Favorite Books?

[Pendrench]

I just started reading Letters to a Young Muslim, and it made me curious to see what others like to read concerning religion, both pro and con.

Here are some of my favorites:

Gonzo Judaism: A Bold Path for Renewing an Ancient Faith

In Path of Masters: Understanding the Spirituality of Buddha, Confucius, Jesus, and Muhammad

Run to the Mountain: The Story of a Vocation (The Journals of Thomas Merton, Volume One 1939-1941)

Voices of Silence: Lives of the Trappists Today

Beyond The Walls: Monastic Wisdom For Everyday Life

Here Comes the Sun: The Spiritual and Musical Journey of George Harrison

The Essentials of Hinduism: A Comprehensive Overview of the World 's Oldest Religion

As you can see from my list, I have not read a great deal about Atheism, so I would appreciate suggestions on that topic. The two books that I've heard the most about are God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything and The God Delusion, but I know that there are other "good books" (pun intended) out there.

Wishing all well and peace

Tim

[NNadir]

1. When I was a kid...

...I used to read a lot of books by Alan Watts.

As an adult my favorite books on religion are two by Elaine Pagels, "The Gnostic Gospels" and "The Origin of Satan."

The latter, I'd say, is life changing.

I cannot say I do much reading on religion any more though.

[safeinOhio]

4. Big fan of Alan Watts.

Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why. Burt D. Ehrmas

Tao Te Ching Tao Te Ching. Lao Tsu.

[Pendrench]

7. Hi safeinOhio - I've not read Tao Te Ching Tao Te Ching. Lao Tsu.

but I'm sure that I can find a copy in our library, so thank you for the suggestion!

Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why, sound very interesting (I just read a few reviews on Amazon). This also sounds like something my wife would enjoy.

Thank you very much - wishing you well and peace!

Tim

[Pendrench]

6. Hi NNadir - Thank you for your reply! I've heard of Alan Watts, but have not read any of

his books - I'll try to track some down.

I've also heard of The Gnostic Gospels, but not The Origin of Satan....I'll look for them, too.

Thanks again!

Wishing you well and peace

Tim

[safeinOhio]

12. There is an Alan Watts website you

find it on the net. It's in the form of a pod cast and they have lots of lectures by him.

[Pendrench]

13. Excellent - thank you very much!

By the way, I forgot to mention this in my original post, but I've also read The Tao of Pooh and The Te of Piglet, are you familiar with them? I found them both interesting, but (if you've read them) I'd be curious as to your thoughts on how they dealt with the concepts of Tao and Te.

Thank you again!

Tim

[safeinOhio]

14. Long time ago I read

The Tao of Physics.

[Pendrench]

20. Sounds interesting - I'll have to add that to my list, too.

Thank you!

Tim

[in2herbs]

2. Included in my favorites is Gary E. Schwartz and William L. Simon, "The G.O.D. Experiments: How

Science Is Discovering God In Everything, Including Us," Atria (April 4, 2006) ISBN 978-0743477406. The G.O.D. stands for guiding orderly design. I also recommend the 3-part series by Neale Donald Walsch "Conversations with God, an uncommon dialogue." For the spiritually advanced who are going through a bereavement due to the already or soon-to-be passing of a loved one I recommend his book "Home with God In a Life That Never Ends."

I like these books (and others) because they raise questions to make you think, not give you answers on how you should decide.

[Pendrench]

8. Hi in2herbs - thank you very much! These all sound very interesting,

especially Home with God In a Life That Never Ends.

My dad died on June 18, so this would be very timely for me. Thankfully, my dad lived a long, good, happy life (he was just shy of 87...in fact, his birthday is next week, November 29), and he was surrounded by my mom, my brother and sister (and their families) as well as me, my wife, and our kids when he died.

Although I miss him terribly (especially not being able to talk to him) I still feel very close to him.

Thank you again for your suggestions - wishing you well and peace

Tim

[Major Nikon]

3. The Adventures of Fat Freddy's Cat

[Pendrench]

10. Hi Major Nikon - thank you for your suggestion!

I didn't realize that Fat Freddy Cat was a spin-off of the The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers - I was born in 1965, so I was a bit young during their heyday.

It looks like there is a compilation on Amazon called Fat Freddy's Cat Omnibus that's not too expensive, so I'll be sure to check it out.

Thank you again - wishing you well and peace.

Tim

[Cartoonist]

5. The Word

Every where I go I hear it said
In the good and bad books that I have read
_

Extract from Captain Stormfield’s Visit to Heaven - by Mark Twain

Sam hilariously destroys the concept of Heaven
_

The Book of Genesis - by Robert Crumb

A straightforward adaptation with no snark.

_

The Wolverton Bible - by Basil Wolverton

No text, just the illustrations he did for it.

[Pendrench]

9. Hi Cartoonist - thank you very much! I LOVE R. Crumb

(Crumb is one of my favorite documentaries) and I've seen excerpts of The Book of Genesis online

I knew about Basil Wolverton's work with Mad Magazine, but I had not heard about the Wolverton Bible. I just did a quick online check to see if we had a copy at the university where I work but (unfortunately) we don't....I might need to work a bit to track it down.


I'm also a fan of Mark Twain, but have not read Extract from Captain Stormfield’s Visit to Heaven (yet) - so that will be next on my list!

Thank you again - wishing you well and peace

Tim

[guillaumeb]

11. Hello Tim,

I am currently reading "Zealot the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth", by Reza Aslan.

It is a biography of Jesus that also explores the messianic movement in Palestine, and Roman/Jew relations.

I am looking for "Jesus an after. The first eighty years", by Ernest Bruce Brooks.

Peace to you as well.

Guill

[Pendrench]

15. Hi Guill - I almost picked up Zealot a few times from the library, but for some reason

I always wind up getting something else - I'll be sure to add it to my list

The Brooks book also looks interesting - I appreciate the suggestion!

Thank you very much - have a great weekend!

Tim

[Karadeniz]

16. James the brother of Jesus...loaded with info you've never heard of.

[Pendrench]

17. Hi Karadeniz - thank you for the suggestion!

I am not familiar with Mr. Eisenman, nor his other works, but this one sounds very interesting - although the reviews say the prose is a bit dense (so I may have some trouble with it).

Thank you again - wishing you well and peace

Tim

[edhopper]

18. Bertrand Russell's

"Why I am not a Christian" is a good read.

[Pendrench]

19. Hi edhopper - Excellent suggestion - thank you very much!

That's another classic that I'm aware of but (I'm embarrassed to admit) I have not yet read.

It looks like I can download a copy, so I don't have an excuse anymore

Thank you again - wishing you well and peace!

Tim

[Pendrench]

21. Hi edhopper - I just finished ready Why I am not a Christian.

Thank you again for the suggestion - you were correct, it is very well written and thought provoking!

Best to you -

Tim

[edhopper]

22. My pleasure

glad you liked it.