On the other side of the same coin

by Kathleen van Schaijik

Here’s another thing that keeps amazing me: how readily even very intelligent Christians will identify a mild-toned opinion with a charitable or “balanced” one.  Never mind that the opinion does not settle any difficulty; never mind that it reveals an extremely superficial grasp of a deep and complex issue; never mind that it mischaracterizes or passes thoughtlessly over the carefully presented concerns and insights of others; never mind that it throws no new light on a problem.  It was expressed so congenially; it wasn’t “emotional;” it was vaguely affirming; it didn’t hurt anyone’s feelings; it was, therefore, an exemplary piece of Christian discourse.

We really need to get a better grip on the relation between charity and truth.

issue cover

Related articles:

Same issue

Reforming our thinking about courtship and sexuality, William Craig Is St. Thomas’s thought egoistical?, Patrick Lee Shakespeare and the Catholic question, Glen Cascino Distributism or the Free Economy?, Kevin Schmiesing Prize announcements, the editors The influence of Puritanism, Jeff Zare Thank you, thank you!, Catherine Egan Arrogant idealism, Jason Negri A personalist point regarding economics, Philip Harold Fr. Michael’s achievement, Kathleen van Schaijik Charity may be severe, Kathleen van Schaijik On the other side of the same coin, Kathleen van Schaijik The Weimar Republicans, Kathleen van Schaijik Drawing out an analogy, Kathleen van Schaijik Beware of economic Puritanism, Kathleen van Schaijik How to support the Concourse by buying books, Kathleen van Schaijik Shakespeare debate update, Kathleen van Schaijik What the education debate is and isn’t about, Kathleen van Schaijik Dear Class of 2000, Kathleen van Schaijik Thanksgiving, Kathleen van Schaijik

Same topic:

Same author

I,1 NFP, by itself, does not compromise the marriage vocation I,2 What is a ‘real’ Catholic education? I,3 Orthodox not paradox I,4 How does a university evangelize? I,4 NFP and connaturality I,5 Thomism and intellectual freedom I,7 Keeping our worship in step with ‘what the Spirit is saying’ to FUS II,1 Can charismatics and traditionalists peacefully coexist? II,1 The horror of polygamy and the persistence of chauvinistic theories in Catholic academia II,2 The challenge of the Concourse: discussion without (much) contention II,3 When old ideas are breaking up II,4 Why the polygamy problem is not as passe as it appears: Kathleen van Schaijik responds to critics II,9 Why ‘charismatic spirituality’ belongs at the heart of our communal life III,1 What is the University Concourse? III,1 How not to help households III,3 Silence betokens ... What? III,4 The freedom of stricture III,5 What were households meant to be? III,5 Different degrees of authority IV,1 Love Never Leaves IV,2 Faith and Reason IV,5 A different perspective on the modesty question IV,6 Strangers to the world V,1 New face, same spirit V,3 The ‘Stratford man’ and the Shakespearean canon: no match at all V,4 Bringing the masses from starvation to full strength V,6 Branching out through Christus Magister V,6 Kathleen van Schaijik replies to John Doman on Shakespeare V,7 A Catholic critique of a current notion of courtship VI,1 The evil of exorcising judgement VII,1 Jump Start VII,1 Abusing NFP VII,1 It’s not the Vatican, it’s the laity III,6 Last words (for now) III,6 A suggestion regarding Extraordinary Ministers III,6 Catholic teaching on capital punishment III,6 A final thought on the household issue III,6 What is our mission, really? III,6 What if Shakspere wasn’t Shakespeare? III,6 Clinton’s sorry legacy III,6 Evolution III,6 Intimidated? Please don’t be. III,6 A gift for the graduates of ‘98 III,6 A point of policy III,6 A point of principle III,6 A word of thanks IV,7 Happy & sad IV,7 Oxford gaining on Shakspere IV,7 Of private and collegiate morality IV,7 Newman, education and context IV,7 Witnesses to Faith in the face of death IV,7 Viva the class of ‘99! IV,7 A prize winning physicist out of his depth IV,7 A positive psychology IV,7 How to become a leader IV,7 Campus politics IV,7 Thanksgiving V,8 Fr. Michael’s achievement V,8 Charity may be severe V,8 On the other side of the same coin V,8 The Weimar Republicans V,8 Drawing out an analogy V,8 Beware of economic Puritanism V,8 How to support the Concourse by buying books V,8 Shakespeare debate update V,8 What the education debate is and isn’t about V,8 Dear Class of 2000 V,8 Thanksgiving