Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: aims and ideals, catholic worker movement, dorothy day
I know, I know — it seems like I’m talking about Dorothy Day and the CW a lot, but this is a great article I think, showing that neither communism nor finance capitalism are the CW approach. Neither are they, by the CW opinion, the Catholic solution, for their negate the spiritual nature of man by being tremendously materialistic.
“Catholic Worker Celebrates 3rd Birthday; A Restatement of C. W. Aims and Ideals”
By Dorothy Day
The Catholic Worker, May 1936, 1, 6.
With this the fourth anniversary number of The Catholic Worker, it is proper again to state our stand and our opposition to the industrial system, to military preparedness, to interracial injustice.
We are writing as Catholics and as Americans. We do not believe that the two positions are incompatible.
We are accused by false conservatives who do not know what they want to conserve, of being Communists. And we are accused by Communists of being Fascists.
So we restate our position and the positions of both the communist and the fascist-minded opponents.
Private Property
Communists believe in State Socialism as a step to Communism.
We believe in widespread private property, the de-proletarianizing of our American people. We believe in the individual owning the means of production, the land and his tools. We are opposed to the “finance capitalism” so justly criticized and condemned by Karl Marx but we believe there can be a Christian capitalism as there can be a Christian Communism.
Class War
The Communist believes in the necessity of achieving State Socialism by class war. (“How are you going to convert the wicked capitalist, the speculator, the banker?” he says. And his answer is “by liquidating them”.)
We believe in using the following means: Indoctrination by using all the propaganda means at our disposal: by the individual practice of the works of mercy: by farming communes which will provide work for the unemployed and leadership for those who are anxious to undertake the job of building up a new social order.
Atheism
The Communist is Atheist. “Atheism is an integral part of Marxism” Lenin says.
We believe that we are all members or potential members of the mystical Body of Christ, and that we must show that faith by translating the spiritual into the material. All men are our brothers, Jew or Gentile, white or black, since God created us all and since His Son died to atone for the sins of all men. Since Christ is our Brother, all men are our brothers, the communist, fascist, the red baiter and the “capitalist.”
We oppose the “finance capitalism” of the American industrial system because it is as truly materialistic and hence atheistic as Marxism. And we believe that only Fascism which denies all human liberty can keep it alive.
We are opposed to “social planning” because it will lead to servitude, and because we believe with R. H. Tawney (whose books Peter Maurin has been recommending to our readers since the first issue) that “society is a spiritual organism and not an economic machine.”
Not Red-baiting
We believe that all the hundreds of thousands of workers marching throughout the industrial centers today are justly criticizing the present social order as debasing and degrading.
We believe that they are braver and more honest men and women than those large masses of indifferent and comfortable materialists who close their eyes to the misery and degradation of the American people, or those others, the rabid red-baiters who, in opposing the communist solution, uphold the present materialist system.
Messiahs
We do not believe that sharing the wealth, a reformed monetary system alone, old age pensions and epic plans are practical or fundamental. We do not believe that legislation is going to bring us out of the morass we are floundering in.
We do believe that the problem before us of working for a social order in which the way of life will enable man to save his soul, is a moral one that must engage the minds and energies of all Catholics.
Americans
All Americans indeed should wake to reality, and in recalling what Thomas Jefferson stood for in the minds of his countrymen, look around them and contemplate the state we are in today. This issue of the paper is carrying stories of conditions throughout the world.
Inasmuch as we do not concern ourselves with such conditions, we are responsible for them.
“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of them Ye have done it unto Me,” Christ said.
Filed under: prayer
In lieu of one of my hero’s article on her own insufficiency (Dorothy Day, Advent Is a Time of Waiting), I’ve been thinking of writing my own public confession. Nothing in it will implicate anyone else, for I won’t stand before God based on what my brother has done, but what I have done for my brother. But I’m going to give it a shot, in hope’s that my own inability to heed the Sermon on the Mount may be fully recognized.
