A Comparison and Contrast of Joseph Cardinal Bernardin's and Benjamin Franklin's
View's on the Importance of God
Benjamin Franklin born in the 18th century was an avid reader with a
promising writing style. His last years were spent writing and publishing his
Autobiography, written for his son William. Joseph Cardinal Bernardin was born in the
20th century, and followed the teachings of Catholic spirituality throughout his whole
entire life. Before his death in 1996 Bernardin wrote a personal book covering the last
three years of his life and reflecting on issues during early life. Both Franklin and
Bernardin wrote a narrative of their life experiences. There are distinct contrasts and
comparisons between these two individuals related to their perceptions of God. The
literature written during these different time periods reflects the important part God
played during those changing times. The new world was struggling for a new identity and
purpose of God, and today's present world was struggling for peace with it.
Benjamin Franklin's The Autobiography is an account of his life and begins
with his early life in Boston. He later flees to Philadelphia to escape his brother's control
over his every movement. He relates how he was "dirty", "fatigued", and "Want of Rest."
Facing many inconveniences along his way to freedom he explains his struggle to keep on
going. Although Joseph Cardinal Bernardin did not face as many hardships in his early
years as did Franklin, He reflects in his book The Gift Of Peace, that as a young man he
left home and took up the teachings of the Lord. Throughout his spiritual journey his
biggest struggle was to become closer to God. He describes this struggle as "letting go."
He felt that in the modern lifestyle of which he lived there were to many complications of
every day life that kept him from building a personal relationsh...