What is *The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice* about?

Christopher Hitchens’ *The Missionary Position* is a critical examination of Mother Teresa’s legacy, challenging her saintly public image. The book investigates her missionary work in Kolkata, financial dealings with controversial figures, and the disconnect between her idealized persona and documented actions. Hitchens argues her efforts prioritized expanding Catholicism over alleviating poverty, supported by analysis of her relationships with dictators and wealthy donors.

Who should read *The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice*?

This book appeals to readers interested in critical biographies, religious skepticism, or investigative journalism. Atheists, secular thinkers, and those questioning institutionalized religion will find Hitchens’ arguments compelling. It’s also relevant for biography enthusiasts seeking an unvarnished look at Mother Teresa’s complex legacy.

Is *The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice* worth reading?

Yes, for its provocative critique of a cultural icon. At under 100 pages, Hitchens delivers a concise yet well-researched polemic, blending sardonic wit with investigative rigor. While biased against religious institutions, the book raises valid questions about idolization and ethical accountability, making it essential for readers valuing critical analysis over hagiography.

What are the main arguments in *The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice*?

Hitchens contends Mother Teresa’s missions focused on proselytization, not poverty relief, and alleges financial opacity in her operations. He criticizes her ties to dictators like Haiti’s Duvalier and fraudster Charles Keating, while questioning her acceptance of suffering as a “gift” to the poor. The book argues her Nobel Prize and sainthood stemmed more from myth than measurable impact.

What controversial quotes are featured in *The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice*?

Hitchens famously labels Mother Teresa a “thieving, fanatical Albanian dwarf” to critique her authoritarian approach. Another pivotal quote from Teresa herself—*“I’m not a social worker. I do it for God”*—underscores Hitchens’ argument that her work prioritized religious conversion over humanitarian goals.

How does *The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice* critique Mother Teresa’s financial practices?

The book alleges Teresa’s missions accepted millions from corrupt sources, including $1.25 million from Charles Keating of the Lincoln Savings scandal, without returning funds to victims. Hitchens also notes her refusal to disclose financial records, raising questions about fund allocation and ethical accountability.

What criticisms exist about *The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice*?

Critics argue Hitchens’ anti-theist bias overshadows objectivity, with some calling the tone overly harsh. However, supporters praise his factual rigor, including verified accounts of Teresa’s collaborations with oppressive regimes and her opposition to abortion even for rape victims.

How does *The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice* compare to Hitchens’ other works?

This book shares the polemical style of *God Is Not Great* but focuses narrowly on debunking a single figure. While shorter than his broader critiques of religion, it exemplifies Hitchens’ trademark blend of wit, investigative depth, and unapologetic skepticism.

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The Missionary Position

Christopher Hitchens

4.06 (11621 Reviews)

Biography Politics Philosophy

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Hitchens' controversial expose dismantles Mother Teresa's saintly image, revealing questionable motives and practices behind her global charity empire. This fearless critique sparked worldwide debate about humanitarian ethics and accountability. What shocking truth about this beloved icon made Thomas Mallon acknowledge Hitchens' meticulous, unflinching analysis?

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The poor weren't subjects to be helped but objects through which religious devotion could be performed.

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"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

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117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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1.5K Ratings4.7

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The Missionary Position

Christopher Hitchens

4.06 (11621 Reviews)

Biography Politics Philosophy

Aperçu

Points Clés

Auteur

Questions Fréquentes

Explorez Votre Façon d'Apprendre

Résumé Rapide8min

Ressentez le livre à travers la voix de l'auteur

Approfondissement42min

Transformez les connaissances en idées captivantes et riches en exemples

Fiches mémo10 idées

Capturez les idées clés en un éclair pour un apprentissage rapide

Fun23min

Profitez du livre de manière ludique et engageante

Meilleure citation de The Missionary Position

The poor weren't subjects to be helped but objects through which religious devotion could be performed.

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The Saint Who Wasn't: When Icons Crumble

00:00

Picture this: Haiti, 1981. A tiny nun in a white sari embraces Michele Duvalier, wife of one of the Caribbean's most brutal dictators. Before national cameras, Mother Teresa praises the Duvaliers-the same couple who would soon flee with millions stolen from one of the world's poorest nations. This wasn't a photo ambush or diplomatic accident. It was a genuine alliance that reveals something unsettling: the woman the world revered as the ultimate servant of the poor was cozying up to those who oppressed them most. What happens when we place someone beyond criticism? When we decide certain figures are too virtuous, too selfless, too sacred to examine closely? Christopher Hitchens dared to ask these questions about one of the twentieth century's most untouchable icons, and what he uncovered challenges everything we thought we knew about charity, faith, and the machinery of sainthood itself.

Manufacturing Miracles: How a Nun Became a Superstar

Inside the Houses of Dying: Where Suffering Was Sacred

The Money Trail: Poverty's Profitable Business

Baptizing the Dying: Conversion Without Consent

The Political Saint: Strategic Silence and Selective Speaking

Rethinking Reverence: The Courage to Question

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Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

BeFreed rassemble une communauté mondiale de 1,000,000 esprits curieux

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

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@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

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Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

BeFreed rassemble une communauté mondiale de 1,000,000 esprits curieux

Decouvrez comment BeFreed est discute sur le web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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The Missionary Position by Christopher Hitchens Summary

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Points clés

The Saint Who Wasn't: When Icons Crumble

Manufacturing Miracles: How a Nun Became a Superstar

Inside the Houses of Dying: Where Suffering Was Sacred

The Money Trail: Poverty's Profitable Business

Baptizing the Dying: Conversion Without Consent

The Political Saint: Strategic Silence and Selective Speaking

Rethinking Reverence: The Courage to Question

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Dans le même genre

Points clés

The Saint Who Wasn't: When Icons Crumble

Manufacturing Miracles: How a Nun Became a Superstar

Inside the Houses of Dying: Where Suffering Was Sacred

The Money Trail: Poverty's Profitable Business

Baptizing the Dying: Conversion Without Consent

The Political Saint: Strategic Silence and Selective Speaking

Rethinking Reverence: The Courage to Question