The Dignity of Men

[eightydeuce82]

Thought this was good and wanted to share and see the comments

The Dignity of Men

God made men. Men are good. Men are very good.

Men, it’s good that you want to lead and protect. It’s good that you have a streak of assertiveness that some would label aggression. It’s good that you are bold and daring. It’s good that you want adventure and take risks, and that you’re even sometimes a bit reckless. And that boisterous energy and stubbornness that got you into trouble as a kid? It’s a good thing that can be harnessed for greatness.

To be a man does not make you stupid, or clumsy, or inept. Nor does it make you a clueless moron or bumbling fool, in constant need of rescuing by wise and skillful women.
Men, in God’s order you are the head of your home. You have a unique authority entrusted to you by Christ to guide and shepherd your family. That’s not something to be embarrassed about or to apologize for.

Men have done amazing things in history. We have built great cathedrals. We have explored vast and trackless wildernesses. We’ve sailed the high seas. We’ve explored Antarctica. We’ve rescued damsels in distress, fought glorious battles, evangelized nations, created great works of art, literature, and music. We’ve even worked hard day in and day out to love our wives and raise a family for the glory of God.
Jesus was a man, and he ordained men as his priests and successors. God is always referred to as Father. Masculinity—it is a beautiful thing.

Today, I celebrate the dignity and genius of men. If you’re a man, your masculinity is a gift from God. Embrace it.

Wait, what?

Why am I writing this? Am I just on some sort of masculine ego trip?

Because of this article breitbart.com/london/2014/12/04/the-sexodus-part-1-the-men-giving-up-on-women-and-checking-out-of-society/

While there are few things I disagree with in it, I do agree with the overall argument that men are under attack.

As Catholics, we’ve heard a lot about the dignity and worth of women, about their unique beauty and giftedness. This emphasis of the Church on women is wise and good. As radical feminism sweeps through the culture, transforming it in ways rarely seen in the history of civilization, women need an alternative affirmation. They need to be reminded of their inherent beauty and God given vocation, and that they don’t have to be like men to have value.

But in all this quite necessary talk about women, we’ve heard nothing about the goodness of men. I have yet to read an encyclical on men. I have yet to hear a bishop give a discourse or write a pastoral letter on the grave crisis facing modern men. I have yet to read a popular Catholic book on the theology and vocation of manhood (I hope to change that). Why is this?

Perhaps it’s because those who lead the Church have heard the accusation that Catholicism is patriarchal and misogynist so loud and long that they have believed it and become embarrassed by masculinity. Well, guess what, the hierarchy of the Church is patriarchal—but it is not misogynist. There is a great difference. Patriarchy is nothing to be ashamed of, nor should it be an insult.

While I certainly can’t speak to individual prelates, it’s almost as if the Church has kowtowed to the cultural disdain for men and has largely abandoned us. Priests and bishops, please—we need your help.

Cultural Misandry

The last 50 years have been disastrous for men culturally. Fueled by aggressive feminism, almost everything about masculinity—especially fatherhood—has been criticized and belittled by society. As one example, more and more people are recognizing that education is failing young boys, with their boyishness being labeled ADD and wiped out by dangerous drugs. I recently read someone say that if Teddy Roosevelt were alive today, he’d be doped up on Ritalin and his intense virility would have been destroyed, meaning none of his tremendous accomplishments would have come to pass. I believe this is true.
I could go on and on cataloging the attacks on masculinity, but others have already done that. The point is, men desperately need affirmation, especially from the Church. We need to be reminded that our masculinity is a good thing given to us by God, that fatherhood is a gift, that patriarchy is not an epithet, and that there is something noble and dignified about being a man.

The future of the Church and of society depend on men. More than ever, we need courageous men who will rise up to do battle for all that is good and true. We need men who will fight for the hearts of our women and children, rather than abandoning them to be devoured by the world, the flesh, and the devil. We especially need strong and loving fathers, for without them, there can be no strong families, and without strong families, there can be no healthy Church or healthy social order.

What does the world need right now? It needs you. It needs you to be strong and virile. It needs you to be a man. But above all, it needs you to be a saint.

catholicgentleman.net/

 

[eightydeuce82]

 

[friardchips]

Hi. I agree that there is a role for man and for woman. Where the line is can be hard to place because times change and people change. History does not stand still. We can look to the Bible for insight. But even then our knowledge of Revelation deepens with the Church as she grows in her understanding too. I would say that compromise and sharing of tasks crosses over majorly in both sexes. But where it does stop, and women remain as women, and men remain as men, in solid difference, is the maternal and paternal aspects when raising children. Children need a mother and a father. A mother to be mother and a father to be father. There are also some aspects of a man bringing a sense of security, and a woman, support, but this also crosses paths. Women like to feel safe if in a family and men like to feeI appreciated. This goes the other way too. I certainly think you are setting the bar very high for men. Not all men are solid-built, perfectly rigid, Alpha male army-types, though some might surprise themselves, and not all women are fussy Fido-pamperers. Some men are a bit more sensitive than ego-bloke and some women hate make-up and more active and tom-boyish. Both sexes can be gracious and diplomatic. Both can be merciful and empathising. Both sexes are needed for sainthood. We have to be careful about not casting people in the image of western ideals.

Radical feminism is thanks to male chauvinism that pushed legitimite feminism into extreme measures. IMO.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

Early in the women’s suffrage movement, wealthy families such as the Rockefellers invested heavily in the women’s movement.

For them is was not about equal rights or equal pay, but that was the bait they used for the first few decades.

A Rockefeller family member who had tried to get Aaron Russo to join the Council of Foreign Relations, explained to Russo that the biggest interests their family had in feminism and why it was worth their money to advance it, was 1) to get all of the population working and paying taxes instead of limiting it to half of them, and 2) to gain increased access to the children by the government run and licensed institutions and usurp the family for the benefit of the state.

Source: Aaron Russo Rockefeller & feminism

The shift from “equality feminism” to “gender feminism” that is described in the 1995 book Who Stole Feminism?: How Women Have Betrayed Women, by Christina Hoff Sommers. She explains how the entire movement morphed into basically male bashing.

In developmental psychology last year, I got to hear a lot of male-bashing and some outright stupidity. Like it’s wrong to tell women what situations are linked to high risk of rape, because that amounts to blaming the victims for becoming victims, in the case they do not follow the advice. It’s crazy; idealism and institutionalized hatred trumps truth.

 

[eightydeuce82]

Early in the women’s suffrage movement, wealthy families such as the Rockefellers invested heavily in the women’s movement.

For them is was not about equal rights or equal pay, but that was the bait they used for the first few decades.

A Rockefeller family member who had tried to get Aaron Russo to join the Council of Foreign Relations, explained to Russo that the biggest interests their family had in feminism and why it was worth their money to advance it, was 1) to get all of the population working and paying taxes instead of limiting it to half of them, and 2) to gain increased access to the children by the government run and licensed institutions and usurp the family for the benefit of the state.

Source: Aaron Russo Rockefeller & feminism

The shift from “equality feminism” to “gender feminism” that is described in the 1995 book Who Stole Feminism?: How Women Have Betrayed Women, by Christina Hoff Sommers. She explains how the entire movement morphed into basically male bashing.

In developmental psychology last year, I got to hear a lot of male-bashing and some outright stupidity. Like it’s wrong to tell women what situations are linked to high risk of rape, because that amounts to blaming the victims for becoming victims, in the case they do not follow the advice. It’s crazy; idealism and institutionalized hatred trumps truth.

Interesting!

 

[eightydeuce82]

Hi. I agree that there is a role for man and for woman. Where the line is can be hard to place because times change and people change. History does not stand still. We can look to the Bible for insight. But even then our knowledge of Revelation deepens with the Church as she grows in her understanding too. I would say that compromise and sharing of tasks crosses over majorly in both sexes. But where it does stop, and women remain as women, and men remain as men, in solid difference, is the maternal and paternal aspects when raising children. Children need a mother and a father. A mother to be mother and a father to be father. There are also some aspects of a man bringing a sense of security, and a woman, support, but this also crosses paths. Women like to feel safe if in a family and men like to feeI appreciated. This goes the other way too. I certainly think you are setting the bar very high for men. Not all men are solid-built, perfectly rigid, Alpha male army-types, though some might surprise themselves, and not all women are fussy Fido-pamperers. Some men are a bit more sensitive than ego-bloke and some women hate make-up and more active and tom-boyish. Both sexes can be gracious and diplomatic. Both can be merciful and empathising. Both sexes are needed for sainthood. We have to be careful about not casting people in the image of western ideals.

Radical feminism is thanks to male chauvinism that pushed legitimite feminism into extreme measures. IMO.

Did you just blame feminism on a man? Seriously?

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

Did you just blame feminism on a man? Seriously?

It worked for John D. Rockefeller; without his funding I wonder if they would have succeeded? Very wealthy men made sure that it did happen so maybe not in the way the other poster meant.

Man v. woman is a game that can go on forever because unlike Muslims, you can’t just kill everybody in the ‘out’ group.

 

[eightydeuce82]

It worked for John D. Rockefeller; without his funding I wonder if they would have succeeded? Very wealthy men made sure that it did happen so maybe not in the way the other poster meant.

Man v. woman is a game that can go on forever because unlike Muslims, you can’t just kill everybody in the ‘out’ group.

Bill Gates funds contraception and abortion on a massive scale…think if he didn’t do that it would still happen? exactly

 

[friardchips]

Bill Gates funds contraception and abortion on a massive scale…think if he didn’t do that it would still happen? exactly

I didn’t know that?

 

[friardchips]

Did you just blame feminism on a man? Seriously?

Women have been horrendously treated throughout history apart from in the Christian religion. Look around. So yes. I have no time for male bravado. I also have no interest in Rockafella. Just because someone gets involved in a subject and causes confusion doesn’t negate the initial premise for feminism to the realms of corruption. Heard of the suffragettes?

You speak about manliness. A man sticks up for women and the more vulnerable side. Things have not gone the other way because men still think they are superior. Any ultra feminism is unfortunately in contrast to extreme sexism towards women. Today there are both extremes. The only way for these consequences to level off is for men to admit their fault in the problem and give women room to feel appreciated, and to really appreciate them, whilst holding in great regard their natural gift of motherhood, instead of being thought of in terms of sex-objects, which leads to abortions, plastic surgery, single mothers etc…A liberal society. The media are the ones who often set a standard. The other side of it is for men to behave better (what you were saying in part), setting an example that women then feel comfortable enough around, enough to feel unthreatened. Women play up to the culture of despair and they always pay in the end; the men do not lose out.

 

[porthos11]

I will tell you that I know for a fact that men also suffer grievous abuse at the hands of women. They just don’t speak up because it’s neither politically correct nor “manly” to do so.

This isn’t just emotional or verbal abuse. Women attack men physically too.

Women are also not the only ones treated as sex objects. Men are too as well.

Contrary to what activists would say, abuse is not one-way. Being abusive is not unique to men. Women can be just as vicious.

 

[friardchips]

I will tell you that I know for a fact that men also suffer grievous abuse at the hands of women. They just don’t speak up because it’s neither politically correct nor “manly” to do so.

This isn’t just emotional or verbal abuse. Women attack men physically too.

Women are also not the only ones treated as sex objects. Men are too as well.

Contrary to what activists would say, abuse is not one-way. Being abusive is not unique to men. Women can be just as vicious.

Valid point but who said it is all one way. Men definitely suffer sometimes at the hands of women. However, one can say that much abuse begins with men, further down the line. Speaking generally, sexism against women far outweighs the individual case. Look around the world and research history to find where all this begins. You will not have to search for long. If you search objectively.

 

[eightydeuce82]

Valid point but who said it is all one way. Men definitely suffer sometimes at the hands of women. However, one can say that much abuse begins with men, further down the line. Speaking generally, sexism against women far outweighs the individual case. Look around the world and research history to find where all this begins. You will not have to search for long. If you search objectively.

The point of these articles on manliness are not to highlight the inequality aspects but to call all men to greatness! We live an a highly feminized society and men are suffering because of it. There is a need for topics such as these and im sure you’re starting to see many men’s groups across all the diocese in the US. This is a recognized issue with in the church and attempts are being made to right the ship so to speak.

As for bill gates yes he dumps millions into contraception and abortion particularly in Africa. Its almost mind boggling to realize how much he has aided the mass slaughter of the unborn.

Stick around im going to post another article on manhood and manliness!

 

[eightydeuce82]

Valid point but who said it is all one way. Men definitely suffer sometimes at the hands of women. However, one can say that much abuse begins with men, further down the line. Speaking generally, sexism against women far outweighs the individual case. Look around the world and research history to find where all this begins. You will not have to search for long. If you search objectively.

There is a famine abroad on the earth, a famine not of bread, for we have had too much of that and our luxury has made us forget God; a famine not of gold, for the glitter of so much of that has blinded us to the meaning of the twinkle of the stars; but a famine of a more serious kind, and one which threatens nearly every country in the world – the famine of really great men. In other words, the world today is suffering from a terrible nemesis of mediocrity. We are dying of ordinariness; we are perishing from our pettiness.

The world’s greatest need is great men, someone who will understand that there is no greater conquest than victory over oneself; someone who will realize that the real worth is achieved, not so much by activity, as by silence; someone who will seek the Kingdom of God and His justice, and put into actual practice the law that it is only by dying to the life of the body that we ever live to the life of the spirit; someone who will brave the taunts of a Good Friday to win the joy of Easter Sunday; who will, like a lightning-flash, burn away the bonds of feeble interests which tie down our energies to the world; who, with a fearless voice, like John the Baptist, will arouse our enfeebled nature out of the sleek dream of unheroic repose; who will gain victories, not by stepping down from the Cross and compromising with the world, but who will suffer in order to conquer the world.

In a word, what we need are saints, for saints are the truly great men. … I assume without further ado that the grace of God is the one thing necessary, and that God will give that grace to those who do His will.

– Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, The World’s Greatest Need (Address delivered January 31, 1932)

 

[friardchips]

The point of these articles on manliness are not to highlight the inequality aspects but to call all men to greatness! We live an a highly feminized society and men are suffering because of it. There is a need for topics such as these and im sure you’re starting to see many men’s groups across all the diocese in the US. This is a recognized issue with in the church and attempts are being made to right the ship so to speak.

Sounds good. But it depends what you mean by greatness: the greatness of the saints or the greatness of the world; Marian-esque chivalry or worldly chivalry?

As for bill gates yes he dumps millions into contraception and abortion particularly in Africa. Its almost mind boggling to realize how much he has aided the mass slaughter of the unborn.

I dislike this emoticon so will describe it instead as in this case it serves to illustrate a point: my regret, being the annoyed-looking red head; the using of microsoft products all this time while not knowing the information you just told me, being the wall.

Stick around im going to post another article on manhood and manliness!

Will do!

 

[TimothyH]

I’m sorry but recklessness and being stubborn are not virtues and not every man is a risk taker nor does every man seek adventure. We are supposed to seek holiness.

Man is not supposed to be “head of the houshold” but a partner in leading the household. A husband is supposed to give up his life for his wife in imitation of Christ who gave up his life for the Church. Ephesians 5:25 comes to mind as does the phrase “two become one flesh”. Doesn’t anyone read the Bible? The greatest person ever created by God was a woman.

The whole thing reads like that book “Wild at heart” which told men to go out and punch people in the face and drive motorcycles really fast.

Anyone who wants to read about real masculinity and femininity should read Theology of the Body by St. Pope John Paul II. ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2TBIND.HTM

-Tim-

 

[eightydeuce82]

I’m sorry but recklessness and being stubborn are not virtues and not every man is a risk taker nor does every man seek adventure. We are supposed to seek holiness.

Man is not supposed to be “head of the houshold” but a partner in leading the household. A husband is supposed to give up his life for his wife in imitation of Christ who gave up his life for the Church. Ephesians 5:25 comes to mind as does the phrase “two become one flesh”. Doesn’t anyone read the Bible?

The greatest person ever created by God was a woman.

The whole thing reads like that book “Wild at heart” which told men to go out and punch people in the face and drive motorcycles really fast.

-Tim-

I literally have no idea why you just posted this? What has been written here has nothing to do with anything you just said.

 

[TimothyH]

I literally have no idea why you just posted this? What has been written here has nothing to do with anything you just said.

The author of the blog praises stubborness and recklessness. He states that man is head of the household. I could go on.

None of the blog post you cut and pasted is biblical nor is it consistent with Church teaching. Real Church teaching on masculinity is in Theology of the Body by St. Pope John Paul II. ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2TBIND.HTM

-Tim-

 

[friardchips]

There is a famine abroad on the earth, a famine not of bread, for we have had too much of that and our luxury has made us forget God; a famine not of gold, for the glitter of so much of that has blinded us to the meaning of the twinkle of the stars; but a famine of a more serious kind, and one which threatens nearly every country in the world – the famine of really great men. In other words, the world today is suffering from a terrible nemesis of mediocrity. We are dying of ordinariness; we are perishing from our pettiness.

The world’s greatest need is great men, someone who will understand that there is no greater conquest than victory over oneself; someone who will realize that the real worth is achieved, not so much by activity, as by silence; someone who will seek the Kingdom of God and His justice, and put into actual practice the law that it is only by dying to the life of the body that we ever live to the life of the spirit; someone who will brave the taunts of a Good Friday to win the joy of Easter Sunday; who will, like a lightning-flash, burn away the bonds of feeble interests which tie down our energies to the world; who, with a fearless voice, like John the Baptist, will arouse our enfeebled nature out of the sleek dream of unheroic repose; who will gain victories, not by stepping down from the Cross and compromising with the world, but who will suffer in order to conquer the world.

In a word, what we need are saints, for saints are the truly great men. … I assume without further ado that the grace of God is the one thing necessary, and that God will give that grace to those who do His will.

– Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, The World’s Greatest Need (Address delivered January 31, 1932)

Our Lord already achieved this. And Our Lady followed. Men and women, sisters and brothers, need to walk hand in hand to achieve this, in Spirit. Men AND women saints, to set the example. Not disagreeing with you, I just think there is another half to add on to this fine quote! Maybe it is true that men don’t step up. I think the part about ‘silence’ is profound and especially relevant today.

 

[eightydeuce82]

The author of the blog praises stubborness and recklessness. He states that man is head of the household. I could go on.

None of the blog post you cut and pasted is biblical nor is it consistent with Church teaching. Real Church teaching on masculinity is in Theology of the Body by St. Pope John Paul II. ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2TBIND.HTM

-Tim-

Actually everything on this site has been approved and most of it is written by Priests and other very devout people. The entire site has been advertised by many other prominent Catholic web sources…Everything on here is completely faithful o catholic teaching and is in line with the magisterium…no matter how much you dislike it. Sorry it doesn’t fit into your personal interpretation of things.