Publisher: Spiegel & Grau
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 09/13/2011
ISBN-13: 9780385527477
ISBN-10: 0385527470

As Sister Donata, author Mary Johnson belonged to the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa's religious order which serves the poorest of the poor. Inspired to join by an article she read when she was in high school, Johnson was devoted to the order for 20 years, but ultimately left not only the order but the Catholic church. In this memoir she describes her devoted spiritual life, but also depicts the severe interpersonal challenges of belonging to such an intense community. Some of her story may be controversial, but her devotion is inspiring, and she eloquently and movingly explains her reasons for abandoning her vocation. For another memoir about leaving a religious order, read Karen Armstrong's The Spiral Staircase.

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 07/05/2011
ISBN-13: 9780618883028
ISBN-10: 0618883029

The inner workings of the Church of Scientology are little known outside the church, seen most often as a fringe belief system popular among Hollywood celebrities. Author Janet Reitman wrote an article about the church for Rolling Stone in 2006, and this book is a thorough expansion of the article. Reitman includes a biography of L. Ron Hubbard, an explanation of how he developed the theory of dianetics, and an account of how followers expanded his work into the Scientology system after his death. Part exposé of the church's activities and part investigation -- sometimes sympathetic -- of its members' lives, Inside Scientology is a "thoroughly engrossing page-turner," according to Kirkus Reviews.

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Publisher: Jossey-Bass
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 04/19/2011
ISBN-13: 9780470907757
ISBN-10: 0470907754

Franciscan priest and author Richard Rohr offers both inspiration and much to ponder in this short book. Rohr describes the course of life as falling into two parts: before a crisis, and after it. Before the crisis, you have the opportunity to develop a sturdy spiritual foundation through order and religious routine. Then comes a major break in the routine as a result of divorce, death of a loved one, a natural disaster that wipes out your material possessions, or even a career change. After this point, you find a level of peace and spiritual refreshment you could not have predicted. This is Rohr's "most sage, most important book yet" (The Christian Century).

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Publisher: HarperOne
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 05/24/2011
ISBN-13: 9780061774560
ISBN-10: 0061774561

Western-born Buddhist author Lama Surya Das focuses in this book on how modern culture has fallen out of step with time. Socially driven schedules and expectations seem to limit time as a finite commodity. Addressing the common complaint, "I don't have enough time," Das begins by saying, "I'll teach you how to wean yourself from the addictions that sap time and energy," and leads us through mindfulness practices that can replace our often frenetic lifestyle with calm, without requiring us to disengage from society. For more on mindfulness in daily life, read Thich Nhat Hanh's Peace Is Every Step.

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Publisher: Morgan Road Books
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 09/30/2006
ISBN-13: 9780767920810
ISBN-10: 0767920813

Best known as the head of the Tibetan government in exile and as a widely respected spiritual teacher, the Dalai Lama reads deeply and carefully in the sciences and keeps up with current developments. In this book he explains that religion and science have much to say to each other. Specifically comparing Buddhist study to quantum physics, evolutionary theory, and the ethics of biotechnology, he suggests that science can be used to alleviate suffering and increase compassion. There are profound differences between Buddhism and science, to be sure, but this "soulful and mind-expanding book" (Booklist) offers a chance for dialog instead of antagonism.

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Publisher: Free Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 07/17/2007
ISBN-13: 9781416542742
ISBN-10: 1416542744

Francis Collins, MD, now the director of the National Institutes of Health, headed the Human Genome Project. He is also a practicing Christian who found reasons for belief in God through his scientific studies. In The Language of God he explains how he came to reject atheism and to believe that religion and science are not opposed, but complementary. In the book's introduction Collins asks, "Aren't the scientific and spiritual worldviews antithetical, or shouldn't they at least avoid appearing in the East Room [of the White House] together?" He answers "No," and, focusing mainly on the origins of the universe and on evolution, he explains why. Both believers and scientists will find much food for thought here.

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Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 04/01/2004
ISBN-13: 9780830832149
ISBN-10: 0830832149

Formerly the medical editor for ABC News, Timothy Johnson, MD, is a scientist and also an ordained minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church. In Finding God in the Questions, Johnson explores such issues as the origins of the universe ("Is the Universe an Accident?") and the nature of God ("What is God Like?"). He includes personal and stimulating discussions of topics such as Intelligent Design and the problem of undeserved suffering. Publishers Weekly notes that readers may disagree with Johnson, but will nevertheless "think much more deeply about their own answers to these questions."

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Publisher: Perennial
Check Library Catalog Pub Date: 04/01/2007
ISBN-13: 9780061233500
ISBN-10: 0061233501

Both a practicing Roman Catholic and a professor of biology at Brown University, author Kenneth Miller is well known for his support of science in opposition to the teaching of creationism. In Finding Darwin's God, he challenges both creationists and evolutionists to think more carefully about both science and the nature of God. His explanation includes the distinction between validated scientific fact and scientific theory, and he uses validated facts to refute the proposition that evolution can't be demonstrated from our knowledge of the physical universe. He also provides clear arguments against narrowly materialist and atheist views of the world. Through this relaxed, conversational presentation, Miller hopes to promote moderation and openness on all sides of the controversy.