It's been awhile since I mentioned those "more Catholic than thou" traditionalists at "Tradition in Action." In fact, I fell of the first page of google's results for "Tradition in Action!" But, wouldn't you know, just as I was thinking "It's been a while since TIA did something outrageous," they give me this. The article is all about how the traditions we have inherited, for the most part proper manners, are the cornerstone of Christian Civilization. I sent this to my Mum (should I call her Monday?), and she responded with this:
So where does one begin to explain the mistakes in logic? Perhaps it is best to begin with the idea that just because a cat has kittens in the oven does not make them biscuits.
Most of the customs mentioned are basic manners. The sole purpose for manners is to make the other person comfortable and the exterior expression of them will change with the times as the author demonostrates...which makes me wonder what the point of the article is.
One tradition that the author notes that did not have to do with manners, was this:
The use of shoes is another custom and tradition. There are peoples who walk barefooted. Others, like the Egyptians or Romans used sandals; the Chinese or Hindus used some sort of slipper; yet others used different protection for their legs and feet like the Mongolians or Eskimos who used footgear that look like our boots. But none of them offered a full protection for the feet. It was in the countries of Christendom that a shoe was created which protects the entire foot; and its use was adopted and it became the norm. Also, the use of buttons, which became generalized in the Middle Ages, is a Catholic tradition. The ancient peoples did not use them.
All the evidence the author gives shows that traditions change, but their conclusion is that we should stop any social development, and revert to an arbitrary set of social rules from 500 years ago. Did anyone ever teach the author how to make a logical argument? The evidence must support the conclusion for the argument to be valid. TIA will never cease to amaze me with its disregard for any form of logically consistent arguments.
Yours in Christ,
Thursday
1 comment:
This article recapitulates a lot of the justification of colonialism and subjugation of "primitive" peoples. I agree that social customs are nessecary for the sake of efficiency (I know what to do when I meet someone, for instance, I shake their hand) however it is this wonton cultural superiority of Christendom that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.
For instance – “In Germany, until some time ago, when an inferior was introduced to a superior, he would click his heels and make a slight bow of his head.” A fine custom in itself except for the denial of our Catholic understanding of the equal creation in equal dignity of every human being. This is a social custom that I can live without, thank you very much.
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