And so I firstly confess spiritual pride — in thinking myself more orthodox, more catholic, more christian, more intelligent, more holy, more chaste, my humble. I’ve often spoken from these miry depths rather than the rungs of Jacob’s Ladder (see: the Rule of St. Benedict). I’ve lacked love in my speech, adoring the sound of my own voice and my own ability to express thoughts.
Secondly, I’ve loved myself infinitely more than even my closest companion — I am the center of my world, I love pleasing myself — physically, intellectually, and in every way. Following this hedonism, I am intemperate, drinking, eating, talking, thinking too much. I’ve treated my personal time as a right given by God instead of a gift which ought to be used to serve others. In my self love, I strain the gnat for others and swallow the camel myself. I have broken every commandment, most of all the first.
I haven’t helped the poor in any meaningful or systematic way — at best, my help has been sporadic and meager. I haven’t worked with the Missionaries of Charity, or visited Mr. Hewitt or Mr. Cecil in months. I have been lax in my funding Hector’s education in Guatemala. I haven’t tithed.
Finally, my prayer has been rare — it’s a miracle if I can get myself to pray for any length of time on a daily basis. I pray every day, essentially, but it’s often not personal or extended. And so, I haven’t really begun to love the God that walked with Adam in the Garden — the Personal, yet Holy, Lord.
This is my confession. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis; libera nos a malo.
From “All the Way to Heaven is Heaven” by Dorothy Day:
Not long ago at a mass meeting of the workers in a Finnish factory when the question was asked which they would prefer, Communism or Capitalism, they shouted, “Neither.”
One of these days, I’ll have to actually finish “The Outline of Sanity,” or preferably, read the shorter “The Restoration of Property” by Belloc. But, this is all of particular interest to me because in my fanatically communist “Modern Literary Criticism” course, we’re now reading the “Communist Manifesto.” So far, it seems to make valid accusations against the bourgeoise — but the solution is not no property but more owners. The solution is not to give every man the same slice of the pie, but to let each man bake a little pie of his own and share it with his kids.
Filed under: Uncategorized
From St. Augustine’s “On Grace and Free Will”:
Chapter 31 [XV.]— Free Will Has Its Function in the Heart’s Conversion; But Grace Too Has Its
Lest, however, it should be thought that men themselves in this matter do nothing by free will, it is said in the Psalm, Harden not your hearts; and in Ezekiel himself, Cast away from you all your transgressions, which you have impiously committed against me; and make you a new heart and a new spirit; and keep all my commandments. For why will you die, O house of Israel, says the Lord? for I have no pleasure in the death of him that dies, says the Lord God: and turn ye, and live. Ezekiel 18:31-32 We should remember that it is He who says, Turn ye and live, to whom it is said in prayer, Turn us again, O God. We should remember that He says, Cast away from you all your transgressions, when it is even He who justifies the ungodly. We should remember that He says, Make you a new heart and a new spirit, who also promises, I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit will I put within you. Ezekiel 36:26 How is it, then, that He who says, Make you, also says, I will give you? Why does He command, if He is to give? Why does He give if man is to make, except it be that He gives what He commands when He helps him to obey whom He commands? There is, however, always within us a free will,— but it is not always good; for it is either free from righteousness when it serves sin,— and then it is evil,— or else it is free from sin when it serves righteousness,— and then it is good. But the grace of God is always good; and by it it comes to pass that a man is of a good will, though he was before of an evil one. By it also it comes to pass that the very good will, which has now begun to be, is enlarged, and made so great that it is able to fulfil the divine commandments which it shall wish, when it shall once firmly and perfectly wish. This is the purport of what the Scripture says: If you will, you shall keep the commandments; Sirach 15:15 so that the man who wills but is not able knows that he does not yet fully will, and prays that he may have so great a will that it may suffice for keeping the commandments. And thus, indeed, he receives assistance to perform what he is commanded. Then is the will of use when we have ability; just as ability is also then of use when we have the will. For what does it profit us if we will what we are unable to do, or else do not will what we are able to do?
oh! And this from Chapter 38:
Let no one, then, deceive you, my brethren, for we should not love God unless He first loved us. John again gives us the plainest proof of this when he says, We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 Grace makes us lovers of the law; but the law itself, without grace, makes us nothing but breakers of the law.
