This was the topic that Dennis was asked to speak about at Monday's lecture. The event was sponsored by am1280 the Patriot. Dennis had to admit that he is blessed as such that nothing keeps him up at night. But assuming the spirit of the question was the same as "What Preoccupies Dennis Prager," he continued his speech by saying that several things do; some important and one trivial. Here are a few things that I jotted down.
The first was children. He quipped that problem children are always problems, and non-problem children...were problems, too.
He also spoke about unjust suffering. Dennis claimed that since he was about five years old he struggled with the idea that good people suffered, through no fault of their own. He talked about natural suffering (cancer, early death of loved ones, etc) and man-made suffering by those who are evil. He paraphrased someone, I think he said it was Rabbi Steinberg??? Correct me if you know. He said "the believer has to account for unjust suffering and the atheist has to account for everything else."
Dennis said he hates evil and believes that many in this world do not HATE evil. He said he can't understand the joy in torture that some people seem to have. He understands bad acts, like why a man would want to rob a bank...he wants money and doesn't want to work. That's understandable. But finding joy in watching people burn to death is incomprehensible. He spoke of a Holocaust survivor who described the Nazi guards, not as human, but as monsters with human faces. And that it would be a great thing if the the worst, most evil one percent of humanity were to drop dead, it would be a good thing. Though admittedly, the next worst, most evil one percent would be ready to step into the shoes of those who just died. Dennis said people would ask how he could believe in a God who would destroy human life with a flood, such as during the time of Noah. Dennis indicated that that is the kind of God he could really believe in! (There was applause after this sentiment, but not roaring. Dennis asked rhetorically why only some of us clapped, or challenged those of us who did not clap to ask ourselves why we wouldn't want to have the worst, most evil parts of humanity eliminated.)
My notes say "free will, concrete." Sorry, I can't remember why I wrote that down. I should have written this recap on Tuesday.
Dennis talked about the role of luck. Especially in the role of a good marriage. He told the audience that his father confided in him that luck was the secret to a lasting marriage. Luck is an element when choosing a spouse because how could you possibly know at age 25, or so, what that person would be like for the next 50 or 60 years.
Dennis's trivial preoccupation, he admitted, is "what is the best stereo system?" In a self-deprecating manner he mused, "Diogenes was looking for truth, Prager is looking for the perfect amplifer." He admits this hobby is not edifying, but insists that it and others have kept him sane. When he is reading Stereophile, a magazine that reviews stereo equipment, he is able achieve total relaxation. Dennis then defined relaxation as "nothing troublesome is on your mind." He then suggested that women may never find relaxation on this definition. There was laughter and general agreement from the audience.
Dennis said he loves America, but is worried for it. "No great civilization has endured forever." The three mottoes of America: Liberty, E pluribus unum, and In God We Trust are losing to Equality, Multiculturalism, Secularism - values espoused by the Left. He reminded us that "bad values marketed well, will sell better than good values marketed poorly."
And though Dennis has concerns, as we all do, he says he doesn't let his concerns make him unhappy.
The first was children. He quipped that problem children are always problems, and non-problem children...were problems, too.
He also spoke about unjust suffering. Dennis claimed that since he was about five years old he struggled with the idea that good people suffered, through no fault of their own. He talked about natural suffering (cancer, early death of loved ones, etc) and man-made suffering by those who are evil. He paraphrased someone, I think he said it was Rabbi Steinberg??? Correct me if you know. He said "the believer has to account for unjust suffering and the atheist has to account for everything else."
Dennis said he hates evil and believes that many in this world do not HATE evil. He said he can't understand the joy in torture that some people seem to have. He understands bad acts, like why a man would want to rob a bank...he wants money and doesn't want to work. That's understandable. But finding joy in watching people burn to death is incomprehensible. He spoke of a Holocaust survivor who described the Nazi guards, not as human, but as monsters with human faces. And that it would be a great thing if the the worst, most evil one percent of humanity were to drop dead, it would be a good thing. Though admittedly, the next worst, most evil one percent would be ready to step into the shoes of those who just died. Dennis said people would ask how he could believe in a God who would destroy human life with a flood, such as during the time of Noah. Dennis indicated that that is the kind of God he could really believe in! (There was applause after this sentiment, but not roaring. Dennis asked rhetorically why only some of us clapped, or challenged those of us who did not clap to ask ourselves why we wouldn't want to have the worst, most evil parts of humanity eliminated.)
My notes say "free will, concrete." Sorry, I can't remember why I wrote that down. I should have written this recap on Tuesday.
Dennis talked about the role of luck. Especially in the role of a good marriage. He told the audience that his father confided in him that luck was the secret to a lasting marriage. Luck is an element when choosing a spouse because how could you possibly know at age 25, or so, what that person would be like for the next 50 or 60 years.
Dennis's trivial preoccupation, he admitted, is "what is the best stereo system?" In a self-deprecating manner he mused, "Diogenes was looking for truth, Prager is looking for the perfect amplifer." He admits this hobby is not edifying, but insists that it and others have kept him sane. When he is reading Stereophile, a magazine that reviews stereo equipment, he is able achieve total relaxation. Dennis then defined relaxation as "nothing troublesome is on your mind." He then suggested that women may never find relaxation on this definition. There was laughter and general agreement from the audience.
Dennis said he loves America, but is worried for it. "No great civilization has endured forever." The three mottoes of America: Liberty, E pluribus unum, and In God We Trust are losing to Equality, Multiculturalism, Secularism - values espoused by the Left. He reminded us that "bad values marketed well, will sell better than good values marketed poorly."
And though Dennis has concerns, as we all do, he says he doesn't let his concerns make him unhappy.
One last note: In attendance that night was Manny Laureano, Principal Trumpet of the Minnesota Orchestra. He started the evening out for everyone by playing The Star Spangled Banner. Everyone stood, placed hands over hearts and sang along. It was amazing to be in a room of 600 people singing our National Anthem. I love to sing, and sang this song at the top of my lungs (much to the chagrin, I think, of the man standing in front of me.) Below is a picture of Dennis trying out a tune on Manny's trumpet prior to the start of the evening. Manny doesn't look like he's worried about his spot in the orchestra.
--------------
I hope that those of you who attended had a good time. If you can think of anything else Dennis said that you want to add here, please comment.
2 comments:
I missed it, so I appreciate the synopsis.
Thanks Dezra!
By the way, RE evil, I transcribed a call on his show today regarding this. It's on my blog here: http://victorycross.wordpress.com/2008/05/01/on-talking-to-ones-enemies
Post a Comment