God bless new Star Tribune columnist Katherine Kersten. In her short stint at the "daily cat box liner," she has written columns criticizing bishops who talk economics, praised homeschooling, defended traditional marriage, and now completely outdone herself by writing about our good friend Dale Ahlquist and the American Chesterton Society.
For those of you that don't know, Chestertonian ground zero is the Twin Cities, home of both the ACS and the annual GK Chesterton Conference where yours truly will be giving a talk this year on the moral foundations of property rights. There is also a great book sale every year at the conference, which is just another reason you should attend.
If you've never heard of Chesterton, here is an explanation as to why:
"If Chesterton is so great, why is he almost forgotten today? Two reasons, says Ahlquist. "His thought is impossible to pigeonhole. We're so fragmented into highly specialized disciplines now that we don't know what to make of his incredible mind." More importantly, he adds, Chesterton said things that the modern age doesn't want to hear. "He argued eloquently against all the trends that eventually won out in the twentieth century: materialism, moral relativism, scientific determinism. And he criticized both capitalism and socialism."
Great stuff. Check out the ACS, and keep sane by reading Chesterton.
Comments (1)
The feminine side of the mjniemann username here, the masculine side being asleep on the couch after having attacked the tree in the backyard...
I strongly recommend this conference to everyone who reads this. It is a great opportunity to really enjoy the passion and knowledge of many thinkers, writers, artists, and interesting people. Not to mention that no one looked askance at me one year when I showed up with a baby in a sling. And everyone was drinking beer in the lobby between talks. This is prime Catholic culture at its most fun and satisfying.
Hoping to check out Mr. Adkins in fine loquacity then too.
Posted by mjniemann | June 11, 2005 2:10 PM
Posted on June 11, 2005 14:10