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The Missionary Position

Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice

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"A religious fundamentalist, a political operative, a primitive sermonizer, and an accomplice of worldly secular powers. Her mission has always been of this kind. The irony is that she has never been able to induce anybody to believe her. It is past time that she was duly honored and taken at her word." Among his many books, perhaps none have sparked more outrage than The Missionary Position, Christopher Hitchens's meticulous study of the life and deeds of Mother Teresa.

A Nobel Peace Prize recipient beatified by the Catholic Church in 2003, Mother Teresa of Calcutta was celebrated by heads of state and adored by millions for her work on behalf of the poor. In his measured critique, Hitchens asks only that Mother Teresa's reputation be judged by her actions-not the other way around.

With characteristic élan and rhetorical dexterity, Hitchens eviscerates the fawning cult of Teresa, recasting the Albanian missionary as a spurious, despotic, and megalomaniacal operative of the wealthy who long opposed measures to end poverty, and fraternized, for financial gain, with tyrants and white-collar criminals throughout the world.

©1995 Christopher Hitchens (P)2012 Audible Ltd Politics & Government United States World
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I would implore anyone who at all wonders or questions to investigate the world of Mother Teresa. Just as Gandhi put his wife's life into the lap of the gods but took quinine himself when six weeks later he got malaria.
Once you open this door then further investigation will reveal much more of her belief in pain and suffering
at a 1981 press conference in which she was asked: "Do you teach the poor to endure their lot?" She replied: "I think it is very beautiful for the poor to accept their lot, to share it with the passion of Christ. I think the world is being much helped by the suffering of the poor people"

Welcome to reality

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Based on facts and written clearly. It sheds light on things in a common sense and unsentimental manner.

Informative and thought provoking

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I've always been slightly nauseated by the media 'deification' of Mother Teresa. Now I know why!

Who'd have thought it?

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I thought this was a great book. I already knew "Mother Teresa" was a disgusting excuse for a human being but this outlined her failings quite comprehensively. Despite it being short I would recommend it. There's no fluff or padding just straight to the point.

The only downside was the narration. It was a just a bit unenthusiastic and made listening a little bit more of an effort than it needed to be.

Fantastic book.

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Hitch again delivers a stunningly eye opening myth busting assassination of an agent of the Catholic Church who is just slightly farther away from Godliness than the Morningstar.

Listen and be astounded by the hypocrisy.

Great stuff

A real Revelation

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