Continuing the 'God Discussion'

[Samantha]

I share the notion that God is boundless.  I've always been fascinated by how the majority of religions involve a human conduit for purportedly supernatural advice.  We have Moses, Mohammad, Buddha, Joseph Smith, Christ (although 99% of Christians would not call Christ human, in the sense that he is deemed the Son of God).  How does one reconcile this?  I greatly admire people who can be truly exposed to the whole gamut of religious beliefs, explore them, dig into them, and then come back to their original faith with renewed vigor.  To me, that is true faith.  None of this eyes shut madness.  Take it all in, and then let faith take hold!

[Givens]

I tend to agree with Samantha.  I think religious conviction that comes after exploration and analysis is compelling.  This probably belongs in the "book" forum, but have any of you read "A History of God?"

The book was written by an ex-Catholic nun who is nothing short of brilliant.  Her analysis of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam is breathtaking in its clarity.  And don't think that because she's an ex-nun that she's somehow biased against the Catholic church.  This is far from the case.  It is the most even-handed treatment of various religions that I've ever read.

[Samantha]

I have picked up A HISTORY OF GOD, but thought it looked too dense to be enjoyable.  Givens, you are a lawyer.  This makes me think you are conditioned to spend hours struggling through difficult texts.  But if you say it's the best book on religion, I'll give it a try.

[DR]

Givens, you are a lawyer.  This makes me think you are conditioned to spend hours struggling through difficult texts.

Well put, indeed.  I hear that law school in the States is quite a burden.   

[Givens]

I can't deny it.  It's a lot of reading.