| Spirituality and Religion July 2006 |
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"Not all religion is to be found in the church, any more than all knowledge is found in the classroom."
~ Author unknown |
| New and recently released! |
| The Scent of God: A Memoir - by Beryl Singleton Bissell |
| Publisher: Perseus Books Group |
| Pub Date: 03/22/2006 |
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| ISBN: 1582433488 |
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Yearning for the love that she believed only God could give her, Beryl Bissell entered a monastery at the age of 18. By 33, she had fallen in love with a priest, and had left the monastery--and he the priesthood-- so that they could marry. In addition to agonizing over her love for God and her love for a man, Bissell speaks of cloistered life, the struggle with faith that many Catholics face, the consequences of Vatican II, and facing up to choices made in error. Publishers Weekly calls this memoir of a courageous woman "deeply moving." | |
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| Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene: The Followers of Jesus in History and Legend - by Bart D. Ehrman |
| Publisher: Oxford University Press |
| Pub Date: 05/01/2006 |
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| ISBN: 0195300130 |
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Using the New Testament, early writings, and legend and myth, biblical historian Bart Ehrman teases apart what is known and what is believed about three of Jesus' most well known followers. While the story of Peter bringing a smoked tuna back to life isn't the literal truth, Ehrman makes the point that even the fictional stories tell contemporary readers what ideas were present in early Christianity. With what Booklist calls "a highly readable, entertaining style," this book is sure to interest readers of biblical history or those who want to know more about Peter, Paul, and Mary Magdalene. | |
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| My Struggle with Faith - by Joseph F. Girzone |
| Publisher: Doubleday |
| Pub Date: 05/30/2006 |
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| ISBN: 0385517122 |
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Receiving a starred review from Publishers Weekly, this memoir by retired priest and author Joseph Girzone is described as "a beautiful portrait of faith." Girzone uses his knowledge of science, theology, and history to discuss the existence of God, the creation of the universe, and the Catholic Church and its traditions. When discussing his own beliefs, he confesses to experiencing doubt and confusion, and expresses a frankness that is sure to attract and console readers who are struggling with their own questions of faith. | |
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| A Greener Faith: Religious Environmentalism and Our Planet's Future - by Roger S. Gottlieb |
| Publisher: Oxford University Press |
| Pub Date: 06/02/2006 |
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| ISBN: 0195176480 |
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Using examples taken from around the world, philosophy professor Roger Gottlieb argues that religious organizations--and individuals--are among the most dedicated to and involved in environmental activism. While most of his examples come from the U.S., he also looks at the Vatican and Mongolia, and includes Jewish and Christian theologians as well as Buddhists and interfaith groups, all of whom have found a spiritual reason to protect the Earth. He also chronicles the occasions where secular and religious groups come together to reach a common goal. Anyone interested in environmental activism will want to pick this up. | |
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| A Legacy of Faith: Things I Learned from My Father - by Ruth Graham |
| Publisher: Zondervan |
| Pub Date: 05/16/2006 |
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| ISBN: 0310812186 |
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From the daughter of evangelist Billy Graham comes a loving tribute to her famous father. While Ruth Graham speaks of her difficult time as an adult, she looks back to her childhood with warmth and fondness, due in large part to the family life her parents created together. And although her father was often away on business, she recalls the excitement his returns always created, and the lessons of loyalty and generosity that he taught his family. If you enjoy this book and want to learn more about the Graham family, be sure to pick up The Legacy of Love: Things I Learned from My Mother. | |
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| Rumspringa: To Be or Not to Be Amish - by Tom Shachtman |
| Publisher: North Point Press |
| Pub Date: 05/30/2006 |
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| ISBN: 086547687X |
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At 16, Amish teens have the chance to experience non-Amish life, and must eventually make a choice between their upbringing and the rest of the world. More than 80% return to their faith, but as the world around them changes, the Amish must in some ways change as well. This fascinating look behind the scenes of a world few are ever able to experience is based on many interviews and much research. It details the challenges facing the Amish today, addresses the role of women, speaks about Amish education and doctrine, and uses the period of rumspringa as a tool to understand American teens in general. | |
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| Focus on: Famous people and God |
