An Impossible Solution

Many times have I been faced with a situation in which I must choose the lesser of two wrongs. It does not occur in every occurrence, that the solution is obvious. For instance, when choosing whether to help my siblings with their homework or to do my own so that I don’t fall behind, is a common happening in my life. I choose to help the homework get done properly, for the most part. It is not such a difficult decision, but it isn’t evident either. I simply base my reaction after analyzing the two consequences on both sides in the case of each scenario. It usually turns out all right. It was not so in Henry Garnet’s dilemma. He probably used the same method as I do, which is to ponder the repercussions of both choices, and decided on the one which he thought was less bad. I’m not so sure if I would have done the same as he did… choosing religion over state (and in turn, caused him torture, death sentence, and traitor sentence, among other punishments). I think, that in this way, Garnet was a true Catholic. He way loyal to his duty above his own self. It is difficult to make a decision as this one, more so if one side pressures your conflict as England did to Garnet. The effect can be much more profound if the rejected side convinces you of their correctness, but this isn’t the case. Adams states that “the conflict between his duty as a Catholic priest and his duty as an English citizen they considered no conflict at all.” Pg. 113 Other’s opinions on your decision makes it much more difficult to bear it, however, this is impossible to avoid because on way or another, he would have been judged by one side. It was a lose-lose situation which lead to his gruesome and rather painful execution. I really hope I never encounter a situation as complicated as this one in my entire life. I expect it would be much easier to bear if one had a companion to share the conflict.