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Here and Now: A Whimsical Take on God
Internationally enjoyed illustrator and humanist thinker Jeff Stilwell takes us on a journey that begins in ancient history, in the land of Ur, where God making was all the rage. Pursuing that thread through the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam to the present day, we discover that we don't need to make up gods to explain things anymore. Since we all come accessorized with an expiration date, Stilwell encourages us all to make the most of this life we have to live, here and now. Starring Stilwell's freethinking alter-ego Thrashin' Jack and his friend Lotus, Here and Now features over one hundred delightful and charming comics illuminating the story. #1 Hot New Releases Amazon Kindle in first week of publication! ADVANCE PRAISE FOR HERE AND NOW... "Stilwell covers the most complex topics—the problem of evil, what makes all the different priests and leaders so sure of themselves, quantum physics—by way of his endearing comics. You almost need the illustrations to break up the minimal narrative, so you can take at least a moment to ponder whether you want to dispute any of his statements...That’s a lot of heft for a mere cartoon book to carry, and yet Here and Now manages it." ---Susan Perry, Creative Atheist, Patheos.com "Here and Now is funny, concise, and timely. A must read for the atheists and, more importantly, the theists among us." ---Tom Smith, Secular Radio, KWPRadio.org "Stilwell's comical illustrations will help you visualize how religion was made. The process the book walks you through is amazing. A great and interesting read!" ---Amanda Brown, President, We Are Atheism, WeAreAtheism.com "While the elementary level language and comic-strip style artwork makes it easy to miss the complex ideas just under the surface, there are deep currents hiding beneath what at first glance seems like a very shallow experience...Stilwell has deftly put together a great primer for understanding an atheist worldview. Where Hitchens and Dawkins put believers on the defensive with brutal attacks on religious thinking, this book takes a different approach. It manages to build a foundation to explain atheist ideas without being threatening. I could see a lot of people using this book as a tool to help friends and family members understand why they think how they do. Also, because it’s so accessible, it would be valuable for introducing atheist ideas to kids....However it might be used, Here and Now is a valuable addition to the body of atheist literature." ---Dave Brouillette, The Atheist Soundingboard "A really good story!" ---Sam Mulvey, Ask An Atheist Radio PRAISE FROM GENERAL READERS… "…as a mother, I can use this book not only for myself, but also for my children. The author outlines the history of religion simply without losing depth of great wisdom or insight. It is humorous, concise and a thought provoking adventure as you travel through time with the playful character, Thrashin’ Jack." ---Victoria Milliken "A wonderfully brief but thought provoking read. Something that can be read in minutes, and thought about for a lifetime." ---Jeff Lin "When you take away all the supernatural magic that surrounds religion, and explain religion in a clear-eyed, matter-of-fact manner, you get Here and Now." ---Rita Boyland White "Stilwell’s little book brings clarity and sums up all of the thoughts, questions and beliefs I've had over the years regarding this important Is there a god?" ---Michael Arnold "Jeff Stilwell's new book, Here and Now, truly has the awesome potential to change your life. Or at least your thinking, which, in turn, will change your life." ---Suzanne Schaefer
- GenresAmazon
126 pages, Paperback
First published May 29, 2014
About the author
Jeff Stilwell
7 booksJeff Stilwell excels at the unexpected.
Not content with his midwestern roots, he found ways on the cheap to explore the wider world including selling gummy bears in high school to visit the Alps of southern Germany. To pay for college, he worked a slime line as a head chopper in the clammy tundra of Alaska.
His thirst for adventure next took him to Asia where he studied the martial arts and Asian philosophy while exploring exotic locales such as the Himalayas and the lands of Lord Jim, even surviving a squall in the Gulf of Siam.
Attracted to strong women lifelong, he met and wooed his wife, jewelry designer Manya Vee there, winning her heart by following her to Java. Upon returning to the States, they founded an art gallery just north of Seattle. She taught him to gallop bareback at the family farm in the storied Yakima Valley, the inspiration for his first novel Fighting for Eden.
His flair for the dramatic led him to write and stage fifteen plays in and around the Seattle theatre scene. His works earned numerous laurels such as "an intense dramatic comedy you don't want to miss...an uninterrupted 90-minute power pack with something to say," for his One Tile Short and "a trip and a half in a little more than a hour and a half through an Alice-like wonderland and a half; ground-breaking in ways more than one," for his Teacup Tipsy. (The Enterprise Newspapers, Dale Burrows)
Too restless, however, to merely sit behind a computer, he recently completed a solitary 750 mile hike from Stevens Pass in Western Washington to end, a Biblical sounding forty days later, at Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. Once upon a time, he even ran for Congress. If it's big, Stilwell has dreamt it, attempted it, or achieved it.
Not content with his midwestern roots, he found ways on the cheap to explore the wider world including selling gummy bears in high school to visit the Alps of southern Germany. To pay for college, he worked a slime line as a head chopper in the clammy tundra of Alaska.
