http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Sun, 3 Jul 2005 06:36:04 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/ Phillip WinnSunday, August 26, 2007, marks the switch of all Blogcritics.org article feeds from full-content to short-content. This is the result of several converging factors, and is unfortunately a permanent decision (as permanent as any decision can be on the web, that is). We are aware of all of the reasons that this is a Bad Idea, and we are aware that some of you will be quite upset about having to click on something to read the free content, and we're sorry. Unfortunately, despite great effort, full-content feeds are not currently economically viable. Two other factors are involved: full-content feeds have resulted in an unprecedented level of content theft, with BC content appearing on many websites, usually spam sites, without attribution or permission. This duplicate content causes a cascading set of problems, not the least of which is that search engines generally aren't favorable to duplicate content, and don't always guess correctly. Finally, our RSS advertising partner is strongly in favor of short-content feeds. We hope that you'll continue to subscribe to BC via RSS, and when an article grabs your eye, it's only a click away, still free on the BC website. Thank you for your understanding. Administration0@blogcritics.org Sun, 26 Aug 2007 12:00:00 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/07/03/063604.php Rev BillNatural Law: The Foundation Of An Orderly Economic System by Alberto M. Piedra, is sixth in the Acton Institute's Studies in Ethics and Economics series, edited by Samuel Gregg. The preface to the series states that:Economics as a discipline cannot be detached from a historical background that was, it is increasingly recognized, religious in nature. Adam Ferguson and Adam Smith drew on the works of sixteenth and seventeenth century Spanish theologians, who strove to understand the process of exchange and trade in order to better address the moral dilemmas they saw arising from the spread of commerce in the New World. After a long period in which economics became detached from theology and ethics, many economists and theologians now see the benefit of studying economic realities in their full cultural, often religious, content. The new series, Studies in Ethics and Economics, provides an international forum for exploring the difficult theological and economic questions that arise in pursuit of this objective. Alberto Piedra presents a wonderful case in Natural Law for placing what he calls "natural law" or "divine law" as the focus for ordering society. He sees that human reason has replaced natural law as the focus for ordering society, and that this is detrimental to the human dignity and freedom of many members of society. Here's how Piedra describes the purpose of the book:The purpose of this book is to review some of these basic issues that are related to man as the principal agent of economic activity and to his role in society: issues which are crucial for the preservation of freedom and human dignity. [p. 5]First of all, one has to ask: What is natural&#8212or divine&#8212law? Piedra makes the point that divine law was the law by which the Creator wished the world to be governed&#8212or more simply the understanding given us by God of what is right and what is wrong&#8212or even what to do and what to avoid. Piedra traces the thought that God&#8212or the gods&#8212have ordered certain things that are right to do and other things that are to be avoided for the ordering of society, from the Old Testament Judeo-Christian tradition through the Greek philosophers and the early Christian writers&#8212highlighted by the works of St. Thomas Aquinas, who wrote that natural law was the eternal law in human nature. Natural law, then, is the idea that there were certain God-given rules by which to order society, and following these made for an orderly society that protected the dignity and freedom of all members of the society. This idea of a natural, God-given law by which to order society remained the way many agreed society should be ordered until the French enlightenment, headed by Descartes, began to replace natural law with human reason as the rule for ordering society. Piedra does an excellent, scholarly job tracing the rise of human reason and how different philosophers added their own thoughts to the idea of the preeminence of human reason. Piedra feels that the problem with human reason, instead of a natural, God-given law, being the rule by which to order society is that human reason is inherently selfish (do we dare say sinful?), and that the rights and human dignity of some are trampled by others asserting their own will&#8212which to them seems reasonable. Many of the philosophers during The Enlightenment period felt that, freed from a God-given law to order society, mankind could create a good and orderly society based upon their own reason. Piedra shows that this has not happened, and, in his view, will not. The only answer for an orderly society is a return to natural, of God-given, laws by which to order society by, and thus protect the rights and freedoms of all. As he looks into the future and increasing globalization, Piedra feels that this is the only way to care for all people and all nations. I found Natural Law to be an excellent, scholarly attempt to show the importance of ordering societies by natural, God-given rules that help protect the rights and dignity of all people. By researching the philosophies of natural law and human reason Piedra shows the outcomes of each, and, I believe, shows that a natural, God-given law will assist in ordering society so that the rights of all will be protected. As we struggle with economic issues such as poverty, homelessness, and a rising cost of living on the one hand, and many living in luxury on the other, a return to a natural, God-given law from which to order society that will protect the rights and humanity of all people might be the answer many are looking for. It certainly can't hurt! Books31961@blogcritics.org Sun, 3 Jul 2005 06:36:04 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2005/05/31/091622.php Rev BillIn Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.This poem - although it was written by a Canadian soldier and physician John McCrae and has become a symbol for the Canadian Holiday Remembrance Day, is a beautifully written and moving tribute to those who have given their lives for their country - and very fitting for Memorial Day. I memorised "In Flanders Fields" in the 5th grade - and it has stuck with me ever since. It was a favorite of my Dad's - a pilot in World War II - and, I am sure, of many veterans.On this Memorial Day - as members of the Armed Forces continue to lose their lives in Iraq - there may be questions of the best way to honor those who have died serving their country and those who continue to serve - but who at any moment may give their lives. This is an important issue for me - just as it is for so many others. I personally have known many who have served - from my Dad and so many of his friends and others I know who served in World War II - to members of my church and friends who served in the Korean War - to my brother in law (Rob's dad) and so many others I know who served in Viet Nam - to friends and sons and daughters of friends who have served or are now serving in Iraq.One way is to support the active troops themselves and their families - regardless of how we feel about war - particularly the war in Iraq - itself. As Jim Wallis of Sojourners wrote in a recent issue of SojoMail:Even those of us who advocate nonviolence must recognize the humanity of those who, for many reasons, made the hard choice to join the armed forces. As we protest a war and an occupation that has claimed as many as 100,000 Iraqi civilians' lives, we must have compassion for the suffering experienced on all sides.The human tragedy of war is great. Look at the figures Wallis quotes in his article:Well over 1 million soldiers have served in Afghanistan and Iraq since September 11, 2001, according to the Pentagon. A full third of those million have served more than once. In addition to the 1,600-plus soldiers who have been killed in Iraq, more than 12,000 troops have been wounded and needed to seek medical treatment. Soldiers who have suffered psychologically are more difficult to count - and often more difficult to treatIf you know families of active military, reserves, or National Guard currently serving in Iraq - let them know you are there for them and want to help them. If you know anyone who has served and is now home, let him or her know of your appreciation and take time to listen to him or her.Wallis' article continues to raise the problems of vets who return home after serving. You can read Wallis' article here.Being available to help and support active troops and their families is one way to honor those who have died. It is one way of celebrating Memorial Day. Remembering those who have died in prayer is another way - as is praying for those who continue to serve.On this Memorial Day I offer the following prayer from my tradition - the Presbyterian Church (USA). This prayer is part of our Book of Common Worship:Righteous God, you rule the nations. Guard brave men and women who risk themselves in battle for their country. Give them compassion for enemies who also fight for patriotic causes. Keep our sons and daughters from hate that hardens, or from scorekeeping with human lives. Though they must be at war, let them live for peace, as eager for agreement as for victory. Encourage them as they encourage one another, and never let hard duty separate them from loyalty to your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Until next time - Peace! Bill Culture30357@blogcritics.org Tue, 31 May 2005 09:16:22 EDT