Interfaith Book Group discussion

What other books, movies, videos, websites etc. do you think might be meaningful to our members?

Washington Post has a review of Elaine Pagels' new book on the history of Jesus. The book is Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus. I don't subscribe to the Post but still could read the article and even comment on it:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/...

I recently came across a new book by Mirabai Starr. The title is "Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics" I have read the sample from Amazon Kindle and am hopeful that I might find a bit of time very soon to read the whole book.

Here is the GoodReads summary https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

That looks good, Nina. I love the title. Thanks for the link. We are fortunate that so many books on the previously-ignored experience of significant women of the past are being published now.

(It has mixed reviews, the negative related to the intrusion of some of the author's biased attitudes.....but it appears to be a book for which you can choose a few chapters to read and ignore the rest.)

Years ago, I remember being enthralled by a historical novel about Hildegard von Bingen. I think it was Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen here: https://www.amazon.com/Illuminations-...

This one looks even better - it gets 4.8 on Amazon: Hildegard of Bingen: A Visionary Life
https://www.amazon.com/Hildegard-Bing...

Years ago, annoyed by Joseph Campbell's focus on "the heroes' journey" which seem to ignore the "heroines' journey" I researched the paths of women in the past, and even developed a lecture and workshop on the "path of the heroine". Also in the 90s, several of us women at the now defunct Ancient Sites ran yearly online conferences and websites on inspirational women of the past.

For that, I also created a page on the spiritual initiation rites of Apache girls entering womanhood (and their empowerment as the goddess, Changing Women) which is still up. The Apaches still honor a girls' first menstruation with the Sunrise Ceremony.

https://www.webwinds.com/yupanqui/apa...
(If you get a warning message, ignore it -- many of my pages are coded with an old verson of html and I haven't been able to update the site in 25 years. But it's safe.)

Recommend Church of the Wild : How Nature Invites Us Into the Sacred by Victoria Loorz. After we read it in Centering Prayer, one couple began holding worship services in a nearby nature reserve. She also wrote accompanying field guide and started a network and seminary for church of the wild.

The Church of the Wild book looks fantastic, Louise! I'm going to order it from the library immediately. How special it would be to have religious services deep in the woods or by a waterfall or close to any facet of nature.

I was looking it up on Amazon and saw a link to a book that Kimmerer (Braiding Sweetgrass) recommends, that also looks excellent:
Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit
by Lyanda Lynn Haupt

"With her deep intuition and expansive attention as our guides, Lyanda Haupt’s gorgeous words create a path to the place where science and spirit meet. It’s a barefoot path that wanders through solitudes and into community with frogs, moose, orca, and our own wildness."―Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass

My own revelation about roots had led me at the moment to be eyeing this book:
Roots: The Definitive Compendium with more than 225 Recipes by Diane Morgan (Author), Antonis Achilleos (Photographer). Comprehensive guide and collection of recipes using root vegetables.

Louise posted this is a separate book thread in the book discussions area. I moved it so it doesn't take up one of the slots for a month's book discussion (for which we only have eight).

Louise's post: The Boy Who Painted Christ Black
This is a great short story by John Henrik Clarke you will enjoy, very relevant to our book. Here's the link:
https://storage.snappages.site/4RM5X7...
The story is only four pages long, easy read. I first read it in middle school.

From 2003 until 2010 I used to fly to the west to visit my parents in California. I always timed this in spring so I could take part in Nevada Desert Experience's Holy Week interfaith peace walk from Las Vegas to the Nevada Test Site. The walk took a week and I usually did what my body was capable of: maybe two days with 6 to 8 miles each day.
the walk was interfaith. Franciscan founded. Most walkers were white. But had a lot of involvement in the walk by leaders and members of the Western Shoshone nation, whose land had been wrongfully stolen to build the weapons facility.

And as we got closer to the test site we would leave our tents several mornings to be led in a morning circle by Corbin Harney, a Shoshone elder.

We did not understand his words but he told us he was giving thanks to the elements and nature. He also told us once "don't try to be Indian. Be a good whatever you are. When I pray in my way this morning you pray in your way. "

He is now gone but he wrote a book in 2016, "The Way It Is".

Reading "Bowl of Light" has made me want to circle back and reread this book.

Harney speaks of indigenous wisdom and taking care of our planet in simple and straightforward terms.

I almost want to send a copy to the "drill baby drill" people now in charge if only they would listen.

I suggest this book be considered by the book selection committee.

The book has a number of copies on Abebooks and also is on Kindle.

I just finished reading a phenomenal book, which I had bought for a science fiction book group last year but didn't read until now. It may be the most thought-provoking book I ever read.

It's intellectual science fiction (mostly discussions between a professor and American leaders dealing with a political crisis concerning the arrival of an alien ship). And though it's science fiction because of the situation it portrays, it's quite realistic.

It's called the Peacemaker's Code and is by Deepak Malhotra.
The author is Deepak Malhotra (author of books on negotiation and advisor to countries regarding preventing and ending war)
https://www.amazon.com/Peacemakers-Co...

