Comments on: Trollope on American Indifferentism

By: Bettering Trollope » First Thoughts | A First Things Blog

Bettering Trollope » First Thoughts | A First Things Blog — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:42:05 +0000

[...] response to Matt’s post about Trollope, I thought I’d point out the observations of another 19th Century European visitor — “a [...]

By: Adam Murray

Adam Murray — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:29:05 +0000

Jason, I think it depends on the object of your honesty. Is it “to thine own self” you’re being true? Bill Shakespeare knew there is only a thread of difference between being true to oneself and self-deception. As a result, ‘honesty’ becomes a very fickle virtue that often leads to the religion of self-worship. It seems to me, that is what Trollope is getting at here. The religion of American Indifferentism is synonymous with the religion of American Individualism.

By: jason taylor

jason taylor — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 14:34:29 +0000

While it might be too optimistic a thought, could at least some be guided by honesty rather then indifference? I know I had myself withdrawn from membership of my Church recently because I thought there were to many potential doctrinal disaggreements for me to officially declare myself a member (it was a fairly small martyrdom I simply come to Church as a guest; I can even take Communion. I can’t vote though).

There are other reasons for non-denominationalism besides indifference.