"Remarkably, even though millions upon millions of us do
believe in God, when we are asked why we have such faith, we become tongue-tied
and struggle to give a reason for our hope. No wonder those who don't believe
God exists remain unconvinced—there's too few of us ready to speak on God's
behalf!"
"Ken Boa and Robert Bowman, have provided a resource that
tackles the most profound arguments from philosophy, science, sociology,
psychology, and history ... and presents twenty clear, concise, and compelling
evidences that show that faith in God—and specifically Jesus Christ—is
reasonable."
December's selection:
"50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God" by Guy P.
Harrison
The title of this book is a little deceptive. The author
presents reasons why people believe in a god and then critiques those reasons.
Editorial reviews:
Nick Wynne, PhD; Executive director of the Florida Historical
Society:
"Guy P. Harrison has written a persuasive and frequently humorous book about an
important topic . . .This thoughtful work should be read by religious
practitioners, political leaders, and the general public and should be taught as
a foundation for explaining the role of religion in society. I recommend it
heartily."
James A. Haught, author of 2,000 Years of Disbelief and
editor of West Virginia's largest newspaper, The Charleston Gazette
"Deep wisdom and patient explanations fill this excellent book. The author--a
journalist with worldwide experience and thorough scientific knowledge--doesn't
ridicule supernatural beliefs. He seems fond of believers. But he quietly
employs logic to show that invisible gods, devils, heavens, hells, miracles and
the like belong in the superstitious past, and cannot be taken seriously by
educated modern people."
2009-January's selection:
"God without God: Western spirituality without
the wrathful king" by Michael Hampson
"A compelling book, challenging Christians and atheists alike. He
presents a deeply authentic spirituality which reaches into the profound mystery
of the centre of Christian faith.
Fr. Richard Rohr, author of "Everything Belongs:"
"Western Christianity is at a major impasse, and this book gives you
the major reasons why. As long as we have a punitive, petty God, whose love is
entirely conditional, how can we expect history to be any different. Thank you
Michael Hampson!
Amazon.com Product Description:
God without God takes the atheist case against God as a premise, then examines what remains of the western spiritual
tradition when the God of presumptive monotheism is removed. It finds right at the heart of the tradition a concept
of God, a concept of the divine, far more complex and mysterious than that which the atheist rightly rejects.
Far from being destroyed or diminished, the tradition flourishes in its liberation.
From the inside flap:
The Christian faith stands accused of arrogance, hypocrisy, abuse of power, imperialism, dictatorship and genocide,
discredited variously by science, rationalism, pluralism, Vatican politics and protestant fundamentalism, and finally
rendered obsolete by democracy, wealth, technology, and even the church's own liberal wing. Once the monopoly player
in the western spiritual marketplace, it looks increasingly like a bankrupt corporation destroyed by the weight of
its own history.
God without God has no argument with science or atheism or pluralism - indeed it takes these
as its premises, then sets out to explore what remains of the western spiritual tradition. It finds right at the heart
of that tradition a concept of the divine far more complex and mysterious than that which the atheist rightly rejects.
We move beyond theism and atheism to consider the mystery of existence itself, discovering a tradition full of
contemporary resonance, with a profound and timeless integrity for body, mind and spirit.
2009-Febuary's selection:
"The Muslim Next Door: The Qur'an, the Media, an
that veil thing" by Sumbul Ali-Karamali
John L. Esposito, University Professor and Professor of Islamic Studies at
Georgetown University:
"Post 9/11 has seen an explosion of publishing on Islam. For many,
the question is who do I read if I only have a limited amount of time and want
to know what and why Muslims believe what they believe? The Muslim Next Door is
an excellent place to start. Sumbul Ali-Karameli presents Islam as a living and
lived faith. She combines scholarship with an engaging and accessible style and
frank self-criticism that crystallizes the faith and commitment of a majority of
mainstream Muslims in its unity and diversity."
Robert W. Hillman, Professor of Law, University of California, Davis:
"An engaging and enlightening work. The author has provided an indispensable
vade mecum for anyone interested in a sensitive and feminist perspective on
Islam, free of the rhetoric and exaggerations common in contemporary public
discourse. The book is conversational in tone and very readable and,
although the subject is serious, the author has a gift for applying a
lighter touch and humor at just the right moments. It should be read by
everyone."
Dr. Eboo Patel, Ph.D., Sociology of Religion, Oxford & Executive Director of
Interfaith Youth Core Chicago, IL:
"There are few books that I would genuinely recommend to everybody I know,
and you are holding one of them. Sumbul Ali-Karamali has written a lovely,
lyrical and learned book about living Islam. Whether you are an expert in
the subject or a novice, a skeptic or a believer, you will find this book a
treasure."