Peace of Christ be will y’all.
Filed under: Uncategorized
As I said yesterday (or the day before), I just returned from Washington D.C. and the March for Life. However! Rather than explicate upon my trip now, I’d rather simply copy and expand parts of my journal on here later. For the moment, there’s something more important I’d like to fill you in on.
Sunday, as I was speaking to my roommate, Toby, he asked whether I wanted to get an MA in Theology. Puzzled, I told him that I’d never really thought about it. He began to tell me about the Theology program at Our Lady of Holy Cross University in New Orleans. I’m a horrible story-teller, so I won’t put you through the drudgery of me trying to make this interesting.
After much though, reading and re-reading the handbook, talking to Kelli and my friends, I decided to, well, be open to the idea of going to grad school for theology. I had never desired grad school, chiefly because I didn’t want to study more English. But Theology is something I’m positively fascinated with, and could see myself being quite infatuated with as an object of study.
Kelli and I decided that, after spending a couple years abroad, we might like to come back and both finish up school. She’ll finish her undergrad, and I’ll get my MA. After some really encouraging words from my friends, I’m very excited about the prospect. Imagine me, a theologian!
There may come more about this later, but for now — suffice it to say, I may very well go to graduate school. Praise God 
Filed under: Uncategorized
Alright, my stats alert me that I have been remiss — sorry! I’m back from Washington DC, and I have lots of news which is hopefully soon to come.
Don’t worry — I’ll be a-talkin’ soon!
Filed under: Uncategorized
I’ve made some rather strong statements about video games in the past. I’m not exactly prepared to rescind all of them, but I have to admit being rather intruiged by the game “Fable.” In the game, the character is outwardly and inwardly shaped by the good or evil actions he chooses. Whereas a character may become wicked by consistently choosing to torture and maim, a character may also excel in virtue and courage by protecting the innocent from all the baddies and refusing to commit mortal evils. The game is $19.99 at Best Buy, and Kelli has a gift card with $11 left on it.
So, my experiment is this. My hypothesis is that because of the realistic nature of the video gamer and his subsequent decisions in the game, the virtual realm of the video game can have a direct effect on his virtue. Thus, if a person plays in a way which is virtuous, they will reinforce virtuous tendencies in themselves. If they play in a way which is vicious, they will reinforce bad qualities. I’m not sure of the philosophical or theological implications of such a game. Of course, I am not guilty of harming any actual agent if I commit an evil on a video game — but, I am taking pleasure in vice, and that could have a direct affect on my person. This is what I’m out to discover. Wish me luck!
(My remaining concerns are abuse of eutrapalia and illusion/art, but we’ll see how this all works out)
Filed under: Uncategorized
Today I feel rather dry, spiritually. I’ve been fighting recently to remove my affections for sins, to begin every prayer with a conscious acknowledge of God’s presence, and to attend the Sacraments more frequently. But, my success has been limited, at best. When I spend more time in prayer, I find myself merely repeating this beautiful formal prayers while my heart might as well be a brick wall. When I briefly overcome affection for one sin, another lunges at me obliquely.
I’ve felt a distinct longing for God lately. A glowing spark which, although infrequently, will flare up in a moment of grace and move me closer to God. But, these moments are few and far between, and the enemy has also been on my tail, attacking me subtly and openly.
I’d like to start keeping a real, paper journal. There are things which I’d want to discuss which, I’m sorry to say, cannot be discussed here.
At any rate, if you read this — offer up a brief prayer for me; a “Lord, help’m out” would probably suffice, because God knows all the most eloquent words we can find in the English language. But like a good Dad, he’s attention’s really caught by the short prayers that pop — “help!” “have mercy!” “Thank you!”
