The answer to this question at the heart of a classic work on political philosophyNEWS PROVIDED BY Carmel Communications Nov. 11, 2020
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 11, 2020 /Christian Newswire/ — The clash between religion and politics has been a way of life for centuries yet the history of such political thought has nearly been erased in modern times, leading to a lack of foundational knowledge of perennial issues affecting Americans today. In a republished version of a 1984 classic, THE POLITICS OF HEAVEN AND HELL: CHRISTIAN THEMES FROM CLASSICAL, MEDIEVAL, AND MODERN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY, questions of how religion and politics are intertwined and the reasons why this matters so deeply for humanity are explored and linked together not only in more modern eras but throughout the Old Testament and times of Aristotle and Plato.
THE POLITICS OF HEAVEN AND HELL is written by the late James V. Schall, S.J., a professor of political philosophy from 1977 to 2012 at Georgetown University, where he received his Ph.D. in Political Theory in 1960. Three times he was granted the Award for Faculty Excellence by the senior class at Georgetown’s College of Arts and Sciences. He wrote hundreds of essays and columns, and more than thirty books, including On Islam, The Order of Things, and Another Sort of Learning from Ignatius Press.
Robert Reilly, author of America on Trial, aptly notes in the foreword that man “politicizes everything” as he tries to reconcile the world to himself by his own efforts, which eventually leads to tyranny, perhaps a warning for modern day politics in the 21st century.
Schall wrote in THE POLITICS OF HEAVEN AND HELL that the best defense against tyranny is “the adequate description of the highest things, of what is beyond politics.” Both reason and revelation are needed for this work, and they are eloquently and ably set forth in the book.
“Schall’s book reminds us of the balanced riches of classical and medieval sources of Christian political thought,” said Jay W. Richards, Ph.D., research assistant professor, Busch School of Business, Catholic University of America. “Anyone interested in the survival of the West in the twenty-first century should read this book.”
For more information, to request a review copy or to schedule an interview with Robert Reilly, who wrote the foreword to the book, please contact Kevin Wandra (404-788-1276 or [email protected]) of Carmel Communications.
… as Cargill and Maple Leaf Foods.
Since his appointment to … Gorilla Glue, Rockstar Tuna and Organic Fire, additional teas and … in retail sales in Europe due to pandemic-related … get self-sufficiency on agricultural and vegetables and fruits just now. There …
Member of the European Parliament from Greece Emmanouil Fragkos believes the European Union has left Armenia alone against Azerbaijan and Turkey.
“The European Union has chosen to leave Armenia alone against Azerbaijan and Turkey! Dictator Erdogan will not stop here and soon the EU will pay for the mistakes it has made! The recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Turkey would have blocked its continuation today!” the Greek MEP tweeted, commenting on the armistice deal on Nagorno Karabakh, which makes Armenia surrender significant territories to Azerbaijan without directly addressing the status of Artsakh.
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:
Ability To Increase Reach And Receive Grants Online Greatly Facilitates The NGOs And Charitable Organizations Industry – Book Publishing Industry Today – EIN Presswire
A recent BBC investigative report revealed that thousands of young boys across Sudan were chained, beaten and sexually abused by religious figures working for a network of schools that specializes in teaching underserved students to read, write and memorize the Qur’an. The investigation, which was conducted undercover for over a year and a half, included terrifying testimonies collected from 23 victims, including children as young as five years of age. According to one testimony, school officials tied six or seven students together in chains and forced them to run. When the boys fell, they were beaten with whips and clubs. The investigation was published on all major international and Arab media outlets, including in Sudan. But not a single person reacted to the heinous crimes described in it. Meanwhile, when French President Emmanuel Macron made a remark on Islam, the streets of Khartoum immediately filled up with thousands of angry protesters. What happened to these school children was so much harsher and uglier than the remarks of a foreign president. But for some reason, not a single person took to the streets to protest the abuse of innocent children in the hands of clerics who lack any conscience or morals. Consider another recent event: A few days ago, Tariq Ramadan – grandchild of Hassan al-Banna, the founding father of the Muslim Brotherhood – was charged in court with his fifth case of rape. Ramadan is widely considered one of the most prolific scholars of Islam in Europe and, in many ways, the heir to his grandfather. Yet this noble figure, who is regarded with religious awe and honor, turned out to be a person far different than we believed him to be. This reminds me of a third event: A Kuwaiti court recently indicted the head of a large Kuwaiti charitable institution for embezzling the association’s funds. The funds were meant to reach an Islamic country. The reason I’m bringing these three stories up isn’t to attack specific religious officials. Rather, it’s to show that all human beings make mistakes and that it’s dangerous to impose an aura of holiness on those working in religious fields. Granted, clerics should not be subjected to doubts or accusations just because they have long beards and represent sanctity. Yet we must remember that these figures are human beings first and foremost. The only way to rid our societies of corruption and crime is to make sure that everyone – including notable religious figures – is held accountable to the same laws. – Ahmed Al-Sarraf(translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)
According to the Holy See, the different measures imposed by OSCE-participating States to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have had profound consequences on the freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief, and have limited the religious, educational and charitable activities of religious communities. In particular, Monsignor Janusz Urbańczyk warned legislators of OSCE states about the serious consequences that restrictive measures such as those applied due to the pandemic can create in religious communities. Besides playing an important role in the fight against the crisis, including in the field of health, these communities, he said, also offer “moral support and messages of solidarity and hope”.
The OSCE, which comprises 57 participating States of Europe, North America and Asia, addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities.
“States must respect the autonomy of religious communities, guaranteeing them the freedom to choose, appoint and replace their leaders or decide – on the basis of their internal norms – the content of their beliefs, their structure or their name,” Msgr. Urbańczyk urged.
Noting that the exercise of religious freedom leads to personal fulfilment and helps contribute to the good of society, the Holy See official lamented that, in certain societies, religions continue to be perceived as a source of intolerance and a threat to peace. He deplored attempts to limit religions or creeds to the private sphere, relegating them to temples and places of worship and depriving them of their legitimate role in the public arena.
Role of media
In this regard, Msgr Urbanczyk noted that the media, as instruments for the promotion of the freedom of religion, have failed to create the right balance or consensus on how and where to draw a line between the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of religion. Sometimes, he said, there are insults or discrimination against doctrine, the institutions or the followers of particular religions. He called on the OSCE to develop guidelines to promote religious tolerance and non-discrimination in the media and, in particular, to avoid “labelling and denigrating” believers or their communities as “bigots and fanatics”.
The Holy See representative also condemned the “dissemination of contempt” for religious communities, including “instigation to hatred” and the promotion of irreverence through “provocative representations” of religious symbols on the internet and social media.
Inter-religious dialogue, cooperation
Speaking about the role of civil society in defending religious freedom, the Vatican official urged support for interfaith dialogue and collaboration to promote greater tolerance, respect and understanding among the different communities of believers. He called for a dialogue that guarantees the stability and security of democratic societies; and which, as Pope Francis says, could be “instruments to build bridges”.
Msgr Urbanczyk further clarified that interreligious dialogue is an internal matter of religious communities. They should be left to decide whether and when to initiate it, which communities to engage and which issues to dialogue on. In this regard, he said, the state should not interfere in the freedom of religious communities under the pretext of a consultation.
The Holy See representative concluded by stressing the need to convince people that in a secular age, freedom of religion and belief is an important right that deserves to be protected.
