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Why Faith Matters (2008)

by David J. Wolpe(Favorite Author)

3.73 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0061633348 (ISBN13: 9780061633348)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

HarperOne

review 1: Although I enjoyed the book for the most part, I did find his writing a bit troublesome to follow occasionally. But that might have just been me. I am a spiritual person, but I find organized religion a bit much to take. I agreed with many of his comments, especially when he spoke of religion being used by some more as an extension of who they are than anything else.When I do visit a church, the one I've chosen to attend is an exemplary version of spiritual community. I rarely stay after the sermon--not interested in the high holy rituals, just the sense of community.Ultimately, I prefer reading religious history. I've enjoyed the books of Elaine Pagels.
review 2: Wolpe is an excellent apologist for faith, which I say without sarcasm. However, he is too quick t... moreo use "religion", "faith" and "spirituality" interchangeably, as other reviewers have noted. For the most part, he is intellectually honest and makes no outright claims to have God's ear. Yet, he sometimes white-washes the horrors of religion by paying them due with unstirring language. He talks about the friction caused by zealotry, rather than calling it sadistic and perverted. Then a few pages later will concede the atrocities. I have heard him debate and again I credit him with intellectual-honesty. In addition (both debate and the book) he is witty, ironic and demonstrates his knowledge of literature (not pedantically). In short, Wolpe argues that in order for God to be illuminated, one needs to seek God without cynicism or wish fulfillment. His notion of faith is not one of blind devotion, but of meditative doubt. Although Wolpe wrote this as a direct counter attack to "new atheists" (hitch, dawkins, Nickel (jk!)), this book should really be compared to Man's Search for Meaning, which I think it even quotes. To conclude, one can replace "faith" with "purpose" and all of Wolpe's assertions still hold and need not undermine that purpose by which one may choose to live. less

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