| The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey - by Muhammad Ali with Hana Yasmeen Ali |
| Publisher: Simon & Schuster |
| Pub Date: 11/01/2004 |
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| ISBN: 0743255690 |
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The Soul of a Butterfly is a touching collection of Muhammad Ali's thoughts and spiritual reflections, divided into chapters that focus on a particular abstract idea, such as love or respect. These reflections are often enhanced by personal recollections, letters, and poems, as well as Sufi parables. This is not a biography in the traditional sense, but it does record Ali's thoughts, choices, and insights into some aspects of his career as well as his political and religious life. If you are curious about the man behind "The Mouth," you may want to pick this up. | |
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| The Dance of the Dissident Daughter: A Woman's Journey from Christian Tradition to the Sacred Feminine - by Sue Monk Kidd |
| Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco |
| Pub Date: 09/01/2002 |
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| ISBN: 006064589X |
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Raised Southern Baptist and married to a Baptist minister, novelist Sue Monk Kidd feared that she could not live up to the standards of femininity set by a system she felt was patriarchal and fundamentalist. Once she realized that she did not connect well with the religion of her roots, she eventually moved towards experiencing unconventional feminine religious traditions. While her decisions may not be supported by all women in a Christian church, those who have struggled with feelings of exclusion may find comfort that they're not alone. If you were intrigued by the elements of feminine spirituality in her novel, The Secret Life of Bees, you might be interested in reading more about it here. | |
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| The Gospel According to Oprah - by Marcia Z. Nelson |
| Publisher: Westminster J. Knox Press |
| Pub Date: 09/28/2005 |
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| ISBN: 0664229425 |
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According to Marcia Nelson, talk show host Oprah Winfrey does more than just inspire from her pulpit of the Oprah show's auditorium--she also promotes positive spiritual values. Although raised Baptist, Oprah does not use religious language on her show; nevertheless, she tells stories that encourage others to emulate the good deeds they describe. This is just one of the many reasons why Nelson sees Oprah as a pastor, and a highly effective one at that. After reading this book, both detractors and fans are likely to have a greater understanding of the influence Oprah wields. | |
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| The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life - by Armand M. Nicholi, Jr. |
| Publisher: Free Press |
| Pub Date: 04/01/2002 |
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| ISBN: 0743202376 |
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While much has been written about C.S. Lewis--and about Freud--this particular book focuses on the discussions that these two men might have had, if they had ever met. Based on their writings, Armand Nicholi, a psychiatry professor, compares the beliefs of atheist Freud with that of Christian C.S. Lewis on matters of, well, God, love, sex, and the meaning of life. While both men were quite occupied with these questions, and were quite eloquent in expressing themselves, Nicholi has created an interesting way of comparing two quite different schools of thought. | |
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| Stars of David: Prominent Jews Talk about Being Jewish - by Abigail Pogrebin |
| Publisher: Broadway Books |
| Pub Date: 10/11/2005 |
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| ISBN: 0767916123 |
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Journalist Abigail Pogrebin interviewed 61 successful Jewish Americans--from Larry King and Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Sarah Jessica Parker--to find out how they felt that being Jewish affects or influences their lives. Their answers range widely, and cover such topics as intermarriage and the Middle East. Also of note is that while many of them attach strong feelings to Jewish culture and history, few are regularly observant; there are also differences in the education they will pass on to their children. But perhaps partly due to these differences, Library Journal calls this a "provocative and enjoyable book" for both Jews and non-Jews. | |
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| God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Time - by Desmond Tutu with Douglas Abrams |
| Publisher: Doubleday |
| Pub Date: 03/01/2004 |
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| ISBN: 0385477848 |
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A Nobel Peace Prize winner and the former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu has seen more than his share of unhappiness, but he is renowned for his grace and generous spirit; he believes that there is much good in the world, and that goodness will triumph over evil. A large part of this book is taken from his lectures and sermons, which makes it eminently readable, and the delivery of his message--that all people are members of the same family--is highly inspirational. | |
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| Still looking for the right book? Contact your librarian. |
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