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Polemics
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DISCUSSION & CONTROVERSY
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Distributism
Brief Chronicle of Events
Distributism is touted as a “third way” between Capitalism and Socialism. But, as years have passed and more information has become available, not just about the economic theory of Distributism, but also its main proponents, we at TIA have developed more reservations against it. So we ask: Is Distributism really a legitimate “third way”, or is it just socialism under a new name?
What might the lives of Distributist leaders (like Eric Gill) reveal? What would the doctrine of the Church teach about Distributism? This page – summarizing our years-long polemic against the defenders of Distributism – seeks to answer those questions.
Summary
The polemic is opened: Patrick Odou reviews some of the more notable distributist books, revealing errors and contradictions with Catholic Doctrine.
September 2, 2004: Socialism and Distributism in Catholic Clothing - A review of Arthur Penty's 1920 book A Guildsman's Interpretation of History. Shows how Penty's worldview is socialist, communist and anti-Catholic. Connections to Dorothy Day and the "Catholic Worker" Movement. Patrick Odou urges readers to be vigilant against Distributism.
October 25, 2004: A Distributist Manifesto Strongly Spiced With Communism - Distributist leader Arthur Penty praises Stalin, promotes materialism and offends against the Catholic Church. The Distributist's "flee to the fields" mentality is a false solution.
That Eric Gill debate
Patrick Odou exposes the hitherto widely-unknown moral corruption of Distributist founder Eric Gill. This leads to a vigorous debate, with numerous readers sending their comments, questions and objections.
May 14, 2005: Eric Gill, the Pedophile Founder of Distributism - A strong reason to reject Distributism. Graphic photos
May 31, 2005: Wildfire Spreading... - Readers debate the morals of Eric Gill
June 18, 2005: Other Moral ‘Pearls’ of Eric Gill - Gill's blasphemy, obscenity, homosexuality, incest, child sexual abuse, bestiality and general promiscuity are revealed. Did Gill really convert and change his life, as some claim? We think not...
Graphic photos
June 18, 2005: A Precursor of Vatican II - The depraved Eric Gill demanded liturgical reform: get rid of Latin, incense, vestments, choirs, organs... In its place? A man-centered, egalitarian "back to the land" miserabilist worship. Graphic photos
 See
also:
Distributism is opposed to Catholic Doctrine
In which is demonstrated some of Distributism's bad doctrinal fruits. Over several articles, Patrick Odou and others explain how Distributism is truly against Catholic doctrine.
November 28, 2005: Why Are Distributist Leaders Misleading Their Audience about Capitalism? - Distributists claim the Church is anti-Capitalist. This is false.
January 3, 2006: Arthur Penty vs. St. Thomas Aquinas - The Acts of the Apostles mentions property being held in common by the Church in Jerusalem. Why was this done? Arthur Penty claims the early Church was socialist. St. Thomas Aquinas says otherwise.
See
also:
St. Thomas against Distributism
The Angelic Doctor rebukes the Distributists, too
November 7, 2006: Distributism Is Fundamentally Wrong - A reader shares a priest's comments against Distributist planned communities: “Watch it fail”.
December 28, 2006: The Shell Game of Distributists - Patrick Odou comments: “What I have seen in the polemic on Distributism is that the most common maneuver of its partisans is that of a shell game. Anyone I criticize is thereafter downplayed or set side, and then the Distributist supporters complain with an air of importance: “But you did not analyze the others.””
An enigmatic diagram published in The Angelus, savoring of socialism
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Recommended:
The Great Myth: The Truth Lies in the Center
Talk by Marian T. Horvat, Ph.D.
January 13, 2007: Pius XI Condemns the Third Position - The Pope affirms: There is no "third way" between capitalism and socialism
February 22, 2007: A Sin to Expose Eric Gill's Sins? - In The Angelus, Fr. Peter Scott says we at TIA sinned against charity by posting about Eric Gill's pedophilia and porno-blasphemy to the Internet. TIA responds.
February 23, 2007: Why Is The Angelus Promoting Socialism? - SSPX's magazine The Angelus praised socialist Dorothy Day. A reader asks: How is this possible?
Readers respond:
May 14, 2007: Biases and Historic Errors of Arthur Penty - Patti Petersen reviews Arthur Penty's book The Gauntlet. Petersen shows that Penty, known as the “the ideological guru of Distributism”, had materialistic views affecting his ideas about Work, Economics, Civilization...
June 28, 2007: Is The Angelus Promoting the Catholic Left? - An editorial diagram in the June 2007 issue of The Angelus raised many questions. Patti Petersen suggests the diagram is favorable to Marxism.
July 11, 2007: Evangelical Poverty Is Not a Virtue for All - Fr. Vincent McNabb falsely taught that all men (and even States) were bound to follow the Evangelical Counsels.
May 18, 2009: Evaluating the Distributist League - George Bernard Shaw admitted Distributism was simply another name for socialism. Distributist League secretary Patrick Cahill adds: Distributism is
even more radical than Socialism.
June 11, 2009: Another Name for Socialism - George Bernard Shaw admitted Distributism was simply another name for socialism. Distributist League secretary Patrick Cahill adds: Distributism is even more radical than Socialism.
The cancer of Distributism
April 21, 2010: Bishop Sheen's Flaws in Rhetoric - Patrick Odou exposes Bishop Sheen's demagogic promotion of a form of crypto-Distributism
April 26, 2010: Sheen's Co-Ownership vs. Catholic Teaching - “Contrary to what Archbishop Sheen pretends, the Church has constantly rejected the idea that ... the employees are entitled to “co-own” or “co-manage” the place where they work.”
July 27, 2010: Helping an Anti-Distributist - A reader sends encouragement to those fighting against “the cancer of Distributism.”
March 22, 2011: Distributism Is Not Catholic - The last word in the polemic, at least for now: Dr. Carol Byrne, author of The Catholic Worker Movement: An Analysis shows how Distributist beliefs are unrealistic, dangerous and completely anti-Catholic.
Book Reviews
Socialism and Distributism in Catholic Clothing, Patrick Odou
A Distributist Manifesto Strongly Spiced With Communism, Patrick Odou
Biases & Historic Errors of Arthur Penty, Patti Petersen
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