Book Description
Discover magazine recently called Richard Dawkins "Darwin's Rottweiler" for his fierce and effective defense of evolution. Prospect magazine voted him among the top three public intellectuals in the world (along with Umberto Eco and Noam Chomsky). Now Dawkins turns his considerable intellect on religion, denouncing its faulty logic and the suffering it causes. He critiques God in all his forms, from the sex-obsessed tyrant of the Old Testament to the more benign (but still illogical) Celestial Watchmaker favored by some Enlightenment thinkers. He eviscerates the major arguments for religion and demonstrates the supreme improbability of a supreme being. He shows how religion fuels war, foments bigotry, and abuses children, buttressing his points with historical and contemporary evidence. In so doing, he makes a compelling case that belief in God is not just irrational, but potentially deadly. Dawkins has fashioned an impassioned, rigorous rebuttal to religion, to be embraced by anyone who sputters at the inconsistencies and cruelties that riddle the Bible, bristles at the inanity of "intelligent design," or agonizes over fundamentalism in the Middle East—or Middle America.
Customer Reviews:
Very good book.......2007-10-11
Often funny, always honest, and damn hard to refute. Thank you, Mr. Dawkins, for stating in so enjoyable a form what still, alas, takes courage to publicly say.
The Review.......2007-10-11
Absolutely excellent. A must read for those of strong faith , agnostics and atheists. This treatise will help you set yourself free of the yoke of early childhood indoctrination that foists upon us a fairytale of religious faith. This is a thorough exploration of the rationale for and against the concept of a supreme entity - god.
The best of its breed.......2007-10-10
I've read a few books of this ilk (God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, Letter to a Christian Nation, The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason, The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 (Vintage)) and if you have time to read just one of them, make it The God Delusion. It covers more arguments for the existence and non-existence of God than I've seen in a range of philosophy books on theism over the years. And his sense of humor makes it a pleasure to read.
Then read the other books! The Looming Tower documents much that you will not have been aware of.
Brilliant, frightening and a compelling read!.......2007-10-09
At times hilarious, at others downright frightening - Dawkins argues quite effectively that religion is in fact counter productive to human development. While seemingly dark in parts (and occassionaly very scientific), I think his last words in the final chapter (encompassed beautifuly in his documentary based on this book, "The Root Of All Evil?"), really do speak volumes on how it is in fact religion itself that takes us away from true inner harmony and understanding, and not the other way around as argued by those with 'faith'!
Dawkins should stick to biology........2007-10-07
In an endnote to the 1989 second edition of "The Selfish Gene,"
Richard Dawkins commented on astronomers Fred Hoyle and Chandra
Wickramasinghe's characterizations of Darwinism in their publications
arguing for an extraterrestrial origin of terrestrial life:
"Publishers should correct the misapprehension that a scholar's
distinction in one field implies authority in another. And as long as
that misapprehension exists, distinguished scholars should resist the
temptation to abuse it." (p. 276 in my 2006 anniversary edition
printing)
Dawkins, a brilliant popularizer of biology and an original thinker in
evolutionary theory, would have done well to heed his own words.
Instead, he has used the reputation he built with his excellent and
massively successful popular science books to secure a publisher, a
wide audience, and an extensive speaking tour for this poorly
thought-out diatribe against religion. I have been a devout atheist
for as long as I can remember and have no fond feelings whatsoever
for religion (organized or not), and because of that I find this book
very disappointing. Even more disappointing is the fact that Dawkins,
using his great fame to promote this book, has become perhaps the most
prominent voice for atheism in the English-speaking world,
overshadowing the far more nuanced, logically sound, and
empirically-grounded work of actual experts on the subject- I would
recommend in particular "In Gods We
Trust" by Scott Atran, a subtle and multifaceted exploration of the
possible evolutionary origins of religion. It's a phenomenon all too
familiar to scholars in many fields: nuanced, unpolemical, serious
scholarship is overshouted by bombast which appeals to one "camp" or
another. Unfortunately, many people seem to prefer simplistic answers
to difficult questions.
It is particularly disappointing that "The God Delusion" lacks almost
all of the rigor, creativity, and cogency of Dawkins's previous books.
It also lacks the graceful writing of Dawkins's other output,
indulging in frequent irrelevant asides and unjustifiably long
sections given over to
Dawkins's own pet peeves. But more importantly, much of the book's
claims are simply lacking in evidence; Dawkins is content with
supporting some very bold claims with nothing more than anecdote or appeals
to his own intuition. There are too many such instances to go into
here, but I will take as example one which Dawkins chooses to harp on:
Dawkins blames religion for much of the conflict in the world, and
claims that
without it the world would be a more peaceful place. Oh, really? As an
atheist, I would indeed prefer that this were true; as a rational
person, though, I must admit that it is impossible to prove with the
evidence available. And some of the most aggressively secular regimes
in history (Lenin, Stalin...) have been among the most destructive,
often in the name of secularism.
I hope Dawkins abandons this second career as an atheist
fundamentalist and returns to writing the popular science we love him
for. For those interested in the debate on atheism, an interesting
exchange can be found here:
http://www.edge.org/discourse/bb.html
Book Description
With over one million novels in print, New York Times best-selling author Joel C. Rosenberg has been called "eerily prophetic" and a "modern Nostradamus" for his uncanny ability to write political thrillers that come true. In his first nonfiction book, this evangelical Christian from an Orthodox Jewish heritage takes readers on an unforgettable journey through prophecy and current events into the future of Iraq after Saddam, Russia after Communism, Israel after Arafat, and Christianity after radical Islam. You won't want to miss Joel's exclusive interviews with Israeli, Palestinian, and Russian leaders, and previously classified CIA and White House documents. Similar to the approach Joel takes in his novels, his desire is to draw readers into stories, anecdotes, and predictions in a way that builds confidence that allows Joel to share his faith in Jesus Christ and the reliability of Scripture as a guide to understanding the past and the future. Drawing on his experience in Washington, his own exclusive interviews with world leaders, and his astute political acumen, Joel makes sense of the events surrounding the Middle East. He connects information in a way that will make you understand and really care about the world's most important events and how they impact your life--from gas prices to your bank account.Epicenter is about: Change--big changes, dramatic changes, changes that will transform the world as we know it. Answers--what the changes are underway in the world's most important countries. Insight--readers will understand the trajectory of world events by being taken inside the governments of Iran, Iraq, Russia, China, and more. Accessibility--aimed for a wide audience in both the general and Christian markets. Faith--Joel shares his faith in Jesus Christ and the reliability of Scripture. Epicenter will answer questions like: Will Iraq go from bad to worse? Will Israel and her Arab neighbors find peace, or is another major Middle East war just around the corner? If the new, post-Soviet Russia is our friend, why is the Kremlin creating a new class of thermonuclear weapons and building an alliance with radical Islam?
Customer Reviews:
A must listen to book.......2007-10-11
A very thought provoking book. Everyone needs to listen to this book or read the printed copy. Our national leaders should read/listen to this book.
Dot Connecting .......2007-10-11
I watched the documentary based on this book. Great production, solid historical facts, and then the conclusion: God will save Israel without the help of the EU, the UN or USA. God will do this miraculously while we stand around and watch in awe.
