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Truth and Tolerance: Christian Belief and World Religions
Is truth knowable? If we know the truth, must we hide it in the name of tolerance? Cardinal Ratzinger engages the problem of truth, tolerance, religion and culture in the modern world. Describing the vast array of world religions, Ratzinger embraces the difficult challenge of meeting diverse understandings of spiritual truth while defending the Catholic teaching of salvation through Jesus Christ. "But what if it is true?" is the question that he poses to cultures that decry the Christian position on man's redemption. Upholding the notion of religious truth while asserting the right of religious freedom, Cardinal Ratzinger outlines the timeless teaching of the Magisterium in language that resonates with our embattled culture. A work of extreme sensitivity, understanding, and spiritual maturity, this book is an invaluable asset to those who struggle to hear the voice of truth in the modern religious world. "Beyond all particular questions, the real problem lies in the question about truth. Can truth be recognized? Or, is the question about truth simply inappropriate in the realm of religion and belief? But what meaning does belief then have, what positive meaning does religion have, if it cannot be connected with truth?"
— Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
From the Preface
— Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
From the Preface
280 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1990
About the author
Pope Benedict XVI
941 books968 followersOriginally
Joseph Ratzinger
, a noted conservative theologian before his election in 2005, Benedict XVI strove against the influence of secularism during his papacy to defend traditional Catholic teachings but since medieval times first resigned in 2013.
After Joseph Ratzinger served a long career as an academic and a professor at the University of Regensburg, Pope Paul VI appointed him as archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he settled in Rome as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, one most important office of the Roman curia. He also served as dean of the college of cardinals.
Benedict XVI reigned 265th in virtue of his office of bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of Vatican City and the head of the Church. A conclave named him on 19 April 2005; he celebrated his inaugural Mass on 24 April 2005 and took possession of his Lateran cathedral basilica of Saint John on 7 May 2005.
Benedict XVI succeeded Saint John Paul II, predecessor and his prolific writings on doctrine and values. Benedict XVI advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increase of many developed countries. Relativism denied objective truth and moral truths in particular; he viewed this central problem of the 21st century. With the importance of the Church, he understood redemptive love of God. He reaffirmed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism" "of many Christians engaged in charitable work." Benedict also revived a number and elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position.
Benedict founded and patronized of the Ratzinger foundation, a charitable organization, which from the sale of books and essays makes money to fund scholarships and bursaries for students across the world.
Due to advanced age on 11 February 2013, Benedict announced in a speech in Latin and cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" before the cardinals. He effectively left on 28 February 2013.As emeritus, Benedict retained the style of His Holiness, and the title and continued to dress in the color of white. He moved into the newly renovated monastery of Mater Ecclesiae for his retirement. Pope Francis succeeded him on 13 March 2013.
(more info on Ratzinger Foundation: https://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology...)
After Joseph Ratzinger served a long career as an academic and a professor at the University of Regensburg, Pope Paul VI appointed him as archbishop of Munich and Freising and cardinal in 1977. In 1981, he settled in Rome as prefect of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, one most important office of the Roman curia. He also served as dean of the college of cardinals.
Benedict XVI reigned 265th in virtue of his office of bishop of Rome, the sovereign of the state of Vatican City and the head of the Church. A conclave named him on 19 April 2005; he celebrated his inaugural Mass on 24 April 2005 and took possession of his Lateran cathedral basilica of Saint John on 7 May 2005.
Benedict XVI succeeded Saint John Paul II, predecessor and his prolific writings on doctrine and values. Benedict XVI advocated a return to fundamental Christian values to counter the increase of many developed countries. Relativism denied objective truth and moral truths in particular; he viewed this central problem of the 21st century. With the importance of the Church, he understood redemptive love of God. He reaffirmed the "importance of prayer in the face of the activism" "of many Christians engaged in charitable work." Benedict also revived a number and elevated the Tridentine Mass to a more prominent position.
