David Goldstein (Catholic apologist)
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David Goldstein (1870-1958) was a Jewish convert to the Roman Catholic Church.
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[edit] Early life
David Goldstein was born to a Dutch Jewish family that migrated first to England and then to the United States. His parents were strong proponents of Socialism, and inculcated these ideas into him from early childhood.
[edit] Socialist
Goldstein quit school at eleven years, and began to work as a tobacco stripper. His real education began here, from his fellow-workers, to people such as Samuel Gompers, a member of his father's union, and Henry George, who the young Goldstein supported in his run for Mayor of New York City in 1886. Gompers would remain an influence throughout his life.
In 1888, Goldstein's family moved to Boston, where, inspired by Edward Bellamy's Looking Backward, he decided to work to improve the lot of American workers. In 1895, he joined the Socialist Labor Party of America, where he met Martha Gallison Moore-Avery, 1851-1929, who had also been influenced by Bellamy and who became Goldstein's lifelong friend and mentoress. Goldstein became the Secretary of the Boston School of Political Economy, an institution founded by Avery in 1899.
[edit] Conversion
However, appalled by the extremist rhetoric of George Herron, both Avery and Goldstein began to question Socialism, which they formally abandoned in 1903. Soon after, they both decided to convert to Catholicism in 1905 and 1904 respectively. They both became outspoken opponents of Socialism. Both became involved with Fr. Peter Dietz' Militia of Christ, a movement to innoculate Catholic workers against the inroads of Socialism and Communism into the union movement. Goldstein began using the Boston School of Political Economy to publicize his opposition to Socialism and Communism. A Socialist and a Jew converting to Catholicism, Goldstein quickly became a sensation in Catholic circles, and rose to become a prominent lecturer around the United States for the Militia of Christ.
Goldstein also became deeply involved in evangelizing his fellow-Jews, authoring several prominent books and tracts designed to be used by Christian apologists working with Jews. He founded the Catholic Truth Guild in 1917 along with Martha Moore Avery. In 1936, he founded the Catholic Campaigners for Christ.
[edit] Legacy
Following Vatican II, Goldstein became unfashionable. His writings are considered in some circles as offensive to Jews, and therefore a hindrance to interreligious dialogue. However, he is still greatly revered by, extensively relied upon, and quoted by Traditionalist Catholics.
Perhaps, the most famous and relied upon apologetical book by David Goldstein is "What Say You?", Radio Replies Press.
[edit] Writings
- Suicide Bent: Sangerizing Mankind
- Jewish Panorama
- Letters of a Hebrew Catholic to Mr. Isaacs
- What Say You?
- Socialism: The Nation of Fatherless Children
