December 8, 2012. (Romereports.com) The apathy and perceived moral decline in the Western world was the topic of this year's Calihan lecture in Rome, an annual discussion about religion and liberty.
This year's speaker Dr. Giovanni Patriarca delved into how an abandonment of traditional values in an increasingly fast-paced, materialized and digitized world contributes to a decline in culture.
He argued that religion plays a key role in restoring the values on which Western society was built upon.
PROF. GIOVANNI PATRIARCA
Award Recipient (Italy)
“Religion is fundamental because it sanctifies marriage, family and the duties of paternity and maternity. Therefore, that civil responsibility is fundamental for the development of democracy.”
Within the lecture, he warned that the “openness” and freedom of religion in the West can sometimes dilute the main message within religion.
Nonetheless, he said there are ways to rebuild the cultural identity and fight against apathy. This is his suggestion:
PROF. GIOVANNI PATRIARCA
Award Recipient (Italy)
“Regain lost hope and rebuild from the hope a sense of charity, of respect, of reconciliation, of forgiveness, always with enthusiasm. And to find solutions that will be difficult. But positive and creative solutions that will stimulate our growth together.”
Patriarca added that motivation and creativity are key to restoring a sense of community and ethical balance to achieve growth.
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