In the spiritual, social, historical crises of civilisations-and of religious institutions- the same principle applies. Growth, survival and even salvation may depend on the ability to sacrifice what is fictitious and unauthentic in the construction of one's moral, religious and national identity. One must then enter upon a different creative task of reconstruction and renewal. This task can be carried out only in the climate of faith, of hope and of love. Thomas Merton, "Faith and Violence: Christian Teaching and Christian Practice", Univ. of Notre Dame Press, 1968.
