
You're not going to believe this

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14 years 10 months ago
I agree that the review wasn't that great. He seemed to imply that simply because many of the contributors were Catholic, that was enough to discount the concept. Still, I wonder if the fuzziness was entirely his fault. I have not read the text he's reviewing, but if Leon Kass really did write that ridiculous passage on the need for eating ice cream cones in private, it seems that the reviewer is not the only one who misunderstands what the Church means by dignity. In addition, the reality is that the concept is very hard to define, especially when one wants to use it as a criteria in decision making. Fr. Martin discusses it as primarily being about involuntary loss of dignity. Yet this isn't really true. Many would use the argument that people have inherent dignity to argue against doctor-assisted suicide, even when the patient voluntarily ''gives up'' that dignity if they request it (and I'm not defending the practice, simply citing it). Also--and I could be wrong on this--but I seem to recall that one of the arguments used by the Church against same-sex unions and sexual acts is that they violate the dignity of the person. I suspect there are many gay men and lesbians who would disagree vehemently. Anyway, just some random thoughts. Thanks so much for the post though, Fr. Martin, I was rather riled by the review as well!
14 years 10 months ago
Good job Fr. James, don't let the likes of the Pinkers of the world off the hook! But here is a simple FYI for your reference: my friends with disabilities, by the way they and only they can call themselves "crips", feel insulted when they are referred to as "handicapped." You are correct in that they are often challenged to maintain their "dignity" in a world that prefers to accept them. Thanks for your "voice."
14 years 10 months ago
Correction: My earlier post should have mentioned Jason Rosenhouse instead of Ed Brayton.
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