Mr Blair says that he accepts the doctrine of the Catholic Church but that he is "not a doctrinal ideologue." An ideology is a set of ideas that constitute one's beliefs, moral and philosophical, and doctrines are statements of the beliefs to which one adheres. As any first year student of philosophy can readily grasp, it is simply fatuous to deny that we have certain beliefs and ideals that shape the way that we think and act concerning particular problems both theoretical and practical.
When a man denies that he has an ideology or that he is a dogmatist, it simply means that he rules out the validity of the doctrines and ideals of anyone except himself. Everybody else has beliefs which are dogmatic or ideological but he is the clean man whose beliefs are simply self evidently true and need no scrutiny
So for example, Mr Blair is in favour of same sex marriage but says "I understand why people take a different view." His own view is presumably self-evident. (It also flatly contradicts the teaching of the Catholic Church which, earlier in the interview, he has professed to accept.) Others (the dogmatic ideologues) with their different view, can be understood even though they are wrong. No need for argument, simply the statement of "my view" as a supposed non-dogmatist.
Mr Blair is kind about the doctrinal ideology of the Koran:
I see the Koran very much as an outsider. It stands in the great prophetic tradition of trying to return people to the basic principles of spirituality. Taken for its time, it was an extraordinarily progressive declaration of principle.Really? The Koran does not admit of western liberal "it's a nice book with lots of spiritual things in it" approach. Unless you believe it with absolute submission, you are lost:
Garments of fire have been prepared for the unbelievers. Scalding water shall be poured upon their heads, melting their skins and that which is in their bellies. They shall be lashed with rods of iron. (Surah 22.19-22)And what exactly are the "basic principles of spirituality"? I'd love to see a statement of those - but the drawing-up of such a list would presumably put one in the realm of doctrinal ideology.
6 comments:
I am constantly astonished, and deeply ashamed that Mr Blair who is morally repugnant ever was received into the Church. I speak of course as a sinner myself.
The old adage of the Leopard changing it's spots was never more true and the 'Me' philosophy never more clear! Thanks for your eloquent words with their clear and concise analysis of our politicians et al, reflecting the malady of the society in which we inhabit.
Fr Tim, I think you are being hard on the Qu'ran there,
My memory of the Quran is that this section is about the next life and
it sounds like quite a correct view of the fate that awaits unbelievers in hell.
Dante in poetry and Aquinas in theology are both vividly aware of the real and corporeal nature of the eternal punishment that awaits unbelievers.
It was such a thought that drove the saints to seek out the farhest corners of the world in order to bring Baptism and the life of grace to unbelievers in such great danger, it was such a thought that drove Blessed Jacinta to emaciate her poor little body and endure the greatest of sufferings that even one of those unbelievers might be saved.
O My Jesus Forgive Us Our Sins, Save Us From The Fires Of Hell Lead All Souls To Heaven, Especially Those In Most Need Of Thy Mercy!
I found this part worrying...
He became a Catholic because of his Catholic wife, Cherie, and their family: ''I didn’t really analyse a great deal. I just felt more at home there.’’
Didn't he go through a period of catechesis?!
Many thanks. I have been wondering all weekend as to how one squares accepting the teachings of the Church with NOT being a doctrinal ideologue. However the key passage seems to me to be:
Indeed, it is not really possible to find a public policy issue where he takes a specifically religious view against the prevailing secularism. It is, rather, a broader point: he thinks religion is a benign force in a modern liberal order, not a hostile one.
However I disagree with the universal doctor about his being received into the Church. It should have been done quietly without being given the platform that Cardinal Cormac gave him and perhaps with better catechesis and some firm advice for future spiritual reading.
Perhaps Tony Blair was catechized by Archbishop O'Connor. That would explain everything.
Post a Comment