Book Jacket

 

rank 2039
word count 49583
date submitted 28.05.2010
date updated 28.05.2010
genres: Non-fiction, History, Popular Cultu...
classification: adult
incomplete

Catholicism, Modernism and Other Things

Benjamin Martin

Where has respect for religion gone to? I examine the lost plight of faithful believers in God, and present ways to return to the faith.

 

Religion has really received a bad rap the past 50 years or so. The history of the Catholic Church is so beautiful. And there are plenty of words to come to Its defense when modern society likes to turn a blind eye to good morals. My book gives a short history of many aspects within the Church and compares it with the modern world. What can we do as good people to revive the goodness that needs to flourish in people's hearts and minds for the continuation of a great society? It is inconceivable to think that nothing can be done to repair today's dilemmas of indifference and rejection of religion. It is critical that Catholics, lapsed and faithful, return to and renew the faith they have always had. I try to be as objective as possible when presenting evidence for the necessity of preserving good morals and faithful living for God. If anything seems objectionable or harsh in my writing, please let me know, as it is not my intention to come down on people. Thank you and take care.

 
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catholic, catholicism, charity, church, church history, god, mary, mass, morals, political, pope, priest, religion, religious, sacraments, saints, sta...

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lynn clayton wrote 726 days ago

Really, Benjamin, I had to laugh at some of the comments you've received, especially after reading what you've written. Your subject seems to me highly civilized in its ethos (I'm not a Catholic) and something most people could admire. Yet from some of the reactions you'd think you'd advocated mass extermination.
Don't worry, you write brilliantly and your message will be heard, I'm sure. Backed. Lynn

Melcom wrote 726 days ago

Sorry I'm with Barry on this one. Hypocrisy appears to be the new christianity. I used to be religious, not thrusting it down people's throats religious but I have yet to meet a church goer who wasn't a hypocrite

Good luck with it and your much needed editing.
Melxx

lionel25 wrote 647 days ago

Benjamin, I am Catholic also and wholeheartedly support your book.

Backed with pleasure.

Joffrey (The Silver Spoon Effect)

Luke Bramley wrote 719 days ago

You go Ben! Spread the word, dude! Personally, my word is humus! Luke, The Kingdom Within.

Famlavan wrote 720 days ago

To me this felt like it was written with great congruence.
It felt just enough to create introspective thoughts yet not that much to cause me premature closure due to feeling preached at. So for me it had good balance. Very much like the spirit it is written with. – Good luck.

klouholmes wrote 722 days ago

Hi Benjamin, This begins with a solid questioning tone and the information about the church’s history contrasted with the attitudes today demonstrate the challenge. The table of contents show that you are ready to meet the issues of today’s Catholicism and with your style and references, it promises to be sound and well-based reading. Shelved – Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

EltopiaAuthor wrote 723 days ago

Chapter 1: Whether I agree with your premise or not is not the point.

Disregarding the content, as a reader I am somewhat overwhelmed by the huge block of print, and entire page of one paragraph.

May I suggest that, as a rule of thumb, you include maybe three to four paragraphs per page. I know that rules are made to be broken, but your readers will appreciate managable bites.

Good luck to you and I hope that through your writing you will discover the difference between what you think to be true and what you truly "know."

In my opinion, the first page is long on assumptions, on the one hand, and a bit overcrowded with things that everyone probably already knows, on the other. So in some ways it sounds a little belabored from my perspective. Perhaps much of what you are saying is true, on the other hand, I suspect some of it is overstated at best. As a result, I think your writing sounds, I don't mean to be unkind, but sometimes it comes across as a little "huffy" to be honest with you.

If you are still with me, I might add that I am wondering, "Who is your audience?"

Are you trying to convince someone, and unbeliever, or someone weak in the faith? Or are you merely "preaching to the choir"? Preaching to the choir may get you and instant audience, but unless you reveal some hitherto little known facts, that kind of book cannot be truly informative, in which case you must ask yourself, "Why am I writing this?"

Which is not to say that you should not be writing it at all. Sometimes we write for ourselves, to clarify our own positions, or to bolster our own confidence in our own beliefs, or for many other reasons.

But if you are writing for an audience other than the "choir," you will need to consider feedback that may not always be appreciated at the time. If taken in the right spirit, that feedback may or may not help you to re-think some things about your position. Not that you will necessarily change your mind, but perhaps your position will be better informed in the end, and you will be able to voice it more convincingly.

The kind of people who mindlessly shout, "Amen brother!" are not always your best allies if you want to be a true reporter on religion.

OK, God bless ...

F. Ellsworth Lockwood
"The Final Cruise"

carlashmore wrote 723 days ago

I am not a Catholic, but I do like your style. And what should be most important to you is that as a non-Catholic alot of what you are saying made a great deal of sense.
I am happy to support this
Carl
The Time Hunters

Burgio wrote 724 days ago

CATHOLICISM
This is a thought provoking book; an argument for people to welcome religion back into their world. It’s written in a clear and engaging style. I’m adding it to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

PATRICK BARRETT wrote 725 days ago

Thought provoking and intelligently written. You have expressed your opinions based on your beliefs and this is to be admired. I feel that your book could become a handbook that people turn to for help and advice - I think you have produced an important work here. Wishing you every success - Paula (Cuthbert: how mean is my valley?)

jp4JC wrote 725 days ago

The Church is beautiful
Your book is backed

yasmin esack wrote 726 days ago

This is well written and beckons the reader to pay attention and change his/her life. It is strong and yet communicates in a gentile way with the reader. This is fulfilling and would go a long way in trying to make a better world.

You are so right about waht you have writte.

Backed

Dwayne Kavanagh wrote 726 days ago

What was that someone said about bringing ‘something’ up in conversation? No worries my man. Free speech...is just that! If I can write about serial rapists and murders, then you can certainly talk about Catholicism.

There might be some grammar mistakes, but we all have those and that’s what a good editor is for (actually, there's a lot good people on this site that will provide constructive criticism).

Your writing style is right up front and jumps from the page. Nicely done there!

Good luck on your journey!

Cheers,
Dwayne

lynn clayton wrote 726 days ago

Really, Benjamin, I had to laugh at some of the comments you've received, especially after reading what you've written. Your subject seems to me highly civilized in its ethos (I'm not a Catholic) and something most people could admire. Yet from some of the reactions you'd think you'd advocated mass extermination.
Don't worry, you write brilliantly and your message will be heard, I'm sure. Backed. Lynn

Melcom wrote 726 days ago

Sorry I'm with Barry on this one. Hypocrisy appears to be the new christianity. I used to be religious, not thrusting it down people's throats religious but I have yet to meet a church goer who wasn't a hypocrite

Good luck with it and your much needed editing.
Melxx

Barry Wenlock wrote 726 days ago

How do the current revelations regarding child abuse by Catholic priests and the Pope's complicity by turning a blind eye, help us trust the church, or any of its members, to lead us forward?
Barry
Little Krisna and the Bihar Boys

Bob Avey wrote 726 days ago

The book could do with a bit of editing. However, for your courage to stand up for Christianity you deserve to be backed.

Caroline Hartman wrote 726 days ago

Mr. Martin,
I'm not a Catholic. I was raised Protesant--one of my ancestors reputedly helped Martin Luther nail the writs to the door; however, I believe strongly in the some of the beliefs and moral codes of Christianity. I admire greatly your talent in putting this immense study together and in presenting your points. I'm not positive of your target audience, but I would think if you want to include people outside academia, you would benefit by shortening your paragraphs. For the lay reader like me, the sight of those long paragraphs is intimidating. I wish you all the best.
Caroline
KC Hart
Summer Rose

eloraine wrote 726 days ago

Well done, E.Loraine Royal Blood Chronicles book one

soutexmex wrote 727 days ago

Welcome aboard, Benjamin This website will improve your writing craft, if you allow it. I'm a bit of a pitch doctor, having read thousands of pitches in my time on this website, so I want to share my insight here with you. You have to think of your pitches as your sales tool to grab the casual reader's eyes. The short pitch works. For the long pitch, break it down into smaller paragraphs so it reads faster. Though this is non-fiction, end it using a question to pique your reader's interest. Perfecting your pitches is how you climb in ranking to gather more exposure and comments to better your novel. The writing is good so I am SHELVING you.

Though I have been a very active member for over a year and have the most commented book, I can still use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Every little bit helps. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

MacG wrote 727 days ago

Catholicism, Modernism and Other Things.

Benjamin, i know several people who would love to read this (though not registered here...) and i'll definitely recommend it to them.

MG

SusieGulick wrote 727 days ago

Dear Ben, I love that you have taken time to share church history with all of us that are not aware of all of it. I was thankful to see that you had a table of contents. :) Before I began to read your book, I was prepared by your pitch & forward,which was very well done. :) Your book is good because you create interest by having short paragraphs (longer ones, you may want to cut in 2 or many more for us with short attention spans who tend to miss the centers), which makes me want to keep reading to find out what you will say next. I'm "backing" your book: When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved...authonomy. :) Please "back" my TWO memoir books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & my completed memoir unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which tells at the end, my illness now & 6th abusive marriage." Thanks, Susie :)
p.s. Remember: Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs. :)

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