It is a form of government wherein a person holds (mostly) complete control over (a large portion of) the population, which will bow to (many of) the desires of the dictator (most of the time).
In a speech by Bush today, at the reception thingy for the Pope, the phrase was used to negatively identify a state where < begin paraphrase > some folks are unable to recognize actual evil when they see it and instead insist that some things that are considered wrong by them or others might be acceptable to different groups < end para >. In other words, the dictatorship of relativism is an insistance on the recognition of context, and the attempt to have empathy for others' cultural positions on matters of moral judgement.
In a world where some no longer believe that we can distinguish between simple right and wrong, we need your message to reject this "dictatorship of relativism," and embrace a culture of justice and truth.
Apparently, the Pope coined the phrase two or three years ago.
I'm not sure I disagree, but the Catholic Church's official positions on some matters aren't going to fare very well if non-Catholics stop cutting them slack.
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(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-16 10:24 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-16 10:29 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-16 10:39 pm (UTC)Here is the quote:
Apparently, the Pope coined the phrase two or three years ago.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-16 10:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-16 11:43 pm (UTC)WElcome to Jeopardy
Date: 2008-04-17 12:08 am (UTC)"a dictatorship of relativism?"
"What is the current US administration!"
"Right, pick again." says Trebek.
(no subject)
Date: 2008-04-17 05:17 pm (UTC)"Bump that wishy-washy stuff. We rounded up Jews and gays when I was a teen. It never hurt anyone. Anyone I know, anyway."