Benedict founded and patronized of the Ratzinger foundation, a charitable organization, which from the sale of books and essays makes money to fund scholarships and bursaries for students across the world.
Due to advanced age on 11 February 2013, Benedict announced in a speech in Latin and cited a "lack of strength of mind and body" before the cardinals. He effectively left on 28 February 2013.As emeritus, Benedict retained the style of His Holiness, and the title and continued to dress in the color of white. He moved into the newly renovated monastery of Mater Ecclesiae for his retirement. Pope Francis succeeded him on 13 March 2013.
(more info on Ratzinger Foundation: https://www.ewtn.com/library/Theology...)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
June 11, 2026
My opinions about religion fall somewhere between an observation made by Nobel Prize laureate Eugene Ionescu in
Rhinoceros
and another made by Irish comedian Tommy Tiernan, respectively: “The fact that I depise religion doesn’t mean don’t esteem it highly” and “my views on religion are quite specific. Whatever religion you believe in, ladies and gentlemen, I will respect it, but I won’t take it seriously.”
I am a non-Catholic atheist who happily attended a Jesuit university...and I actually felt like I fit right in. They were open-minded and not afraid to teach about world religions while being critical of their own. The fact that they still had faith always intrigued me. So I’m interested, but as an outsider. I just can’t get aboard. It comes down to how an idiotic religion teacher from my high school started her first day: “You may not agree with what I have to say, but what I say is right.” A lot of the feelings I had as a defiant student then reemerged as I read on.
When Joseph Ratzinger became Benedict XVI, there was lots of talk of him being an intellectual, so I got a couple of books published before his elevation but then lost interest as his conservatism became clear. Recent history brought the title of one, Truth and Tolerance, back to my attention. Might it shed any light on the global insanity unleashed by Christian fundamentalists and right-wing American Catholics?
In terms of diagnosing social problems, I have to give Ratzinger credit for finding occasional flourishes of precise clarity. His breathtaking clear assessments are often linked with or housed in clunky rhetoric descriptions of problems or realities are breathtakingly clear and hopeful. Here’s one example:
There are odd conclusions, based wholly in faith, but expressed as objective fact. Abel, for example, was the “first martyr…who let himself be killed and thus himself became a ‘lamb,’ anticipating the fate of Christ.” That’s a stretch, one of many that ultimately lead to one conclusion: Ratzinger had a remarkable of defining issues of freedom, but his conclusions uniformly echo my hated high school religion teacher: “You may not agree with what I have to say, but what I say is right,” with a condescending caveat of God knowing all. That, taken to it logical conclusion, means a deterministic world, which, by definition, has no freedom of choice. It’s heavy on the truth, light on the tolerance.
The mask of this theological charade has been ripped off in the past eleven years in the United States. Born-again Christians, conservative Catholics, Mormons, and other sects claiming to be Christian who support and enable the Trump/MAGA/Republican agenda believe two things: Jesus died for their sins and Trump lives to justify their hate, envy and greed. It would have been interesting to see how Pope Benedict would have explained that.
I am a non-Catholic atheist who happily attended a Jesuit university...and I actually felt like I fit right in. They were open-minded and not afraid to teach about world religions while being critical of their own. The fact that they still had faith always intrigued me. So I’m interested, but as an outsider. I just can’t get aboard. It comes down to how an idiotic religion teacher from my high school started her first day: “You may not agree with what I have to say, but what I say is right.” A lot of the feelings I had as a defiant student then reemerged as I read on.
When Joseph Ratzinger became Benedict XVI, there was lots of talk of him being an intellectual, so I got a couple of books published before his elevation but then lost interest as his conservatism became clear. Recent history brought the title of one, Truth and Tolerance, back to my attention. Might it shed any light on the global insanity unleashed by Christian fundamentalists and right-wing American Catholics?
