Comments on: Why do we need a modern Sin Bin? Recycling sinners: Touching Base http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/03/15/why-do-we-need-a-modern-sin-bin-recycling-sinners-touching-base/ Politics, Commentary, Culture, Technology. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:01:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: David Keen http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/03/15/why-do-we-need-a-modern-sin-bin-recycling-sinners-touching-base/comment-page-1/#comment-7295 David Keen Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:54:15 +0000 http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/03/15/why-do-we-need-a-modern-sin-bin-recycling-sinners-touching-base/#comment-7295 Agree with Matt. The blogosphere/media created the 'new 7 deadly sins' headline, and then used the traditional grid we use on everything coming out of the Catholic church - that they must be trying to impose morality on the rest of us. The reasoning is there, and if you attended Fr Girottis week-long seminar on confession then it's probably crystal clear, but all that most of us know about is the list of 7. The challenge is to get past the headlines to a decent debate on human nature. At the moment our politicians are trying out all sorts of 'treatments' (e.g. multiculturalism) without really working out what the disease is. Agree with Matt. The blogosphere/media created the ‘new 7 deadly sins’ headline, and then used the traditional grid we use on everything coming out of the Catholic church - that they must be trying to impose morality on the rest of us. The reasoning is there, and if you attended Fr Girottis week-long seminar on confession then it’s probably crystal clear, but all that most of us know about is the list of 7.

The challenge is to get past the headlines to a decent debate on human nature. At the moment our politicians are trying out all sorts of ‘treatments’ (e.g. multiculturalism) without really working out what the disease is.

]]> By: admin http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/03/15/why-do-we-need-a-modern-sin-bin-recycling-sinners-touching-base/comment-page-1/#comment-7289 admin Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:28:47 +0000 http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/03/15/why-do-we-need-a-modern-sin-bin-recycling-sinners-touching-base/#comment-7289 The problem then is that they need to explain context, and the worldview behind it - which brings us back to the problems of communication, attention span etc that everyone has. The problem then is that they need to explain context, and the worldview behind it - which brings us back to the problems of communication, attention span etc that everyone has.

]]> By: Dave Cole http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/03/15/why-do-we-need-a-modern-sin-bin-recycling-sinners-touching-base/comment-page-1/#comment-7288 Dave Cole Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:02:37 +0000 http://www.mattwardman.com/blog/2008/03/15/why-do-we-need-a-modern-sin-bin-recycling-sinners-touching-base/#comment-7288 'Non-union moat diggers' has to be one of the best one-liners I've seen. The main thing here, I think, is the Vatican trying to assert itself as a valid source for moral guidance in the modern age by engaging with contemporary issues. Unfortunately, it is unable to see that morality by diktat has no persuasive ability; it's fine for people who are already convinced, but merely saying that seven essentially random things are bad without explaining the reasoning behind them will do little to 'bring people into the fold'. The reasoning behind it, however, has not changed at all. ‘Non-union moat diggers’ has to be one of the best one-liners I’ve seen.

The main thing here, I think, is the Vatican trying to assert itself as a valid source for moral guidance in the modern age by engaging with contemporary issues. Unfortunately, it is unable to see that morality by diktat has no persuasive ability; it’s fine for people who are already convinced, but merely saying that seven essentially random things are bad without explaining the reasoning behind them will do little to ‘bring people into the fold’. The reasoning behind it, however, has not changed at all.

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