The Conservative Cave
Interests => Religious Discussions => Topic started by: SSG Snuggle Bunny on August 18, 2011, 08:07:33 PM
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I've always been a Chesterton fan and a blog I frequent had this quote. I've read it before but since someone else transcibed it for easy C&P I wanted to save it here.
In the matter of reforming things, as distinct from deforming them, there is one plain and simple principle; a principle which will probably be called a paradox. There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, "I don't see the use of this; let us clear it away." To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: "If you don't see the use of it, I certainly won't let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it."
This paradox rests on the most elementary common sense. The gate or fence did not grow there. It was not set up by somnambulists who built it in their sleep. It is highly improbable that it was put there by escaped lunatics who were for some reason loose in the street. Some person had some reason for thinking it would be a good thing for somebody. And until we know what the reason was, we really cannot judge whether the reason was reasonable. It is extremely probable that we have overlooked some whole aspect of the question, if something set up by human beings like ourselves seems to be entirely meaningless and mysterious. There are reformers who get over this difficulty by assuming that all their fathers were fools; but if that be so, we can only say that folly appears to be a hereditary disease. But the truth is that nobody has any business to destroy a social institution until he has really seen it as an historical institution. If he knows how it arose, and what purposes it was supposed to serve, he may really be able to say that they were bad purposes, that they have since become bad purposes, or that they are purposes which are no longer served. But if he simply stares at the thing as a senseless monstrosity that has somehow sprung up in his path, it is he and not the traditionalist who is suffering from an illusion.
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Who owns the land the fence/gate is on? and who the hell does the intelligent type of reformer think he/she is in stating "I may allow you to destroy it?"
Oh really, you may allow me to? you and whose army?
...... :-)
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Uh, uh, don't open the gate, you'll let the DUmmies out.
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1960's: I don't see any use for marriage, it's "just a paper." Free love, baby!!! :naughty:
2000's: Wow, look at all the single-parent families, the huge numbers of school drop-outs, rising rates of drug addiction & alcoholism, skyrocketing prison population. What kids are staying out of trouble? The ones raised in a traditional, Mom & Dad family? Ooops. :thatsright:
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1960's: I don't see any use for marriage, it's "just a paper." Free love, baby!!! :naughty:
2000's: Wow, look at all the single-parent families, the huge numbers of school drop-outs, rising rates of drug addiction & alcoholism, skyrocketing prison population. What kids are staying out of trouble? The ones raised in a traditional, Mom & Dad family? Ooops. :thatsright:
Mark another success for the filthy hippie generation... the constant, steady undermining of Western civilization.
I always get a mixed feeling of revulsion, disgust, and pity when I see some single girl schlepping around an oversized baby seat and a couple of unruly toddlers by herself. I'm sure someone will come along shortly to tell me I'm being judgmental and closed-minded.
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Mark another success for the filthy hippie generation... the constant, steady undermining of Western civilization.
I always get a mixed feeling of revulsion, disgust, and pity when I see some single girl schlepping around an oversized baby seat and a couple of unruly toddlers by herself. I'm sure someone will come along shortly to tell me I'm being judgmental and closed-minded.
I think those are the feelings we were designed to have in that situation. 50 years ago, a pregnant girl graduating high school would have been publically scorned for her mistake and yet the community would have helped her make it. Today, liberals cheer a pregnant girl graduating high school and none of the sons of bitches would give her a nickel (though they'll promise her plenty of your nickels).
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1960's: I don't see any use for marriage, it's "just a paper." Free love, baby!!! :naughty:
2000's: Wow, look at all the single-parent families, the huge numbers of school drop-outs, rising rates of drug addiction & alcoholism, skyrocketing prison population. What kids are staying out of trouble? The ones raised in a traditional, Mom & Dad family? Ooops. :thatsright:
Silly xtian
Marriage is only meant for gays.
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EXCUSE me, a fence across a road I wish to travel reminds me of the toll roads.
Then some one has to pay the fare to the ferry man to cross the River Styx
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I'm sure someone will come along shortly to tell me I'm being judgmental and closed-minded.
I'll do that, because the description also fits me like a "T". :wink: