The Pivot of Civilization

Book Excerpt: dusage; it discourages criticism and enquiry. It is very ancient andconservative, or, going beyond conservation, it is reactionary. Thevehement hostility of many Catholic priests and prelates towards newviews of human origins, and new views of moral questions, has led manycareless thinkers to identify this old traditional civilization withChristianity, but that identification ignores the stronglyrevolutionary and initiatory spirit that has always animatedChristianity, and...
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Book Excerpt: dusage; it discourages criticism and enquiry. It is very ancient andconservative, or, going beyond conservation, it is reactionary. Thevehement hostility of many Catholic priests and prelates towards newviews of human origins, and new views of moral questions, has led manycareless thinkers to identify this old traditional civilization withChristianity, but that identification ignores the stronglyrevolutionary and initiatory spirit that has always animatedChristianity, and is untrue even to the realities of orthodox Catholicteaching. The vituperation of individual Catholics must not beconfused with the deliberate doctrines of the Church which have, onthe whole, been conspicuously cautious and balanced and sane in thesematters. The ideas and practices of the Old Civilization are olderand more widespread than and not identifiable with either Christian orCatholic culture, and it will be a great misfortune if the issuesbetween the Old Civilization and the New are allowed to slip into thedeep rutRead More