Thursday, April 16, 2020

First Things Gone Mad

At one time, I subscribed to First Things.  Was lightly admonished by a priest-friend that I should be wary of its editorial slant--at the time, Fr. Neuhaus' slant.

Most likely, Neuhaus would be revolted by the ninny-nanny writings of one Fr. T. White, excerpted here by E Michael Jones:

In an article which appeared on the First Things website, entitled “Epidemic Danger and Catholic Sacraments,” Rev. Thomas Joseph White denounced anyone who had doubts about the state’s quarantine measures as exhibiting “a misbegotten exaggerated libertarianism,” as well as “exaggerated individualism, magical thinking that ignores scientific evidence, and religiously rationalized narcissism.” White then claims that his position is “based on a basic given of natural law. The state has a fundamental obligation to protect human life, especially when it is gravely threatened” as long as it follows “both traditional, time-tested procedure and proven scientific advice.” Anyone who claims that public health measures may impede “civic flourishing” is “scientifically unrealistic and ethically irresponsible.” ...
(Jones and the above-mentioned priest friend met on my front lawn many moons ago.  It was a rollicking good time.)

Prof. Jones gently demolishes the "thinking" that went into the essay of Fr. White.  Suffice it to say that Jones is far more kind than I might be.  But let's remember, Fr. White is not burdened by such things as children who like to eat regularly and live under a roof, and all that.........

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