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How to Heal Our Divides: A Practical Guide
Recent times have put a spotlight on the inequities, systems of oppression, and deep divisions in our society. Much has been written that acknowledges and describes racial, political, religious, and other divides, but there is little practical information on what can be done about them. How to Heal Our Divides highlights organizations that are taking real action to address these issues and heal divides in effective and practical ways. Take a look to see how you can help make the world a better place.
Reviews
“Jesus' final prayer with his disciples (John 17) asked for one thing: that we his followers demonstrate a profound unity that will both convict and attract the watching world. In this time of deep division, this book shows how to do exactly that.”- Philip Yancey, author of “What's So Amazing About Grace”
“Creed and community remind me that changing habits is hard, and practicing solidarity involves wrestling with my own failures. But, with the help of others, each one of us can mend the fault lines in our own lives and lend our hands to repair the world. Read these essays and discover you are not alone. You have friends, co-workers, mentors, and guides for the way.” - Diana Butler Bass, author of “Freeing Jesus” “Grateful” and “Grounded”
“A brilliant and loving collection of real stories, "How to Heal Our Divides" shows what brave, humble people are doing all over the world to heal hurt and build bridges to restoration and peace. With inspiration on every page--written by some of the world's most renowned authors--here's a source of hope and healing that arrives just when we need it most.” - Patricia Raybon, award-winning author of "My First White Friend: Reflections on Race, Love and Forgiveness" and "Undivided: A Muslim Daughter, Her Christian Mother, Their Path to Peace"
“This volume brings together a diverse team of creative practitioners of un-division. All of these practitioners are translating peace-making theory into practice on the street, in the neighborhood, and in the human heart. Not only that, but they are developing and revising theory through their practice. That’s what makes each contribution so powerful.”- Brian McLaren, author of “Faith After Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do About It”
"For twenty-five years, the Center for Courage & Renewal has helped people reclaim the wholeness that is everyone’s birthright gift, so they can bring their identity and integrity more fully into their personal, vocational, and public lives. I am happy to participate in 'How to Heal Our Divides’ to come alongside other organizations working with similar goals."- Parker J. Palmer, Founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal
“A vast book of diverse and accessible ideas the world needs right now!”- Mark Schaefer, author of "Cumulative Advantage"
“Filled with strong and hopeful voices, How to Heal Our Divides is a book that recognizes it will take more than a Kumbaya moment to bring wholeness to our society. It does the hard work of bringing civil discourse to the page in a way that shows us it is possible to talk even when we don’t agree. The healing will begin from there.” - Sophfronia Scott, author of “The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton”
“Projects like the ones in this book are healing the world. My own work as an activist has been shaped by stories like the ones in this book. This is holy work we are doing. It begins with humility.”- Shane Claiborne, leader of Red Letter Christians
Reviews
“Jesus' final prayer with his disciples (John 17) asked for one thing: that we his followers demonstrate a profound unity that will both convict and attract the watching world. In this time of deep division, this book shows how to do exactly that.”- Philip Yancey, author of “What's So Amazing About Grace”
“Creed and community remind me that changing habits is hard, and practicing solidarity involves wrestling with my own failures. But, with the help of others, each one of us can mend the fault lines in our own lives and lend our hands to repair the world. Read these essays and discover you are not alone. You have friends, co-workers, mentors, and guides for the way.” - Diana Butler Bass, author of “Freeing Jesus” “Grateful” and “Grounded”
“A brilliant and loving collection of real stories, "How to Heal Our Divides" shows what brave, humble people are doing all over the world to heal hurt and build bridges to restoration and peace. With inspiration on every page--written by some of the world's most renowned authors--here's a source of hope and healing that arrives just when we need it most.” - Patricia Raybon, award-winning author of "My First White Friend: Reflections on Race, Love and Forgiveness" and "Undivided: A Muslim Daughter, Her Christian Mother, Their Path to Peace"
“This volume brings together a diverse team of creative practitioners of un-division. All of these practitioners are translating peace-making theory into practice on the street, in the neighborhood, and in the human heart. Not only that, but they are developing and revising theory through their practice. That’s what makes each contribution so powerful.”- Brian McLaren, author of “Faith After Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do About It”
"For twenty-five years, the Center for Courage & Renewal has helped people reclaim the wholeness that is everyone’s birthright gift, so they can bring their identity and integrity more fully into their personal, vocational, and public lives. I am happy to participate in 'How to Heal Our Divides’ to come alongside other organizations working with similar goals."- Parker J. Palmer, Founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal
“A vast book of diverse and accessible ideas the world needs right now!”- Mark Schaefer, author of "Cumulative Advantage"
“Filled with strong and hopeful voices, How to Heal Our Divides is a book that recognizes it will take more than a Kumbaya moment to bring wholeness to our society. It does the hard work of bringing civil discourse to the page in a way that shows us it is possible to talk even when we don’t agree. The healing will begin from there.” - Sophfronia Scott, author of “The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton”
“Projects like the ones in this book are healing the world. My own work as an activist has been shaped by stories like the ones in this book. This is holy work we are doing. It begins with humility.”- Shane Claiborne, leader of Red Letter Christians
254 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2021
38 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 18, 2021
Like many of us I am fearful, tired and very much over the conflicts that divide us as a people, especially as children of God.
This book builds awareness of organizations taking real action to address our divisions in healing and practical ways. Contributing writers include Brain McLaren, Parker J Palmer, Molly LaCroix and Diana Butler Bass.
Dividing into two sections of Why this Matters and Ways to Get Involved, topics include how conflicts deepens our faith and building reconciling communities.
A great book for personal exploration and group discussion.
This book builds awareness of organizations taking real action to address our divisions in healing and practical ways. Contributing writers include Brain McLaren, Parker J Palmer, Molly LaCroix and Diana Butler Bass.
Dividing into two sections of Why this Matters and Ways to Get Involved, topics include how conflicts deepens our faith and building reconciling communities.
A great book for personal exploration and group discussion.
May 18, 2021
This is a book we need right now. In a series of intimate, revealing, and inspiring essays, leaders from across the spectrum give guidance and stories on ways to bring our fractured society and religious lives closer together. They discuss real ways we can make a difference. I use these essays as part of my daily reflection. They both give me hope and inspire me to move beyond being angry and hopeless about our broken world and relationships and do something about it. A must-read.
May 13, 2021
I so greatly appreciate the many contributors to this book, and all of the wonderful work their organizations perform everyday to help improve our world.
May 18, 2021
While 2020 brought upheaval and protests in the streets, we can hope and pray 2021 brings practical resources like How to Heal Our Divides. In this comprehensive compilation of essays for cultural reconciliation, Allain assembles thoughts from pastors, activists, professors, and other organizational leaders who offer solutions for mending our social ills. One of this book’s strengths is the myriad of approaches offered for healing, including training, retreats, and personal experiences which tackle issues of racism, political and religious strife, and more.
Readers can cherry-pick chapters, but the transparent struggles and journeys shared will prompt one to devour this book from cover to cover. Complete with links to organizations and additional recommended resources, How to Heal Our Divides has the capacity to guide readers on a path to more harmonious living. Peacemakers will appreciate this book’s challenges to the heart, mind and spirit, and the invitation to identify and participate in crucial stages for reconciliation.
Readers can cherry-pick chapters, but the transparent struggles and journeys shared will prompt one to devour this book from cover to cover. Complete with links to organizations and additional recommended resources, How to Heal Our Divides has the capacity to guide readers on a path to more harmonious living. Peacemakers will appreciate this book’s challenges to the heart, mind and spirit, and the invitation to identify and participate in crucial stages for reconciliation.
May 18, 2021
Much has been said about the need for healing the divisions in our world, but not a great deal has been said on how to solve them. Here is the answer. This timely book is a wonderfully rich, practical text that addresses not just the WHY but the HOW of healing. Featuring organizations that are taking real action to address these issues, and with essays from a variety of well-known authors including Shane Claiborne, Brian McLaren, Parker Palmer and Rabbi Rami Shapiro, How to Heal Our Divides is an important step towards healing, reconciliation and hope. I love what Diana Butler Bass said in her contribution: 'Why heal our divides? Because if we do, we heal ourselves.'
Amen. Who can argue with that?
Amen. Who can argue with that?
May 23, 2021
Why read this book? It's because you're guaranteed to come way with some new idea or action you can use to help yourself and others bridge the polarization that keeps us from being truly together. This book is a collection of short essays and program overviews written by thirty-three thought leaders whose organizations are making a practical difference. They share multiple frameworks for structuring constructive dialogue to help people discover common ground. They also introduce a range of organizations and resources. Among several ideas and resources I highlighted, one favorite was this one by Parker Palmer: "The higher one goes in education, the farther away one drifts from self-knowledge."
August 27, 2023
I appreciate what this book is trying to do and I like its mission. I found some of the essays to be excellent, providing actual ideas for how to implement a similar ministry or strategy or providing hope because of groups that are doing amazing things. Some essays however left me with questions about data that was missing or any proof that what was being described was not just a pat on your own back. The highlighted popular authors tended to have some well written essays. I did this as a book club but did not make it to all meetings over the summer. Usually our discussion was really fruitful due to the variety of topics on the book, so I do recommend this book for a book club or group study through a faith community.
May 19, 2021
It will take good time to read through all that is here. But even just spending a few hours reviewing chapter titles such as: It begins with humility; Three shifts for healing religious divides; America Doesn’t Need Fewer Arguments, It Needs Less Stupid Ones... is evidence of riches. Already I am absorbing. There's something in reading a compilation--so many minds and hearts and words coming together. And so many ideas to Get Moving. "Doing" is always more than "Talking." Yet always must be started with words; in the beginning was the Word. So let's get on it! Grateful this is in the world.
January 25, 2022
Short chapters from a variety of individuals and groups who are working at making positive change!
Want to read
January 27, 2024This is the October 2024 selection of South Austin Spiritual Book Group.
November 20, 2022
Heal our divide
Ignorance is what leads to stupid hatred. Educate yourselves in knowing how to heal the divides in your own lives. This book is a great place to start.
Ignorance is what leads to stupid hatred. Educate yourselves in knowing how to heal the divides in your own lives. This book is a great place to start.
October 17, 2023
Pretty good book, with 20-30 very short chapters with ideas for reaching 0ut to the community through church or community based programs, etc. Some chapters are very good, some are weak, but overall this would be a good book for pastors, organizers, etc., but not real helpful for the regular person like me.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews