The Next Best Book Club discussion

Hi there. If you're looking for a book that gives a general overview on a religion, unfortunately I don't have a recommendation on that.

If you're looking for a nonfiction book that shows how members of one religion might look at their holy text and see God's presence in it, I'd enjoyed The Divine Intruder by James R. Edwards. It takes different passages from the Bible, then delves into what the people in that passage might have experienced and how it relates to living today. Book is several years old, though. Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26...

If you're open to fiction, From The Dead weaves faith and questions that arise along the way. It's my own book, so I apologize for that promotion, but the book was written to take an honest look at a character who would have honest questions. All blog reviewers, GoodReads and otherwise (except one), have considered it non-preachy, which was my intent. Book link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/83...

Hope one of these helps! Sorry I couldn't offer more...

The I Ching. You can read it online just by Googling it. It's very philosophical. Should help you gain some insight to the whole Taoist belief.

I have some ideas for you. I haven't read any of these books, but I looked some up for you that you might want to look at.

Mythology and general religion
Mythology
The Power of Myth
The Varieties of Religious Experience
The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God (I actually have read this one, and it's incredible)

Wicca and Paganism
Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America
The Spiral Dance - A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess
The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner

Baha'i
Baha'u'llah and the New Era: An Introduction to the Baha'i Faith

Buddhism and Taoism
The Tao of Pooh
Siddhartha (it's a novel, but whatever)
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values (I've heard mixed reviews)

Islam
No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam
A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam
Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources
Daughters of Another Path: Experiences of American Women Choosing Islam

Christianity
Do you know how hard it is to find non-fiction about Christianity that isn't too biased one way or the other? I happen to know Dr Ehrman, and he's a really fair guy, so I like to recommend him.
Christianity for Dummies
Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible & Why
Jesus, Interrupted: Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible & Why We Don't Know about Them

Though it is not the newest literature, CS Lewis has fabulous books on Christianity. My favorite was The Screwtape Letters which was a story from the perspective of a demon and Satan. It was an incredible story.

You might also want to look at Mead's Handbook on Denominations.



It was very helpful in helping me understand some of the different Christian denominations, their history, and what they believe.

Hope this helps!

Hi,

I do find is strange that Hinduism books are not even put under religion in bookstores in the philippines, or even spirituality, but annoyingly, mythology. Nonetheless, there's a book I've read once and I recommend to those who wish to know more about the Bhagavad Gita, check out The Bhagavad Gita : A Walkthrough for Westerners

This book brings eastern spirituality west...


by
Matthew Akers

See in-depth description at
http://www.sonofadam.org

I'm in the middle of this book and loving it. It is written in a very readable style and yet is well-researched and such a great read for anyone who really wants to understand Islam:
Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes by Tamim Ansary

Check out the circle series by Ted Dekker it's a fiction series that explores Christianity, God, history, and people.

Try RB Clague's Daisy, very gentle teaching, not preachy at all. Loved it.

Emily wrote: "I have some ideas for you. I haven't read any of these books, but I looked some up for you that you might want to look at.

Mythology and general religion
Mythology
The Power of Myth
The Varieti..."

That's one of the most thoughtful posts I have ever seen.

An introduction to basic Buddhist teachings, as told by a cat adopted by the Dalai Lama. The author does a great job of weaving Buddhist teachings and philosophy into the cat's observations of the goings on in and around the temple where she lives. It is a very enjoyable read. :)

I agree with Gina about C. S. Lewis. My favorite is Mere Christianity.