The outrage stoking is a feature of the system, not a bug. It is all part of the same old song and dance control system. The level of absurdity is an indication of the desperation of the controlling elite. It’s stupid and annoying. Think of it as a hyper object Jim, and you may find yourself with a new path to explore.
Well said, Jim. Very thoughtful as usual. Your reference to the (unmentioned) sexual abuse scandal is spot on. He should have mentioned it as something that requires much healing via prayer and apology. A reminder that the Church is composed of fallen people, but it can do better.
This is the only commentary article on the speech I have read. I am so glad it was worth my time. Thank you for putting sanity into words about it. I subscribed.
This is a thoughtful and challenging article. I’m convicted of indifference to those who don’t have choices to not work. I also champion education as a means to improve justice and that is often not understood by my Christian friends.
Thank you, Professor Madden. I am a Benedictine Alumni ’79 and a Benedictine Oblate. I find your essay challenging and I thought of the colleges goal of “Transforming Culture in America.” I too felt all those emotions and it was really hard not to jump into the fracas. This is a debate that is long overdue in our social society but I pray we find a way to the truth for our youth.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately that the biggest problem with our world is very few people take a look in the mirror and work on themselves, rather than point the finger at others. And as that great poet philosopher Rocky Balboa said “cowards do that!”
Prof. Madden, you have given me much to think and reflect on, and I thank you for that, as well as the very insightful post. Coming from the perspective as a Catholic in Ireland, much of the attempts to address "clericalism" were in direct response to the extensive scandals here. That is to say, I think you are correct in that Bishops and Priests attempting to seem more personable is not (usually) an attempt to dilute trust and reverence that is so rare in Catholic circles between priests and laity, but merely a sign that the trust had long since died and decayed for the most part.
So, while offering some measured criticisms of Butler, you're not suggesting equivalency between him and his enemies, are you? He did not bring the abuse scandal. Nor did he mention priests and bishops who don't talk about hell, contraception, etc; the Vatican's cozy relationships with Communist regimes and Globalists, and a whole host of other scandals afflicting the Church (there are so many). He only had 25 minutes. Finally, bringing up the importance of being a wife and mother relative to pursuing a career for women is surely relevant to a college graduating class. Butker spoke to the audience he had in front of him. If they were working class Walmart clerks, maybe he would have said something different.
Tony, thanks for talking the time to read and thoughtfully comment on my essay. I really appreciate that! I'm not making a case for the moral equivalence between Butker and his "enemies." I'm trying to point out how seeing these issues in terms of enmity is trapping us in cognitive blindspots and cycles of outrage that are dominating us. You're right that Butker couldn't bring up every failing of the bishops in one address. Fair enough. Remember, however, that his point was explain why the rank and file Catholic doesn't seem to respect the bishops (or the priesthood) anymore. I think the scandals are the most plausible candidate, and its an odd omission -- not just by Butker, but by a lot of people. The dissonance between Butker's message and the realities of life for others ("Walmart clerks") who are so geographically close is one of the ironies that the myopia I am trying to call to attention allows us to ignore.
The outrage stoking is a feature of the system, not a bug. It is all part of the same old song and dance control system. The level of absurdity is an indication of the desperation of the controlling elite. It’s stupid and annoying. Think of it as a hyper object Jim, and you may find yourself with a new path to explore.
Right on Allison! I almost talked about mass neurosis at a hyperobject in the essay!
Well said, Jim. Very thoughtful as usual. Your reference to the (unmentioned) sexual abuse scandal is spot on. He should have mentioned it as something that requires much healing via prayer and apology. A reminder that the Church is composed of fallen people, but it can do better.
Thank you Michael. You know I value your opinion highly!
This is the only commentary article on the speech I have read. I am so glad it was worth my time. Thank you for putting sanity into words about it. I subscribed.
Thank you Brooklynn!
Awesome dissection of a complex mess of opinion and emotion. 👏
Thanks Kara. Thanks for taking the time read this essay. I really appreciate it!
This is a thoughtful and challenging article. I’m convicted of indifference to those who don’t have choices to not work. I also champion education as a means to improve justice and that is often not understood by my Christian friends.
Thank you, Professor Madden. I am a Benedictine Alumni ’79 and a Benedictine Oblate. I find your essay challenging and I thought of the colleges goal of “Transforming Culture in America.” I too felt all those emotions and it was really hard not to jump into the fracas. This is a debate that is long overdue in our social society but I pray we find a way to the truth for our youth.
☯️☮️
I’ve been thinking a lot lately that the biggest problem with our world is very few people take a look in the mirror and work on themselves, rather than point the finger at others. And as that great poet philosopher Rocky Balboa said “cowards do that!”
Prof. Madden, you have given me much to think and reflect on, and I thank you for that, as well as the very insightful post. Coming from the perspective as a Catholic in Ireland, much of the attempts to address "clericalism" were in direct response to the extensive scandals here. That is to say, I think you are correct in that Bishops and Priests attempting to seem more personable is not (usually) an attempt to dilute trust and reverence that is so rare in Catholic circles between priests and laity, but merely a sign that the trust had long since died and decayed for the most part.
Thanks Benny! It warms my heart to know someone in the Old Country red this piece. I think your diagnosis has a lot of traction!!!!
So, while offering some measured criticisms of Butler, you're not suggesting equivalency between him and his enemies, are you? He did not bring the abuse scandal. Nor did he mention priests and bishops who don't talk about hell, contraception, etc; the Vatican's cozy relationships with Communist regimes and Globalists, and a whole host of other scandals afflicting the Church (there are so many). He only had 25 minutes. Finally, bringing up the importance of being a wife and mother relative to pursuing a career for women is surely relevant to a college graduating class. Butker spoke to the audience he had in front of him. If they were working class Walmart clerks, maybe he would have said something different.
Tony, thanks for talking the time to read and thoughtfully comment on my essay. I really appreciate that! I'm not making a case for the moral equivalence between Butker and his "enemies." I'm trying to point out how seeing these issues in terms of enmity is trapping us in cognitive blindspots and cycles of outrage that are dominating us. You're right that Butker couldn't bring up every failing of the bishops in one address. Fair enough. Remember, however, that his point was explain why the rank and file Catholic doesn't seem to respect the bishops (or the priesthood) anymore. I think the scandals are the most plausible candidate, and its an odd omission -- not just by Butker, but by a lot of people. The dissonance between Butker's message and the realities of life for others ("Walmart clerks") who are so geographically close is one of the ironies that the myopia I am trying to call to attention allows us to ignore.