These are the same folks who brought us "Left Behind", the apocolyptic series based on the book of Revelation. (Remember the "rapture" craze of the 90's?) Same folks, different crisis. Only this one is based on the book of Ezekiel.
An excellent read for those interested Mid-Eastern philosophy & prophecy.......2007-10-05
If you are a student of Biblical prophecy and the current mid--eastern conflicts, you will be fascinated by the author's ability to tie past, present, and fututre events together. If this topic isn't your "cup of tea," this book could provide fodder to create an interest - definitely worth reading.
Very Interesting-Must Read For Jew & Gentile.......2007-09-29
I found this book to be very interesting if you like end of times prophecy.
Couldn't Put it Down!!.......2007-09-19
Honestly, one of the best books I have ever read. He does a fantastic job of juxtaposing todays headlines with scripture...amazing!
Book Description
In this startling new book, New York Times bestselling author Robert Spencer, provides a warts-and-all portrait of the Prophet of Islam and draws out what his life implies for reforming Islam and repulsing Islamic terrorists. Spencer relies solely on primary sources considered reliable by Muslims and evaluates modern biographies to show how Muhammad has been changed for Western audiences, lulling them into consoling but false conclusions.
Customer Reviews:
Oh political bias..........2007-10-04
While it is certainly true that Spencer utilizes recognized primary sources to construct his arguments, he fails entirely to place the sources in context, or interpret them in a manner consistent with the vast majority of Muslims. I find it heavily amusing that he believes so strongly in Islam's intolerance that he includes it in his title. The reason for this amusement is that up until modern times (Ottoman Empire forward), Islam was arguably the most tolerant of the three religions of the book. In addition to this, Islam is the only one of the three which allows for Muslims, Christians, and Jews to be judged equally (Al-Baqarah 112). When compared to Christianity's views on salvation, and its history of Conversion by the sword (1st-5th crusades, Spanish Inquisition), Islam looks quite tolerant.
take Spencer with a grain of salt. His citations of the hadiths, Qur'an, and other primary sources may be correct, but his conclusions are massively off. You would be better off reading the Qur'an yourself and making your own decisions, as it is fairly obvious that Spencer is merely playing off of America's current ignorance of Islam to paint a picture consistent with our stereotypes.
A Very Eye Opening Book!.......2007-10-03
This is a very eye opening book about the founder of one of the world's most dominant religions. The author uses Muslim references to obtain his facts. He also quotes Muslim scholars and what they have to say. It is not a long book, but it is packed with very informative and very eye opening information about Muhammad and his followers. This book will help people understand the ideas and motivation behind why so many Muslims in the Middle East and elsewhere can be dangerous. This is not a book on Muslims today, as a rule, but does greatly help one understand why many radical Muslims act as they do. It is an easy read and very informative. He explains why the Jewish people are looked down upon along with the Christians, and goes into why the various areas like Medina and Mecca are so important to Islam. I think this is a very good book for anyone wanting to greater understand the reasoning behind Islam, and the man that founded it.
Wht Everyone Needs to Know.......2007-10-01
This is a detailed exploration of the meaning of the Qur'an, and the sayings of Muhammad. Spencer informs the reader that the Qur'an is not set down in chronological order. Rather, it is arranged from longest verse to shortest verse.
As the word of God, the Qur'an can never be amended by man, but verses can be abrogated by God. God can change His mind, and make earlier verses void. However, those same voided verses must remain in the Qur'an, as God did not direct that the voided verses should be removed.
Spencer guides the reader through this confusion, by explaining which verses are still in effect. The reader needs to obtain one of the translations of the Qur'an, referenced by Spencer, inorder to be able to to lookup the Qu'ranic verses to which he refers.
The peaceful verses of the Qur'an, with regard to the treatment of nonbelievers, date from the Meccan period, when Islam was struggling to get established. Those verses of the Qur'an, added after Muhammad fled to Medina, exhort the believers to make war upon the nonbelievers, and to spread the religion by force.
Those who mantain that Islam is a religion of peace, are referenceing verses which have been abrogated, or voided,and are no longer in effect.
A must read for anyone seeking to understand Islam.
A Must Buy for those Intolerant of Islam and Muslims........2007-10-01
This is a good book for anti-Islamic enthusiasts. But if one is looking for a good book on Islam and Islam's Prophet Muhammad, I'm afraid one will have to look elswhere.
Firstly, many non-scholars who write books about Islam will not use normal hermeneutical principles when reading and interpreting Quran passages, even if they are biblical scholars who believe the Bible must be interpreted according to specific principles. For instance, several there are passages in several chapters of the Quran that give rules for defensive warfare. The early Muslim state was attacked by the rulers of Mecca who didn't want to remove the idols from the Kaaba because of the prestige Mecca had being the focus of worship for all the tribes of the Arabian Penninsula. Thus, the Meccan rulers declared war on the early Muslims, continuing the persecution against the early Muslims on a larger scale now that there was an Islamic state in Medina. It was not until then that Muslims fought any wars. Some chapters of the Quran will have passages without conditions when discussing warfare, but these passages must be interpreted by those passages which have conditions. Certainly, not all who call themselves Muslims follow that interpretative principle. But then, not all Christians have at all times and places have followed the traditional Christian view of a just war, either.
Secondly, after the death of Islam's prophet, the Islamic Government soon became imperialist. The Myth is that Islam was spread by the sword. However, later caliphs (successors to the Prophet) conquered lands so they get get the taxes from the Christians and Jews and Zoroastrians and others, despite the Quranic teaching that warfare must be defensive. Traditional Sunni Muslims usually believe their were only 4 very good Caliphs, the first 4 after the death of Islam's Prophet (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali Ibn Talib). Traditional Shia Muslims believe only Ali Ibn Talib (cousin of Muhammad and husband of his daughter Fatima) was a very good caliph. After the murder of Ali, the Caliphate became a dynasty of the Ummayad family. The first Ummayad ruler, Muhawiya, was the son of Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Meccans who became a Muslim after a treaty between the Muslim State and Mecca was broken by agents of the Meccans. Muhawiya's son, Caliph Yazid, demanded fealty from Ali's son Husain and would not let Husain and his followers go into exile. When Husain refused to give fealty to a Caliph that Husain believed openly did not emulate the Prophet, Yazid's army fought and killed Husain small group of follows and all but one of his sons. In the time of the Ummayad dynasty, the name of Ali was cursed within the Islamic caliphate. Many histories which came to be used by Sunni Muslims were written at the time of the Ummayads that sometimes have different accounts of early Islamic history than in the Shia books. These books are considered "authentic" by the Sunnis but are not considered to always be reliable by Shias.
Some examples of differences between one Sunni history or another, and one Sunni history and Shia history follow: Some Sunni histories say that Muhammad had a speck of "black" taken from his heart by the Angel Gabriel. Shias state that never happened. Some Sunni books state that that Muhammad didn't know he was supposed to be a Prophet and also that he was afraid and thought he was demon-possesed. Not so according to Shia books. One Sunni history states that Muhammad consumated his marriage to Aisha the daughter of future caliph Abu Bakr when she was 9 years old. What many anti-Muslim scholars will not tell you is that other Sunni histories say she was 14 or 15 years old, and that Shia books say she was 18, and that Muhammad was not really interested in marrying her but did so to please Abu Bakr and his party. Now, why would histories that paint Muhammad in a bad light be written during the Ummayad dynasty? Perhaps to undermine Ali and Husain and their supporters (who became know later as the Shia Muslims).
