Church Punk Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Today at work, I had engaged a co-worker in discussion as we usually do about philosophic and theological things. His personal philosophy is a mix of eastern philosophy mixed with Judaism, and rejects the Church and its claims. Nothing was really out of the normal today accepted when he shifted the discussion to Tom Monighan building the town of Ave Maria, Fl. I explained to him that I have friends that currently attend the University and will be living there. He then snapped that I have a total bias to the town and because I am Catholic, he explained that it is a social disaster waiting to happen. I argued that this town is centered around the university, how is it different from any other university town, it just happens that this one is entirely Catholic. He then began with his philosophy, which was most disturbing. It went a little like this: There are several vices in the world that are sure to lead to self-distruction. These are as follows: 1) Philanthropy 2) Gambling 3) Substance abuse (including cigarette and coffee) 4) Sexual promiscituity 5) Racism I was so dumb founded by #1 on the list I didn’t know how to react. What would be a good way to handle this. As you can see it seems that he has a very obscure view of the world. I would really like to bring a good argument to the table here but Im having trouble thinking of one. Can anyone help? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paphnutius Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 [quote name='Church Punk' date='Feb 28 2006, 10:27 AM']I was so dumb founded by #1 on the list I didn’t know how to react. What would be a good way to handle this. As you can see it seems that he has a very obscure view of the world. I would really like to bring a good argument to the table here but Im having trouble thinking of one. Can anyone help? [right][snapback]899944[/snapback][/right] [/quote]It would help if he explained why he thinks this leads to self-destruction. The only thing that comes to mind is that one in a sense becomes "addicted" to giving away because of the good feeling that they get, that the person does not leave enough for himself to live on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Church Punk Posted February 28, 2006 Author Share Posted February 28, 2006 I thought this but his conviction is much deeper. He believes that by giving and being charitable, it will inversly affect the person who you are trying to help. A good analogy for this would be, give a man a fish he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish he will eat for a life time. He views all philantrophic work is likened to simply giving a man a fish. He is on a completly different level than I am on, as he has been studying this stuff for over 40 years. I have not even been alive for 25 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatcatholic Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 [quote]There are several vices in the world that are sure to lead to self-distruction. These are as follows: 1) Philanthropy 2) Gambling 3) Substance abuse (including cigarette and coffee) 4) Sexual promiscituity 5) Racism[/quote] i don't see what that has to do w/ Ave Maria and the surrounding town Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Church Punk Posted March 1, 2006 Author Share Posted March 1, 2006 [quote name='phatcatholic' date='Feb 28 2006, 04:14 PM']i don't see what that has to do w/ Ave Maria and the surrounding town [right][snapback]900111[/snapback][/right] [/quote] He views the Tom Monihagns works to construct this town are strickly for philathrophy and not charity. I asked him further to elaberate on his view that philathrophy is the #1 and worst vice a person can have and I think I understand where he is coming from now. Here is the email I received. [quote]From the dictionary. Philanthropy 1) The effort or inclination to increase the well-being of humankind, as by charitable aid or donations. 2) Love of humankind in general. 3) Something, such as an activity or institution, intended to promote human welfare. Simple philanthropic acts are not enough, we must take the additional step to which this type of give becomes charity, charity to one another, charity to humanity acts of charity become acts of love. Leaving simple acts of philanthropy becomes mediocrity thus being stuck in this sort of thinking/ way of doing things is a VICE![/quote] He makes a lot of sense now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted March 2, 2006 Share Posted March 2, 2006 Philanthropy means "love of man"...charity means "love"...lets think about this...inconsistent, I think not... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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