Thomas Aquinas says that after the Final Judgement those in Heaven, as part of their eternal reward, will get to look down upon the perpetual suffering of those in Hell. This has become a somewhat notorious teaching of St. Thomas, as many consider it little more than a theological rationalization for human pettiness. However, Aquinas's actual rationale isn't without its subtlety. It goes something like this. Assuming the entire cosmos is a manifestation of God's goodness, then the suffering of the souls in Hell must be good insofar as it is a manifestation God's absolute Justice. And so it's not as if the souls in Heaven will be delighting in the torment of their damned brethren per se; they will be delighting in the eternal working of God's will.
Why do I bring this up? Because as much as I'm ashamed to admit it, I'm actually looking forward to those journalistic profiles of Trump voters who have their Obamacare plans canceled, and who subsequently come down with a serious illness that bankrupts them. Yes, this is terrible, I know. But can anyone deny that it'll be an example of people getting their just deserts? Plus, if people don't experience the negative consequences of their votes, how will they know to make better choices in the future? Plus, many people who didn't vote for Trump will also suffer (on the order of millions, perhaps), and doesn't justice demand that the people responsible for their misfortunes suffer consequences of their own?
But who am I kidding? Aquinas's teaching really is just a rationalization for human pettiness. And I'm petty. It wasn't always this way. This entire political horror show has curdled my insides and turned them sour.
What better place than to list upcoming protests in DC than under the blog "It Starts:"
On the 14th the National Action Network is organizing a We Shall Not Be Moved March on Washington. On the 15th, the 88th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Interfaith Moral Action on Climate is organizing a spiritual assembly and walk to the White House beginning at 2 pm at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.
During that weekend a collective of long term DC organizers and activists working under the umbrella of the DC Welcoming Committee will initiate a week-long series of actions, trainings, and events to give Trump an appropriate welcome to their city.
On January 18 and 19, The Climate Justice Alliance is teaming up with Grassroots Global Justice and Right to the City for the #ItTakesRoots Pushback! Convergence. There will be Training for Trainers Labs and Strategy Conversations. More info can be found here.
On January 18th climate activists are organizing a Climate Convergence where activists will network to help plan the work ahead. Workshops will be held on organizing, strategy, mass action, intersectionality, allyship, and more.
On the morning of January 19th Beyond Extreme Energy is organizing a “Resist Trump’s FERC” action at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The monthly FERC Commissioners meeting is happening that morning, and for the 27th month in a row activists will go into it to speak out against FERC’s rubber-stamping of permits for fracked gas pipelines and other infrastructure.
On January 20th, Inauguration Day, there are various activities taking place, including decentralized but nonviolent direct actions, coordinated by Build and Resist nationally and the DC Welcoming Committee.
Then on January 21st there is a massive Women’s March beginning at Independence Avenue and 3rd St. SW and marching to an area near the White House. This looks to be the largest event of the week.
And this is just the beginning of our resistance campaign. It will be followed by 100 Days of Resistance leading up to a massive People’s Climate March on April 29th in DC. More information on those activities can be found here.
ITYM to link specifically to this article, not to the Daily Kos front page.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/12/29/1615387/-Sanders-will-lead-Democratic-drive-to-organize-rallies-in-every-state-against-Medicare-Medicaid-cuts
Thomas Aquinas says that after the Final Judgement those in Heaven, as part of their eternal reward, will get to look down upon the perpetual suffering of those in Hell. This has become a somewhat notorious teaching of St. Thomas, as many consider it little more than a theological rationalization for human pettiness. However, Aquinas's actual rationale isn't without its subtlety. It goes something like this. Assuming the entire cosmos is a manifestation of God's goodness, then the suffering of the souls in Hell must be good insofar as it is a manifestation God's absolute Justice. And so it's not as if the souls in Heaven will be delighting in the torment of their damned brethren per se; they will be delighting in the eternal working of God's will.
ReplyDeleteWhy do I bring this up? Because as much as I'm ashamed to admit it, I'm actually looking forward to those journalistic profiles of Trump voters who have their Obamacare plans canceled, and who subsequently come down with a serious illness that bankrupts them. Yes, this is terrible, I know. But can anyone deny that it'll be an example of people getting their just deserts? Plus, if people don't experience the negative consequences of their votes, how will they know to make better choices in the future? Plus, many people who didn't vote for Trump will also suffer (on the order of millions, perhaps), and doesn't justice demand that the people responsible for their misfortunes suffer consequences of their own?
But who am I kidding? Aquinas's teaching really is just a rationalization for human pettiness. And I'm petty. It wasn't always this way. This entire political horror show has curdled my insides and turned them sour.
What better place than to list upcoming protests in DC than under the blog "It Starts:"
ReplyDeleteOn the 14th the National Action Network is organizing a We Shall Not Be Moved March on Washington. On the 15th, the 88th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Interfaith Moral Action on Climate is organizing a spiritual assembly and walk to the White House beginning at 2 pm at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church.
During that weekend a collective of long term DC organizers and activists working under the umbrella of the DC Welcoming Committee will initiate a week-long series of actions, trainings, and events to give Trump an appropriate welcome to their city.
On January 18 and 19, The Climate Justice Alliance is teaming up with Grassroots Global Justice and Right to the City for the #ItTakesRoots Pushback! Convergence. There will be Training for Trainers Labs and Strategy Conversations. More info can be found here.
On January 18th climate activists are organizing a Climate Convergence where activists will network to help plan the work ahead. Workshops will be held on organizing, strategy, mass action, intersectionality, allyship, and more.
On the morning of January 19th Beyond Extreme Energy is organizing a “Resist Trump’s FERC” action at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The monthly FERC Commissioners meeting is happening that morning, and for the 27th month in a row activists will go into it to speak out against FERC’s rubber-stamping of permits for fracked gas pipelines and other infrastructure.
On January 20th, Inauguration Day, there are various activities taking place, including decentralized but nonviolent direct actions, coordinated by Build and Resist nationally and the DC Welcoming Committee.
Then on January 21st there is a massive Women’s March beginning at Independence Avenue and 3rd St. SW and marching to an area near the White House. This looks to be the largest event of the week.
And this is just the beginning of our resistance campaign. It will be followed by 100 Days of Resistance leading up to a massive People’s Climate March on April 29th in DC. More information on those activities can be found here.