Thus, The Truth about Muhammad does not really give the whole truth about Muhammad. Why not buy the classic Sunni histories and read them for yourself. They are available in English translation. One can buy Shia books that discuss Muslim history from the Shia viewpoint (although not all the histories have been translated into English).
However, for those who don't want to understand Muslims, one can read this book. There are those who call themselves Muslims who don't want to try to understand Christianity or the West. What happens when one group doesn't want to understand the other? I believe the answer is too obvious to state here.
Muhammad was a con artist.......2007-10-01
Perhaps it was the sequence of presentation, but I marvaled at the great number of revelations allegedly from Allah,conveniently acquired that Muhammad used to find answers to simple daily problems. I can't believe that. It is too convenient for the man.
Book Description
Islam expert Robert Spencer reveals Islam's ongoing, unshakable quest for global conquest and why the West today faces the same threat as the Crusaders did--and what we can learn from their experience.
Customer Reviews:
Shows common myths wrong but too many omissions and quite a bit of ranting.......2007-10-06
Following upon the runaway success of its guide to American history, Regnery Publishing decided to follow it with a guide to Islam, which fitted in with the paranoia about jihad taking over the West at the time.
"The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades)" covers much the same territory as the author's former book Islam Unveiled. Having read about Muslims' own viewpoints of Islam through investigating the fatwa against Salman Rushdie, Spencer both in Islam Unveiled and this book provides a clear corrective to people who seemed reasonable people when I first read them but are in fact apologists for Islam. His illustration of the amount of violence in the Qur'an is in fact something I knew of very well from reading my father's copy as a child, but Spencer's illustration of how Muslim theologians actually regard the most violent verses as overturning less violent ones is something quite new (to me) and shocking.
His overview of the Crusades is essentially a repeat of Islam Unveiled, though for those who read other aspects of the period's history it seems strangely incomplete and not looking at other events of the time like Christianisation of northern Europe. There is also a lot of repetitive ranting about how Muslim rulers' apparent tolerance of other religions resulted from them relaxing Sharia law: Spencer makes no effort to explain why they relaxed it or failed to follow it (or even why they ended such practices). In a similar vein is his explanation of how Islam wiped out Zoroastrianism and Nestorian Christianity consequent upon its eastward spread. This may be a good explanation; however, there are two glaring omissions in this context.
The first is the absence of a chapter or two on the response of Hindu and Buddhist Asia to the spread of Islam. Given Spencer's statement that Hindu India is the only nation apart from the West that has successfully resisted jihad, this is surprising. The second is a discussion to the spread of Islam in southeast Asia between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries. Given that Islam in southeast Asia is often quoted (despite the terrorism in Indonesia today) by many who deny that Islam is by nature intolerant and violent, this omission is all the more serious. Spencer also does consider that modernisation is already seriously weakening traditions in most Muslim nations today, so that some of his claims about the Islamic future of the West come off as too familiar.
All in all, "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades)" does offer some remarkably obvious correctives to myths about Islam and the Qur'an, as well as some almost-terrifying revelations about Islam and its founder. Its tone is at times very ranty, however, and there are a number of facets of Islamic history that the book omits to mention.
Hate some more people...thats all we need.......2007-09-28
This book reinforces the medias hold on our society...once you have been fed something for so long (in this case that Islam is bad) it is quite easy to belief when people start picking apart pieces...i embraced Islam 1 1/2 years ago and it was the best decision i have ever made...i do not prescribe to some of the most socially damaging behaviours of our time drinking/premarital sex/overindulgence in material possessions/environemenatl damage....Islam has put all these things in perspective for me and has given me a foundation and guidance as to how to achieve these things.....
I love all people and respect their beliefs and literature like this CREATES FURTHER DISTANCE BETWEEN HUMANKIND......like we need anymore hate and discrimination....
PIG Islam.......2007-09-24
Not as good as I thought it would be. Does not provide much insight, but makes you want to learn more.
OH MY GOD!.......2007-09-21
A MUST READ for every person living in Western Civilization! This book exposes this 'religion' as the expansionist political movement it is and the underground quiet revolution that is taking place using our legal system, our schools, our media, our gullibility and the mathematical inevitabilty of population demographics to impose their will on our society.
Even right thinking Muslims who practice only the spiritual and moral precepts by which they live their lives I doubt know the underlying and nefarious principles of Islam. And if they do shame on them for not publicly rejecting them.
Eye opening reading. Spend the money to buy this book. The more you know about Islam will allow you see through the politically correct smokescreen that the Islamist apologists (CAIR), our media and our government is putting forth. Our civilization and the future of your grandchildren are at stake. Buy it but more importantly read it cover to cover and then pass it on to a neighbor or friend.
Informative.......2007-09-18
A good read that's well argued. To anyone presenting Islam as peaceful, this book cross references the koran frequently and to good effect. Also explains a bit of history prior to the crusades that is commonly omitted from contemporary debate.
Amazon.com
Armstrong, a British journalist and former nun, guides us along one of the most elusive and fascinating quests of all time--the search for God. Like all beloved historians, Armstrong entertains us with deft storytelling, astounding research, and makes us feel a greater appreciation for the present because we better understand our past. Be warned: A History of God is not a tidy linear history. Rather, we learn that the definition of God is constantly being repeated, altered, discarded, and resurrected through the ages, responding to its followers' practical concerns rather than to mystical mandates. Armstrong also shows us how Judaism, Christianity, and Islam have overlapped and influenced one another, gently challenging the secularist history of each of these religions. --Gail Hudson
Book Description
Over 700,000 copies of the original hardcover and paperback editions of this stunningly popular book have been sold. Karen Armstrong's superbly readable exploration of how the three dominant monotheistic religions of the world—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—have shaped and altered the conception of God is a tour de force. One of Britain's foremost commentators on religious affairs, Armstrong traces the history of how men and women have perceived and experienced God, from the time of Abraham to the present. From classical philosophy and medieval mysticism to the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the modern age of skepticism, Armstrong performs the near miracle of distilling the intellectual history of monotheism into one compelling volume.
Customer Reviews:
The Hobo Philosopher.......2007-09-07
Karen Armstrong was, at one time, a Roman Catholic nun. She left the nunnery behind in 1969 but not her search for God. This is a good book.
Her book deals primarily with God in the Judeo-Christian theologies; Judaism, Christianity and Islam. She gives a good criticism and analysis from atheism to mysticism. She goes through each of the religions and the evolution of their thought. I suppose that the word "evolution" would not be proper because there is no actual progression of thought culminating in a final conclusion. It is a comparative analysis, exploring all the tangential pathways engaged in by all three of the theologies. The point is made that all three theologies have shared all of the various pathways in seeking a God. Each group has had its radicals, its rationales, its fundamentalists and it mystics.
