Religions

The Myth of Islamic Tolerance- How Islamic Law Treats Non-Muslims

1 stars (Only ever telling HALF the truth) - I am always shocked by non-Muslim writers when they write about Islam with such biased and present it as the truth! If you are going to discuss a topic academically do so critically, presenting all the information so people can make-up their own minds. I agree to a certain extent with the other reviewer (Zaid) when he says `The myth of Muslim tolerance' however I am a person who would not even like to label it under such a general title. I would prefer `The Myth of (the particular ruler of the period) tolerance', which is being far more honest. Are there no records of oppressive `MEN' throughout history in any country or in any religion? Or is this someone, having seen a market, just trying to make a buck by selling a book? Surely we have enough hate in the world! Here is a quote from the Koran. It is crystal clear. "Allah does NOT forbid you to deal JUSTLY and KINDLY with those who did NOT fight against you on account of your religion and did NOT drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah LOVES those who deal with fairness (Surah 60: Verse 8)' Just as in the Bible - in the Koran there are verses that state - an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth etc. In other words you can give as good as you get, but it clearly states you cannot go beyond that and there is a clause! - if you forgive, forget and treat your offender with gentleness and kindness you get a far greater reward from Allah! How can this be a religion of violence? I advise people to not rely on books written about Islam, but instead pick up the Koran and read it - make up your own mind - don't let others do it for you. You owe it to yourself not to have your thinking molded by someone else. I rated it one star - nice picture on the cover. 1 stars (People with little background....) - I am quite alarmed by both this book as well as the reviews it has received. The book attempts to draw conclusions by assuming the conclusions are presumtively correct. There ...
Prometheus Books :: Religious minorities :: Religion - World Religions :: Religion :: Legal status :: laws :: etc :: Legal status :: laws :: etc :: Islamic countries :: Islamic Law :: Islam - :: The Myth of Islamic Tolerance- How Islamic Law Treats Non-Muslims

The Lutheran Handbook- A Field Guide to Church Stuff- Everyday Stuff- And the Bible

4 stars (great read) - good intro to the religion for curious readers. also very humorous for those who are lutherans! 5 stars (This is a Fascinating book!) - What a great little book! Anyone negotiating the Lutheran church (especially the ELCA) will enjoy it as it covers, in a concise and occasionally humorous manner, all the things you need to know, want to know and already know about the church. I particularly enjoyed the simple way the Reformation and Martin Luther were presented. It is packed full of interesting items such as: Comparative religion History of the church Anatomy of a Baptism How to receive communion How to stay awake during the sermon How to share your faith How to identify a miracle What to bring to a potluck The top 10 Bible miracles and their meanings The five biggest misconceptions about the Bible The list goes on and on. There are also illustrations, maps, diagrams and other essential tips. This is informative and fun and a book you'll want to keep and give as a gift. Armchair Interviews says: You don't have to be a Lutheran to enjoy and receive benefit from this book. Actually this is a light-hearted look at all things Lutheran. Frankly it is wonderful -- and it's a hoot! 4 stars (Short, sweet chapters get the point across . . . the basics of Lutheranism) - I love this little book! Modeled on the "Worst-Case Scenario Survival" handbooks, it covers basic Christian tenants with a focus on Lutheranism. It's published by Augsburg Fortress, the publishing arm of the ELCA, however it's not overtly ELCA (I think LCMS and WELS Lutherans could appreciate it also). It's probably geared to young adults, but anyone can benefit from it. It covers important basics in a clear, concise way and, in many cases, with a light-hearted tone. It's refreshing to read the chapters about things you've known all your life, like how to pray. The chapters covering the seasons of the church year, comparing various denominations, 60 essential Bible stories, and ...
Augsburg Fortress Publishers :: Religion - Denominations - Religions :: Religion - Christian Education :: Religion :: Inspirational - Gifts :: Christianity - Theology - General :: Christianity :: The Lutheran Handbook- A Field Guide to Church Stuff- Everyday Stuff- And the Bible

