Sorry folks, this is a long quote…
“Some people do not like the word “dogma.” Fortunately they are free, and there is an alternative for them. There are two things, and two things only for the human mind, a dogma and a prejudice. The MIddle Ages were a rational epoch, an age of doctrine. Our age is, at its best, a poetical epoch, an age of prejudice. A doctrine is a definite point; a prejudice is a direction.”
He then argues that these vague prejudices separates us even more than definite doctrines, despite those doctrines being opposite. It is easier to combat someone’s clear and defined statement or belief, than their “I’m okay, you’re okay” feelings that hide prejudiced thoughts. The devil has covered the thinking world with a mist of paralysing relativism, where you cannot even question another’s belief, right or wrong, because their thoughts are their own.
And that’s all I’m gonna say about THAT!
Care to respond?
Sheridanigans 
Very thought-provoking and well said.
Thank you! That chapter was difficult to read here and there, but when I came across that point and thought about it for a bit, it became clearer.
Wow. Gonna have to mull that one over. I love how Chesterton so often reminds us that it is the secular world (the skepitcs or the atheists) that are closed-minded, and that to open ones mind at all means to open the mind to Truth. This reminds me of that.
Thanks for linking up!
Thanks again for hosting this link-up. It
forcescoercesENCOURAGES me to read more Chesterton, even when his writing can be a little murky (sometimes due to his cultural references from his own age, sheesh).It is easier to combat someone’s clear and defined statement or belief, than their “I’m okay, you’re okay” feelings that hide prejudiced thoughts.
This is so prevalent in our society and *no one* seems to be talking about it.
Great post!
Thanks. And the reason no one is talking about it is exactly because it’s an undefined arena. We no longer have a crusade to fight, but candles to light!