I enjoyed Karen's book but Karen's notion that the impossible could become more acceptable if it is blanketed in the mystically paradoxical is not an answer that I can accept, but it is more than possible that mankind, in general, could find it temporarily sustainable. I feel that this would only bring the human race out of the frying pan and into the fire. Fundamentalism is certainly a step backward, but mysticism is no step forward.
I personally feel that in her quest for God she has one final step to take, but is afraid to take it for the fear of that "pit of despair and hopelessness" that she mentioned in her book. Kierkegard had a similar problem. He chose to "leap into the absurd".
Great Book.......2007-08-23
In this book, Karen Armstrong voices several great perspectives on religion. She began as a student of the church herself, working towards becoming a nun, and later decides to investigate things further. I think it's a great book for anyone who is either interested in learning more about religion, or has already adopted strong convictions. Everyone can learn the meaning and importance of what religion can mean to an individual, and in a well-written and eloquent manner. I recommend everyone read this book.
Part Fascinating, Part Dense.......2007-07-24
I found this book to be fascinating in parts and really dense in others. I am rating it somewhat low because, while I really enjoyed the ideas, I found the writing style to be very heavy in places and I am holding unto my stars for a more enjoyable read on the topic. The first three chapters were by far my favorite. They deal with the history behind the Old and New Testaments. The middle chapters deal with the evolution of Christian/Muslim/Jewish theology and were like trudging through mud for me. The last two chapters were again enjoyable for me and they deal with the history of atheism and a discussion on the future of God.
Armstrong's notion of "God" is somewhat foreign to me (it makes me think of Buddhism more than the Judeo-Christian God). She certainly does not appear to be a fan of anthropomorphic interpretations of God, but I have a difficult time discerning the role of any kind of organized religion if God is reduced to her mystical nothingness (perhaps she does not envision a role). I also am not sure how relevant it is to even call such a notion "God" after two millennia of anthropomorphic deities. At any rate, I very much enjoyed the historical aspects of this book and I would recommend it for those who are interested in the history of Christianity/Islam/Judaism from inception to now and are not afraid of some rather dense chapters.
Elegantly Comprehensive and Grippingly Readable.......2007-05-16
For anyone who has ever wondered why some people believe with extreme fervor in the supernatural for which there has never been a single shred of credible evidence, Karen Armstrong's magnum opus is a must read. A refugee from a Catholic convent, Ms Armstrong proved to be a bona fide intellectual whose scholarship is impeccable.
Her book begins with the yearnings of ignorant, superstitious ancient peoples for a means of explaining the then unexplainable. It goes on to show how such ancient myths evolved into the religions we know today.
Armstrong explains how the ancient nomadic Israelites rationalized their conquest of Canaan with the myths they were God's chosen people and he had promised the land of Canaan to them. In addition to taking the Canaanite's land, the Israelites also co-opted the chief God of their territorial pantheon, El, as their own and renamed Him Jehovah. "Emanuel" literally translates "El with us," not generically "God with us."
Armstrong goes on to delineate how Christianity was originally invented by Paul and others and how it has been repeatedly reinvented over the centuries, always holding out the seductive hope of "salvation" to those willing to accept the mythologies on blind faith that salvation is not only possible but also that there is somehow a need for it.
And she explains how Islam arose from Mohammed's vision, much as the Church of Latter Day Saints arose from Joseph Smith's vision and Christian Science from Mary Baker Eddy's.
Armstrong's book does not debunk religion, but it provides a comfortable understanding of the cosmos for anyone who finds religion obsolete in light of knowledge that has emerged since someone wrote Genesis.
Holy moly.......2007-05-12
Karen Armstrong has really created a must-have masterpiece with this book. Whether your yourself are Jewish, Christian,Islamic, or none of the above... it's impossible to deny the impact these religions have had on the modern world. This book carefully examines the origins of these three major religions and looks at what they've evolved into today.
It's a very informative book for people of all faiths that really sticks to the facts and never once becomes preachy.
Book Description
Master Books commissioned this important literary work to be updated from the 17th-century original Latin manuscript to modern English and made available to the general public for the first time. In its pages can be found the fascinating history of the ancient world from the Genesis creation through the destruction of the Jerusalem temple.
Find Out:
• Why was Julius Caesar kidnapped in 75 B.C.?
• Why did Alexander the Great burn his ships in 326 B.C.?
• What really happened when the sun "went backward" as a sign to Hezekiah?
• What does secular history say about the darkness at the Crucifixion?
Customer Reviews:
Awesome!.......2007-02-21
Awesome, easily legible tome. Good concise notations on major events - including Biblical. Received book promptly and in great condition.
No more revisionist history!.......2006-12-08
James Ussher's classic work is an absolute joy to read. I was up 'til the wee hours reading the night I got it. The writing is truly fresh and exciting, a bit unexpected for a volume first published in the mid 1600's by an Anglican archbishop!
I happen to hold a young-earth creationist's view of origins, and find Bishop Ussher's calculations relating to creation utterly believable, but no matter your worldview you will find the histories complete and engaging, interspersed as they are with first hand accounts of some of civilization's most defining moments.
The bindings of this volume seem sturdy enough at first glance, though time only will tell how it holds up to the study this book will certainly receive! The print is crisp and clear, and the illustrations are very fine as well.
This volume belongs in the library of every serious student of history.
The supplemental CD gives a wealth of solidly scriptural information to complement the biblical timeline charts, and some excellent commentary on the position of God's infallible Word in ancient and contemporary times.
Buy this book! You will not be disappointed!
Excellent but not without issues.......2006-11-07
Usher is a classic and is either respected or mocked by modern historians. The mocking is of course driven by worldview conflicts, but those quick to laud Usher's work as authoritative must be careful to avoid zealotry as well.
I find Usher to be extremely helpful and his postdeluvian history seems to be generally quite well referenced. We have run into some dating conflicts that are understandable, for Usher did not have the benefit of archaeology and recent finds of supporting historical texts (last couple of centuries).
His work is certainly commendable, and as a volume of history it is very useful. However, the dating of events especially concerning ancient Egypt and before can't quite be reconciled with several competing histories.
I suggest it as a supplemental history for classical studies, as a primary source it might leave some questions unanswered.
Terrible.......2006-09-25
I thought this book would give me some new insight into biblical history. Its didn't. It is disjointed and much of it talks about one ruler or king or leader (none biblical) who died on such and such date in history. It gives little is any detailed information about anything pertaining to the bible. I thought that by reading this book I would have some new knowledge about biblical history but I have none. Its just a terrible book.
Outstanding Historical Cross-Reference. .......2006-01-26
"Annals of the World" is a great historical reference for the most discerning of scholars. Covering the time from the beginning of creation to 70AD, James Usshur used over 2500 historical sources to ensure that he compiled a complete collection of historical facts.
Elaborating each of the positive qualities and reasons to purchase and read this book are highlighted in most of the 5 star raters, I would only be seconding what they have already stated.