Steps of Transformation- An Orthodox Priest Explores the Twelve Steps

1 stars (Well meaning but mis-guided) - Hi As a former twelve stepper i know that most 12 step programs especially AA denigrate organized religion......the 12 steps look on the surface to be totally christian but if you study AA's hallowed "Big Book" you'll find many statements that are totally incompatible with orthodoxy...." the spiritual path is broad and never exclusive." which is in direct opposistion to Jesus's statement that the path is narrow and broad is the path that leads to destruction.......When taking a forth step inventory when you get to your sexual inventory it just says to look where you have been selfish..forget adultary...its not mentioned.......bill wilson claimed extreme drunkeness kept him from cheating on his wife but after sobering up he had several misstresses..........they had a group of AA people that their whole job was watching him so he didn't embaress AA..... He Experimented with LSD thinking it was the answer for people who couldn't get the program...... While writing the 12 steps he claimed he got inspiration directly fom a 15th century monk named Boniface..... Dr. Bob the co founder and his wife Anne had regular sceances in their home........i won't post my email here because AA people are fanatic about the cult.....there is a book called Not God .i forget the author but it was taken from AA's archives plus if someone will put there email on a post i can send online documentation about every thing i say..... aa's vuanted success rate is actually about 6% for one year of sobriety and 1% for five years..not an overwelming success... the suicide rate is very high..due mostly being controlled by sponsers that basically browbeat sponsees..i was on the verge of suicide when i left the cult...i had quit the church after being brainwashed that the doctrines of all churches are man made...I have discovered real spirituality not the AA brand.. just watch tv..12 step programs are mentioned constantly as real pop culture now......the suc...
Conciliar Press :: Twelve-step programs :: Religious life :: Religious aspects :: Religion - World Religions :: Religion :: Pastoral Care And Counseling :: Orthodox Eastern Church :: :: Steps of Transformation- An Orthodox Priest Explores the Twelve Steps

Peace Is Every Step - The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

5 stars (the most useful and practical) - spiritual guidebook I have ever read. No faith is required, only simple practices 5 stars (We all need a reminder......) - I read this book over the course of three mornings. A great way to start the day. A simplistic yet profound message that will change the way you look at yourself and other people. I love how at one point he directs our attention to the page we are reading stating how a sheet of paper is more than just a sheet of paper. It contains the clouds, the rain, the sun, the trees, the logger (even the logger's wheat breakfast),etc. One cannot exist without the other. How often do we focus on every breath we take? Consciously, we can breathe in while we "heal our bodies", then breathe out and "smile" (which I am sure most of us are lacking). This is a quick, yet effective, exercise you can try right now as you read these reviews -- breathing and smiling. Smiling works. It changes how you feel and it affects others positively. Try it the next time you are out and about. We are all connected. His message in this book is beautiful. Can't wait to read more and revisit this one in the near future to increase my understanding of his philosophies of mindful living. Enjoy! 5 stars (Life Changing Book) - I have read this book like 5 times and everytime I read it I learn something new. This book has changed my life and the way that I treat others. I would recomend this book to anyone who is looking for themselves or something bigger than themselves, for anyone who is looking for answers this book has them. I have bought copies for my friends and have loaned my own out and everyone I have given it too has said the same thing that they couldn't put it down and that it was just what they were looking for. Read this book and open your mind and heart up to it and it will change you. ...
Bantam :: Body :: Mind & Spirit & New Age :: Religious life :: Religion - World Religions :: General :: Buddhism - Zen :: Buddhism :: Thich Nhat Hanh :: :: Peace Is Every Step - The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam And the Crusades

5 stars (Avid Reader) - Sharp, to the point and fearless, Robert Spencer's book is a must read for anyone willing to face the facts about a growing, fanatical threat. For those westerners who have had difficulty reading an English language translation of the Koran, read this book first. 1 stars ("The Protocols of the Bearded Mullahs of Mecca"....) - This book (the so-called "Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam") is purely and unabashedly racist. It should take its place alongside other "classics" of its "genre" (like "Mein Kampf" -- by "Judaism expert" Adolf Hitler.) 1 stars (Since we are going to stereotype people;) - Lets not stop with Islam and Muslims; I believe Roberts' next book should be about the Jewish banking conspiracy. I for one am looking forwards to that one. The Illuminati and the Elders of Zion have been going through my trash for years and I'm sick of it. Then, please someone; write a diatribe on the deplorable state of the Caucasian race, nobody's retirement account or investments are ever going to be safe with those thieves running around. Honkeys are nothing compared to the left-handed, thinking they deserve special learning tools just because they can't use right-handed scissors, it's a shame that we've come to such a welfare state. Speaking of welfare, what about all these babies, crawling around, crying, and expecting everyone to do everything for them. This isn't communism. Get a job for chripes sake. Moreover, while he's at it I hope Robert Spencer writes a tell-all about French people, they're always attacking our way of life and they stink too. Since we are on the subject: what's up with the English and their disgusting oral hygiene? Somebody should write a book outlining everything that's wrong and horrible with the state of dentistry in the U.K. Come on people; a toothbrush is only a dollar! What about those damn Native Americans? Will you go ahead and cease to exist already! If I want to gamble and buy cheap cigarettes, I'll go to ...
Regnery Publishing :: Religion - World Religions :: Politics&International Relations :: Political Science :: Jihad :: Islam - General :: Islam :: General :: Crusades :: Controversial liter :: The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (And the Crusades)

