Read the Catechism in a Year
Day 237 - Intro. to the Human Community
Can a Christian be a radical individualist?
No, a Christian can never be a radical individualist, because man is by nature designed for fellowship.
Every person has a mother and a father; he receives help from others and is obliged to help others and to develop his talents for the benefit of all. Since man is God’s “image”, in a certain way he reflects God, who in his depths is not alone but triune (and thus life, love, dialogue, and exchange). Finally, love is the central commandment for all Christians; through it we profoundly belong together and are fundamentally dependent on one another. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mt 22:39).
What is more important, society or the individual?
In God’s sight every individual matters in the first place as a person and only then as a social being.
Society can never be more important than the individual person. Men may never be means to a societal end. Nevertheless, social institutions such as the State and the family are necessary for the individual; they even correspond to his nature. (YOUCAT questions 321-322)
Dig Deeper: Corresponding CCC section (1877-1882) and other references here.
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