The Timely Planet

Matthew “Matt” Murdock, otherwise known as Daredevil, is often given the title “the man without fear.” An apt title for a blind man who risks his life every day to protect Hell’s Kitchen while doing death-defying acts across New York City’s skyline. In his day job, Matt is a defense attorney that serves the downtrodden and poverty stricken people of New York. Other than his law practice, Matt’s Catholicism is at the very core of his character.

Matt’s name and design invokes the core of his character. He’s blind like lady justice. Like lady justice who wields a sword and scale, Matt acts as both vigilante and officer of the court. His name Matthew is taken from the Christian evangelist, one of four that wrote the synoptic gospels of Jesus’ life. Matt’s adherence to the law often conflicts with his religion, which in turn conflicts with his own moral code. The story of Matthew Murdock is one that asks whether our own ethics, divine law, and the legal system can co-exist. As a defense attorney, Matt may defend a client who, in the eyes of the law is innocent. But in the eyes of the Lord, maybe sinful. As Daredevil, Matt acts as the hammer of God in a sinful world, but Matt’s actions as Daredevil begs the question of whether he truly is acting under the law of God or under his own mortal moral compass.

Legal does not always mean moral. In our lives, we experience the same moral quandary as Matthew. Even without religion, we operate under the idea that there is some higher law. Something above the written law of the land. This higher law can be imposed by society or our moral framework. Regardless of its source, it often conflicts with the legal system. Afterall, statutes are limited in their scopes, and failure to meet the elements of a crime or tort can lead to an acquittal or lack of liability. If a man charged with sexual assault is found innocent because of a legal technicality, are they equally as innocent in the eyes of the Lord? The Public? If a man found guilty under the law for theft, but his intent is pure, then should he be equally prosecuted by God? By his peers?

For as long as mankind has had religion, systems of oppression have used religion as a tool to justify social division and bigotry. Politicians talk about how same sex relationships are religiously abhorrent while financially supporting private prisons where slavery is legal. Religious leaders talk about kindness to others, loving our neighbors as God loves us, but turns away those who do not adhere to their beliefs. Are either acts completely good? Are either acts completely bad? For many, this is a real dilemma. Many like Matt who adhere closely to their religion, yet strive to do good for others, often see the near hypocritical conflict between legality, morality, and divinely ordained.

In these situations, especially depending on your devotion, and other factors like lifestyle, beliefs, and career, it is difficult to find a balance. Despite his desires to do so, Matt refuses to kill Kingpin or Bullseye because the law and his religion forbids him to do so. But like many utilitarian approaches to Batman or Trolleys, an argument can be made that killing Kingpin or Bullseye can save so many and failing do so can damn others. But take heart in knowing that many of will never have to be in that situation. However, many of us are swayed by religious fervor or righteous fury. But regardless of what your God, your lawmakers, and even yourself believe, there are unequivocal goodness in this world. Ones that should be prioritized and seen as above this moral quandary. Chiefly among which, is human rights, freedoms, and liberties. No God, no law, no one person should ever have the power or control to justify deaths, starvation, torture, oppression, or subjugation of anyone; regardless of race, origin, creed, sexuality, color, or otherwise.

Like Matt Murdock who, both as counselor and as Daredevil, fight for the indigent and oppressed, so too must we work and fight for those who can’t fight for themselves. Regardless of what your Pastor, Priest, President, Parents, or otherwise say, there is no justification for injustices where children die in droves every minute. Where people feel unsafe in their own home because of their sexuality. Where ordinary people are robbed of access to justice and put to work in private prisons. Where an old man is sent to prison to rot for stealing food while the President robs the country blind.

Matt Murdock is blind, but he sees the world in rose colored glasses. That’s how we should approach the world. With hope that it can be better; it should be better. It is our job to make sure that rose colored tint is the reality we all share — where justice, dignity, and freedom are for all.