G.K. Chesterton and the Maniac

First, I believe it is appropriate to say that I have finally returned to writing in this blog. Secondly, since I am no longer an exchange student living in Japan, my topics will dwell less on my life.

Of late, both in dwelling on ways to deepen my philosophy and seeking further literary enrichment, I have turned to one of my favorite books, "Orthodoxy" by G.K. Chesterton. First, having read it once during my high school years, I am reading or rather digesting a chapter each day before I go to bed. I remember the combination of his style and deep metaphysical topics to land much like lead in the stomach of one's mind when I had first passed through it's pages. I was pleased to discover that this time around the reading is more like a the proverbial "piece of cake" provided the cake be of similar consistency to the Lithuanian Torte. Which is to say, rather than being nearly incomprehensible it is quite palatable but best taken in small portions. The chapter I hold in greatest interest is "Maniac" detailing the basis for his philosophy that draws from the simple postulate that madmen exist.

The madman is not the man who has lost his reason. The madman is the man who has
lost everything except his reason. ~ G.K. Chesterton

Before I go on further on my commentary which is rapidly becoming a much like a "book report" of my school days, I have some other small things to pass on. I feel that I must pass on my condolences to all in Omaha who have been affected by the shooting that occurred at Von Maur this last week. It is a very shocking and saddening event, however I do not get the impression that it can be compared to Columbine or other tragedies that have occurred. Differentiating from plotting and planning to commit murder, I am under the impression that the killer this time had reached his "wit's end" and snapped. I bring this up because I heard some friends of mine gleefully comparing the killer's current location as being the same as Hitler's; that is Hell. This perspective coming from some fellow Christians saddened me. I am far from defending the killer, but I feel I must point out that at the end of the day one's final destination ought to be of the most significance. In the word's of G.K Chesterton "Christianity came in... startlingly with a sword, and clove one thing from another. It divided the crime from the criminal. The criminal we must forgive unto seventy times seven. The crime we must not forgive at all." What the killer did was an atrocity, one that I would prefer to never hear about again in my life, but the reality exists and I choose to approach it with my eyes to the heavens.

"Christianity has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and not tried." G.K. Chesterton

What really brought the point home to me as to the gravity of what happened at Von Maur occurred last night. I am a student of Karate and as such was practicing at the dojo last night when a certain member, Matt, had a seizure and collapsed backwards into and through one of our plate glass windows. Landing outside, he thankfully didn't immediately try and move, mostly, we think, due to the seizure. Alan and I retrieved him from the pile of glass not unscathed; Alan cut his toe. However, Matt sustained minor cuts from the glass on his hands and one small cut on his back but thankfully nothing on his head nor anything major. However, he was bleeding enough to leave bloodstains on my uniform and a little blood on my hand. Wrapped up in the situation I stayed around and helped clean up the glass and remove the rest of the window. When I left it was as though a spell was lifted and I went into a kind of shock. I never was the kind of person who could handle seeing a lot of blood (never could even dream of why someone would want to be a doctor) and the realization of what had happened hit me. Upon arriving home my mom noticed this about me and made me take a bath to calm my nerves. When I came out of the tub I no longer felt like the mess I was when I first arrived home. It affected me a lot but was only a little
event.

In related news, I have not heard anything recently but last I saw Matt, he had come out of the seizure and his mom was taking him to the hospital to see if any of his cuts were major enough to need stitches. He's a black belt though so he'll be fine.

Coming up later:
- The Golden Compass - Why Catholic's should be warned about this movie.
- The Lightning Thief - Why I like this book despite it clashing with G.K. Chesterton's philosophy concerning good literature.
- Kira-Kira - Why the book is not appropriate for children.
- Father Brown Short Stories - Why they rock.
- Small is still beautiful - Economics where families matter, my thoughts.