In terms of diagnosing social problems, I have to give Ratzinger credit for finding occasional flourishes of precise clarity. His breathtaking clear assessments are often linked with or housed in clunky rhetoric descriptions of problems or realities are breathtakingly clear and hopeful. Here’s one example:
…true eternity is experienced in trustfully putting one’s hopes in the freedom or the other to remain the other. Over against the unity of merging, with its tendency to eliminate identity, should be set personal experience: unity of love is higher than formless identity.But that made it frustrating. The next passages usually reverted to stale doctrine. Brilliance is always, it seems, followed by predictable mediocrity that still somehow manages to confuse a clear idea that he just stated, sometimes in the same sentence.
There are odd conclusions, based wholly in faith, but expressed as objective fact. Abel, for example, was the “first martyr…who let himself be killed and thus himself became a ‘lamb,’ anticipating the fate of Christ.” That’s a stretch, one of many that ultimately lead to one conclusion: Ratzinger had a remarkable of defining issues of freedom, but his conclusions uniformly echo my hated high school religion teacher: “You may not agree with what I have to say, but what I say is right,” with a condescending caveat of God knowing all. That, taken to it logical conclusion, means a deterministic world, which, by definition, has no freedom of choice. It’s heavy on the truth, light on the tolerance.
The mask of this theological charade has been ripped off in the past eleven years in the United States. Born-again Christians, conservative Catholics, Mormons, and other sects claiming to be Christian who support and enable the Trump/MAGA/Republican agenda believe two things: Jesus died for their sins and Trump lives to justify their hate, envy and greed. It would have been interesting to see how Pope Benedict would have explained that.
December 23, 2013
Truth and Tolerance was a really engaging read. Cardinal Ratzinger tackled a number of delicate and challenging contradictions head-on, not shying away from controversial points-of-view, pursing first and foremost Truth as the key to freedom, of religion, of man, and of society.
The book speaks to contradictions in culture and religion; in relativism and objective truth; in the claims of different religions; and in the pursuit of "freedom." The philosophical arguments are well explained. The density of the material, however, requires ― at least of this amateur reader ― a second read. Definitely a book that I wish to read again.
The book speaks to contradictions in culture and religion; in relativism and objective truth; in the claims of different religions; and in the pursuit of "freedom." The philosophical arguments are well explained. The density of the material, however, requires ― at least of this amateur reader ― a second read. Definitely a book that I wish to read again.
August 4, 2013
This book explores one of the toughest questions that arises for Christians and others who believe in truth. Can we claim something to be true without resorting to intolerance? How can we live in a world of differing beliefs without either going to war with each other or relativizing the claims of every system (you have your "truth; I have mine).
Benedict (Cardinal Ratzinger when this was written) goes about his task by first distinguishing between two basic kinds of religions: monotheisms and mysticisms. He then considers the development of Christianity and particularly how Christianity develops at the intersection of European, Asian, and African culture.
The second part of the book is most interesting though as he explores more carefully the issues of truth, tolerance, and freedom. He argues that the unique quality of Christianity is that it brings together faith, reason, and the practice of love in a way that both addresses the deepest questions of humanity and that affords the greatest dignity to every person. In his chapter on freedom, he looks at the systems of communism and existentialism that have proposed versions of freedom without God that eventuate in either the tyranny of the state or the tyranny of the self. Neither understands humans in the image of the Triune God, as those who are from, for and with others, who are liberated by truth for responsible relationships with God, self, and others.
Along the way he deals with the question of interfaith prayer. His approach here reflects his approach throughout--to recognize the genuine human longings and impulses in such gatherings, and yet to say this can never be done in a way that relativizes all faiths or blends them into some homogeneous whole. Clear and thoughtful writing on an important question!
Benedict (Cardinal Ratzinger when this was written) goes about his task by first distinguishing between two basic kinds of religions: monotheisms and mysticisms. He then considers the development of Christianity and particularly how Christianity develops at the intersection of European, Asian, and African culture.
