CBB Review – The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful

Last updated on: March 3, 2015 at 4:00 am by Pete Socks

CBB Review – The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful 2015-02-28T20:03:03-05:00 Pete Socks

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Sometimes a book passes in front of me that approaches a topic that I would not actively search out to read about. The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful is one of those books. As is usually the case by the end of the book I am glad I gave it a chance. Author Bill Donohue gives a compelling argument on how one’s view on religion and their religious practices can impact their health and overall outlook on life. He bases his theory around what he calls the Three B’s of Catholicism: beliefs, bonds and boundaries which turn lead to achieving the Three H’s: health, happiness and heaven. Using the results from new research he backs these theories up and takes this beyond more than simply his own opinion.

A word of caution. This book is heavy in statistics. Not that it is a bad thing. It is actually understandable why as the stats back up the author’s theories. I only mention this as some readers may find it bogs the book down particularly in the first part. Stick with it though as the topic is actually quite interesting.

The book lays out a compelling case that a belief in a higher being results in a positive outlook on life and a positive impact on one’s health. Deeper still, the teachings of the Catholic faith in particular outline a path towards heaven that the faithful know is true. Bill shows this in striking detail in the second and third parts of the book in particular. He shows the Catholic Vision for happiness and heaven vs. the Secular Vision rampant in our world today. The Catholic Vision or way is built upon faith in God whereas the secular vision builds their case on a materialistic world. The secular vision, as described in scripture, is no different than a house built upon sand that eventually comes crashing down.

Image Books has asked bloggers on this tour to give examples of how their faith effects their own lives. I think a good example of that in my own life and likely many others, is the hobby of gardening. Right now I am counting down the days until I can start propagating seeds for the new planting season. As I place seeds into my seed starting medium I am reminded that without the will of the Creator there will be no life. Just like the tiny seeds of the tomatoes and peppers I hope spring forth with life, we too are heavily reliant upon a greater being. Our very own next breath is totally reliant upon the will of God.

As the cold winter months give way to warmer days anticipation builds. As I begin to be able to work the soil it is soon time move the seedlings out of the greenhouse and plant into the soil. This is the point where belief for me kicks in. To sit and ponder about how these tiny little seedlings will grow into strong plants that yield food is truly amazing. One again it comes down to the belief in the existence of a God that is the giver of life in all forms.

Each year I am in awe of how the tiny seeds I started with produce a bounty of ripe, delicious tomatoes. The pepper plants are loaded with peppers. Green beans abound, radishes spring forth, cucumbers pop out from under leaves, onions stand at attention and summer squash vines climb the trellis. All of this would be impossible without the Creator of the universe. My faith teaches me this. The truths taught by Catholicism ground me in my faith and show me that this is true. My annual garden is a miracle. The tiniest seeds become food for my family. For that I thank the God of the universe who feeds the tiniest sparrow.

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