The Amazing Faith of Texas: Common Ground on Higher Ground

by Roy Spence

It is best to travel slowly along the roads and highways of Texas. Not because of speed traps, though they are there. But because if you travel slowly, you are less likely to miss the turns that will take you to the heart of this great state. Take these turns, and they will lead you to stories and places of faith. The Amazing Faith of Texas is an exploration in words and pictures of people and places that represent the strong, abiding belief that sustains faith-filled Texans. A belief that transcends the boundaries of religion. Transcends the dogma. Transcends the differences.
We have heard all we need to hear about what divides us. The Amazing Faith of Texas is about what unites us. From tiny churches on dusty back roads to the mega churches along our cities’ highways, from temples, mosques, and synagogues―Amazing Faith is a look at our places of worship and a listen to the stories that bring Texans to their faith. From the desert of West Texas to the pines of East Texas, from the Panhandle to the border, The Amazing Faith of Texas is an exploration of common ground on higher ground.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Sharon Barrow Wilfong · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will start off by saying that the photographs are superb. I love architecture and especially architecture of places of worship. Worship is an integral part of a majority of the world's population in some form or other and I think it strange how little attention is paid to it in the public venue. This book is filled with all sorts of worship buildings, mostly Christian, it is, after all Texas: country churches, large city groups...traditional, historical, modern...all of them lovely in their own right.

The book also has testimonies of individuals of different faiths and what their faith means to them. And this is where I complain.

On the one hand, the testimonies are from Christians, with a number of Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, and various other beliefs I would catalog as vaguely "spiritual".

But it would be more accurate to write all the above mentioned religions with quotations marks, because every last one of them failed to define what made their beliefs unique.

I believe the author carefully selected his interviewees so as to have them say more or less the same thing. Their faith helps them be a good person and contributes to peace on earth.

It's strange to me how most of the people sharing their faith do not talk about their faith in God or Jesus Christ as a personal relationship, but primarily as an impersonal force whose purpose is to help them. The central focus is not God and His glory, but mankind's improvement. Every statement was some kind of general "I'm a better person because of my faith", which, on the surface sounds nice, if not a bit treacly, while avoiding the more substantial points of human nature.

I looked up the residences of the people interviewed and it appears the author carefully selected who he interviewed as well. Most of them are from the Austin area, which, if you know Austin as I know Austin, says so much. It's a huge drug, hippy culture that loves to pontificate on happy notions of world peace and "inclusion" and "acceptance", when what they really mean is let's feel good about ourselves and get high.

And that sums this book up. If you want to close your eyes and tell yourself "all roads lead to the same goal" while ignoring the fundamental differences of each faith, which is another way of demeaning people's personal beliefs, you'll love the oozy nebulous testimonies in this book.

[Conor Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, a lot of the stories in this book were REALLY interesting. If I had to base it just off the stories contained within, it'd probably be five stars. Yet, I can't judge just one part of the book. The arrangement was interesting, but it was utterly disappointing to see that all the Hindu and Buddhist people presented were white. There were no South Asian or East Asian individuals featured, probably because they couldn't conform to the thin narrative that the editor and compilers were trying to make.

I found it disappointing that there was a clear throughline of insisting that all faiths are *essentially* the same. Faiths are different, and not only is that okay but I think that is a great thing!

Ultimately, a good coffee table book but it is a very shallow book on a very deep subject. It feels edited to appeal to White suburban Texans with a vague sense of spirituality. Would be right at home in certain UU Churches, especially a larger one in Dallas (which is ironic since no UUs were featured to my knowledge). It gets an A for effort but a C for content.

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overview: Texas is such a beautiful place. And creative, as some of our churches can and will attest. Mr. Spence leads us along for the ride down the road to see the people and churches of Texas.

Likes: Some of these churches are amazing. Even the one that grew out of the convenience store.

Dislikes: It’s hard to see how we all worship the same God, when some of our holy books seem to contradict each other.

Conclusion: This is a great book for those who enjoy the architecture of the churches, and those who enjoy the state of Texas.

[cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short essays of what "religion" means to that person. Different faiths from all walks of life, very open.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great pictures and interesting stories of spirituality in Texas.

[Contemplative · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed this book. It opened my eyes to just how connected we all are when it comes to faith. Great stories and beautiful pictures. A wonderful coffee table book.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book...of course, the study of religion is something I enjoy, and I love Texas sooooo it was excellent.