Includes bibliographical references (p. 255-265) and index.

Christians are by their nature a people out of place. Their true home is with God; in civic life, they are alien citizens "in but not of the world." Here, eminent theologian Richard John Neuhaus examines the particular truth of that ambiguity for Catholics in America today. Neuhaus addresses the essential quandaries of Catholic life--assessing how Catholics can keep their heads above water in the sea of immorality that confronts them in the world, how they can be patriotic even though their true country is not in this world, and how they might reconcile their duties as citizens with their commitment to God.--From publisher description.

Babylon then and now -- Meeting God as an American -- The idea of moral progress -- Can an atheist be a good citizen? -- An age of irony -- Salvation is from the Jews -- Politics for the time being -- Hope and hopelessness.