The German-American theologian Paul Tillich offered a pointed observation some seven decades ago: “there is a sick desire to escape sickness by cuffing off what can produce sickness. I have known people who are sick only because of their fear of sickness. Sometimes it may be necessary to reduce the richness of life, and to establish a poorer life on a smaller basis. But this in itself is not health. It is the most widespread mental disease.” What, then, would a Tillich think today of those for whom a poorer, smaller life seems a personal or tribal badge of honor? …