Update: I just sent a post to my local community email list about a zoom discussion that I want to run on The Peacemaker's Code (see my previous post). From my message:
(note - it would probably be around 7pm EDT, and instead of emailing me you could indicate interest here - though I might provide my email address later)

THE PEACEMAKER'S CODE
https://www.amazon.com/Peacemakers-Co...

It’s intellectual science fiction (an alien ship arrives in the U.S.), and very realistic in that much of the book is convincing dialogue among national leaders – President, Congress, CIA, Security advisors etc. and a very astute (almost too much so) historian about how to handle the situation and negotiate with the powerful alien entities.

There is much focus on the lessons of history and issues related to a strike-first mentality and ones of ongoing dialogue, cooperation and/or submission. It’s highly intelligent and incredibly enlightening.

So I’m hosting a book discussion on zoom in September during one of the following evenings. Which evenings I choose will depend upon the responses:
Wednesday evening September 3
Thursday evening September 11
Sunday evening September 14

If you have a serious interest in reading the book and would then like to attend a discussion about it, email me by August 12 and let me know and let me know of your interest which of the above dates you could do. I will then decide the date and later in the month ask for confirmation.

If you are a person who likes to read books that really getting you thinking, especially about large issues and the process of negotiation (with hopes of international cooperation and peace) on a national stage, you will love this book!

Feel free to pass this message on to anyone you think might be interested.

Tracy Marks

I'm now reading a wonderful book which might interest some of you: The Physics of God: How the Deepest Theories of Science Explain Religion and the Deepest Truths of Religion Explain Science by Joseph Selbie.

The foreword is by Amit Goswami, whom I might call my guru in regard to how he (as a quantum physicist and a Hindu from India) in his many books interrelates science and quantum physics. I'm not familiar with Selbie, but his book is highly regarded and he writes with considerable clarity. And it's only 186 pages long.

From Amazon:
The explanations of transcendent phenomena given by saints, sages, and near-death experiencers—miracles, immortality, heaven, God, and transcendent awareness—are fully congruent with scientific discoveries in the fields of relativity, quantum physics, medicine, M-theory, neuroscience, and quantum biology.

The Physics of God describes the intersections of science and religion with colorful, easy-to-understand metaphors, making abstruse subjects within both science and religion easily accessible to the layman—no math, no dogma.

Included in this revised edition is a new chapter on the physics of meditation and other updates. Compelling and concise, The Physics of God will make you believe in the unity of science and religion and eager to experience the personal transcendence that is the promise of both.

From Meidelach to Matriarchs ~ A Journal: Jewish Women of Yesteryear to Inspire your Today is simple, while being profound. It is a gentle nudge to remember the women who came before us and helped pave the way. It is a gentle invitation to make time for yourself, for introspection, for starting a quiet conversation with yourself...and with God.

This is not solely for Jews, this journal is jam-packed with history, inspiration, and motivational, thought-provoking questions. I read it through quickly, but I am going to take my time and do a page at a time. I deserve some "me-time"...and so do you.

This is a great book for a "daughters of a King" book club or sisterhood event, great discussions, break-out groups...

I'm reposting Boricua's comments here. He/she mistakenly created a whole new topic in our forum for our book discussion. Please everyone, as I said in the help area, do not do that. We only can see 8 topics per month, and if you create a discussion topic in the monthly book area, then we lose one of our monthly book discussions.

BORICUA WROTE

I know an author that recently wrote a very thought provoking book. The name is in the Title of this post. Thought it might be a great discussion piece for those in the interfaith community. The complete title is called God’s Perspective Through the Divine Eyes.

Boricua (boricuareviews)
Here’s the direct link to the Goodreads page.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

I have been reading The Physics of God by Joseph Selbie - subtitle on my copy, How the Deepest Theories of Science Explain Religion and How the Deepest Truths of Religion Explain Science - and it is superb.

https://www.amazon.com/Physics-God-De...

For years I've been trying to clearly understand the connection between quantum physics and spirituality, and Joseph Selbie makes it so clear! I'm only reading a little at a time (though it's only 240 pp), so after going through three renewals from the library I had to return it and order it all over again because I don't want to miss a page of it. I will recommend it to our Book Selection Committee for one of future monthly reads.

Selbie was a founding member of Ananda, a meditation community inspired by Yogananda, but he clearly is highly knowledgeable about quantum physics and able to explain how it connects to the spiritual level of existence.

Folks - I'm listing here most of my fall online courses (ranging from 1-6 weeks), all with an inspirational focus, offered through Lexington Community Education and Newton Community Education. Anyone can register - I'd love to have some of you attending. Registration is through the schools. Times given are eastern time.

Journal Writing for Personal Growth
Four Tuesdays, beginning September 30, 6:45-8:45pm
https://newtoncommunityed.org/course/...

The Poetry of e.e. cummings
Two Wednesdays beginning October 15, 6:45-8:45pm
https://lexingtoncommunityed.org/clas...

Becoming Self-Empowered
Four Thursdays beginning October 23, 6:45-8:45pm
https://lexingtoncommunityed.org/clas...

Poems that Inspire: The Poetry of Mary Oliver
Two Mondays beginning October 27, 6:45-8:45pm
https://lexingtoncommunityed.org/clas...

