When dealing with people coming from non-Christian faiths, we must keep in mind that they will believe doctrines which are either not the fullness of truth or, worse, teachings which are dangerously false. Due to their ignorance, we must not ascribe to their error an evil intent. Of course, some could purposefully teach what is wrong for their own profit, but those who believe what is said will, in the end, believe because they believe it is true and they... Read more
This is not a review post, rather, it is a post to draw your attention to an interesting literary project: Legacy of the Stone Harp, written by James G. Anderson and Mark Sebanc. I have not had the time and leisure to read the two volumes which have been sent to me. I have had too much to do and too many other things on my mind. I will review each volume individually as I read them. I do not... Read more
I confess to Almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault – in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and what I have failed to do. I ask Blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. -Matt Read more
It is one of the oddest things to try to make Pope Benedict a figure to combat environmentalists. Of course, as with all things, he seeks balance. He understands that environmental concerns have to be practiced by proper methods. However, to take a few statements of his out of context and to use them to suggest environmentalism is working against humanity is to do violence to the teachings of the Pope. To suggest that those who are concerned with climate... Read more
Following up from yesterday’s post, another Judt quote: “We do not typically associate the ‘Left’ with caution. In the political imaginary of Western culture, ‘left’ denotes radical, destructive, and innovatory. But in truth there is a close relationship between progressive institutions and a spirit of prudence. The democratic Left has often been motivated by a sense of loss: sometimes of idealized pasts, sometimes of moral interests ruthlessly overridden by private advantage. It is doctrinaire market liberals who for the past two... Read more
The self-defense sketch by Monty Python is so good, so funny, because of its apparent absurdity. (more…) Read more
Tony Judt has written a compelling little book, his final one. The title comes from Oliver Goldsmith: “Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey; where wealth accumulates, and men decay“. It is a beautiful and poignant title for a beautiful and poignant book. A short read, it is basically the length of a long essay and is written with a sense of passion and urgency. As well it should be, for it is Judt’s swan song. Judt died recently from Lou Gehrig’s disease. (more…) Read more
As announced on the National Catholic Reporter, Raimon Panikkar died on August 26: Professor Raimon Panikkar, one of the greatest scholars of the 20th century in the areas of comparative religion, theology, and inter-religious dialogue, died at his home in Tavertet, near Barcelona, Spain, Aug. 26. He was 91. (more…) Read more
I’ll start with politics this morning. There are three races I’m watching: California, Kentucky, and Nevada. Presently, Boxer is leading in polling in CA, Paul is leading in KY, and Reid is even with Angle in NV. The GOP needs to pull 2 of 3 to have a chance at retaking the Senate. If they pull 3 of 3, the GOP will most definitely retake the Senate. My intuition is the GOP wins 1 of 3. The House will follow... Read more
Getting back to basics: we live in a community, a holistic community. We are not mere individuals. We come together in society to undertake collective actions that further the common good. Most of the time, this coordination comes in the private or subsidiary domain, but in the many instances where the market is not synonymous with justice, the state also has a role to play. Either way, the aims are the same, and both are subject to the moral law.... Read more
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