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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Missionary Position summary
Christopher Hitchens
Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice
12 mins
Brief summary
"The Missionary Position" by Christopher Hitchens is a critical analysis of Mother Teresa's life and work. It questions her motives, methods, and radical Catholic beliefs.
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The Missionary Position
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Mother Teresa’s rise to media stardom was based on incorrect information.
Have you ever heard of Agnes Bojaxhiu? Well, you might know her better by a name she adopted later in life: Mother Teresa.
She was born in Albania in 1910 to a religious Catholic family. At 18, she became a nun and, one year later, moved to India. By 1948, she was opening homes and hospices for the poor, the sick and the dying, first in Calcutta, then across the globe.
Teresa’s work with the poor was the subject of widespread praise in the Western press throughout her life, but, upon closer inspection, it’s clear that this fame rests on false premises. Here’s how.
Her initial rise to international fame followed the release of a 1969 BBC documentary featuring her work. However, the film was based on the incorrect assumption that Calcutta was one of the vilest places on earth. This idea was propagated by the wide dissemination of images depicting people asleep on sidewalks and trudging through overcrowded streets.
The reality was very different. Calcutta was no worse than other cities of comparable size in India or other developing nations. It was crowded and poor, but it was also full of hardworking people, excellent universities and vibrant culture. Nonetheless, the film’s depiction of the city as a living hell served to reinforce the saintly image of Teresa’s work at what she called her “House for the Dying.”
Not just that, but the same documentary depicted a supposed miracle, which was definitely not what it seemed. This so-called divine event occurred when a mysterious light, with no discernible source, appeared in a scene filmed in a darkened room at Teresa’s House for the Dying.
The narrator of the film, Malcolm Muggeridge, was sure it was a divine light and the first recording of a miracle performed by Teresa. This story was widely spread by the media and rapidly launched Teresa into stardom.
Years later, the cameraman, Ken Macmillian, said that the light was simply caused by new Kodak film, but by then the miracle was firmly planted in the public conscience, and Teresa was a household name in the West.
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What is The Missionary Position about?
The Missionary Position (1995) tells the true story of the famous nun known as Mother Teresa. These blinks explain how a convincing yet false myth formed around this historic icon whose work and motivations weren’t as noble as we’ve been led to believe.
The Missionary Position Review
The Missionary Position (1995) by Christopher Hitchens shines a critical light on the life and legacy of Mother Teresa. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It provides a compelling critique of Mother Teresa's life and work, challenging the conventional perception of her as a saintly figure.
- With meticulous research and sharp analysis, Hitchens dismantles the romanticized image of Mother Teresa, offering a thought-provoking perspective.
- The book explores the controversial aspects of her mission, sparking crucial conversations and urging readers to question their own beliefs.
Best quote from The Missionary Position
Ironically, Teresa herself was treated at some of the best hospitals in the world in her later life.
—Christopher Hitchens
Who should read The Missionary Position?
- People interested in Catholicism
- Students of religion or modern history
- All readers interested in the story the mainstream isn’t telling
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The Missionary Position FAQs
What is the main message of The Missionary Position?
The main message of The Missionary Position is an examination of Mother Teresa's work and the criticisms surrounding it.
How long does it take to read The Missionary Position?
The reading time for The Missionary Position varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Missionary Position a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Missionary Position is worth reading because it provides a thought-provoking analysis of Mother Teresa's legacy and raises important questions about the nature of charity.
Who is the author of The Missionary Position?
The author of The Missionary Position is Christopher Hitchens.
What to read after The Missionary Position?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Missionary Position, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Mortality by Christopher Hitchens
- God Is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens
- The Trial of Henry Kissinger by Christopher Hitchens
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
- Beyond Good and Evil by Friedrich Nietzsche
- The 3-Minute Rule by Brant Pinvidic
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway
- Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker