Anthony Vento

Every religion is a robust and stable whole constituted of various well-integrated parts: dogmas, practices (including ceremonies), ethics, social hierarchy, and others. Religion is not merely the dogmas taught by theologians; it is not the ceremonies and rituals conducted by the clergy; it is far from merely representing given ideas about the world and humankind. "Religion" is so complex and contains so many interwoven elements that one cannot properly analyze it by putting stress only on one of them. Therefore, if we are to analyze the essence of Christianity, more precisely in its Catholic form, which is the truest form of Christianity, we cannot merely refer to a set of dogmas and work only with them. We have to take into consideration all the Sacraments, all practices, all moral principles. This is not an easy task. Hence, the present book will try to elucidate the fundamental dogmas and principles of Christianity, but it will not go as deep as to deal with particular practices (with the exception of several Sacraments which will be discussed). As the present book is focused mainly on dogmas, we will try to analyze Christianity in a dogmatic and theoretical context. The current chapter is dedicated to the history of Christian dogmatics and on the central dogmas of Christianity. Both things should be examined together since Christian dogmas did not appear out of nothing. They had a certain basis- the teaching of Christ Himself, the epistles and sermons of the Apostles, the works of the early Fathers of the Church.

Hinduism and Buddhism are two of the most influential and prevalent religions in the world. Both have their historical and cultural origin in India. Hinduism is based on the sacred books called The Vedas and The Upanishads. Buddhism, in turn, builds on them, but it adds new points and ideas to them, primarily through the teaching of Buddha. Both religions have recently become very popular also in the United States with their emphasis on the harmony between the individual and universe/world, and the ideas of reincarnation and karma. Here we will ask questions such as: What is so specific in them which can attract the representatives of Western civilization? Can they contribute to our spiritual and intellectual development? Is there any point in learning about Hinduism and Buddhism? This book will show that it is pertinent to learn about Hinduism and Buddhism because these two religions have had some influence on our society. Evidently, they have been adjusted to our society in a way that makes it better for North Americans to understand their moral principles and theological views. Some might argue that we cannot become authentic Hinduists and Buddhists in reality; we can only borrow some ideas from them. However, is this worth it? According to the thesis of this book, it is good to be familiar with their main principles. The reader can still object: but there are vast libraries on Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and other Eastern religions. Why should we read the current book? What is so important about it? Especially if one is a Christian, what is the point of reading a work on Buddhism and Hinduism? These two religions are very different from Christianity. Would the knowledge of them help me understand any Christian doctrine or view?

This book analyzes the phenomenology of the will to power, the will to pleasure and the will to meaning through the optic of Holy Scripture.

This sci-fi novel has been written for young adults to help enable them to understand the meaning of the phrase that life is about morals and choices.

Frater: The American Identity by Dr ant Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved

God created the world to demonstrate His Goodness and because He conceives the world as something good. For that reason He gives the highest form of freedom to His most supreme creation- man. God's grace can be materialized only in time and only in the world. Taken in itself, grace is useless without the existence of the world. On the other hand, we should be thankful to God for our creation and that He has endowed us with freedom of will. This is the foundation of our love towards all people and everything which exists in general. This is also the basis of our aspiration towards beatitude which is to be achieved only in God and through God. However, grace essentially is a mystery- we cannot grasp it in a rational manner. The assumption that the world has been created out of God's goodness leads to the conclusion that nothing existed before the initial act of creation. This is so because God's grace animates the world, and also it gives reality to the world. Without grace, our world would have been a mere fantasy, mere imagination. We cannot accept the view that matter existed before the act of creation. This is not a novel point, but its relation to grace can bring us to a new understanding of the act of creation and the meaning of our existence in this world.