The Death of Woman

 

When the freedom to be creative becomes the freedom to create oneself,
then necessarily the Maker himself is denied and ultimately
man too is stripped of his dignity as a creature of God,
as the image of God at the core of his being.
…when God is denied, human dignity also disappears.
—POPE BENEDICT XVI, Christmas Address to the Roman Curia
December 21st, 20112; vatican.va

 

IN the classic fairytale of The Emperor’s New Clothes, two con men come to town and offer to weave new clothing for the emperor—but with special properties: the clothes become invisible to those who are either incompetent or stupid. The emperor hires the men, but of course, they had made no clothing at all as they pretend to dress him. However, no one, including the emperor, wants to admit that they see nothing and, therefore, be seen as stupid. So everyone gushes at the fine clothing they cannot see whilst the emperor struts down the streets completely naked. Finally, a little child cries out, “But he isn’t wearing anything at all!” Still, the deluded emperor ignores the child and continues his absurd procession.Continue reading