Related Articles
A Catholic Reflection for Confused Times
We live in an age where one of the most popular—and seemingly harmless—slogans is: “Live and let live.” It’s repeated on social media, in everyday conversations, on television shows, and even in religious settings. At first glance, it seems to express tolerance, respect for others’ freedom, and healthy pluralism. But if we scratch beneath the surface, might we be facing a subtle trap? Could this modern slogan be disguising a profound indifference to evil?
This article aims to shed light, from the perspective of Catholic Tradition, on the true meaning of tolerance, the Christian’s role in the face of moral and social evil, and how to discern between genuine respect and cowardly surrender to what harms the soul and distorts truth. We’ll explore the theological, historical, biblical, and pastoral foundations of this timely issue, and offer a practical guide for living faithfully in the 21st century.
I. Where does “Live and Let Live” come from?
This phrase has roots in modern philosophy and became widely popular in the 20th century as a slogan of cultural liberalism. Based on the premise that everyone is free to live however they choose, “live and let live” became the banner of movements promoting absolute personal autonomy, often detached from any objective reference to good and evil.
But while this logic might seem reasonable in matters of personal opinion, it becomes dangerous when applied to universal moral truths. Can a Christian really say “live and let live” in the face of abortion, euthanasia, pornography, gender ideology, or the destruction of the family? Isn’t that the same as turning a blind eye to suffering, sin, and lies?
II. True Tolerance in Catholic Tradition
The Church, from the Fathers of the Church to the latest Popes, has never promoted tolerance understood as indifference or moral relativism. On the contrary, authentic Christian tolerance is founded on charity and truth. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches:
“To love is to will the good of the other. But one cannot truly will the good of the other if one tolerates what harms his soul.”
Therefore, Christian tolerance is not indifference, but patience. It is the ability to bear with mercy those who err, without failing to point out the error and without abandoning the prophetic mission of proclaiming the truth.
As St. Paul writes:
“Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).
III. Jesus Christ: The Model of Charity that Corrects
Jesus was the most loving of men, but He was never indifferent to evil. He forgave the sinner, but condemned the sin. He didn’t stone the adulteress, but told her: “Go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). He called the Pharisees “whitewashed tombs” (Mt 23:27), drove out the money changers from the Temple (Jn 2:15), and warned insistently about the need for conversion.
Jesus did not accommodate Himself to evil in order not to offend anyone. His love led Him to the cross precisely because He confronted the sin of the world with courage. In His example, we see that true charity includes fraternal correction, the denunciation of sin, and the defense of truth.
IV. “Who am I to judge?”
This phrase from Pope Francis has often been misinterpreted and taken out of context. In reality, what the Pope meant is that we must not judge the subjective conscience of a person, but that does not mean we should stop discerning right from wrong. The Church has the duty to judge acts, ideas, and structures that contradict the Gospel. Fraternal correction is an act of mercy.
“If your brother sins, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother” (Matthew 18:15).
To correct with love is not to reject the other, but to show them the path to salvation. Indifference, on the other hand, abandons the other in their error.
V. Practical Applications: Living Charity Without Compromising Truth
Here is a theological and pastoral guide to discern between false tolerance and authentic Christian love:
1. Examine Your Own Heart
Before correcting others, examine whether you are doing so out of true love or out of pride or impatience. Ask God to purify your intentions. Correction without humility can be destructive.
2. Do Not Stay Silent in the Face of Structural or Social Evil
In the face of unjust laws, destructive ideologies, or immoral social practices, the Christian cannot hide behind a neutral “live and let live”. He or she is called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Mt 5:13–16). Complicit silence is also a sin.
3. Correct with Love, Not Violence
When evil appears in those close to us, it’s not about attacking them, but about accompanying them, praying for them, dialoguing, and, if possible, correcting them gently. Truth without charity is cruel; charity without truth is complicit.
4. Educate with Courage
Parents, catechists, educators, and priests have a delicate mission: to form people in the truth of the Gospel, without fear of what the world might think. Christians cannot be formed from lukewarmness or ambiguity.
5. Offer Witness
Sometimes, the most powerful way to correct is to live the faith with coherence and joy. A Christian who acts with love and firmness, who does not get carried away by the spirit of the world, inspires more than a thousand speeches.
6. Pray for Those Living in Error
Sometimes we won’t be able to correct directly. But we can always intercede, offer sacrifices, and do penance for those who are far from God. This is also a powerful way to love.
VI. The Danger of Spiritual Lukewarmness
“Live and let live” is often not tolerance, but spiritual cowardice. We prefer the appearance of peace over the conflict that truth can bring. But Jesus was very clear:
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm… I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15–16).
Lukewarmness is one of the greatest dangers for today’s Christian: yielding, staying silent, conforming, avoiding discomfort. But Christianity is not a comfortable faith. It is a path of the cross, of truth, and of redemption.
VII. Conclusion: To Love is to Tell the Truth
“Live and let live” may be a legitimate principle in debatable matters. But when it comes to good and evil, truth and error, salvation or the loss of the soul, we cannot sit idly by.
It’s not about judging, condemning, or imposing by force. It’s about loving truly, and that includes telling the truth even when it hurts, correcting the one who errs, and bearing witness to Christ through our lives, our words, and our actions.
Because to love is to not let others live in error.
Final Pastoral Recommendations
- Go to Confession regularly to live yourself in a state of grace, and to have the moral authority to correct with humility.
- Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment before speaking: not every moment is the right one, but there is always a prudent way to say the truth.
- Seek solid doctrinal formation, to avoid falling into relativism or fears disguised as tolerance.
- Find spiritual accompaniment, especially if you need to speak to someone close to you about a serious moral situation.
- Love the truth—not above people, but for their deepest good: their eternal salvation.
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32)
And the truth is not an idea. The truth has a face, and His name is Jesus Christ.
