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Spirituality and Religion January 2020
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| The Lost Art of Scripture: Rescuing the Sacred Texts by Karen ArmstrongWhat it is: an incisive argument in favor of a different way of looking at scripture: not as historical documents, rulebooks, or justifications, but instead as paths to commune with the divine.
What makes it unique: The discussion takes place in the context of religious texts not usually discussed in tandem, from the Pali Canon to the Torah. |
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| For Small Creatures Such as We: Rituals for Finding Meaning in Our Unlikely World by Sasha SaganWhat it's about: This thoughtful and engaging memoir explores the rise in and value of ritual in secular life and includes advice on how to incorporate more of it into your own life.
Read it for: the author's reflections on her interest in religious topics as the daughter of noted scientist and avowed skeptic Carl Sagan.
Reviewer say: "profound" and "elegantly written" (Kirkus Reviews). |
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| Exactly as You Are: The Life and Faith of Mister Rogers by Shea TuttleWhat it's about: the experiences and religious life of beloved children's television icon Fred Rogers and how his faith informed both his career and the compassion he encouraged in others.
Why you should read it: Although the tone is one of admiration, this spiritual biography makes a point to distinguish between Mister Rogers and Fred Rogers the man, nor does it shy away from his shortcomings.
Did you know? Before beginning his career in television, Fred Rogers went to divinity school and became an ordained Presbyterian minister. |
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| The Evangelicals: The Struggle to Shape America by Frances FitzGeraldWhat it's about: the rise and development of the American evangelical movement, from its beginnings in the 18th century to its role in political life in the modern era.
Read it for: its sweeping, comprehensive scope; the impartiality of the author's analysis.
Reviewers say: "a timely and accessible contribution to the rapidly growing body of literature on Christianity in modern America" (Publishers Weekly). |
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| The End of White Christian America by Robert P. JonesWhat it's about: The origins and development of the concept of America as a white, Protestant nation and why that idea doesn't stand up to qualitative or quantitative analysis.
Who it's for: readers across the political and social spectrum who are interested in the past, present, and future effects of religion on politics (and vice versa).
About the author: Robert P. Jones is the CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and writes regularly about religion and American society for the Atlantic. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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