Atheist Universe- Why God Didn-t Have A Thing To Do With It

5 stars (an awesome intro to atheism) - I was in need of something new to read, especially on atheism, and after I read the reviews for "Atheist Universe," I bougut it. I'm interested in religous questions, so I read a ton of religous books. I also read books on atheism because something inside me is suspicous of religion. So I often enjoy books by clear thinking atheists like David Mills. Now the book. This book is slender (about 240 pages), is neatly organized, and is clearly written (this is the most lucid book on atheism I've read, and Mills has some serious writing talent). All the essentials are here: arguements for the existence of God, as well as their flaws; how morality doesn't need religion to support it; and big bang cosmology (how the universe doesn't need a creator). This last part was helpful, since I'm always in need of a primer on the scientific jargon--something that is often technical and confusing--but which this book dealt with simply and clearly. There are a lot of books on atheism out there, but if one must choose the most comprehensive, up-to-date book on the subject, then get this book. You can look at it as the "Cliff's Notes" to atheism, although it's so jam-packed that it could be an encyclopedia. I don't keep many books on my shelf; most go back to the used bookstore. This one, however, is a keeper. Lee Tasey Author of "The Gospel of Arnie." 3 stars (Premise to refute all notions of God is absurd) - The premise that Dogmatic Religions are the only religions that define God is absurd and therefore his claim to refute the existence of God is equally absurd. There are several non-Dogmatic religions that work towards the understanding of God and Reason through scientific reasoning on one pillar and archetypal symbolism in the mind's most abstract to bridge a gap to understanding that God resides Within. The oddity most people debate on the existence of God is not whether GOD is infinitely manifested, on all cosmic planes, but whether...
Xlibris Corporation :: Rationalism :: Humanism :: Religion - World Religions :: Religion :: Atheism :: David Mills :: :: Atheist Universe- Why God Didn-t Have A Thing To Do With It

The World-s Religions- Our Great Wisdom Traditions

5 stars (A premier book by a premier author !) - Huston Smith's book is a prominent review of the world's religions. His coverage of these religions is filled with accuracy, eloquence, objectivity, depth, and grace. This book will provide the reader with a marvelous educational experience! 5 stars (A Very Satisfying Theological and Intellectual Appetizer) - From what I've read previously, many people regarded Huston Smith's initial version of this book (The Religions of Man) as a classic examination of religions; a work that would have retained it's reputation without revision. Yet Dr. Smith was not content to allow his words to become dated, and we are all the better for it. Some of the changes might be regarded as more or less stylistic, such as rendering the title and text more gender neutral and thus more reflective of current thinking. Other additions include a discussion of the aboriginal philosophies of native Americans, Australians and Pacific Islanders. However the core appeal of this book comes from Dr. Smith's ability to illuminate the core principals and philosophies of each religion with both respect and admiration. Smith states his purpose early on as an exploration of ideas and beliefs. And he explicitly warns that this book "is not a balanced account of it's subject." Accordingly, "this is a book about values" not religious history. As such it forms an excellent basis from which a person might broaden their understanding of the major religions of the world. This is reinforced at the end of each chapter with the author's suggestions for sources of additional reading and exploration. Given the immensity of his subject matter, I'm amazed that Dr. Smith was able to keep his book at a manageable size. There are so many branches and divisions within the various religions that a less disciplined scholar might become lost in, adding pages and pages of minutiae that might otherwise obscure the overall purpose of relating how people of different fa...
HarperSanFrancisco :: Religion & Comparative Religion :: World - General :: Religions :: Religion - World Religions :: Religion :: Reference :: General :: Comparative Religion :: Huston Sm :: The World-s Religions- Our Great Wisdom Traditions

