Carl Anderson, The Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, wrote a hopeful book that is a good antidote to the current media climate of hatred, merciliness, violence, etc. Anderson's book is erudite yet well written. The is a timely reminder of whom people should be rather than what they are.
The book began with a summary of how the media and the plutocratic wealthy view people. The prevailing attitude is that men and women are only useful as employees and consumers. As William Hazlett once wrote, a society that is based on production, consumption, and war is akin to an insect colony. Anderson' book is a reminder that men and women are created in God's Image and SHOULD BE regarded as such. Anderson cited the late Blessed Pope John Paul II who often explained that men and women are created with a sense of dignity and should be treated with respect and bona fide love. Anderson explained the difference between eros, romantic love, and agape which is uncondtional love. An example of the latter was the effort of Father McGivney (1852-1890)who started the Knights of Columbus as a mutual aid organization for "blue collar" workers who had few if any resources or protection from wage theft, job related injuries or illness, death, etc. Members successfully assisted each other and set an example for other "blue collar" workers.
Anderson critisized late 19th. and early 20th. century philosophy and political thought. He condemned Marxism for creating a dull world with no sense of transcendent joy or values. As erudite as Anderson is, and he is knowledgable, he erred re commits of Nietzche (1844-1900). Nietzche has been accused for hostility toward Jewish people. However, Walter Kaufmann exploded this view. One only has to read Nietzche's comments which highly praised Jewish people in Kaufmann's book titled THE PORTABLE NIETZCHE (pages 88-89). Readers should also read Kaufmanns'other books re Nietzche and Nietzche's bitter disputes with Richard Wagner and Wagner's relatives re Jewsih people.
In attempt to prove bona fide love, understanding, and tolerance, Anderson wrote about an account of the Knights of Columbus sponsoring a concert in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 17, 2004 which was performed to enhance reconciliation and understanding when people are an atmosphere of gratuitous hatred. One lesson of the performance was to help promote understanding and bona fide love of "one's neighbor.
Anderson wrote an interesting comparison between Martin Luther King (d. 1968)and Jean Paul Satre (1905-1980). King argued that men and women are God's creation and God's children. Satre argued that men create their own lives. However, Satre supported King's efforts which showed that men who disagree can still show where there is agreement.
Anderson used the allegory of family re God, Creation, and men/women. Anderson made effective use of the parable of The Prodidal Son which is used to express God's infinate love and mercy. Anderson also made the interesting remark that bona fide families are domestic churches, and God is the extention and creator of the human race as a family.
Anderson applied the lessons of Catholcism and Papal encyclicals re economics. Anderson was clear that Pope Leo XIII' Encyclical RERUM NOVARUM supported defenseless "blue collar" workers from employers' fraud and wage theft. However, Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903)also condemned Socialism, Communism, and social engineering. As Anderson noted, social engineering under any poltical tag often led to tragic consequences especially when people are viewed as cogs in a machine. Justice and compassion are concepts that must be seriously considered. As Hilario Davide wrote, "Administrative justice is a sacramental task." Anderson further cited Vaclav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic, who wrote that under a Communist regime, people lost all sense of bona fide love, friendship, mercy, etc., and people had no sense of joy. Given the political trageidies of the 20th and now the 21st. centuries, people have been taught that outrages they would not do as individuals, they can legally do en masse.
Anderson had high praise for the Knights of Columbus' insurance business which operates on a scale of ethics and honesty contrary to current business practises. He mentioned that men and women appreciate a sense of honesty and "fair play" at a time when some plutocratic wealthy people scoff at such concepts. Anderson cited the Gospel statement that where one's heart and mind are, there is their treasure.
Another issue that Anderson was not afraid to address was the increase in the number of Hispanic Catholics in North America. Andserson estimated that 39% of North Amerian Catholics are Hispanic or some other non Anglo-European ancestry. When so many media and religious hate mongers try to condemn these people, Anderson noted "foreign" devotion to Catholicism. A fact that may surprise readers is that most of the world's Christians are poor and need, among other things, Catholic charity. Anderson also noted that such charity should apply to non-Catholics.
Finally, what is a civilization of love? Anderson argued that such a civilization is one that is counter to the current culture and is often separate. Such a civlization is also one that is above secular culture. Given the mindless gratuitous hatred and mindless willful supidity, Anderson is certainly right. Based on what this writer has witnessed, too many people express hatred and do not even know what or whom to hate at any given moment.
Readers may view Anderson's book as naive or too idealistic. However, his book is a needed alternative from a mad world and show that men and women can be much better people that they are if they reflect on Ultimate Values and know what is actually important.
April 30, 2013
James E. Egolf
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