Herbert ("The Man Who Said No to War") eulogizes Eugene McCarthy, "an unusually thoughtful politician whose flaky behavior too often got in the way of the important things he had to say."

Brooks ("The Holy Capitalists") touts a book that links capitalism and faith, noting that many advances in science and economics were made in the Middle Ages -- but fails to explain why these ideas flowered fully only when the yoke of theocracy was thrown off. "In his new book, 'The Victory of Reason,' the Baylor sociologist Rodney Stark argues that the West grew rich because it invented capitalism...capitalism developed in the Middle Ages, and the important innovations were made by people in the belly of the faith. Religion didn't stifle economic and scientific ideas - it nurtured them."

More: "This history is important today...People need to be instilled with certain beliefs, like the belief that the future can be better than the present and that individuals have the power to shape their own destiny...as Catholicism spreads in Africa and China, it's important to understand the beliefs that encourage people to work hard and grow rich."

Comments

[jsykes]

Is that a direct quote from the man's book? I thought capitalism was born with Adam Smith?

Many historians do believe that translation of the Bible from Latin to German and English was the key that started the engine of the Enlightenment by spreading knowledge to the masses. So there is a point to the historical relevance of religion and its ability to inspire common folks to reach higher than their given station in life. But we can't forget the importance Islam played in saving the wisdom of the ancients (geometry, astronomy, medicine, etc)from the fiery pillars of the Inquisition.

At the same time we can't deny the power of a man like John Paul II whose faith inspired Polish and other communist bloc inhabitants to continue to push the Soviets for freedom.

Currently, I do find much of the former Cardinal Ratzinger's thoughts on the relevance of moral absolutes to be fascinating. As a Protestant, I still draw much inspiration from the Pope, at least the two I have known in my lifetime.

I still find myself torn though, by the inability of my mind to reconcile the Gospel of Christ and capitalism. I just accept the duality.