Narcissism

[GregoryPalamas]

I teach college theology. I thoroughly enjoy it and look forward to each day’s challenge. One thing troubles me and it seems to be getting a bit worse, at least where I teach. It centers in the narcissism that seems to be somewhat natural to most college students.

Here’s how it fleshed out this morning. In my Church History class I transitioned from the Patristics period, which I call the “Cauldron of Holiness” to the Middle Ages by asking the students through a number of questions “Is there anything more important than this temporal life? I.e., is there anything worth dieing for?” Dead silence. Nothing. Finally, a former soldier suggested “American ideals”. Another suggested family. Finally, after cajoling someone said “self”. I thanked her for that honesty because by that time I knew she was speaking for the majority of students. I asked them if “self” was all there was worth dieing for what happens if you die? No real answer was forthcoming.

Only a couple of people after some time said that perhaps “their beliefs”. Even that is a pretty poor answer given that this is a level 2 theology course with Theology 101 being a prerequisite.

The Church has failed miserably…at least we’ve miserably failed these students. I won’t give up on them but I need your prayers.

I believe one giant failure is the inability of the Church to convince people that the uese of artificial contraceptives and even abortion are sins which have serious consequences. Mark Steyn points out the severe demographic problems we have made for ourselves. I think I see the result in the selfishness I see in these college students many of whom are nominal Catholics.

Do you think the Church will ever convince our own members of the dangers of artificial contraception and even abortion? What are some of the things we might do to work with the Holy Spirit to guide our young people along the paths of righteousness?

CDL

 

[Clonereject1138]

I teach college theology. I thoroughly enjoy it and look forward to each day’s challenge. One thing troubles me and it seems to be getting a bit worse, at least where I teach. It centers in the narcissism that seems to be somewhat natural to most college students.

Here’s how it fleshed out this morning. In my Church History class I transitioned from the Patristics period, which I call the “Cauldron of Holiness” to the Middle Ages by asking the students through a number of questions “Is there anything more important than this temporal life? I.e., is there anything worth dieing for?” Dead silence. Nothing. Finally, a former soldier suggested “American ideals”. Another suggested family. Finally, after cajoling someone said “self”. I thanked her for that honesty because by that time I knew she was speaking for the majority of students. I asked them if “self” was all there was worth dieing for what happens if you die? No real answer was forthcoming.

Only a couple of people after some time said that perhaps “their beliefs”. Even that is a pretty poor answer given that this is a level 2 theology course with Theology 101 being a prerequisite.

The Church has failed miserably…at least we’ve miserably failed these students. I won’t give up on them but I need your prayers.

I believe one giant failure is the inability of the Church to convince people that the uese of artificial contraceptives and even abortion are sins which have serious consequences. Mark Steyn points out the severe demographic problems we have made for ourselves. I think I see the result in the selfishness I see in these college students many of whom are nominal Catholics.

Do you think the Church will ever convince our own members of the dangers of artificial contraception and even abortion? What are some of the things we might do to work with the Holy Spirit to guide our young people along the paths of righteousness?

CDL

Corporal punishment. My personal favourites are the “pear” and the “heretics color”.

Of course, we’re not likely ever gonna get away with that(again) so I suggest appealing to the kids intrests: themselves. It seems wrong to be, but in many ways, God was protecting us. It even turns out that “What would Jesus eat?” is one of the healthiest diets out their. They might like that, those self serving little…

Anyways, though I have shared your thoughts in that the Church has failed them, I also believe their parents failed them.

Press on, Christian! You go with our prayers and blessings(or God’s blessings)

 

[johnnycatholic]

I think this is one reason radical islam fluorishes; because it gives its young people something greater than themselves to die for. Our whole society is so cushy and soft and most people don’t even do Friday penance throughout the year, let alone three small mortifications a day like Fulton Sheen suggested.
I think it’s going to take something drastic to toughen this nation back up and i think it’s coming soon. I guess i don’t have much to say to give you confidence, but i will homeschool my own children and they will know that God’s truth is worth dying for and that a life shared with children is not a burden, but a blessing.

 

[GregoryPalamas]

God is blessing you, JohnnyCatholic, and through your testimony He is blessing me.

CDL

 

[Jennifer123]

God is blessing you, JohnnyCatholic, and through your testimony He is blessing me.

CDL

Indeed. I have hope in that I keep hearing how the “youth” really are rejecting the mores of their parents’ generation and turning more “orthodox” in their values. I hope it’s more than the usual youthful rebellion but it is still promising news.

