The pseudonymous Theodore Dalrymple - a retired prison doctor and psychiatrist - writes at the Law and Liberty website something worth pondering.
Pity and compassion, formerly Christian virtues, are the virtues that run wild in the modern social liberal’s mind. Indeed, one might almost say that he has become addicted to them, for they are what give meaning and purpose to his life. He is ever on the lookout for new worlds not to conquer, but to pity.In his mind, pity and compassion require that he adopts without demur the point of view of the person he pities, for otherwise, he might upset him; he must not criticise, therefore. In short, if need be, he must lie, and he frequently ends up deceiving himself as well as others. And if he has power, he will turn lies into policy.
Dalrymple’s “modern social liberals” make me want very much to echo King Henry II and ask “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” Our modern social liberals act so much like crusading warrior monks.