The second part of the book is most interesting though as he explores more carefully the issues of truth, tolerance, and freedom. He argues that the unique quality of Christianity is that it brings together faith, reason, and the practice of love in a way that both addresses the deepest questions of humanity and that affords the greatest dignity to every person. In his chapter on freedom, he looks at the systems of communism and existentialism that have proposed versions of freedom without God that eventuate in either the tyranny of the state or the tyranny of the self. Neither understands humans in the image of the Triune God, as those who are from, for and with others, who are liberated by truth for responsible relationships with God, self, and others.
Along the way he deals with the question of interfaith prayer. His approach here reflects his approach throughout--to recognize the genuine human longings and impulses in such gatherings, and yet to say this can never be done in a way that relativizes all faiths or blends them into some homogeneous whole. Clear and thoughtful writing on an important question!
December 3, 2020
Pope Benedict XVI, one of the greatest minds of the Church and one who I hope along with St. Pope JPII, for his work on "Theology of the Body" are named doctors of the Church. But ok, great to hear but what about the book you ask? The book is great, it is one of my favorites and I will re-visit many times throughout my life. Many reviews here have already explained what it entails and the difficulty some have in keeping up with the Pope's thoughts, which I would agree with it can be a very dense read, but those tend to be the most fruitful in my experience. We should not limit ourselves to difficulties that are no difficulties at all but rise to the task at hand.
Nevertheless, I have two additional resources that I believe would be of great help, the first is a speech given by PBXVI to the German Parliament titled "Speech by Pope Benedict XVI in front of the German Bundestag", which I personally believe to be one of the greatest speeches I have ever heard given to a secular audience. This speech by PBXVI will also give you insight into his style and part of the topic at-hand within this book, link below. The second is what can be just as a difficult read but one that PBXVI references throughout the book, that is the encyclical "Fides et Ratio" by St. Pope JPII (link below).
Last impression, I believe this book will be a great introduction to your friends who share a naturalistic, materialistic, post-modern, atheist, etc... world views. PBXVI writes and speaks in a very friendly and inviting manner that should not be a turn-off to others outside our Catholic world-view. I honestly think this book could be the light that shines just enough for those to inspect and wonder, "Truth could it be?"
https://youtu.be/ehSPhWAxAjo
http://www.vatican.va/content/john-pa...
Nevertheless, I have two additional resources that I believe would be of great help, the first is a speech given by PBXVI to the German Parliament titled "Speech by Pope Benedict XVI in front of the German Bundestag", which I personally believe to be one of the greatest speeches I have ever heard given to a secular audience. This speech by PBXVI will also give you insight into his style and part of the topic at-hand within this book, link below. The second is what can be just as a difficult read but one that PBXVI references throughout the book, that is the encyclical "Fides et Ratio" by St. Pope JPII (link below).
Last impression, I believe this book will be a great introduction to your friends who share a naturalistic, materialistic, post-modern, atheist, etc... world views. PBXVI writes and speaks in a very friendly and inviting manner that should not be a turn-off to others outside our Catholic world-view. I honestly think this book could be the light that shines just enough for those to inspect and wonder, "Truth could it be?"
https://youtu.be/ehSPhWAxAjo
http://www.vatican.va/content/john-pa...
January 3, 2009
About this book, there is good news and bad news.
Bad news first: this is not a "book" inspite of being packaged as one, though this is not explained on the cover. Instead it is a collection of at best loosely related lectures given over several decades, thus it is uneven and does not read as a coherent work. The sub-title, "Christian Belief and World Religions," is inacurrate at best, deceptive at worst. This is not a book about Christianity and world religions; and given the grave importance of this topic, it unfortunate it was used to lure readers into buying the book, but not addressed in the book. These (un)related essays are, rather, about belief and faith, and the relation of Christianity to claims of spiritual univeralism and mostly-eastern notions of "cosmic energy" -- important topics to be sure, but not the same thing as relation of Christianity to, for example, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, etc. Lastly, some of the sections in the middle and end of the book are dense and less than interesting.
