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Show Dancing. A WYOMING READER writes for information and instruction regarding re-garding the universally popular and much-talked-of recreation, dancing, dan-cing, as follows: Editor Intermountain Catholic: Your lucid and interesting article on marriage mar-riage and the ceremonies connected with it emboldens me to ask if dancing is condemned by the church? In hearing hear-ing it discussed, I have heard on different differ-ent occasions some maintain that dan cing was prohibited because it was dangerous to morals, leads to sin, or was the source of grave scandal. The discussion on this subject arose from the action of the governor of Nebraska who could not allow an inaugural ball, which included dancing in the programme. pro-gramme. What is the attitude of the Catholic church on this matter? Cheyenne, Feb. 1, 1903. Replying to our esteemed correspondent, correspond-ent, we would preface by stating that Governor Mickey of Nebraska may be a good politician, but not a sure guide in faith and morals. He would be shocked at the action of David in dancing dan-cing before the ark, but Mickey belongs be-longs to a church that changes its code of morals as often as a lady changes her style of headgear. To answer the general question propounded, pro-pounded, we are not aware that the Catholic church condemns dancing when it is used as a means of enjoyment enjoy-ment among families and in innocent places. Even at the ball intended for Governor Mickey's inauguration there is no reason why the guests should not enjoy the light fantastic step. Those who maintained "that dancing was dangerous to morals and conducive to sin," may have . very tender consciences, con-sciences, or be themselves victims of human frailty, but their consciences should not be used as yard measures for others. Mere sensibility does not constitute a sin. If one does not will a thing, even though bad, there is no sin. Hence St. Paul said, "There is no malice except in the will." One cannot can-not sin against his will. There are sins enough without adding to the list man-made sins. What may be an occasion oc-casion of sin to one person is not an occasion of sin to another, and in all such occasions conscience is the best guide. The answer then, would be, that if persons find that dancing is suggestive sug-gestive of wicked or unholy thoughts which are not easily repressed, it is prohibited to them, whereas if others differently constituted enjoy it as a harmless amusement, and find in it no occasion of sin, they are permitted to dance. As to the grave scandal part of it, some persons can see scandal where there is no scandal. This is called pharisical scandal. It is bo termed because be-cause it resembles that of the Pharisees who were scandalized at the action of the Savior who healed on the Sabbath. To see a number of innocent persons, with happy, joyous faces, sharing in the pleasure and amusement of the Terpsichorean art, should not scandal- j ize any well-disposed looker-on, and they who pretend to be scandalized are like persons who stumble over straws, but would leap over mountains. This regards the question of dancing in its general bearings, but there are circumstances, times and places where ycung people . are always exposed to sin. In all such occasions they are forbidden, and no prudent parent will permit their child to be present at such places. The good Christian mother intuitively in-tuitively aha with 'keen instinct knows when and where to draw the line for the protection of her child. With this knowledge her love and affection will always prompt her to do the right thing. As in all amusements there should be moderation, as excessive indulgence in-dulgence of anything is not conducive to the development of virtue and good i morals, so in dancing there should be moderation and careful selection of the company that is invited, and the place chosen for the amusement. |