Book Description
Though it is the fastest-growing religion in the world, Islam remains shrouded in ignorance and fear for much of the West. In No god but God, Reza Aslan, an internationally acclaimed scholar of religions, explains this faith in all its beauty and complexity. Beginning with a vivid account of the social and religious milieu in which the Prophet Muhammad forged his message, Aslan paints a portrait of the first Muslim community as a radical experiment in religious pluralism and social egalitarianism. He demonstrates how, after the Prophet’s death, his successors attempted to interpret his message for future generations–an overwhelming task that fractured the Muslim community into competing sects. Finally, Aslan examines how, in the shadow of European colonialism, Muslims developed conflicting strategies to reconcile traditional Islamic values with the realities of the modern world, thus launching what Aslan terms the Islamic Reformation. Timely and persuasive, No god but God is an elegantly written account of a magnificent yet misunderstood faith.
Customer Reviews:
A good begining .......2007-08-27
If your interest in Islam stems from the media attention the religion receives then this book is a wonderful way of learning about the beginning of it all. Aslan's work is clearly structured and unbiased. I wants the reader to understand the gentleness of the religion as well as the powerful protectiveness of the muslims that practise this faith.
War can be found within any religion, just look at the Crusades.
The book is a wonderful piece that I would highly recommend to people who would like to learn more and make their own opinion rather than rely on the views of others.
Excellent Intro to Islam.......2007-08-18
After 9.11, there has been a sudden obsession with Islam. The extreme right-wing media would like to portray the religion as spewing hate and preaching violence. But what is the truth? There are so many versions out there trying to explain Islam to you -- but as an ignorant person, how do you determine what is true and what is fiction?
My knowledge of Islam is practically nil. With growing interest in the religion and my curiosity to learn the origin and spiritual leanings of Islam and the reasons behind the fanaticisms that seem to pervade through a section of the middle east - I decided to read No God but God. Basically, I wanted to form my own opinion rather than being fed with half-baked truths by the media, erroneously termed as facts.
I should also confess - I chose this book because of the author. Reza Aslan has appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher and on the Daily Show. On these shows, he appeared intelligent, eloquent, and exuded a firm grasp of the politics and history of the underpinings of the Islamic movement and the religion itself.
Needless to say, I was impressed. I wikkipedia-ed and googled him; read through his website and discovered he was a scholar - a major plus. Obviously, there are many books out there on Islam. However, as a researcher myself, I decided to go with my kind. I was not wrong with my choice.
The book is very well written. At no time, do you feel that you are getting a boring history lesson. The information is overwhelming, but at the back of my mind, I kept thinking - Does the author have an ulterior motive? Is there a hidden agenda? Is he espousing something specific? Unfortunately, it is difficult to know because I have nothing to compare to. He is a research scholar not the average novelist and therefore, I am inclined to accept his explanations and historical accounts.
The book does not disappoint, it is a fascinating read. I learned a lot and now have a better understanding of the nature of Islam and also, why a faction of Muslims are imposing their myopic interpretation of Islam.
He does a great job in narrating and combining history with current happenings. He beautifully leads us through the origins of the Prophet, his beliefs, principles, and persuasions behind the characterization of the Quran. You also read about the Ka'ba at Mecca, its inextricable link with the origins of Islam and the politics of the rulers that came and went. You learn about the struggle to dissociate Islam, the religion, from the politics of establishing law and governance, as espoused by the various Islamic sects. And finally, you learn about the continuing struggle - as Islam and its believers unravel what the Prophet truly hoped to establish and the future direction of this massive religious movement.
What I found most interesting was the confluence of the origins and teachings of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Ironically, despite the clear commonalities between these main religions, there is so much strife and hate.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more of Reza's work.
[...]
3 1/2 Stars. Not objective like the author intends, but still a good read.......2007-06-20
As a Muslim, I read this book with interest. In NO GOD BUT GOD, Reza Aslan attempts to narrate and analyze the Origins and Evolution of Islam, and a vision of its Future.
Starting with an exploration of Pre-Islamic Arabia, he details the life of the Prophet Muhammad (s), and follows up with the 4 Rightly Guided Caliphs. He then focuses on the evolution of Islamic thought, including the development of the Ulama in Sunni Islam, and the development of other schools of thought/sects such as Shiism and Sufism. He finishes by detailing the response of the Muslim world to colonialism, and modern issues today, especially Islam's struggle towards democracy.
Aslan aims to portray what he feels is an 'objective' portrayal of Islamic history, by correcting what he feels are errors by past scholars, especially Muslim scholars with idealized views. However, ultimately, he is not very successful in his quest. While he criticizes early Islamic historians for portraying '9th century Baghdad' rather than '7th century Madina', one can argue that his view of Islamic history is '21 century American' rather than '7th century Madinan.' His biases are evident, and are typical of 21st century America and the West: Denial of supernatural events, resistance to established historical (especially religious) authority, preference for free-flowing spirituality versus formalized doctrines of law, and importance given to issues such as democracy. (Note, as an American, I share some of these biases, but its important to note their existence as biases in a quest for objectivity.)
Aslan usually starts each section by presenting 'the idealized' view of a topic, as narrated by early Muslim scholars (what he terms as 'myth') and then presents what he believes 'really happened' (history). Myth typically includes miracles, and heroic portrayals of people involved. Those inclined to believe in miracles (and I am one) may have difficulty with this approach, as he flatly says that it doesn't matter whether or not miracles happened (ie, whether Jesus raised the dead) but rather, what role such myths play in shaping the beliefs of a particular religious community. I heartily disagree with Aslan here- I believe it matters a great deal whether or not the beliefs of a religious community are shaped by actual historical events (including wonderous, amazing ones) or whether such beliefs are based on, in the end, lies and falsehood. In any case, Aslan was not there to witness events such as Lazarus rising from the dead, and neither were the early historians, so ultimately, it is up to each person to make up their own mind about the actual historicity of such supernatural events.
Aslan also occasionally over stretches himself in his attempts to deny miracles. For instance, he suggests that its unlikely that the Prophet (s) was illiterate, because as a merchant, he supposedly had to be able to read and write. Clearly Aslan has not spent much time with illiterate people- and is unable to recognize just how much these people can do without reading and writing. (illiterate people today are health workers treating pneumonia and malaria using complex medical regimens, and performing internationally recognized research, including recording results, about endangered species).
However, I must admit that I greatly appreciated Aslan's candor about the religious personalities involved. Sunni Islamic scholarship presents early Islamic historical figures (such as the first 4 Caliphs) and the early Muslim community as incredible, nearly error free, almost absolutely perfect, human beings- almost super-beings. I was always struck at the incongruity of such idealized descriptions and the fact that within a few decades after the death of the Prophet (s), the early Islamic community entered a massive civil war from which one could argue Islam never recovered. I wondered, how could such a supposedly perfect community made with such supposedly perfect people get into such a serious mess so quickly? Reading Aslan's descriptions (which included Sunni, Shii, and western sources) of the personalities involved was very helpful in this regard: they weren't perfect people, but were deeply religious, well meaning people who, yes, had their share of faults, misunderstandings, and disagreements (about Islam and a lot of other things) which built up over the years, and in the chaotic transition after the Prophet's death, exploded into civil war.
Aslan is unable to hide his obvious disdain of the Ulama (Islamic Scholars who have codified Islamic Law, or Shariah). He paints them entirely in a negative light, as a power hungry, control-mad group which has stifled all flexibility from the religion. While this view undoubtedly has a good deal truth to it (I am extremely sympathetic), it must also be admitted that the Scholars did a great deal of work to preserve the religion, and its history, without which we may not even have the religion today, and certainly would know far less about the events surrounding its birth and rise. Aslan is equality negative about the Ayatollah Khomeni, who he feels promised democracy but in reality bamboozled the Iranian people into accepting a theocracy (in reality, a dictatorship under his rule) through his powerful persona. Aslan's views on Khomeni are understandable given the fact that he lived his early life in Iran, experienced the hope that the Iranian people felt during the revolution, only to have to flee the country with his family.
On the other hand, Aslan is quite positive about Sufism, the spiritual branch of Islam, defending all its variations, despite admitting that at least some Sufi beliefs don't square very well with the basic Islamic creed, "No God but God." Aslan correctly states that Sufism is quite complex, and is not generalizable. However, he occasionally tries to generalize anyway, with a view of defending Sufism against the barrage of negative criticism it has received for the unorthodox views of some of its branches. However, this approach leads to occasional contradictions: for example Aslan states that all Sufis follow Islamic acts of worship such as 5 daily prayers, but then also says that some Sufis believe acts of religious worship are only important for the masses, and others believe it is a shell that can be cast off once deeper layers of spirituality are realized.
Aslan's biases are finally represented in his vision of Islam's future. He clearly believes in Islamic pluralism, and believes that it can best be represented by a democracy. Furthermore, he believes that when God's law and the popular will contradict, the popular will should win out. The limits of Islamic pluralism is hotly debated today in the Muslim world, but for me, the claim, "No God but God" is the key to Islam, along with the belief in Muhammad (s) Prophethood. These two aspects should be the backbone of anyone calling themselves a Muslim.
The issue of popular sovereignty over divine law (properly understood and contextualized) is considerably more complex. I ultimately agree with Aslan, one cannot force on a community any law, including a law from God, over a people who do not believe in it, or do not want it implemented in their community. However, Aslan leaves it there, as if that is the end of the story. I would argue that every effort should be made to make the community see the wisdom of divine laws, emphasizing positive consequences in implementing them (improved justice, equality, social harmony, etc) and pointing out negatives of not following them (chaotic society, broken down families, etc), both in this world and in the afterlife.
As other reviewers mention, Aslan is a good writer. His writing is clear and he is able to explain complex concepts deftly. I actually found his 'idealized' sections (the 'myths') often even better written and more powerful than this supposedly objective analysis that follows: his 'myths,' whether of the Prophet (s), the companions, the Caliphs, or Sufi legends are dramatic and pulsating with life. After reading them, it was a bit of a let down (and at times, even irritating) to be told, 'well this is what REALLY happened' and reading an analysis of events that I did not find objective. Aslan should try his hand at fiction!
Know thy enemy.......2007-06-10
Being an agnostic, I look at this book as an analysis of Islam from a present and future aspect. I did not realize that there were so many sects within Islam. Most members of this faith that I have known or been acquainted with have been normal members of society,mainly of Pakistani origin. I am of Jewish origin and some Islamists, mainly from Egypt, would not talk to me. This is against the teachings of Mohammed, a fact unknown by most Mohammedans. The politicalization of this faith is also contrary to his teachings.Since there is so little organization within the relgious factions, I can now understand how the faith can be manipulated by a few. It is almost like the takeover of Germany in the 1930's by Adolph Hitler and his group. I used to think it was sloganism when people said that the faith was hijacked by radical politicians. Now It seems to me, after reading this text, to be a reality .I think it should be a must reading especially by our politicians,but also people of all faiths, especially Islamists!
Wishfull thinking.......2007-06-08
Not in our grandchildren's lifetimes will they see anything remotely resembling enlightened Islam. The author's major problem is that he grew up in America, and understanably, sees the Islamic world and history from that Christianized perspective. The Koran is written in an old fashioned language and script that is not easily accessible to the modern arabic reader. Couple that with the fact that illiteracy rates are very high in many Islamic-dominant countries, except his home country of Iran, and they are at the mercy of the mullahs who preach and teach whatever they interpret as "holy writ". With over 240 admonitions to control, convert, or kill the infidel, and only one or two mentions of Love in a Christian sense, it's no wonder the Islamic fundamentalist have won the reformation battle. Game over. Anyone who espouses a modernistic reform agenda will be be rooted out, and struck down. It's dangerous wishful thinking otherwise.
Book Description
For 1,600 years its message lay hidden. When the bound papyrus pages of this lost gospel finally reached scholars who could unlock its meaning, they were astounded. Here was a gospel that had not been seen since the early days of Christianity, and which few experts had even thought existed–a gospel told from the perspective of Judas Iscariot, history’s ultimate traitor. And far from being a villain, the Judas that emerges in its pages is a hero.
In this radical reinterpretation, Jesus asks Judas to betray him. In contrast to the New Testament Gospels, Judas Iscariot is presented as a role model for all those who wish to be disciples of Jesus. He is the one apostle who truly understands Jesus.
This volume is the first publication of the remarkable gospel since it was condemned as heresy by early Church leaders, most notably by St. Irenaeus, in 180. Hidden away in a cavern in Middle Egypt, the codex (or book) containing the gospel was discovered by farmers in the 1970s. In the intervening years the papyrus codex was bought and sold by antiquities traders, hidden away, and carried across three continents, all the while suffering damage that reduced much of it to fragments. In 2001, it finally found its way into the hands of a team of experts who would painstakingly reassemble and restore it.
The Gospel of Judas has been translated from its original Coptic in clear prose, and is accompanied by commentary that explains its fascinating history in the context of the early Church, offering a whole new way of understanding the message of Jesus Christ.
Customer Reviews:
Religious.......2007-09-17
After reading this book and knowing what I know from many gospels, I
find this book very hard to believe. It just is far to away from all
the other gospels out there. I have read the "Other Bible" and many
of the gospels not found in the Bible of today, but none talk like the
gospel of Judas. I do not know who actually wrote this book, but I
would not put a whole lot of faith in it as truth. Why would Jesus
want to be crucifed in order to go back to the spirit world. I can
think of a lot of ways to kill yourself that are less painful. To
think Jesus wanted Judas to turn him in, so that he could be killed,
so he could go back to heaven, is just plain stupid. Jesus could
have just drank poison to do that. No one would ask for such a
painful death as crucifixion.
The Gospel of Judas: Fascinating and Controversial.......2007-09-03
A Review of The Gospel of Judas, edited by Rodolphe Kasser, Marvin Meyer, and Gregor Wurst, with comments by Bart D. Ehrman. (Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2006).
Humankind is often left with evolved systems of belief and organized religion, which are the products of those who have had the greatest political power. This is undoubtedly the case with Western Christianity. As recent discoveries have unequivocally shown, many alternate versions and constructs of today's multifaceted Christian heritage have been silenced or vilified over the ages. The Nag Hammadi Library, discovered in the late 1940's, brings to light some of these long forgotten and contested versions. Careful study of these and other documents demonstrate the great diversity of thought and conflicting testimonials, exhibited by earliest followers of Jesus. There has also been a trail of conflict and difficulty regarding scholarly and universal access to the Library for a good number of years.
