Strangers in a Strange Land: Living the Catholic Faith in a Post-Christian World

The title of this book, from Exodus 2:22, is a commentary on how Archbishop of Philadelphia Chaput (Render Unto Caesar) maintains Catholics feel in present-day America: like "resident aliens." The archbishop, recognized in church circles as conservative, maintains that a "sea change" in our country's public life has resulted in Americans living in a world of cynicism and despair far from the founding fathers' intent. His intended audience is people—not only Catholics—who believe something is wrong with America but who do not know what to do about it. This book begins with a summary of the nation's original ideals and virtues and continues to outline how we got to where we are now, specifically in the areas of sexuality, religion, technology, demographics, and the economy. Final chapters detail how to live as Christians in a society that no longer shares Christian beliefs but instead focuses on the "cults" of individualism, institutionalism, and clericalism.