The 60-Second Aquinas
Lesson
Natural Law, Freedom and Ice Cream
October 17, 1998
I will go on record saying that I love ice cream. It’s a true weakness of mine, and unfortunately, it shows! Many have beer bellies; I have an ice cream belly.
Now, I feel that I should be free to eat all of the ice cream I desire, and I am free to do so – to the extent that my wife lets me! Unfortunately, I cannot change that this ice cream binge will undoubtedly have an effect on my waistline.
You might say that there is a dietary law governing the consumption of ice cream. If you consume large amounts of ice cream, you will grow large around the middle. It’s sad, but it’s a law that I cannot change.
Similarly, the eternal and natural laws defined by Aquinas are unchanging, but we have the freedom to obey or disobey them. Those who claim a desire for freedom of conscience already have that freedom.
God gave all men free will. We are free to ignore his laws, just as I am free to ignore the dietary law regarding ice cream. His laws are unchanging, just as the dietary law is unchanging.
The catch is, we all have to be ready to face the consequences of ignoring the laws!
Explanation of The 60-Second Aquinas Lesson
