The Chagrin Valley Ohio chapter recently read Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious Violence" by Rabbi Jonathan Sachs. He addresses the phenomenon The Chagrin Valley Ohio chapter recently read Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious Violence" by Rabbi Jonathan Sachs. He addresses the phenomenon of religious extremism and violence committed in God's name. Rabbi Sachs argues that violence is an inevitable result of the distorted notion that there is only one "true" religion: "Mine is right and yours is wrong". He shows that violence in the name of religion has at its source a misreading of biblical texts which are at the heart of the three Abrahamic faiths. His analysis of the book of Genesis he offers a radical rereading of many of the Bible's seminal stories of sibling rivalry: Cain and Abel, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and his brothers, and Rachel and Leah. Abraham himself, writes Rabbi Sachs, sought to be a blessing to others regardless of religion."It is not our task to conquer or convert the world or to enforce uniformity of belief, but to be a blessing to the world." He continues that our task. Jew, Christian, and Muslim, is to live at last as brothers and sisters, honoring God's name by honoring his image, humankind." The members of the Chagrin Valley chapter found this book to be "an eloquent call for people of good will to stand together, confront the religious extremism that threatens to destroy us, and to declare: Not in God's Name."...more
Our East Lansing, MI Daughters group is just completing Holy Envy by Barbara Brown Taylor. We found this book generated a lot of discuEast Lansing MI
Our East Lansing, MI Daughters group is just completing Holy Envy by Barbara Brown Taylor. We found this book generated a lot of discussion about misunderstandings, inclusiveness and similarities and simply identifying with the stories Taylor includes. While this book also includes some focus on Buddhist and Hindu traditions, we found these just as engaging and helpful. We all have diverse lives and views and Daughters has been a haven of support over the last few years.We are meeting by Zoom and have been able to have nearly 100% of our group on-line with the delightful addition of one member who relocated last year. This has also encouraged our more quiet members to contribute more freely. ...more
This book returns the reader to a time when philosophers were mathematicians and theologians. The concept of “zero” (meaning nothing) was considered hThis book returns the reader to a time when philosophers were mathematicians and theologians. The concept of “zero” (meaning nothing) was considered heretical. This book explains why. This is a book that brings the reader to understand why the concepts of “nothing” and “infinity” shook the theology of Medieval Europe. In discussion, we found out how many of us had good and bad experiences learning higher mathematics. We also touched on music, which is a related theme....more
Review from Andover/Reading group: The writer deals with at least two major emotional crisis the death of her beloved mother and her own recent divorcReview from Andover/Reading group: The writer deals with at least two major emotional crisis the death of her beloved mother and her own recent divorce. Feeling anxiety, loss and loneliness, Lauren grapples her way around her relationship with God. Her feeling that she is so alone comes through exquisitely in this difficult period.
What was especially interesting was that the questions that she asked resonated with different members of our group in different ways. For example, her wondering if God were absent when she was praying touched off discussion about whether prayer is ritual, whether it is one-sided, do we sometimes feel that God is absent, or is He present but hidden in L. Winner’s terms.
(this is when the Jewish feast of Purim is on) - “as I drink, I wonder …. if the trick is not drinking until you can’t tell the difference between Mordecai and Hanan, or until you can’t tell the difference between God’s hiddenness and God’s presence, or perhaps until you can’t tell the difference between God’s hiddenness and God’s absence, for that finally is the question, that is the anguish, to abide in God’s hiddenness is one thing, to abide in God’s absence is altogether something else.”
Loneliness is the pivotal feeling through much of the book, and Lauren Winner is known for her rich imagery. The group agreed that many segments of the booked provoked very profound reactions as a result of this imagery. The discussion within the group was rich and deep on topics ranging from divorce to death of a parent and how grieving and loneliness interact. Although some of us may not have actually liked the inward focus of the writer and consequently the book we relished the discussion it provoked. ...more
This was chosen as a good book for newer groups, as well as established groups. It exposes the variety of experiences that can happen when one approacThis was chosen as a good book for newer groups, as well as established groups. It exposes the variety of experiences that can happen when one approaches "the other" with an open heart and mind. Short memoir collection of incidents where people of faith met and grew. Some funny, some poignant, some spiritual. Noted as a good discussion-starter....more
Carefully written book about the Jewish life of Jesus. Dr. Levine studies the society that Jesus was born into. By understanding the context of his teCarefully written book about the Jewish life of Jesus. Dr. Levine studies the society that Jesus was born into. By understanding the context of his teaching, it furthers the understanding of the power of his vision. The book continues beyond his life and explains the process by which the Jews who followed Jesus broke off from the Jewish community. Respectful book. Not an easy read, but worth it....more
We did a series on the intersection of Science and Religion. This book brings up important moral issues about medical practices and patient rights as We did a series on the intersection of Science and Religion. This book brings up important moral issues about medical practices and patient rights as well as describing racial issues from the 50s and 60s. The daughter of the title character has beliefs that mix Christianity with folk-belief about the power of life and life after death. The book is about the woman whose cells are being grown by the ton for medical laboratories; what was her life like? Who were her people? How did her cells change their lives and the shape of research? (Cambridge 1)...more
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