Theodore Dalrymple: The False Apology Syndrome
http://www.incharacter.org/article.php?article=119
The habit of public apology for things for which one bears no personal responsibility changes the whole concept of a virtuous person, from one who exercises the discipline of virtue to one who expresses correct sentiment. The most virtuous person of all is he who expresses it loudest and to most people. This is a debasement of morality, not a refinement of it. The end result is likely to be self-satisfaction and ruthlessness accompanied by unctuous moralizing, rather than a determination to behave well.
The False Apology Syndrome flourishes wherever there has been a shift in the traditional locus of moral concern. At one time, a man probably felt most morally responsible for his own actions. He was adjudged (and judged himself) good or bad by how he conducted himself toward those in his immediate circle. From its center rippled circles of ever-decreasing moral concern, of which he was also increasingly ignorant. Now, however, it is the other way round. Under the influence of the media of mass communication and the spread of sociological ways of thinking, a man is most likely to judge himself and others by the opinions he and they hold on political, social, and economic questions that are far distant from his immediate circle. A man may be an irresponsible father, but that is more than compensated for by his deep concern about global warming, or foreign policy, or the food situation in Africa.
When Balancing Became Swapping
When the federal treasury is large the founding premise of our system of government is gone. The incentives reverse, like a turning tide, and it cannot last.
The original congress had limited powers and minimal money. So they came together to vote the interests of their states, all of whom wanted the central government to stay small. Any flicker of of an impulse to use the central government would be negated by competing votes. The center holds. Politicians get re-elected by protecting their state from the power of the central government, and from other states. But… Read more »
Isaac’s testimony
Out of the blue he turned to me and said:
“Daddy, yesterday in church I read the story of the Good Samaritan, and I felt Jesus enter my heart and my mind was filled with good thoughts. “
March 22, 2009
Inner Voice
Every son ends up alone
with an inner voice
which is the echo of his father’s
love of virtue.
Or nothing.
Ah, what did I ever own, but the stamp from what he loved?
Emotional Empiricism
There is a rhetorical trope in Christian circles that follows this structure:
It must be true because it is what I need.
That is gospel which feels like gospel to me.
The worst offenders are blogging clergy who write long posts decrying the subjectivity of the age, then fend off any threat of sanctification by invoking this pseudo-humility: ”I have no hope other than forgiveness, and any gospel that has anything else is not good news to me.”
God forbid grace should threaten to change you.