With the access to an unquestionably authentic Coptic document called the Gospel of Judas, scholars again have the ability to explore historical diversity. Initial scholarly analysis has just surfaced in a recent book published under the auspices of National Geographic. This work, compiled by Kasser, et. al. is obviously written for the general public, although annotations and endnotes bring it to the depth of academic study usually shared by Early Christian Studies experts. Judas, the traditionally portrayed betrayer of Jesus, is presented in this lost Gospel as the handmaiden of salvation. However, it is not a salvation directed toward enabling the sacrifice of Jesus. In the contemporary version of Christianity with us today, Jesus dies to free men from their sins and therefore, to win the possibility of eternal life for those believers in and followers of his teachings. Rather, in this Gospel, Judas enables the soul of Jesus, a divine entity in human guise, to rid itself of its "mortal coil," and to rejoin with the highest, unnamable divine entity beyond this world.
The mythology of this particular Gospel is charged with a form of proto-Gnosticism: a term which conjures up debate among scholars, because it has been primarily defined through attacks by heresy seekers from the early, organized church. Gnosticism is a term derived from the sense of knowing as in "being aware" or enlightened. As one piece of the evolutionary puzzle, this Gospel shows the use of Sethian Gnosticism in early Christian thinking and how this thinking relates to evolving Jewish beliefs and to Greek writings (both Neo and Middle-Platonic).
To move this term from Platonism and to "Christianize it" within the Gospel of Judas (as Dr. Meyer writes) is to see the point Jesus makes in the Gospel: we are not the bodies we are in; nor are we defined by our existence in a mortal and often corrupt world. Rather, to know in the depths of our soul that we are mirrors of the divine is to know our true nature. Judas alone understands this and aids Jesus in his quest to reach his divinity by handing Jesus over to be killed. The other disciples do not understand this, and therefore cannot do what Jesus has asked of Judas.
Parallel to the publication of the Kasser book is a rather "polemic" review written by Dr. James Robinson. Robinson's critique is both critical and troubling. According to Robinson, as with the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi Library, document dealers, middlemen and scholars have not always been as forthright as one would hope. Robinson contends that National Geographic and the editors of The Gospel of Judas seem to gloss over questions of proper legal ownership by Frieda Tchacos, whose name now labels the Judas Gospel and three other manuscripts ("Codex Tchacos"). The Maecenas Foundation, which currently holds the manuscript, may also have had intentions more directed at profit than preservation. These and other circumstances, Robinson claims, have limited the accessibility of this discovery.
As they broadcast their findings, and as scholars assist one another in the universal quest for knowledge, some things seem to fall short in the intensive drive to procure rare manuscripts. It is often difficult to secure a manuscript from a seller, especially when confounding circumstances may often result in its slipping away. This manuscript surfaced in 1983, and scholars are both critical and defensive about interactions surrounding it then, as they are now. Maltreatment of the manuscript by greedy and ignorant handlers almost destroyed the Judas Gospel. Knowing document fragility and how dealers can keep works out of reach, scholars are often hard pressed, whenever a document surfaces, to do all they can to get the work into safe keeping, before it is invariably destroyed. What drives any scholar, we would hope, is first and foremost, proper stewardship. In the real world, the best and most ethical approach to procurement often requires compromise.
The reader, who senses the undercurrent of frustration by any and all scholars during this document's long history of neglect and evasion, should credit all (current critics and scholars alike) with a driving desire and effort to get the truth of the manuscript out where it belongs. For their best efforts in a long history of difficult circumstances, all deserve our gratitude.
An Interesting Dip Into Unknown Waters.......2007-08-23
This book, edited by Kasser, Meyer and Wurst, seemed fairly repetitive, given the limited amount of material they had to work with; however, it does add to our knowledge of early Christianity. Whether it holds up to scholarly scrutiny however, remains to be seen......
Hmmmmm...........2007-07-03
I will give this 4 stars since it was very well written; however, I still feel it is missing a piece of the puzzle. How could there have been time for Judas to have developed a following in order for someone to have written "the gospel of Judas", when he killed himself shortly after betraying Jesus? He certainly didn't write it, as it was written after he died. I'm a big fan of the Gnostic Gospels, but this one doesn't make sense. Again, very well researched and written, but...
Early Christianity.......2007-05-13
This gives a more detailed commentary on the Judas Gospel than is possible in a TV show or magazine article, and of course the footnotes lead one on to a more detailed study!
Book Description
Rob Morgan's inimitable style will help people reacquaint themselves with the hymns of the faithful. His goal is to keep these traditional hymns vital and meaningful to all generations.
Don't look for a dry recounting of boring stories. These devotional-style stories show the emotion and drama behind the hymns of faith that have changed many lives throughout history -- the people whose faith led them to write these wonderful hymns and the people whose faith was affected by reading, hearing, and singing the songs. Designed to be personally reflective, these stories speak to your soul and add depth and meaning as you worship God through song.
FEATURES:
- Includes words and music to each hymn
- Special softcover, french flap cover design
- Ivory paper with brown ink
- Jagged-edge paper, giving it a classic feel
- Complete with hymn index
- Use for devotionals, teaching illustrations, introductory remarks for song leaders and music ministers
Customer Reviews:
Hymns.......2007-07-27
It amazes me that the songs contained in both books 1 and 2 by Robert J. Morgan's compilation were sung at our church when I was growing up. At that time I had no thoughts whatsoever as to who the authors or songwriters were. How refreshing that a busy pastor like Robert J. Morgan would be instrumental in bringing these happy memories back to worship services where Jesus Christ is praised. Realizing that even way back in the l6th, l7th, l8th, 19th and 20th centuries both men and women were inspired to tell the wonder of God's love and protection for his people if we were willing only to listen and obey.
Also, I was really surprised to find women as authors of America the Beautiful, The Battle Him of the Republic; To God Be the Glory and Because He Lives, I can face tomorrow.
I give these books to friends of mine as gifts because they two like the "olden" songs.
Greatly Uplifting.......2007-05-31
As a church worship leader I appreciate the history of hymns. The old does not have to give way to the new. The new is great but the old has depth and wisdom. This is a great way to come to appreciate those who walked before us.
Hymns Coming Alive Through Their Stories.......2007-03-15
What a wonderful compilation of the stories behind the hymns that have nurtured our Christian world. To know the heart and reasons behind the depth of these beloved hymns. I have purchased this for many worship leaders and will continue to purchase for anyone who wants to read about the saints before us.
An Absolutely Delightful Book.......2007-01-10
Never again will I sing the hymns of the faith without recalling the painful journey that led their authors to put words to paper. Robert Morgan has given us a wonderful resource to encourage, enlighten, and strengthen our faith.
Morgan's writing is devotional in nature and his book makes you want to continue reading. Even if you weren't raised with hymns--you'll enjoy this book, if only for the incredible stories and powerful messages.
Fascinating, music history/devotional.......2007-01-04
I started using this with my kids as a nighttime devotional. I had to "translate" the stories into more-kid-friendly language, but they got a kick out of singing the songs after hearing how they came to be. Really, it is more of an adult book and if you grew up in a traditional Protestant church, you will really enjoy learning the background to so many famous hymns. It is very easy to use for a daily devotional since each story is only one page long.
