Remember The Alamo

(Cool web site linked above)

Sorry for the light posting, we're traveling in Alamo country. I liked the website that is linked above, the opening with the swords reminded me of Chesterton, who always loved a good fight. The Alamo is remembered here in Texas, and the story is so romantic and chivalrous, that I think had Chesterton known about it (did he? I am not aware of his writing about it, but let me know if I'm wrong) he would have written about it, because he would have loved the story.

Bill of Rights Movement

Interesting idea.

School Choice Proves Effective

Gilbert had an editorial on school choice a couple of months ago, and I found this article very interesting, especially since I attended MPS schools growing up in Milwaukee.

I think this is a first....

A Chestertonian Easter Egg!

Progress

""Progress should mean that we are always changing the world to fit the vision, instead we are always changing the vision." - Orthodoxy, 1908


I agree with Chesterton, and yet I don't know what to say to people who insist that things should be "progressive" and that the only good thing is when we are making "progress."

Should I say, "Progress towards what?" or "What vision is it that we have to progress toward?"

In Texas

Texas is a big state, Chesterton was a big man.
That's how this post is relevant.
I'm traveling, doing an art fair with my artist husband, and so subject to intermittent posting for the next two weeks.

There are many posts on this page, though, see what's here, what's been said, and if more needs to be said, and keep the conversation going, OK?

Yesterday, it was 101F, now that's hot!

Happy Easter

He is risen! Alleluia!

Question for the Women

(Are there ANY women reading this blog?)

1. Why do you like Chesterton?

2. What is it that draws you to his writings?


Thank you for your thoughts.

Holy Thursday

And I've just discovered that the Conference Registration is UP! (I've just registered on line and its EASY.) You can print it out and mail it in, or you can sign up on-line, but may I suggest you do it soon, as this conference is growing, and will fill quickly. The line up of speakers looks so intriguing and exciting! Chesterton and Da Vinci Code! Chesterton and Lewis! Chesterton and CSI! Dickens and Darwin!

And here's the best part:
IT'S FREE. That's right, still free. This may be the last year, so plan to come this year.
Oh, and donations accepted, of course.
Or, spend your money at the ACS table buying all the books your suitcase can hold. Loome comes each year, too, with special books, Chesterton-signed First Editions, etc.

Plan to come! June 15-17, University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN

Chesterton and Earthquakes

Since this year is the 100th anniversary of the San Francisco earthquake, this led me to wonder about Chesterton and earthquakes. I found this interesting article.

Excerpt:
"And throughout his life, Chesterton always had two feet firmly planted on English soil, though all around an earthquake was shaking its foundations. This earthquake was modernism. And this modernism was dramatically changing the landscape of not only British, but all Western civilization. The intellectual world was overrun by agnostics, atheists, and skeptics of all sorts. Though the root goes back much further, we could safely argue that secularism first rose up in tidal wave proportions during the transition from the 19th to 20th century. Before this time, there had at least been a broad consensus of Christian morality and philosophy among Western nations. It was at this time the sun of Christendom set; the Modern Age had arisen."

But then the article falls apart. I give you permission not to read it.

Chestertonian Kindness

One of the personality traits I've admired in Chesterton (from what I've read) is his universal kindness. He was kind to Shaw as he was kind to the Nicholls girls; he was kind to Wells as he was kind to Belloc. Not that he agreed with them, but still he was kind to them.

It is very difficult to feel this kindness towards one's intellectual enemies. As an example, I have a personal blog. I stood up for something. An anonymous commenter disagrees with me and accuses me of doing something to which I am of the opinion he/she is wrong. My first inclination, as owner of the blog, is simply to wipe it away, delete the offending post.

(OK, so now you know I'm human. Forgive me, too, if I've offended anyone here: and I suspect I may have. I am a relatively new Chestertonian, and some of you have been around for more years than I've been alive. My inexperience sometimes shows. I humbly submit that I am not anywhere near perfect, learn something every day, and need forgiveness every day.)

But the Chestertonian thing to do with a disagreement is to try to be kind, and start a conversation where a conversation usually stops--at the disagreement. It is difficult not to let feelings (of which I tend to allow more reign than I should, I admit that) get the better of me.

But I am trying. I study Chesterton because I do hope to learn from him. And I hope that, given some years, I will become more kind. And if I learn that from Chesterton, our relationship will have been worth while.

Sometimes when I search the news for Chesterton, I find out some interesting things about the people in Chesterton, IN

Like this lady.