Good news: the first essay, from 1963, is the best. If you only read part of the book, read this one. The second one is also pretty good. These have helpful, thoughtful reflections on the nature of belief and faith, articulation of differencess between the two, and a clear, charitable distinction between some far-reaching notions of mysticism and Christianity itself.
Bad news first: this is not a "book" inspite of being packaged as one, though this is not explained on the cover. Instead it is a collection of at best loosely related lectures given over several decades, thus it is uneven and does not read as a coherent work. The sub-title, "Christian Belief and World Religions," is inacurrate at best, deceptive at worst. This is not a book about Christianity and world religions; and given the grave importance of this topic, it unfortunate it was used to lure readers into buying the book, but not addressed in the book. These (un)related essays are, rather, about belief and faith, and the relation of Christianity to claims of spiritual univeralism and mostly-eastern notions of "cosmic energy" -- important topics to be sure, but not the same thing as relation of Christianity to, for example, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, etc. Lastly, some of the sections in the middle and end of the book are dense and less than interesting.
Good news: the first essay, from 1963, is the best. If you only read part of the book, read this one. The second one is also pretty good. These have helpful, thoughtful reflections on the nature of belief and faith, articulation of differencess between the two, and a clear, charitable distinction between some far-reaching notions of mysticism and Christianity itself.
February 9, 2009
If Christianity is the "true" philosophy or the religio vera, how are inter-religious dialogues possible? Ratzinger attempts to answer this question by stating something which many do not wish to examine - it is through our differences that an understanding between faiths can be established. Inter-religious dialogues should not be used as a tool to promote the emergence of a singular religion in the spirit of neo-Platonism, but should instead be used to reach a better understanding amongst religions. While Ratzinger isn't an easy nut to crack, once you break through the outer layers, one finds the true beauty of his words.
June 14, 2013
Word up. Read it. Religious epistemology, ecumenism, paradigms, philosophy, theology, and all that jazz.
March 2, 2023
If we reject the belief in an immutable Absolute Good that exists independent of the world and yet has made itself immanent in all humanity, then all humanity, and all its history, and all its cultures, all its philosophies become a mere collection of accidents, of subjective perceptions and self-interested calculations that keep people in conflict with each other and fail to satisfy the innate drive of people of all times and cultures and religions to discover Truth. Of course, throughout the course of history, various schools of thought have attempted to corral sets of values to establish systems that claimed to have achieved the truth but have failed miserably (Marxism and Darwinism are cases in point). This has been the long-standing call of Joseph Ratzinger as Cardinal and as Pope: that humanity must seek its freedom from "the dictatorship of the accidental." through our capacity (indeed our destiny) to recognize and know the Truth by transcending the gods of relativism. Tolerance, which of course is a virtue in many circumstances, has no place on the road to Truth.
December 2, 2020
Ratzinger offers a compelling argument for the truth of Christianity as a remedy for a modern western culture that is largely characterized by atheism.
April 2, 2025
Honestly a book everyone should read. Great philosophy and theology from why we were created to the reason we die and literally everythinggggg that happens in between. 1000/10
April 12, 2020
I read it to be challenged and was. Good critiques of modern relativism, universalism, with helpful defense of truth. I made lots of notes of things expressed with particular clarity.
May 12, 2017
Cardinal Ratzinger covers a broad range of topics, ranging from the types of world religions, how to consider claims of culture and history, and what to think of the Enlightenment and progress, all related to the larger question of philosophy, Christianity and claims of truth. Human beings are cultural animals, and Truth and Tolerance examines how Christianity may speak to humans in the midst of their culture.
November 2, 2015
This book is an excellent compilation of Lectures given by Cardinal Ratzinger on the subject of truth that points out how Christianity can easily be absorbed into any culture or religion without destroying that culture or religious history. It is not easy reading, but certainly worthwhile and very thought provoking. The last lecture was easiest for me to read, whether because I had gotten used to the subject matter or because it was less erudite I am not sure. I plan to read through all of the lectures again. I am obviously not as well read as Pope Benedict, so most of the reference material went over my head, however the ideas and thoughts made sense to me and were definitely enlightening.
December 23, 2009
This is not an easy book to read, it seems more like the text of a lecture given by a very educated academic to a group of like individuals. Therefore, if you are looking for light reading on the topic, this is not a good choice. However, it is a very good study with a significant amount of in depth analysis into the topic of Christian belief and how it relates to other religions of the world.
January 6, 2011
I'm conflicted about how many stars to give this one. The "book" is a collection of individual writings, not actually one book and because the marketing is misleading I'm giving it three stars.
The writings are terrific, I love his work - I would give the first couple writings 5 stars, some of the others are a little difficult to get through sometimes.
The writings are terrific, I love his work - I would give the first couple writings 5 stars, some of the others are a little difficult to get through sometimes.
June 17, 2014
If you have never read Pope Benedict XVI/Joseph Ratzinger DO NOT start with this book. I love his books but this one I felt like I put my hands to the plow on a hill filled with boulders. This is the first book I truly broke a sweat while reading.
That said. Wow. Just wow. Truth. Tolerance. Freedom. Especially freedom. This man has a mind that just amazes me. I love his books.
That said. Wow. Just wow. Truth. Tolerance. Freedom. Especially freedom. This man has a mind that just amazes me. I love his books.
December 11, 2013
Pope Benedict is often critiqued for his theological 'straight jackets'...but that is what makes for a solid foundation when it comes to entering a process like interreligious dialogue. Joseph Ratzinger lays bare the theological trappings that lurch in the shadows of a progressivist or a inclusivist.
July 23, 2014
Taattua Ratzingeria. Kirja käsittelee ajankohtaisia kysymyksiä kristinuskon ja muiden uskontojen suhteesta sekä totuudesta, suvaitsevaisuudesta ja relativismista. Yksi tähti lähti kirjan suhteellisen sekavasta rakenteesta, mutta muuten mielenkiintoinen teos, jossa perehdytään analyyttisesti nykyihmisiä vaivaaviin uskontoteologisiin kysymyksiin.
September 22, 2009
I was interested in the Pope's perspective on this issue, but found the presentation a bit "over my head" at the time I was reading it! Will try again when I have more time to concentrate on the material.
November 2, 2007
Rich in wisdom.
January 21, 2008
A challenging and direct work.
August 23, 2009
I was pleasantly surprized by the tolerance and respect with which the book was written.
Want to Read
June 29, 2015I tried to read this work once before, and it started to get way over my head. Here's to trying again!
August 9, 2010
Still working through it
somewhat painful to get through but interesting insight into the mind-workings of the current Head of the Roman Catholic Church
somewhat painful to get through but interesting insight into the mind-workings of the current Head of the Roman Catholic Church
January 18, 2016
Scholarly but accessible by a great theologian.
May 29, 2015
Brutalno dobra knjiga!
December 16, 2015
The search for truth is an important aspect of human relations and Pope Benedict guides us on this search.
January 12, 2016
One word. Phenomenal!
November 6, 2022
Best theologian alive. Gracefully touches on very important topics.
January 1, 2018
Sorry Ratzy. I like you as a person, cause you seem to long for Truth more than your successor does for Facebook likes, but really this was so disappointing. Really theology hasn't gone much forward since Middle Ages, uh. I was hoping to challenge my views but this book only strengthened my believes: Christianity might have a progressive force for the first few centuries since it developed, but then it just became a scrawny thing, all intended in preserving itself instead of renovating and pushing forward itself and society. Sad indeed - poor Ratzy. Well, I still think you are a nice person tho. Too bad your philosophical views are so damn intolerant. Thank God the Church doesn't have any more political power, eh (I mean, not officially at least). Lol
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews