Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality

by Richard Beck

But none of this can happen if disgust continues to foster a “denial of death” by pushing away all reminders of decay and biological need. Once again we see the need to dismantle disgust psychology if we are to move into experiences we perceive as morbid, demeaning, and disgusting. Disgust and contempt prevent us from recognizing and embracing the need, vulnerability, death, and decay within our own lives. Because, despite appearances and protestations to the contrary, we are not “fine.” And by admitting as much we embrace, without disgust or distain, our fragile and shared humanity. We embrace neediness as the only route available to us if we are to be a people of grace, mercy, and love.