"While in Rome, Carson went shopping. The shops, she said, had nun dolls, but no pope dolls.

“Why no pope?” she asked."

Does the world need a pope doll? I wondered. But the thought came into my head about Chesterton's toy theater. Maybe a pope doll could play a role in a play, and it could really come in handy.

But I think the number of parents willing to shell out $225 for a child to play with are mighty few.

Rochester Area Chestertonians

The Rochesterton NY Chesterton Society presents:

Shakespeare as Catholic

Saturday April 22, 2006
St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY
9:00am-3:30pm

For more information: Rochesterton@hotmail.com

I heard a rumor that both Dale Ahlquist and Joseph Pearce will be there, plus a lucky e-friend who lives in the area. Maybe you can go, too, if you live that way.

I like that person's e-mail, a nice juxtaposition of "Rochester" and "Chesterton."

Obedience

"Obedience. The most thrilling word in the world; a very thunderclap of a word. Why do these fools fancy that the soul is only free when it disagrees with the common command? Even the mobs who rise to burn and destroy owe all their grandeur and terror, and a sort of authority, not to their anger but to their agreement. Why should mere disagreement make us feel free?"
The SurpriseCW 11:313

Obedience. A word you don't hear much nowadays, unless you are talking about dog training. Or trying to raise children. A lot of adults think they are "beyond" obedience, and, being progressive, are free to disagree with anything they like. The really hard thing is to obey. The really adventurous thing is to obey. The really wild and freeing thing to do is to obey.

But then we have to get philosophical and ask, "Obey what?" "Obey whom?"

Why did Chesterton Write Fiction?

Years ago, I gave up reading fiction. I wanted to concentrate on non-fiction, and I didn't have as much time, so it seemed like a good idea.

Then I discovered Chesterton, and at first, I got into the non-fiction, Orthodoxy and his other famous works. Then I discovered the Father Brown mysteries, which I broke my vow to read.

There are times, though, when I wonder why he took the time to write fiction. Is it because he just got a great idea in his head and couldn't do anything till he wrote it down? Was he hoping to teach people, or just entertain?

Item to Note in Gilbert

One of the more interesting items in the latest Gilbert is the drawing on the cover, an original Chesterton drawing for sale. If I had that kind of spare change (only about $3900--and it may be sold already, I'm not sure) I'd be the proud owner of a Chesterton relic...a...ahem!....piece of personal memorabilia. Did I mention the investment potential?

Chesterton and Topsy-Turveydom

What is it about our world that we need to look at upsidedown? Politics? Education? Families? Money? One of Chesterton's recurring themes is looking at things upsidedown, and seeing them rightly. I like the idea, but right now, my head is stuck looking at things straight on. Maybe I'm just tired, but I think we sometimes need help to see things differently, and that is one of the reasons I do like Chesterton.

Editorial Seriousness

The main editorial in the latest Gilbert Magazine makes some interesting comments on the high courts of our nation, what they represent, what they impose on the people, and what they refuse to defend: namely, the defenseless.

There is one line I particularly liked:

"We the People can interfere with life but we must not interfere with death."

This line sums up the argument that when states step in to try to change laws in favor of life, often the high court will strike those laws down. But when states allow more death and destruction, the high court gives a silent nod of approval.

After reading a ton of Father Neuhaus over the last two weeks, I would have to say, though, that there is one line in this editorial that I disagree with, and think the Writers of the Editorial should also get a large dose of Fr. Neuhaus reading into their systems to correct this wrong perception.

I mean this:
"The majority," states the editorial in Gilbert, "the majority once believed that principles were fixed and that we should act accordingly."

Now I believe that this statement is only true if the editors meant by "majority" what they were speaking of earlier: the high courts and the government. But if, by majority, they meant the people, the common man as Chesterton would say, then I believe they are wrong. The majority still DO believe that principles are fixed, you just never hear about it on TV. The common man still lives and acts on principles and ideals that have held up to the test of time. You cannot use the veil of the media to determine what the common man really thinks and the foundations upon which he lives. (More on this Monday, lest this post run way down into the basement of this blog page.)

Reminder: Sunday is a down day for the ACS blog due to trying to keep it the Lord's Day. Kiss your kids, go to church, play a game with the family, take a walk, and say an extra prayer for all those here at ACS trying to make the world a better place, with the help of God's grace. We're praying for all of YOU.