His thirst for adventure next took him to Asia where he studied the martial arts and Asian philosophy while exploring exotic locales such as the Himalayas and the lands of Lord Jim, even surviving a squall in the Gulf of Siam.
Attracted to strong women lifelong, he met and wooed his wife, jewelry designer Manya Vee there, winning her heart by following her to Java. Upon returning to the States, they founded an art gallery just north of Seattle. She taught him to gallop bareback at the family farm in the storied Yakima Valley, the inspiration for his first novel Fighting for Eden.
His flair for the dramatic led him to write and stage fifteen plays in and around the Seattle theatre scene. His works earned numerous laurels such as "an intense dramatic comedy you don't want to miss...an uninterrupted 90-minute power pack with something to say," for his One Tile Short and "a trip and a half in a little more than a hour and a half through an Alice-like wonderland and a half; ground-breaking in ways more than one," for his Teacup Tipsy. (The Enterprise Newspapers, Dale Burrows)
Too restless, however, to merely sit behind a computer, he recently completed a solitary 750 mile hike from Stevens Pass in Western Washington to end, a Biblical sounding forty days later, at Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. Once upon a time, he even ran for Congress. If it's big, Stilwell has dreamt it, attempted it, or achieved it.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 24, 2020
A very quick read on atheism and the history of major religions. He condenses well the major points, and the drawings do a great job of explaining the text. It is written in a droll tone of voice. For an agnostic or atheist, this is a really fine and funny read.
February 2, 2021
"Humanity's take on God" perfectly describes this short delightful but complex book. Man needed a reason to explain things that he didn't understand so he invented God. This is the first read for me by this author/illustrator, but it will not be my last.
May 31, 2021
Spiritual
Interesting and simplistic. A quick read on the author's take on spirituality, God, God's, the universe and life. He does not believe in heaven or a greater being, simplifies everything but still gives the reader points to ponder
Interesting and simplistic. A quick read on the author's take on spirituality, God, God's, the universe and life. He does not believe in heaven or a greater being, simplifies everything but still gives the reader points to ponder
June 22, 2018
Freedom
Well written, using straight forward language and drawings. Well done and meaningful. Something everyone should read and consider. Good job.
Well written, using straight forward language and drawings. Well done and meaningful. Something everyone should read and consider. Good job.
July 25, 2018
A godless view of the universe
This was a concise, thoughtful, well-articulated description of the origins of religion. It was an easy read and very thought-provoking.
This was a concise, thoughtful, well-articulated description of the origins of religion. It was an easy read and very thought-provoking.
January 10, 2019
Pictures often have nothing obvious to do with the text and takes ages to make any kind of point
November 12, 2019
A delightful way
Mr. Stillwell found a gentle and kind way to break down why we should no longer view gods as necessary or beneficial.
A quick and very worthwhile read.
Mr. Stillwell found a gentle and kind way to break down why we should no longer view gods as necessary or beneficial.
A quick and very worthwhile read.
August 29, 2020
Nihilism at its best
If you want to believe that our lives are pointless this is the book to read. A waste of my time.
If you want to believe that our lives are pointless this is the book to read. A waste of my time.
September 22, 2020
A quick fun read.
I like the simplicity of the language used. There are enough details to follow down a rabbit hole if you wish, but it's clear and concise as is.
I like the simplicity of the language used. There are enough details to follow down a rabbit hole if you wish, but it's clear and concise as is.
November 16, 2020
Intellectually void of faith.
Read
August 11, 2021What a delightful read! Short and to the .120 pages.
Expressed my thoughts on the matter beautifully. Like the ending
Expressed my thoughts on the matter beautifully. Like the ending
January 4, 2024
I LOVED it.
June 26, 2018
A simple, yet intriguing read
This is, perhaps, one of the simplest explanation of the founding of theology I have run across. (I would not use it as a college textbook as, politically, it would not go over too well with the ‘exclusive theists’)
This is, perhaps, one of the simplest explanation of the founding of theology I have run across. (I would not use it as a college textbook as, politically, it would not go over too well with the ‘exclusive theists’)
August 2, 2014
Here and Now: A whimsical Take on God by Jeff Stilwell
“Here and Now" is a very clever and amusing illustrated tale of how religion emerged. Accomplished illustrator and fellow humanist thinker Jeff Stilwell, takes the reader on a short illustrated journey that is surprisingly thought provoking and enlightening. This entertaining 123-page book includes the following four chapters: 1. The Idea That Worked, 2. The Idea That Worked (A Little Longer), 3. Is The Idea Still Working?, and 4. Here And Now.
Positives:
1. Lucid, succinct and well thought out illustrated book.
2. A unique way of looking at how the concept of “God” emerged.
3. Clever way to explain the concept of “God” with some help from illustrated friends Thrashin’ Jack and Lotus.
4. Simple but surprisingly deep. It starts in Ur and it takes off from there. “In the beginning it was simple. We needed a God. So we created one.”