Amazon.com
The World's Religions, by Huston Smith, has been a standard introduction to its eponymous subject since its first publication in 1958. Smith writes humbly, forswearing judgment on the validity of world religions. His introduction asks, "How does it all sound from above? Like bedlam, or do the strains blend in strange, ethereal harmony? ... We cannot know. All we can do is try to listen carefully and with full attention to each voice in turn as it addresses the divine. Such listening defines the purpose of this book." His criteria for inclusion and analysis of religions in this book are "relevance to the modern mind" and "universality," and his interest in each religion is more concerned with its principles than its context. Therefore, he avoids cataloging the horrors and crimes of which religions have been accused, and he attempts to show each "at their best." Yet The World's Religions is no pollyannaish romp: "It is about religion alive," Huston writes. "It calls the soul to the highest adventure it can undertake, a proposed journey across the jungles, peaks, and deserts of the human spirit. The call is to confront reality." And by translating the voices of Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Confucianism, Christianity, and Judaism, among others, Smith has amplified the divine call for generations of readers. --Michael Joseph Gross
Book Description
Originally titled The Religions of Man, this completely revised and updated edition of Smith's masterpiece, now with an engaging new foreword, explores the essential elements and teachings of the world's predominant faiths, including:
- Hinduism,
- Buddhism,
- Confucianism,
- Taoism,
- Islam,
- Judaism,
- Christianity,
- and the native traditions of the Americas, Australia, Africa, and Oceania.
Emphasising the inner –– rather than institutional –– dimensions of these religions, Smith devotes special attention to Zen and Tibetan Buddhism, Sufism, and the teachings of Jesus. He convincingly conveys the unique appeal and gifts of each of the traditions and reveals their hold on the human heart and imagination.
Customer Reviews:
The World of the late fifties Religions.......2007-09-23
This is not a bad overview of some of the World's religions, but the reader should take care. Although I originally considered the book as a text for a survey course I am teaching on the subject, after reading some of the selections more closely, I was unsure that the book would work. It is well-written and interesting to read, to be sure, but smacks of a certain condescension or has a patronizing tone that came off as a little biased. I might still use the text to demonstrate a point of view, but have concerns that some of the students in the class whose own traditions were discussed by the author might take exception at how he portrays or writes about them. The book is a product of its time -- pre civil rights, pre feminist, pre alot of things. Yet, like a number of sort of "classics", it has its merits.
An excellent book for mutual understanding.......2007-08-29
What started me on reading this book was a talk with a Muslim lady. It was in 1997 at a park in California, U.S. She was a mother of two little children and so was I. We somehow slipped into a sensitive topic like religions. She was Muslim and very happy with it. When I told her I was Buddhist, she said,"Buddhism is a beautiful religion". I was so moved because it was the last remark I expected from a person of a different religious background. She had taken a class of religious study in a university, and this book was the textbook.
This book clearly shows the main ideas of world religions. It is not only good for understanding other people's religion but also helpful in understanding my religious background. I realized that religious environment of Japan is a mosaic of Hinduism, Buddism, Confucianism and Taoism on the base of Shintoism (one of the primal religions). Since around 1868, Japan has been influenced with an idea that the wolrd should become better if you really work hard together, as you see in social movements, which I think derived from Christianity.
Introduction to the World's Great Religions.......2007-07-21
This book is absolutely EXCELLENT in its coverage of the wide array of world religions. One large missing gap, however, is a discussion of African traditional/indigenous religions (such as Yoruba), and African-Caribbean religions (such as Vodun). This is a major weakness of the book. For example, in using the book for a summer World Religions course, I had to independently gather excerpts from other books and additional articles so that African-based traditional religions could be included along with the rest of the world. While the book contains numerous photographs of people of African descent practicing the various world religions, it does not contain a discussion of religions that originated with them and that are still widely practiced. It is important also for people who read the book to learn that while Western versions of Christianity, and while Islam is practiced in Africa, such religions are are re-configured by Africans and merged with various elements of traditional indigenous African religion. The Independent African Christian churches are examples of this type of integration. I think that the next edition of this book should add such a section. Perhaps a scholar such as Mbiti might be added to the group of scholars who compose the next edition.
As a college text - use with reservation.......2007-07-16
This book is often recommended as a good classic for an introduction to the world's religions. It was the first book I read on the subject many years ago when I started on my own long journey to study the world's religions. I recently used this book as a text for my college class on the world's religions but, to my dismay, my students found it most difficult reading. I have to agree with my students that Smith can be a bit wordy at times as he runs on and on in an attempt to explain complex religious concepts and values to drive the point home in ways that the western reader can relate to (was I too wordy there?). Personally, I like the book for what it offers: Smith gets right to the heart of the religions, bypassing all the superficial history, creeds and practices. He really does capture the most important essence of each religion and does so in a way that really makes each religion shine - putting its "best foot forward." And that he does try to relate these otherwise foreign ideas to the reader is the real value of this book. But the astute reader will want to beware that Smith leaves a lot unsaid: If you are looking to learn the history and practices of these religions, you'd best look elsewhere.
I recommend using Irving A. Sparks' "Reading and Writing Workbook" as a companion to Smith if you are serious about wanting to focus on the most essential points Smith is making (although my students often failed to use good critical reading skills so as to identify the most essential points in an effort to answer the questions in the Workbook).
Simplicity, Clarity and Profundity.......2007-06-13
Dr. Huston Smith's updated magnum opus provides unparalleled and valuable insight into the manifold expressions of humankind's deepest and longest-lived religious impulses. Don't expect this book (or any of Dr. Smith's books, articles or interviews) to reflect dusty and dry academic renditions of the superficial commonalities and differences betwixt and between the world's religions. Rather, revel in Dr. Smith's ability to elegantly and poetically describe the authentic profundities and differing world views in each. A life-long Methodist, born to missionary parents in China, Dr. Smith has immersed himself in these various traditions for long periods and, from experience and understanding, separates gold from institutional/cultural dross. As the world shrinks and our numbers grow it is ever more important to go beyond the implied condescension of simple tolerance towards a deeper understanding and appreciation of religious traditions and expressions that differ from our own. If you read only one "religious" book in your lifetime, make it this one. Dr. Smith is a global treasure.
Books:
- The Gospel According to Mark (Pillar New Testament Commentary)
- The Gospel of Thomas: The Hidden Sayings of Jesus
- The Gospel of Thomas: The Hidden Sayings of Jesus
- The Illustrated World's Religions: Guide to Our Wisdom Traditions, A
- The Indian Way: An Introduction to the Philosophies & Religions of India (2nd Edition)
- The Inspired Aquarium: Ideas and Instruction for Living with Aquariums
- The Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew
- The Man Who Heard Voices: Or, How M. Night Shyamalan Risked His Career on a Fairy Tale
- The Meditative Mind
- The Osha: Secrets of the Yoruba-Lucumi-Santeria Religion in the United States and the Americas : Initiation, Rituals, Ceremonies, Orishas, Divination, Plants, s
Books Index
Books Home
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General
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Letter to a Christian Nation
God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything
The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason
Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon
God: The Failed Hypothesis. How Science Shows That God Does Not Exist
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