A Civilization of Love: What Every Catholic Can Do to Transform the World

A Civilization of Love: What Every Catholic Can Do to Transform the World | Carl Anderson | Each individual life becomes so meaningful.

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A Civilization of ...

	A Civilization of Love: What Every Catholic Can Do to Transform the World Carl Anderson HarperOne, 2008 - 224 pages average customer review:based on 27 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

"Faith Leads to Transformative Justice and Love"

Carl Anderson, the Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, has written a practical, yet spiritual book on living out one's faith in the world today. Drawing on the teachings of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, he presents the challenge faced by individual Catholics and the institutional Church in living out the Gospel message in a secular, and often antagonistic world.

Drawing on papal teachings, Second Vatican Council documents, and an extensive array of other works, Anderson crafts a compelling invitation to Catholics to live the faith that they profess each Sunday at Mass. The work focuses on the individual dignity of all human life -- valued for its intrinsic worth, not because of it monetary value or economic utility -- and moves to a holistic exploration of the structures of social justice. He challenges the reader to move beyond the "culture of suspicion" to an appreciation for humanity contained within the individual, family, and society.

The author calls for those who respect life to work for that respect in all areas. For example (and I am paraphrasing), opposition to abortion must be coupled with work to ensure that those elements in society that drive a person to consider abortion as an alternative are no longer present.

The book is well written and presents a bold challenge to the indifference of many who call themselves Catholic, yet confine their Christianity to the pew on Sunday morning. At the same time, it is a universal call to social justice, which can be embraced by anyone who seeks the betterment of society and the most vulnerable of its members.

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Each individual life becomes so meaningful.

Carl Anderson's book provides a Christian framework for anyone questioning their purpose in life. He inspires you to a vocation of love and to radiate the presence of Christ in whatever circumstances you find yourself. Your personal gifts become realized, as well as the absolute value and worth of every person around you. Each individual life becomes a living brick in the civilization of love.

MORE THAN EVER.....

The world needs to listen to this practical and inspirational message of love and hope for our civilization. Media, especially Hollywood, are leading us down the wrong path. We must abandon greed, violence, immorality and other hedonistic lifestyles and instead be inspired by values of love and peace. During Pope Benedict XVI's recent visit to America, he urged us, the leaders of the free world, to be role models for a revitalized nation of Love, Hope and Peace. Let us pray that we heed these words. This book gives us practical ideas of what real people can do to participate in this goal.

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Highly Recommended

A very good synopsis of Catholic teaching on social justice, highlighting the writings of the last two popes, and clearly differentiating Catholics from the secular culture. At times it has an air of preaching to the converted, as much will be relatively familiar to serious Catholics. The chapter titled "A Continent of Baptized Christians" was very illuminating. I had never really though about the commonality of strong Christian tradition in North, Central, and South America, especially compared to modern secular Europe. Unfortunately our Christian brothers to the south are often thought of only in relation to the immigration problem (a familiar theme to many ethnic Catholics)and Mr Anderson really highlights the importance of Hispanic culture for the future of Catholicism. Perhaps our shared spiritual experience can bring us together, rather than building walls and retreating into isolationism.

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By a Catholic for Catholics

Edit of 3 May 08: Just finished Who Speaks For Islam?: What a Billion Muslims Really Think and one point that jumped out at me was that the Pope heard from 100 Muslim scholars about basic mistakes in his reconciliation speech. We do NOT understand one another, and any civilization of love is going to have to start there, alone with tolerance.

This is a real gem. The author is learned, balanced, and other than managing to not recognize all the other religions in the world, has written an excellent testament for those of any faith who wish to follow in Gandhi's path, in Bonhoffer's path.

I am reminded of a Shi'ite that asked a question of me at the last Hackers on Planet Earth, he told me that Shi'ites in Saudi Arabia who seek to get government jobs, have to answer questions that put them into hell. We cannot go that route. Reconciliation at the community level, one man one bullet at the Dying to Win Logic of Suicide level.

The author provides reflective questions or suggestion actions for reflection at the end of each chapter, and these make the book worthy of more than one reading.

I like the other reviews so after a handful of notes I am going to do my duty by adding links.

+ Knights of Columbus an insurance business that is also committed to charity and unity

+ Vocation to love is the only power up to the tasks facing us. Here I want to link to The Unconquerable World: Power, Nonviolence, and the Will of the People and A Power Governments Cannot Suppress

+ Human self-knowledge is not possible in the fullest sense without recognizing or receiving Christ. Here I would point to The Faiths of the Founding Fathers.

+ Popes have recognized that reconciliation is essential but from where I sit, the Catholic hierarchy in particular wants to have it boths ways: secret blood money from the Mafia, and Holier Than Thou on the pulpit.

+ The author explores the moral view of human dignity and I am totally with him. I like this book. As blatantly Catholic as it is, this is a thoughtful author who has done his homework can can hold his own with anyone.

Other books I recommend:
The Lessons of History
Fog Facts: Searching for Truth in the Land of Spin
The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead
Web of Deceit: The History of Western Complicity in Iraq, from Churchill to Kennedy to George W. Bush
Obama - The Postmodern Coup: Making of a Manchurian Candidate
Society's Breakthrough!: Releasing Essential Wisdom and Virtue in All the People

Am loading a few images from Earth Intelligence Network. There is plenty of money for peace and prosperity, we just have to eradicate government and Wall street and prison-medical industry corruption first.

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reviews: 1, 2, page 3, 4, 5, 6

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