Personal and Collective Grief: Writing through Loss
Three Mondays, beginning November 17, 6:45-8:45pm
https://lexingtoncommunityed.org/clas...

Understanding Your Dreams
Two Thursdays beginning November 20 (no class November 27), 6:45-8:45pm
https://lexingtoncommunityed.org/clas...

Tracy, your Mary Oliver class sounds intriguing. I cannot promise becaude I am already operating beyond capacity right now and taking on too much all at once. but will see.

I am interested in the ee cummings class. These two Wednesdays work for me. I always enjoy his poems. I see you are in Mass so Eastern time.
signing up.
better schedule for me than the Mary Oliver. maybe if you offer than ohe again some time.

I am in. just registered for your ee cummings class, Tracy .
looking forward to it.

Worth reading, if you can:
We Need to Think Straight about God and Politics
by David Brooks
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/op...

I sent a long excerpt from it to our book selection committee, Smith and Laurie but for copyright reasons don't think I can post it here.

Tracy I appreciated the article.

since around 2001 I have been very involved in mostly interfaith faith based peaceful protest movements.
i know I do not come across as an activist due to my socially clumsy manner but that can be an advantage in a way in that I am never intimidating. I am told I do come across as a bridge builder and as tolerant.

I worry as much about the left as the right. I am worried about possible civil war. Mary and I have a food stockpile of canned food etc in case we have to shelter in place. 5 years ago I woukd have called this a crazy prepper thing . but he has sent troops into cities and we live right outside city limit of sanctuary city probably on his list and my wife has a physical disability and so the two id us are incapable of literally running away .

I tend to associate with groups containing a lot of gray haired old ladies from 1960s or old Quakers or old justice seeking Catholics or justice seeking Jewish people including 85 year old rabbis or environmentalist Mother Earth living old Pagans.

I steer away from the far left groups that are not spiritually based and do not have the grounding in nonviolence. .

my worry is the new young people coming into the pro democracy movement who do not have the grounding in nonviolence from a spiritual strategic perspective and see it only as a tactic. and also who are impatient due to their youth and not having lived through long periods of change. they do not have the perspective you and I do. .I see at least in social media a lot of black and white non nuanced thinking from young people on the left.
I want tk support the young LGBTQIA people who are terrified for their lives. as a person with ADHD but non-autistic, but who tends to gravitate to neurodivergent women friends I want to support the young neurodivergent people who are terrified for their lives. .

change comes in ebbs and flows. young people have not seen this.



BUT

yet I will say nothing I have seen scares me like right now does. I have never seen anything like this before.

I usually have on average one scary dream about the Holocaust yearly. it always ends positively. in the dream I either hide or resist or flee but I always survive. I never die in them.

this calendar year I have had three if these though still they end positively with survival. my own fault I think
the negative content I take in on the news.

we are in unprecedented unbelievable times.

my Black and Brown friends and friends connected to immigrant communities and friends who are poor and friends who are medically vulnerable know this much more than I ever possibly could.

it is hard to know what to do. but I believe in nonviolence. perhaps because my privilege allows me to. but to me it is part of why I am in this book group. .

fot the grounding to swe this through and not become what I am fighting against.

COUNCIL OF NICAEA: The Torah, The Bible, and Christian Faith

October 22, 1 pm EDT

I recommend World Virtual Tours which are free online. I've done two or art museums which have been really worthwhile. They have upcoming ones on Jerusalem, Bethlehem and one on the walks of Jesus (as well as many others on different subjects and places).

I hope to do this one on the Council of Nicaea, October 22, 1pm EDT -- one that is likely to be of interest to anyone interested in how the Bible was formed. I'm particularly interested in the subject of what was excluded (such as the Gnostic Gospels) but this talk/tour is more likely to focus on what was included and how decisions were made.

(Does anyone know if the Christian Old Testament and the Jewish Old Testament - beyond the Torah - differ?)

Here's the event:
COUNCIL OF NICAEA: The Torah, The Bible, and Christian Faith
https://www.worldvirtualtours.online/...
Live stream event
Hosted by Martine D.: PhD in Classics and Ancient History
Live Q&A Closed Captioning Available

In this talk, we will explore how the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE sought to unify Christian beliefs, from debates on the divinity of Christ to the shaping of biblical canon. We will trace connections between the Hebrew Torah, early Christian writings, and the evolving identity of the Church.

Jessica posted the following recommendation, taking up one of our forum spaces slot our monthly book discussion forum. I deleted it and am reposting it here. As I keep indicating, the monthly book discussion forum is only for our monthly book discussions. But thank you, Jessica, for your recommendation.

POSTED BY JESSICA
Geoffrey Waugh The Amazing Life of Jesus History's Great Love Story by Geoffrey Waugh “History’s Greatest Love Story”
Step into the heart of history’s greatest love story. The Amazing Life of Jesus reveals how a man who healed, forgave, and loved without limits could face such fierce opposition—and why his compassion still transforms lives today. A moving journey perfect for book clubs craving truth, faith, and deep reflection.

The Amazing Life of Jesus: History's Great Love Story
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...