Our get together on the 19th was attended by fifteen (15) live bodies and two (2) members who contributed via written comments. I found the service at O’Leary’s to be very excellent and the management was solicitous; I also found the food to be a good value. One thing I forgot to remind attendees of was to sign up for the “Rewards” program that O’Leary’s sponsors. Every little bit helps in today’s world!!!
In absentia Patty contributed via a note that Tom read to the group, thanks go to her for taking the time to send us those words. We also congratulated Max on his achievement of being named as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, formed in the Holy Land circa 1099.
Next was the note that Anamaria sent via e-mail about GKC and George Bernard Shaw and GKC coming to GBS’s defense after an ad hominem attack was published without Chesterton being able to stop it. She reminded us all of the maxim of “hate the sin, but love the sinner.” She also advanced Martin Luther as one of GKC’s “archenemies.”
Tom led the group’s discussion into the topic of ”GKC & His Enemies” by expounding on George Orwell and his criticisms of Chesterton in an article by Orwell titled “Notes On Nationalism”. Richard then gave a very nicely prepared run down on GKC v. Calvin/Calvinism. I will not be able to do it justice at all but he had a handout of which I will just put down some things that particularly caught my attention for follow-up: does GKC caricature Protestants?; “The Idols of Scotland” from Chesterton’s book The Thing; “Scottish Sabbath”; Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints: “TULIP”.
The discussion also returned to Orwell and his connection to GKC in the book 1984. Was is based in some way to The Napoleon of Notting Hill? Did it have more in common with The Man Who Was Thursday?
And before the end of the meeting, I proposed that Fredrich Nietzsche should be added to the list. Based on my impression, I think it would be hard to read more than a chapter of any of GKC’s apologetical works or two or three of his short essays without coming across some reference to Nietzsche and his pernicious “philosophy”. Reading something of the man’s works would probably be a good thing for me to do, just to get a flavor of why he has been so influential.
To my recollection this recaps a flavor of last night’s meeting. There is also a movement afoot to check out a social event for the group on the 440th anniversary of the battle of Lepanto. This would be in addition to the meeting on the 17th; Tom is checking out getting together at St. Mary of Victories in the city, a chapel now but it was once a parish of the Archdiocese and the building is the second Catholic Church built in the City, after what is now known as The Old Cathedral. Other ideas are welcome, just comment here or send me an e-mail.
Many, many thanks to all who attended (one person came all the way from Washington!!; Missouri, that is. Others I’m sure passed up other family/friend opportunities in favor of discussing Chesterton, that also is appreciated. If you were not able to attend this month, we look forward to seeing you as soon as next month!!!
