Faith and works in the public arena

"Words are cheap. Actions matter. If we believe in the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, we need to prove that by our actions, including our political choices. Anything less leads to the corruption of our integrity. Patriotism, which is a virtue for people of all faiths, requires that we fight, ethically and nonviolently, for what we believe. Claiming that 'we don't want to impose our beliefs on society' is not merely politically convenient; it is morally incoherent and irresponsible.

"As James 2:17 reminds us, in a passage quoted in the final presidential debate, 'Faith without works is dead.' It is a valid point. People should act on what they claim to believe. Otherwise they are violating their own conscience, and lying to themselves and the rest of us."
Most Rev. Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M.Cap, Archbishop of Denver
Op-Ed in New York Times (excerpt)
October 22, 2004
(Hat tip to Amy Welborn)