 

[John_Rosengren]

Hmmm, I am not certain the youth in GP’s posting have rejected anything in their parent’s world, but have rather embraced it and even embellished upon it. By that, I mean moral decay, compression of intellectual curiosity, and total abandonment of Christian standards (or standards of any sort).

These students are brain dead and accurately reflect most of their generation. I was talking with a young person a couple of days ago and the topic came up about the capital of Italy. This YP did not know it was Rome/Roma. When I gently supplied the answer, the YP said, “I don’t keep up on that kind of stuff.” This was a college student in a fairly intensive field of study. Yet, this YP was able to discuss the “American Idol” series in detail, and had a host of other pop culture facts well within conversational range.

Dinner-time in my house could be brutal if one was not prepared. The Old Man would pose the Issue du Jour and demand commentary. Extemporaneous debate flowed like water from the River Nile. Please note we had dinner together. We talked. We argued, We formed alliances in our arguements. We acted like a family doing something together. This is activity rarely seen today in a family. Too much soccer, too much TV, too many computer games, etc.

I bring this up because I do not believe the Church has failed GP’s students, I believe the family has failed them. Their families have not instilled any basic values and have not reinforced the Church’s teachings. It is the American Family which is failing, my friends. It is the American Family which has subscribed to The Dumbing of America. These kids are merely performing at the level expected of them.

GP instead should have asked them to describe the moral dilemma faced by Brittany Spears’ immenent divorce, and the future of her children. Now that would have spurned some lively discussion in his classroom.

 

[GregoryPalamas]

John,

That’s about the level of most people’s interest. Many students complain that there isn’t enough discussion of topics. I usually pump them with several questions trying to get discussion from them. What they mean is I press them for intelligent discussion and not just “President Bush is evil because he is destroying the environment” or “my religion is my business” ****.

We’ve a huge task on our hands. I’m too stubborn to give up but I do long for retirement. I guess one could say that I’m conflicted.

CDL

 

[John_Rosengren]

GP, what do you expect in this terribly fragmented and shallow society? Quite frankly, this is what the Jihadists hate about us. I know, that is a discussion for another thread, but these themes seem to fold back into themselves for me.

Keep on pushing Brother. Don’t feel conflicted. Do what you can for as long as you can and have faith someone will follow behind to continue. In the meanwhile, someone has to raise the issues. Can’t think of anyone better than you.

 

[Jennifer123]

Hmmm, I am not certain the youth in GP’s posting have rejected anything in their parent’s world, but have rather embraced it and even embellished upon it. By that, I mean moral decay, compression of intellectual curiosity, and total abandonment of Christian standards (or standards of any sort).

Certainly we are as a society sliding towards the abyss but there is still hope here in the US.

amazon.com/New-Faithful-Embracing-Christian-Orthodoxy/dp/0829416455

nationalreview.com/campbell/campbell200508240823.asp

media.www.bcheights.com/media/storage/paper144/news/2006/04/10/Opinions/The-Youth.Revolution-1802555.shtml?sourcedomain=www.bcheights.com&MIIHost=media.collegepublisher.com

 

[Georgess]

The Book of Nehemiah , 8-15, talk about the joyous Festival of Booths - cutting tree branches and making tents and such ; later come the part of repentance and conversion.

Would not think it will be in error to connect the above with the devotion to the green scapular, with its promise of grace of conversion , even when it is in the vicinity and the prayer said for the intended - after all what is more joyful that return of the lost !

In the desert, their clothes or shoes did not wear away ; here we do not have to go cut tree branches …and get to be clothed in a more glorious clothing - all from the flood gates of His Mercy !

In our culture where it is very easy, esp. for the young , to have fallen into mortal sin , all such help , besides helping them , can help us too, to keep hope alive and our Lord does say - one holy person can make a diffrence !

Since most narcisissts could be unhappy about the world being not exactly to one’s taste and want 'someone ’ converted, it could even be the start of a good ministry !

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death .

 

[Georgess]

An added little thought - in the Gospels , there is the section when our Lord tell the taunting unbelieving ’ brothers’ that He is not going up for ’ this Festival’ the very Festival of Booths - if I am not mistaken ( with my scant knowledge of Scriptures )

As almost anything in The Word - with its vast depths and richness, this passage too can have many dimensions ; one of those , for it to have become more alive in our times could be , how the Green Scaplular is given through the hands of The Mother (who possibly had to go with those brothers for the Festival , for safety reasons !) - and she , for all her part , in silence , in the background , during the Passion, now is called by The Son , to reveal His glory through her , to magnify His Mercy - the Scapluar being considered her gift to the children !