God bless y’all.
Filed under: philosophy | Tags: Aquinas, Aristotle, Foucalt, Freud, Marx, Nietzsche, Plato
As I read the syllabus for ENGL 3084.4, I knew something was awry:
Marx, Nietzsche, Frued, Derrida, Foucalt, Ranciér…
My first thought was “hm. Which class is this?” It is my “Modern Literary Criticism” course. You’d never guess, eh?
My next thought was “Herm. I ought to be prepared for this.” And so, in lieu on the oncoming modern philosophical onslaught, I’ve been ammassing materials (mostly from Aquinas). I’ve bought Fr. Copleston’s first two volumes of his “History of Philosophy,” pertaining to Greek, Roman, and Medieval Philosophy. I bought Aristotle’s “Nicomachean Ethics” and Plato’s “Essential Dialogues.” I checked out “Summa Contra Gentiles Vol. 1,” “De Verita Vols. 1-2,” and “Summa Theologiae Vols. 1-2,” all by Aquinas. And I printed out St. Thomas’ “Student’s Prayer.”
Mhm. I feel I’m ready now.
Although I am resolute to use this class to my greatest advantage and to move me toward my final end, I am concerned that I will be unprepared to handle the godless philosophies that await. Of course, I probably sound a lot more worried than I am. I’ll just have to ask St. Thomas to offer a couple extra prayers for me this semester.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Gaza, Israel, Just War Doctrine, Palestine
This post was taken from a reply on a message board to the question of the Israeli-Palestine flare-up (hence the *edit* and the brevity):
Do I agree with Israel attacks? Yes and no. More no. While Israel *may* have been justified “ad jus bello” (to just war) because they were responding to an attack, they are not justified “in jus bello” (in just war). From my brief reading up, in 8 years Palestinian rockets have killed little more than a dozen Israeli civilians. Since Saturday, Israeli attacks have killed 310 Palestinians, including 22 children, and 1400 wounded civilians (including 235 children). The issue here is proportion. The aggression suffered by Israel pales in comparison to the harm they’ve inflicted. Ban-Ki-Moon, UN Secretary General, called the attacks “excessive,” and I agree. In fact, excessive may be too light a term — criminal and bloodthirsty might be more appropriate.
This is not even taking into account the tremendous humanitarian crisis occurring in the Gaza Strip which Israel has perpetuated. Israel is showing no preferential option for the poor, and they are creating severe injustice in the region by blockading necessary resources for Palestinians.
But let me be clear — I do not support Hamas either. I think both sides are wrong — it’s simply that one side is the more excessive of the two. But is Israel justified? I think not.
*edit*
My information was slightly out-of-date. Quoting democracynow.org,
Earlier today, the International Committee of the Red Cross said Gaza was now in a “full-blown” humanitarian crisis. Over the past eleven days, at least 573 Palestinians have been killed with more than 2,500 wounded. Four Israeli soldiers were also killed on Monday, bringing the Israeli death toll to eight. The Israeli military says the four soldiers died in two separate friendly fire incidents. Militants with Hamas continue to fire rockets into Israel. One struck an empty kindergarten in Ashdod.
(January 6, 2008) More than forty Palestinians were killed in Gaza yesterday, almost half of them children. Five civilians were killed early today when a shell fired by an Israeli ship hit their house. The United Nations said three Palestinians died last night when an Israeli bomb hit a UN school where hundreds of Gazans had sought refuge. UN officials say they provided their location coordinates to Israel’s army to ensure that their buildings in Gaza are not targeted.
Proportionality. Even though we might say Israel has a right to defend themselves, the fact of the matter is that they are producing a much, much, much greater evil than they are receiving. It’s like someone pinching my arm and me responding by shooting them in the face and blowing up their home. Not fair, right?
———
Perhaps I’ll elaborate on this topic later, but these are my current thoughts.
