Community? Bah, Humbug

A couple of insightful grafs from an essay on the Fashion of Community.

...That attempt to force oneself on another, and subsequent criticism of the other’s refusal to indulge the attempt, exemplifies Catholics who want to pummel the rest of us into “joining in community life.” Rudeness and cajoling, bossiness and bullying are par for the course. This isn’t the behavior of normal sociable people. Normal sociable people just happen to enjoy being around others and unthinkingly treat socializing as a hobby. Theorizing about “community” wouldn’t occur to them. They take or leave people and social situations as they come—based on their likes and dislikes. Hence, they have no ideal of “community” to cajole or boss or bully people into.

People committed to theories of “community” aren’t just sociable people. They require “communities” to fit their theories—which in turn requires other people conforming to their projects. The problem is that other people have different tastes and inclinations and ideas. How to solve the problem? Cajole, boss, and bully people into conformity—insisting it’s for their own good, that once they develop the “right attitude” (sharing the vision and preferences of the cajoler, boss, and bully) they’ll love it. Other people’s tastes, and even their good, are overlooked, ignored, and sacrificed to the golden calf of “community.”...

He says a mouthful.  That "song leader" in front, waving.....the "Faith Community of St. Dipsydoodle" flappayappa on bulletins......the asinine "We're all in this together"  Karen-talk during the pandemic....all are part of it.

It's silly, cloying, and fatuous.  But it sells.