RECOMMENDED RELIGIOUS/SPIRITUAL BOOKS

2004-July to December

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The current month's recommendation is located elsewhere.

The following two books take totally opposing viewpoints on same-sex marriage.

We recommend that visitors to this site read both books. That way, they can gain an understanding of the main conflicting viewpoints over same-sex marriage. If you can only afford one book, we recommend that you purchase the book that is opposite to your current beliefs. You may learn a lot.

The first book opposes same-sex marriage:

"Marriage Under Fire: Why we must win this battle"

by Dr. James Dobson

The book is neatly summarized in an editorial review posted on the Amazon.com web site, apparently written by the author, Dr. James Dobson:

"For the past forty years, the homosexual activist movement has sought to implement a master plan to utterly destroy the family. Unelectable and unaccountable rogue judges have made a habit of inventing rights that not only don't exist in the Constitution, but also contradict both the will of the people and the actions of the legislative branch. Christians around the world have scrambled, wondering how to respond. How do we discuss this intelligently? What can we do to make our voices heard? In his newest release, Marriage Under Fire, Dr. Dobson addresses the dire ramifications of judicial activism and presents compelling arguments against the legalization of homosexual unions - mobilizing the Christian community to respond to a call to action. 'I understand both the busy-ness of daily life and the intimidation that the average man or woman feels in the face of this overwhelming cultural challenge. But we need to work together. Maybe you want to make a difference but you simply don't know what to do. May this book encourage you for the battle ahead, as we fight to save the institution of the family'."

Amazon.com reviewers cited the following quotes from the book:

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This review continues below.

The second book promotes same-sex marriage:

Why marriage matters: America, equality and gay people's right to marry

by Eval Wolfson

From an Amazon.com review:

"Why Marriage Matters offers a compelling and clear discussion of a question at the forefront of our national consciousness. It is the work of a brilliant civil rights litigator who has dedicated his life to the protection of individuals' rights and our Constitution's commitment to equal justice under the law. Above all, it is a thoughtful, straightforward book that brings into sharp focus the human significance of the right to marry in America -- not just for some couples, but for all."

"Whatever your personal beliefs, we all can agree that marriage equality provokes both passion and tension, and looms large in our nation's politics. Marriage means many things to many people -- emotionally, spiritually, intellectually -- but in these pages, Evan Wolfson demonstrates a truth that is undeniable: Marriage is the legal gateway to a vast array of tangible and intangible protections, responsibilities, and benefits, most of which cannot be replicated in any other way."

"Wolfson is a formidable legal thinker who has participated in landmark cases to end race discrimination in jury trials, to secure the rights of battered married women, and to challenge the abuse of power at the highest level in government. Now, with extraordinary clarity, fascinating stories, and legal and historical examples, he addresses the questions we as Americans are asking ourselves as we consider how marriage equality will affect our lives. Why is the word marriage so important? What are the stakes for America in this civil rights movement? How can people of different faiths reconcile their beliefs with the idea of marriage for same-sex couples? How will allowing gay couples to marry affect children? Here you will find thorough, honest answers -- some that may surprise you, some that will persuade you, many that will move you. Wolfson recalls the history of past battles over marriage and movements for equality, and articulates the everyday acts of discrimination that frame this current movement -- acts of discrimination that, if faced by non-gay Americans, would provoke a resounding cry of injustice."

"Marriage matters because it is a foundation upon which most Americans build dreams. It is the cornerstone of commitment one individual makes to another -- a commitment we are taught is the highest expression of love, dedication, and responsibility. In this, the most powerful, authoritative, and fairly articulated book on the subject, Wolfson demonstrates why the right to marry is important -- indeed necessary -- for all couples and for America's promise of equality."

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"What Do You Believe?
A documentary about American teens, spirituality and freedom of religion.

Sarah Feinbloom's documentary "What Do You Believe?" is based on 200 interviews with 15 and 16-year-olders. ₁ It focuses on the stories of six teens who are dedicated to their chosen religion: Carina Vinh Lieu, a Buddhist; Mazouza Assaf, a Muslim; David Present Thomas, a Jew, Julius Not Afraid, a follower of Native American Spirituality, Morgan Green, a Neo-Pagan; and Anthony Valdez. a Roman Catholic. Seon Hye Moon writes in her movie review for WireTap: "Feinbloom says that teens' openness and curiosity, as well as their concern for the world around them make them prime subjects for a film that she hopes will promote tolerance in a world where religious differences cause bloodshed....Teens are often the subject of stories about alcohol and drugs, crime reports, and educational statistics" says Feinbloom, 'but rarely are they asked for their intellect and perspective.' Feinbloom's film is an important effort in the movement to give young people a voice about their own experiences. Because as Mazouza [the Muslim teen in the film] believes, 'young people will listen to young people'." ₂

Their web site has an amazing discussion/study guide at: http://www.whatdoyoubelieve.org/ They also have an impressive parents' guide at http://www.whatdoyoubelieve.org/ You may need software to read these files. It can be obtained free from:

The movie was:

Some reviews:

Information about the film:

Speaking My Mind…Tony Campolo at his best."

Rating: The book received 3 stars out of a maximum of 5 stars based on a single review. It is somewhat controversial among religious conservatives.

Our comments: Tony Campolo is a bit of a maverick: an Evangelical Christian with conservative theological beliefs, who is also a social progressive. He disproves the commonly held belief that, as he writes:"...evangelicals are clones." He notes that non-Evangelicals often "see us as people who have a single way of thinking and talking. Recently, I heard someone refer to evangelicals as 'cookie-cutter Christians.' To be credible, we must demonstrate that we are a body of individuals, each of whom can think for herself or himself. I have made an attempt in this book to do that."

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"We're Still Family: What grown children have to say about their parents' divorce"

Amazon.com describes this book: "What is the real legacy of divorce? Constance Ahrons, Ph.D., author of the highly praised THE GOOD DIVORCE, decided to find out by expanding her landmark study to include in-depth interviews with 173 grown children whose divorcing parents she interviewed twenty years earlier. What she has learned is both heartening and significant.

In WE'RE STILL FAMILY, Ahrons challenges the myth that children of divorce are troubled, drug abusing, academically challenged, and unable to form adult relationships. Instead she provides new evidence that the legacy of divorce is not as devastating as some researchers have suggested. Major findings show that:

Divorce is never easy for any family, but it does not have to destroy children's lives or lead to family breakdown. By listening to the voices of these grown children, divorcing parents will learn what they can do to maintain family bonds. They will find helpful road maps identifying both the benefits and the harms to children post-divorce. Parents need to be comforted by the truth about divorce and not threatened by alarming misinformation and overblown worst-case scenarios. And they need to believe that after all is said and done, their children will look at their post divorce families and say with conviction, 'We're still family'."  

Rating: The book received 4.5 stars out of a maximum of 5 stars -- an excellent rating.

Our comments: Sociologists are far from reaching a consensus on the the long-term effects of divorce on children. Two very active researchers in this field are:

Some twenty-five years ago, sociologist Constance Ahrons selected 98 divorced parents in Wisconsin for a long-term study. She published a book "The Good Divorce" in 1994 in which she asserted that "divorce doesn't destroy families." Rather, it produces new family structures which include children who may be strengthened by the process. Dr. Ahrons revisited the original group of parents and was able to interview almost all of their grown children. Her extended study confirms her original conclusions.

The final chapter of the book is titled "Advise From The Front Lines." It offers suggestions from children of divorce -- now adults -- on how to minimize harm to the children while divorcing. 

Excerpts from reviewers' comments: