Richard John Neuhaus
Richard John Neuhaus
=====================================
Full Name and Common Aliases
-------------------------------
Richard John Neuhaus was commonly known as Dick Neuhaus among friends and acquaintances.
Birth and Death Dates
-------------------------
Richard John Neuhaus was born on May 6, 1936. He passed away on January 9, 2009.
Nationality and Profession(s)
--------------------------------
Neuhaus held dual citizenship of the United States and Canada. His professions included theologian, priest, author, journalist, and public intellectual.
Early Life
-------------
Born in Berlin, Germany, Neuhaus' family relocated to Toronto, Canada, when he was two years old due to rising Nazi tensions. Growing up in a devoutly Lutheran household instilled in him a deep sense of faith and morality that would shape his future career paths.
Neuhaus attended the University of Toronto, where he studied philosophy and graduated with a Bachelor's degree. He later pursued theology at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, earning a Master's degree. In 1968, Neuhaus converted to Catholicism after marrying Loraine MacKenzie, a devout Catholic.
Major Accomplishments
-------------------------
Neuhaus' remarkable career spanned multiple fields and continents. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
Neuhaus served as the Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee's Department on Religion in the United States from 1968 to 1973.
He founded the journal First Things in 1990, which became a leading publication for conservative Christian thought and culture.
Neuhaus was an influential voice in the American Catholic Church, advocating for more open and inclusive dialogue between Catholics and evangelicals.Notable Works or Actions
---------------------------
Some of Neuhaus' most notable works include:
The Catholic Moment (1976), a book that explored the possibilities for ecumenical cooperation between Catholics and Protestants.
* The Naked Public Square (1983), which examined the relationship between faith, politics, and public discourse in modern society.
Impact and Legacy
--------------------
Neuhaus' tireless efforts to promote interfaith understanding and dialogue left a lasting impact on American Christianity. His unwavering commitment to the values of compassion, justice, and intellectual honesty has inspired countless individuals across various religious traditions.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Richard John Neuhaus is widely quoted and remembered for his profound insights into the intersection of faith, politics, and culture. His thoughtful writings and public statements continue to influence contemporary discussions about issues such as abortion, euthanasia, and human rights.
Quotes by Richard John Neuhaus
If a church offers no truth that is not available in the general culture – in, for instance, the editorials of the New York Times or, for that matter, of National Review – there is not much reason to pay it attention.
My eyes are wide open to the conflicts within the Church, but I don’t think you can call it schism.
We shall not weary, we shall not rest, as we stand guard at the entrance gates and the exit gates of life, and at every step along way of life, bearing witness in word and deed to the dignity of the human person-of every human person...
Every day of the year is a good day to think more deeply about Good Friday, for Good Friday is the drama of the love by which our every day is sustained.
Genuine tolerance does not mean ignoring differences as if differences made no difference. Genuine tolerance means engaging differences within a bond of civility and respect.
Consumerism is, quite precisely, the consuming of life by the things consumed. It is living in a manner that is measured by having rather than being... and consumerism is hardly the sin of the rich. The poor, driven by discontent and envy, may be as consumed by what they do not have as the rich are consumed by what they do have. The question is not, certainly not most importantly, a question about economics. It is first and foremost a cultural and moral problem requiring a cultural and moral remedy.
Disguise is central to God's way of dealing with us human beings. Not because God is playing games with us but because the God who is beyond our knowing makes himself known in the disguise of what we can know. The Christian word for this is revelation, and the ultimate revelation came by incarnation. ... God is the master of disguises, in order that we might see.
Whatever else the religious Right may be, it is a bonanza for its opponents... Reports of the great terror that is upon us are raising millions of dollars in fund appeals by Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Organization for Women, Norman Lear's People for the American Way, and others who claim to believe that the religious Right is the greatest peril to American democracy since Joe McCarthy.