5. Stilwell cleverly explains why the “Gods” are useful.
6. The concept of the “One True God” or OTG is introduced.
7. And then there was heaven…the impact of the promise of heaven.
8. The return to Israel. “After two generations of living in Ur, one group of these conquered peoples decided to return to the land from which they had been taken. This land, called Israel, lay right on the coast of the Med(iterranean Sea). These people were called Hebrews. They liked the One True God with his Heaven idea so much that when they traveled back to Israel, they brought the idea with them.”
9. The use of religion to make war. “Interestingly, just as the rowdy Persians had, the Hebrews, the followers of Jesus, and the followers of Mohammed all figured out that the idea of a Heaven to go to after you die made it much easier to make war on others.”
10. Explains why the gods are still and not “useful” today.
11. Thought-provoking quotes, “After all, if One True God was not there for them when they needed help the most, why should One True God be there for us when we need help the most?” Hmmm.
12. So what is the meaning of life? The three ways our focus shifts.
Negatives:
1. Illustrations-heavy book may not be for everyone.
2. It felt more like an appetizer than the main course, still tasty however.
In summary, what a fun and succinct way to think of the concept of gods. A picture or in this case an illustration can be worth a thousand words and Stilwell executes it well. A humanist, illustrator’s approach to one of the big eternal philosophical questions. It may not be for everyone but it provides a unique way to look at the question of “God” and at the end of the day that’s all that “God” is, a question. It’s different and I like it and recommend it.
Further suggestions: “The Friendly Atheist” by Hemant Mehta, “Good Without God” by Greg Epstein, “Freethinkers” by Susan Jacoby, “A Manual for Creating Atheists” by Peter Boghosian, “The God Virus” by Darrel Ray, “Godless Americana” and “Moral Combat” by Sikivu Hutchinson, “Infidel” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, “Why Evolution Is True” by Jerry A. Coyne, “Atheism for Dummies” by Dale McGowan, “Nonbeliever Nation” by David Niose, “Nailed” by David Fitzgerald, and “Think” by Guy P. Harrison.
“Here and Now" is a very clever and amusing illustrated tale of how religion emerged. Accomplished illustrator and fellow humanist thinker Jeff Stilwell, takes the reader on a short illustrated journey that is surprisingly thought provoking and enlightening. This entertaining 123-page book includes the following four chapters: 1. The Idea That Worked, 2. The Idea That Worked (A Little Longer), 3. Is The Idea Still Working?, and 4. Here And Now.
Positives:
1. Lucid, succinct and well thought out illustrated book.
2. A unique way of looking at how the concept of “God” emerged.
3. Clever way to explain the concept of “God” with some help from illustrated friends Thrashin’ Jack and Lotus.
4. Simple but surprisingly deep. It starts in Ur and it takes off from there. “In the beginning it was simple. We needed a God. So we created one.”
5. Stilwell cleverly explains why the “Gods” are useful.
6. The concept of the “One True God” or OTG is introduced.
7. And then there was heaven…the impact of the promise of heaven.
8. The return to Israel. “After two generations of living in Ur, one group of these conquered peoples decided to return to the land from which they had been taken. This land, called Israel, lay right on the coast of the Med(iterranean Sea). These people were called Hebrews. They liked the One True God with his Heaven idea so much that when they traveled back to Israel, they brought the idea with them.”
9. The use of religion to make war. “Interestingly, just as the rowdy Persians had, the Hebrews, the followers of Jesus, and the followers of Mohammed all figured out that the idea of a Heaven to go to after you die made it much easier to make war on others.”
10. Explains why the gods are still and not “useful” today.
11. Thought-provoking quotes, “After all, if One True God was not there for them when they needed help the most, why should One True God be there for us when we need help the most?” Hmmm.
12. So what is the meaning of life? The three ways our focus shifts.
Negatives:
1. Illustrations-heavy book may not be for everyone.
2. It felt more like an appetizer than the main course, still tasty however.
In summary, what a fun and succinct way to think of the concept of gods. A picture or in this case an illustration can be worth a thousand words and Stilwell executes it well. A humanist, illustrator’s approach to one of the big eternal philosophical questions. It may not be for everyone but it provides a unique way to look at the question of “God” and at the end of the day that’s all that “God” is, a question. It’s different and I like it and recommend it.
Further suggestions: “The Friendly Atheist” by Hemant Mehta, “Good Without God” by Greg Epstein, “Freethinkers” by Susan Jacoby, “A Manual for Creating Atheists” by Peter Boghosian, “The God Virus” by Darrel Ray, “Godless Americana” and “Moral Combat” by Sikivu Hutchinson, “Infidel” by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, “Why Evolution Is True” by Jerry A. Coyne, “Atheism for Dummies” by Dale McGowan, “Nonbeliever Nation” by David Niose, “Nailed” by David Fitzgerald, and “Think” by Guy P. Harrison.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews