Keep The Faith, Change The Church : The Battle By Catholics For The Soul Of Their Church

Rating:
Summary: A primer for grassroots movements -- very thought provoking
Review: Dr. Muller has written a very readable and thought provoking book -- relevant and interesting even to non-Catholics like myself.
VOTF is fascinating as a cultural phenomenon...how a grassroots organization can grow to 16,000 members and hold a national convention after a few months. I saw parallels with MoveOn.org, which was similarly founded after a catalytic event (in that case the Clinton impeachment trial) but has grown far beyond that to become a fundamental force for change in the lackluster Democratic party, evidenced by the Dean surge.

If you are thinking about creating a grassroots organization, this is a terrific book to read. The most compelling parts of the book deal with the group's internal struggles: avoiding being pigeonholed by the Church as a radical group by not taking positions on marginal issues such as the resignation of Cardinal Law or women in the priesthood.

It will very interesting to see how VOTF evolves: VOTF tries to present itself as moderate movement, but one senses that if they did prevail in their mission of creating more power for the laity, the laity would eventually press for many of the very reforms they are presently distancing themselves from.

Although not explicitly stated, I think the key question Dr. Muller raises is whether the form of government (democracy vs. monarchy/theocracy) is directly tied to corruption and repressive policies, and whether a non-democratic government can effectively reform itself from within. The answer will have implication not only within the church, but within the Middle East as well.

Rating:
Summary: Long Overdue Critique
Review: For too long a time have the faithful been silent, bowing to the ever-present dictum "pray, pay and obey". A revolution has begun and it is being conducted by all segments of the Church - laity, clerical and hierarchy. Dr Jim Muller, president of the Voice of the Faithful (of which my wife and I are members), is leading this revolution.
I have just finished reading, for the second time, "Keep the Faith, Change the Church" and warmly recommend it to all who would follow Jesus - who said "Suffer the little children to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Rating:
Summary: At best a misleading title, more likely a knowing lie
Review: This book is by the founders of an organization known as Voice Of The Faithful. Ostensibly, this was an organization founded to stand with the victims of sex abuse. As a member of the laity I can support this goal wholeheartedly, and without reservation.

However, I work with, and attend graduate school with, members of VOTF and I can tell you that this organization has nothing to do with its stated goal. In practice, VOTF members are out to excommunicate people like me (and ALL orthodox Catholics if they can) from the Body of Christ. Do you believe birth control is immoral? If you do then you stand on the rock of biblical teaching and 2000 years of revealed truth. If you do, then VOTF wants you silenced. Do you believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. If you do you stand on the rock of biblical teaching and 2000 years of revealed truth. If you do, the VOTF wants you silenced. Do you believe that we must confess our mortal sins in the sacrament of penance before receiving our lord in the Holy Eucharist? Do you believe that the Catholic church is one holy and apostolic? If so, the members of the VOTF will slander you, throw rocks at you, and call you vicious names. They will NOT treat you with dignity or listen respectfully. They will pursue their anti-Catholic agenda with reckless disregard for the consequences.

These people are not out to "keep the faith," thus the title of this book is little more than a lie. They are out to persecute orthodox Catholics, and deny us our voice, and our church, by any means necessary. This book is simply a cover-up for their agenda.

Rating:
Summary: Beware of VOTF
Review: VOTF is an organization based on deception. They do not represent "the faithful" but only those Catholics with a left wing agenda and that have been around for years (Call to Action, etc)reconsituted under a new and more appealing title for those who are not aware. The membership numbers that they claim is only a list of email addresses that they collect from thier web-site and not true members. They are using the abuse crisis as rocket fuel to forward an agenda that is mostly against Catholic teaching and tradition. I suggest that you go to the VOTF website and see what Muller's "vision" of the church really is verses what he claims it is in public and your eyes will be opened wide. I am sure the content of this vision is not included in the book because he doesn't want the public to know this right away.