Christian Social Principles

"The sickness of the world is due less to a dearth of new ideas than to the rejection of old truths. And among these old truths, none has had more disastrous consequences than the abandonment of the true nature of man." So wrote Bishop Fulton J. Sheen in the introduction to this treasure of a book, which sets the record straight about the authentic social teachings of the Catholic Church. In her penetrating exploration of Catholic Social Teaching, Sr. Mary Consilia O'Brien, O.P., Ph.D., offers the most clear-eyed description ever written on this foundational subject. She explores the Church's authentic teachings on the dignity of the human person as well as man's freedoms and obligations to society. She describes when individual liberties must transcend social control -- and when they must not. Best of all, she explains the final purpose of society, to which all its activities must be oriented. Skillfully crafted to appeal to both students and adults, each chapter features a probe of the content, leavened by practical examples, excerpts from the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, quotes from encyclicals, as well as discussion questions and additional study resources. In Christian Social Principles, you'll also learn: - The Church's teachings on communism, liberalism, and capitalism - How free will is the source of our obligations to society - Why Communism is a natural offspring of Liberalism - Why neither the "liberty" of Liberalism nor the "equality" of Communism can serve as the reliable cornerstone of a social order - Why no one can be both a sincere Catholic and a true Socialist - Why norms of morality must be universal in scope across society - Why justice alone can never bring about a union of hearts and minds

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