Living Religions 5th Edition

3 stars (A good book; except...) - There is a rich amount of knowledge; I will keep this in my library. It is baptized in feminist views. That would be okay except it isn't supposed to be a platform for feminists; it is suppose to show the richness of the various religions. It is overly concerned with defending or proving the importance of women; this often takes up to much space pushing out writing that would be more informative of the actual heart of the religion (which would be better then the dispute over women which is such a small fraction of what religion is about. I would be just as unnerved if it focused on how important men where to religions.... it seems to miss the point; the point being the religion itself be it from/to men or women.) There is to much of it that comes across as feminist propaganda (can you be truly sympathetic to a religion if you take modern feminist propaganda to say Islam or past Christian monasteries where women were not allowed or where at least kept separate from the males?) The book is corrupted by (as written on the back of the book)"Increased coverage of the role of women in each tradition." What a waste of space! I could have been learning more about the religions. Your expecting a loving look into religion on the religions own terms... then why, I ask, is their a reading included dedicated to the idea of God as a female within the Christian Religion? It might as well be including excerpts from the writings of Martin Luther as representative of Catholicism; they are clearly not apart of the Religion except as fringes that are better understood as protesting what is taught in the religion itself. 4 stars (Recommended for religion survey courses) - This textbook not only looks at the history of different religions, but it also shows you the contemporary version/manifestation of each religion. As an instructor, I found this very easy for my students to understand and relate to. One of the strongest points of thi...
Prentice Hall :: Religion & General :: Religion - General :: Religion :: General :: Clergy :: Mary Pat Fisher :: :: Living Religions (5th Edition)

No god but God - The Origins- Evolution- and Future of Islam

3 stars (Thorough and confusing) - I am not sure why I didn't like this book. It just seemed to have so many names about who did what that I couldn't keep all the information straight. It's like reading a novel with way too many characters. I haven't retained much of the information in the book, and am still a little confused about the difference between Sunnis and Shiites. He did make Sufism quite clear though. I think I will have to do more reading on the subject to make the facts stick. 3 stars (Almost a great book) - While this was often an engrossing read, I left reading it feeling slightly dissapointed. While I will echo other reviewers in stating that the author is a very gifted writer, his skills in history, political science, and anthropology are weaker. Weaknesses: His history loses it's chronological thread rather often. Given the convoluted history of the subject, this is perhaps understandable, but far too often he resorts to "as we shall see in the next chapter", which strikes me as the mistake of an immature historian - particularly as the thread often doesn't get taken up into well into the aforesaid chapter! His final thesis, that Islamic democracy is both necessary and inevitable, given the teachings of the Prophet, is weakly presented, especially as he notes how difficult it is to counter fundamentalisms of any religon. Finally, I think perhaps the scope of the book is over-broad. I found myself hoping that the author will re-write this book in 15-20 years, as the Oxford Dons of old would do with their signature works, in light of what I have no doubt will be his advancing skills and scholarship. The best of this book is very, very good indeed. It's especially strong at putting the Prophet and his ministry in a historical and social context. It is similarly strong on the process of exegesis that lead to Hadith and Sharia that run counter to his teachings. And his contention that the upheaval we are witnessing in the Islamic world is analgous t...
Random House :: Religion & Islam :: Religion - World Religions :: Religion :: Islam - General :: Islam :: History :: Essence :: genius :: nature :: Reza Aslan :: :: No god but God - The Origins- Evolution- and Future of Islam

The Universe in a Single Atom - The Convergence of Science and Spirituality

5 stars (A Wonderful Convergence) - There are many wonders to be explored in the parallels between Buddhism and scientific inquiry into the nature of reality, life and consciousness. As you read this book, your thoughts ride a rocket of insight into the contentious and often disappointing debate between scientific theory and spirituality that seems to be paralyzing our society today. And yet the text never flaunts a particular conceit or takes on the aggressive, often brutal nature of the debate. While the parallels explored are startling and inspiring, most wonderful of all is the critical mind, engaging personality and boundless curiousity of the Dalai Lama himself, as these qualities radiate from the text. Reflecting on his theme, the Dalai Lama illuminates at least a view if not a way through the contention and confusion. He writes: "There is more to human existence and to reality itself than current science can ever give us access to.... By the same token, spirituality must be tempered by the insights and discoveries of science. If as spiritual practitioners we ignore the discoveries of science, our practice is also impoverished, as this mind-set can lead to fundamentalism." It is truly revealing that a man at the heart of a very traditional spiritual philosophy and practice can shed the burden of dogmatic thought for an open dialogue and the exciting and affirming human capacity to seek truth. Between science and spirituality, between the knowable and the unknowable, the critical thinking and spiritual insight of the Dalai Lama inspires the belief that open minds and open dialogue are not beyond either our scientific thought or our spiritual belief. This book is one of the most spiritual testaments while coincidentally being a highly accessible exploration of great scientific advances and current research. It is a book I will return to again and again. 5 stars (Science is not contra Religion and vice versa) - It is so nice to see religious leaders ...
Morgan Road Books :: Religion And Science :: Religion - World Religions :: Religion & Science :: Religion :: Buddhism and science :: Buddhism - Tibetan :: Buddhism :: Bstan-dzin-rgya-mt :: The Universe in a Single Atom - The Convergence of Science and Spirituality

Geometry- Reasoning Measuring Applying

4 stars (Geometry made easy and understandable) - If there is such a thing as a math textbook that explains applications to real-life situations and makes it so the reader can understand, then this is it. ...
Houghton Mifflin Company :: Religion - Denominations - Religions :: Mathematics - Geometry :: Juvenile Nonfiction :: Christianity - Episcopalianism :: Children- Young Adult (Gr 7-9) :: Ro :: Geometry- Reasoning Measuring Applying

The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying- The Spiritual Classic - International Bestseller- Revised and

4 stars (Skilled Overview Of Tibetan Principles But Doesn't Make Death Any Less A Thing Of Horror To My Western Mind) - This is a well-researched book that covers its topic with a professional thoroughness. I admire the author's devotion to a subject that makes most of us, especially in the twenty-first century United States, cringe. I have nothing negative to say about his Buddhist slant here and think he describes the Book of the Dead and its passages well. "In the Occident, where death is much feared, the art of dying is little practiced." How very true. All that said, despite Gaffney's seeming love of death (not just acceptance, but real embracing love) the state of biological conclusion seems horrific to me. Were I a believer in an afterlife, if I could just have faith, or better yet, proof, then I might subscribe to his "death is an opportunity to evolve" view, but all I can see in death is an ending filled with pain, the cause of grief, the separation of loved ones. I tried to wrap my mind around the views herein and I do find interest in contemplating another cosmology's take on the ending of a physical (chapter in) life, but to me, death remains a concept steeped in horror no matter how deeply I have tried to grasp for a way to hope that we might be reborn, either on this earth or in another plane, the bardo, Heaven...anyplace. This book ought to become the edition of choice for those who seek an accomodating starting point for one of religion's greatest texts. My lack of feeling for its tenets in no way means I do not regard this as a fine book that might help many people study Tibetan viewpoints or find peace in the inescapable fact that is death. Pace. 4 stars (Sogal is a fine teacher) - the mayor problems with the "unenlighned" is, that there mind is not clear. They mix "moral" with "neurotic thoughts" , actually the mix evertything and the unenlighned females are mixing it more. That is one of the mayor messages of Sogal. Finally the "great spiri...
HarperSanFrancisco :: Self-Help & Death :: Grief :: Bereavement :: Tibet :: Self-Help :: Religious life :: Religious aspects :: Religion - World Religions :: Philosophy :: Doctrines :: Death :: :: The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying- The Spiritual Classic - International Bestseller- Revised and

Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East 6 Vol Set

5 stars (Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East Vol.1-5) - This is a 5 volume collection not a 6. The information in this collection is extremely valuable in the spiritual sense. Explains in detail the abilities that we as humans have but tend to egnore, and lose due to the lack of use. I would recommend this to anyone looking to find the truth of life and how to achieve anything you desire. 5 stars (Life and Teachings of the Masters of the Far East) - This series was simplistically written, the journey reading these books was memorable. I loved the fact that these books were under 200 pages a volume - but do not be fooled by the shortness in length because the message is huge. Linda DeFever Wauconda, Illinois 5 stars (A fantastic guide for the Inner Journey) - Baird T. Spalding has brought a wonderful series of books that focus on the inner journey and brings forth another perspective of true human potential. I have always felt we (Humans) were much more than hate,anger,and murder that is potraied by our media and our current world view and this series of books confrims that feeling.I love the rich dialoges that really gave me a feeling of presence. What is said is clear and has the feeling of truth. If i had to pick a few words to discribe these books, it would be TRUTH,LOVE and FREEDOM. I highly reccomend these books to anyone that is on their inner journey. For those who connect with the words of Jesus in these books you will really enjoy the Essene Gosple Of Peace book (1) by Edmond Bordeaux Szekely.If you are thinking of just buying book one of the Life and Teachings of the Masters of the Far East? Go for it! and buy the box set.I did and it was worth it! ...
DeVorss - Company :: Religion - World Religions :: Eastern - General :: Comparative Religion :: Baird T Spalding :: :: Life and Teaching of the Masters of the Far East (6 Vol Set)