This week, on April 22, The Open Door discusses the family. St. John Paul II, in Familiaris Consortio, teaches that “families should grow in awareness of being ‘protagonists’ of what is known as ‘family politics’ and assume responsibility for transforming society; otherwise families will be the first victims of the evils that they have done no more than note with indifference.” Strong words!
Peter Mango, whose doctorate in philosophy is from Rome’s Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, will be our special guest. Our questions include the following. Please feel free to add your own!
1. Can you give us a working definition of “familism”? What is the New Familism?
2. How does expressive individualism conflict with familism?
3. Is there a link between income and familism?
4. Is there a link between parenthood and familism?
5. What do you think about Christopher Lasch’s statement that “to see the modern world from the point of view of a parent is to see it in the worst possible light”?
6. What standing does the family have in film and television?
7. Why does historical Marxism criticize the family?
8. Is familism at odds with standard LGBT thinking?
9. What is “filial piety”? Is it a virtue, and if so why?
10. How is the family central in Christian life?

Give us a listen!