creates a tribal mentality that walls itself off from the world.
John Paul II: Democracy Without Values Is Totalitarianism
The papal warning against democracy without values is often used today as a political weapon. Instead, it should serve as an examination of conscience for those who have turned politics into a quasi-sacrament. Values in a democracy cannot be imposed by force. They only live when they are internally embraced, rather than decreed from the pulpit as commands.
Bad News: Returning Pastoral Care to Dialogue
When the Gospel becomes a mere catalog of prohibitions, it turns into bad news. Such a religion becomes nothing more than a survival psychotechnique, losing its salvific power. To change this, the Church must reclaim its dialogic DNA. Questioning is not betrayal; it is a prayer of the mind. De-ideologizing the pulpit and communal reflection on texts are the first steps toward regaining credibility.
Sanctum vs. Sacrum: Ethics vs. Ritual
One must distinguish sanctum (holiness stemming from love of neighbor) from sacrum (a numinous aura that, without goodness, becomes an aesthetic of horror). Casuistry—the meticulous adjudication of dilemmas—destroys an authentic ethics of solidarity. Instead of asking "To whom am I indebted?", casuistry seeks ways to maintain a sense of righteousness without incurring any costs.
Spiritual Traditions: Lessons for Society
Other traditions offer valuable tools: Islam reminds us that there is no compulsion in religion, while Judaism (Hillel’s questions) teaches responsibility for oneself and the community. Buddhism points out that hatred is never quenched by hatred, and Confucianism values harmony over uniformity. Raymond Aron’s skepticism emerges here as a virtue of reason, protecting against fanaticism and ideological blindness.
Deliberative Tools Heal Public Debate
A pedagogy of freedom requires exercising the "freedom muscle" in schools and parishes. Deliberative tools, such as citizens' assemblies with randomly selected participants, help develop a culture of compromise. Compromise is not a betrayal of ideals, but an agreement on coexistence. FOI financial transparency and institutional openness build essential civic trust.
The 180-Day Plan: Implementing Civic Reforms
The reform process involves concrete steps: from introducing lectio cum populo in parishes to "seminars of difference" in schools. The success indicators of a mature democracy are not statistics, but the quality of debate and the capacity for constructive disagreement. The state must protect freedom of conscience, and the Church should be a witness, not a prosecutor, remembering that the line between good and evil runs through every human heart.
Summary
Instead of erecting walls of dogma and definitions, can we open the door to an encounter with the Other? Instead of fearing freedom, will we dare to embrace it as an opportunity to build a community based on dialogue and mutual respect? Perhaps in this very paradox—in relinquishing power over souls—lies the true strength of the Church and the foundations of a mature democracy.
📄 Full analysis available in PDF