Across all categories, I consistently practice and "preach" that fame should be earned -- it should be a meritocracy, not an accident of fate, or given for no good reason.
I don't give my attention to men who play sportsball for a living. There are lots of men who enjoy sports. Just because some men are doing it for a living doesn't change the fact that many men play those sports for free. Sports "heroes" are not heroes. They are not special. They are average joes who, thanks to the modern world, can quit their day jobs and focus on sportsball exclusively. And yes, when you don't have to work for a living, you can get VERY GOOD at throwing around that sportsball! They can be a boy and play for a living! And not just for an average salary either -- for hundreds of thousands a year! They make CEO salaries.
Likewise, I have no admiration or respect for talking heads of ANY stripe who have nothing objectively valuable to offer the world for that sweet, sweet attention. That goes for 12 year old preteens blathering on about fashion or boys, as well as conservative Catholics who merely want to be Catholic as opposed to protestant, placing themselves a couple notches below PRIESTS and BISHOPS as they invite the world to pay attention to them and their thoughts. I'm not talking about those with an above-average education in lost knowledge of Catholic Tradition -- I'm talking about those who are just somewhat conservative.
There is definitely a place for philosophers, and those who have read hundreds of books on Church History, Thomistic philosophy, pre-Vatican II anything including liturgy, habits, etc. -- not many people still have that information. It's a rare thing now.
You find such a wealth of insight, history, and knowledge in many Traditional priests and bishops. THEY deserve fame and attention firstly because they gave up their life to be a priest. They are ORDAINED and their soul is different than the average layman. They also have graces of state.
I've always said -- if I weren't Catholic, I would be one of those Christians who stays at home and prays or "finds God in nature" while fishing on Sunday. After all, if private interpretation is legit, and anyone can do it, why would I donate good money to some doofus to give his 2-cents-worth on the Bible, when he has a wife and kids just like me? That seems extra stupid.
I guess I'm just discerning about who I decide to give my valuable time and attention to. Not everyone has something to offer or teach the world. Some men and women just set up a very comfy "gig" where they stand on a soapbox, and the System pays them big money to do it. Think of all the woefully unqualified and ignorant pseudo-priests out there, like Oprah.
Topic: Fame should be deserved (Read 2130 times)