Comments for Manners and Morals at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 18 out of 18 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Mon, 20 May 2013 03:30:38 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1699 Absolutely. This came to mind for me in light of the recent Brouhaha over Miss California's comments on gay marriage. As we have seen in recent days, she is under attack. And we should all be quick to admit that in some cases her behavior has been less than exemplary. Would that she were not the only one fighting this battle. Why is it that a wispy twenty-one year old girl is the only high-profile figure speaking out against gay marriage? - Anthony Zamarro Thu, 07 May 2009 18:53:00 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1695 I'm afraid listing 5 Catholic and non-Catholic books would take some considerable time and careful thought . . . I may have the latter; I don't have the former. But not wishing to disappoint: I'd want the Bible and the New Jerome Biblical Commentary, and then I'll swap out the other books for music; mostly Bach, Palestrina, Muddy Waters, and John Coltrane. And can my wife come? The rest is silence. - Brad Miner Wed, 06 May 2009 19:38:31 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1689 To Brad: Thanks. I'll just buy the 2nd ed. Looking forward to it. What are the top 5 books (excluding Bible and yours) you absolutely would take on deserted island? Make that top 5 Catholic ones and top 5 non-Catholic ones. I'm just interested in what you read and consider "non-negotiable" reads. Thanks. - de Med Wed, 06 May 2009 19:22:43 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1694 To follow on from Scruton's point: A government leader cannot feasibly turn HIS cheek to, say, a dreadful terrorist attack, just as a father cannot invite his child's tormentor to hit the father instead. Similarly, a leader who turns his peoples' cheeks to such an attack is like the father who invites the schoolyard tormentor to hit his child again, and offers his child's cheek to the bully. Both acts are in the service of evil, and I do not believe this is what Christ was recommending to us. - Murray Love Wed, 06 May 2009 19:22:28 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1692 The English philosopher Roger Scruton put it well, in his book 'The West and the Rest': "Christ even commanded us, when assaulted, to turn the other cheek. But ... he was setting before us a personal ideal, not a political project. If I am attacked and turn the other cheek, then I exemplify the Christian virtue of meekness. If I am entrusted with a child who is attacked, and I then turn the child's other cheek, I make myself party to the violence." - Murray Love Wed, 06 May 2009 17:43:36 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1691 Dear Brad: Thanks for including "ladies" in your comment - however, being a former women's libber (huge mistake) I have noticed over the years that when men take the lead in being "chivalrous" - women tend to follow suit respecting not only the men, but themselves as well. Maybe we are on to something here!! - Liz Wed, 06 May 2009 17:42:57 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1690 With respect, one more exchange. Verse 43 onward (...pray for your persecutors...) is more about forgiveness. Verses 38-39 clearly have a different emphasis: they discuss real and physical confrontation, and Jesus does not mince his words. He differs from Smith/Axelrod. He could have easily said, "Once justice has been done, let your anger dissolve away and forgive them." PS I have 2 sons...Honestly, I'm indifferent to Galahad/Ghandi. I want them to be Christ-like. Thx for the dialogue. - David Wed, 06 May 2009 17:42:24 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1687 To de Med: An exchange program for revised books? Not so far as I know. As to the insulting & uncharitable--present facts simply and charitably. To David: Argumentative is fine. Mt.5:39 is about forgiveness--always our first impulse, and perhaps second, third--of insults, and the like. I'm saying that in confrontation with--to simplify--crime, we don't turn the other cheek, and that a man ought to be ready not to. Adam Smith: "Kindess to criminals is cruelty to their victimns." - Brad Miner Wed, 06 May 2009 12:17:37 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1686 I just finished Wendell Berry's novel "Jayber Crow" which discusses some of these same questions. The most brilliant book I have read in years. - Kirk Kramer Wed, 06 May 2009 12:07:39 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1684 Jesus is not discussing collective defense in Matthew 5:39. He is instructing his followers about how to deal with an evil person in a one-on-one situation (ie, the personal behavior of a "Compleat Gentleman"). In the prior verse, He instructs us to reject an "eye for an eye" (another way of saying tit-for-tat). I'm not trying to be argumentative, but it is very difficult to reconcile these. If you generalization that"we are not called to be pacificists" is true, what then did Jesus mean? - David Wed, 06 May 2009 11:35:30 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1683 Brad, I bought the 1st ed. in 2004. Haven't read it. Pristine condition. Anyway to exhange it for the 2nd. edition? How do you handle rude, insulting & uncharitable Catholic bloggers who insist they are doing nothing un-Christian b/c it's done in furtherance of a good cause, such as Catholic moral teaching on torture or abortion? - de Med Wed, 06 May 2009 11:34:17 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1682 I've always wanted my sons to be Galahads, not Gandhis. To all who may wish to comment, please understand: I am NOT in favor of violence; I'm in favor of realism. That realism is always tempered by faith in Christ, which faith prohibits neither self-defense nor the defense of others. - Brad Miner Wed, 06 May 2009 10:14:07 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1681 turn the other cheek to the point of death if/when assaulted 4 Sake of Faith in Christ. Defend our Lady w/virtuous behavior. In matters carnal, swift delivery of enough punishment to prevent further harm, mercy and kindness afterwards is our unhappy state on this sinful planet. BTW, since neighbor boy has been warned that Joey packs a solid knock-out/bloody nose punch, no incidents have occured. Joseph is respected but not feared or taken advantage of on the playground. Is this in line w/U? - debby Wed, 06 May 2009 10:08:04 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1680 Our 10 yr old son was about to be punched by his good friend when dad happened to observe & prevent said blow. Dad sent neighbor boy home & proceeded to practice our boy in the art of a solid delivery of a well executed single punch from the shoulder. Being a mom & friendly neighbor I called & let the other parents know we will not stop fist-fighting bet friends but of course don't prefer that method. its just necessary for boys at certain times. However, we did school our son in turn the other - debby Wed, 06 May 2009 10:07:56 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1679 Arms, force, violence--these are last resorts, but Christ has not called us to pacifism. Here's the Catechism: “Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty . . . The defense of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility." - Brad Miner Wed, 06 May 2009 09:30:06 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1678 Mr. Miner, What do we make of Jesus' commandment in Matthew 5:39, ie, to turn the other cheek if someone strikes us? - David Wed, 06 May 2009 09:15:13 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1677 Dear Liz: Thanks for the kind words. I do hope readers will enjoy the book. My intent in writing it is to encourage men and women to consider what chivalry is and why it's important. Obviously, you already know. -Brad - Brad Miner Wed, 06 May 2009 07:32:02 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2009/manners-and-morals.html#comment-1676 Today I will be purchasing 3 copies - one for my 35 yr old son, one for my 36 yr old son-in-law and one for the son of a dear friend who will be graduating high school this month. The two older ones need this book badly - and I assume there are many more out there as well who could learn a thing or two from Mr. Miner. My husband, on the other hand, is the quintessenail "Compleat Gentleman" - nice to know there are others out there. Keep up the good work. - Liz Wed, 06 May 2009 07:27:06 +0100