A Faith for All Seasons "Liberal Religion and the Crises of Life"

by William R. Murry

A liberal religous understanding of the pain and suffering in life which mirrors a Unitiarian Universalist philosophy. It is a refreshing approach to the crisis of life that will help many people deal with their feelings of blame and guilt when a loved one dies. This book is a solid reference for those dealing with providing comfort to those grieving. It deals with providng meaning and purpose to individuals who can't find it in their lives.

142 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

William R. Murry became a Unitarian Universalist minister in 1977, first serving the congregation in Bloomington, Indiana. He began a 14-year tenure at the River Road Unitarian-Universalist Church in Bethesda, Maryland, in 1980. In 1994 Murry was tapped to become President and Academic Dean of Meadville-Lombard Theological Seminary. Murry is credited with saving the school fiscally and reviving it's reputation for providing a world-class pastoral education. Retiring in 2003, Murry travels and writes, teaches, and sermonizes on Religious Humanism.

Reviews

[David Killian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Murry's book is very insightful and helpful for anyone who is unsatisfied with traditional 'answers' to burning questions, e.g. why bad things happen to good people, how children suffer terminal illness, etc. One can take great solace in his wisdom, gathered over many years serving others as a Unitarian Universalist minister. Murry compassionately relates the lessons from many moving anecdotes in a highly personal tone. This is mixed with sound, intelligent, yet accessible ideas about how to understand personal tragedy and this crazy, often senselessly cruel world of ours. It seems the book is a few decades old, but I for one did not find it dated at all. On the contrary, these lessons seem more pertinent than ever.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murry is an articulate writer with a solid understanding of the pain and suffering that is associated when a loved one dies. I connected with a faith that says "bad things happen" and it isn't always someone's fault. I appreciated a deeper understanding of liberal religions and the challenge to find meaning and purpose in our lives at any time, but especially during a crisis. This book may not provide comfort to those already in crisis - depending on where they are at. It is intellectural rather than emotional so depends on what one is looking for.