Overview

A Freethinker's Gospel is a collection of columns by Chris Highland, first published in the Asheville Citizen-Times from 2016-17. A former Protestant minister and prison chaplain, Highland is now a secular ""freethinker"" who muses on the natural world, on being a non-believer in a highly religious society, and the commonalities shared between religions. This compilation of essays offers his reflections on interfaith work, the search for self-discovery, and the commonalities that bind us regardless of social, political, economic, or religious backgrounds. His insights about the marvelous structure of our natural world and what nature can teach us, and the way our society is structured, addressing humanism, the natural world, and sensitive issues of faith, are enlightening and challenging. Chris Highland was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and lived for over 35 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. He was a Protestant minister and Interfaith chaplain for many years before becoming a Humanist celebrant. With a degree in Religion and Philosophy from an evangelical Christian university (Seattle Pacific) and a Master of Divinity degree from a diverse consortium of seminaries (Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley), he has been active in ""presence ministry"" and nonprofit work in a private school, a county jail, homeless shelters, and affordable housing. He is the author of ten books including Meditations of John Muir, My Address is a River, Life After Faith, the novella Jesus and John Muir, as well as an essay collection, Nature is Enough. He has taught courses on Nature Literature and Freethought in California and North Carolina. Chris blogs at Secular Chaplain. As a member of The Clergy Project, he contributes to Rational Doubt on Patheos. Seeking wider connections, he also holds membership in the American Humanist Association, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Religious Naturalist Association, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation.

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9781942016397

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Reviews

Soothing and stimulating at the same time, these very digestible meditations show how a secular writer can convey very timely and worthy messages without being quarrelsome. Kudos to Chris Highland for taking us down this pleasant path of wisdom and realism. Linda LaScola, co-founder of The Clergy Project co-author, Caught in the Pulpit: Leaving Belief Behind Chris Highland does a wonderful job introducing the atheist perspective to an audience that may not otherwise seek it out. Without being confrontational, he raises important questions while helping readers understand that atheists are a vital part of their community. Hemant Mehta, editor, FriendlyAtheist.com I often meet good people who feel lost and lonely because they've lost faith, friends, or family or, worst of all, all three in one fell swoop ... How grateful I am to introduce such wanderers to Chris Highland, a wise, compassionate guide who has blazed his own trail through the wilderness on the other side of faith. Bart Campolo, Humanist Chaplain, U. of Cincinnati host, Humanize Me podcast This seminal work by former minister/chaplain Chris Highland is captivating, intriguing, and challenging. Each chapter is a gem in itself, and together they make for a powerful book by a very enlightened and savvy professional. John S. Compere, PhD; VP, The Clergy Project author, Outgrowing Religion I was particularly struck with [the] straight to the heart and straight to the point presentation.... [A] very nice mix of well crafted, substantive columns. Laurence Cotton, historian producer, Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America While he may no longer be a believer, Chris Highland has not lost his pastor's heart. He continues to teach and challenge, to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable, drawing on everyone from Henry Thoreau to Stevie Wonder. Taken to heart, this book will see walls come tumbling down, walls that keep us from one another. Bob Ripley author, Life Beyond Belief: A Preacher's Deconversion What I love about this book is that it truly -- and intentionally -- honors questions, not answers. Chris himself has lots of questions -- and he is very comfortable not having answers for them ... Chris muses and reflects, wonders as he wanders. The essays are varied, inspiring, informative and creative. His gentle style builds bridges and opens doors with folks of many faiths, and those with no religious connection at all. He can raise thorny questions as well, which awakens a sharpness of vision and awareness. This book is a great companion for time alone, or for stimulating conversation with others. Sara Vurek, Buddhist, Board Certified Clinical Chaplain Chris Highland's ... articles are delightful and stimulating excursions for anyone interested in how beliefs affect the way we relate to each other. His genuine interest in the thoughts of others, and his willingness to describe his own, reveals a well-grounded sensibility that seeks to bridge the gaps between people divided by the beliefs or doubts that we happen to hold. Jim Gronvold, former shelter administrator and counselor author, Pith & Piffle: overt verse

Soothing and stimulating at the same time, these very digestible ""meditations"" show how a secular writer can convey very timely and worthy messages without being quarrelsome. Kudos to Chris Highland for taking us down this pleasant path of wisdom and realism."" Linda LaScola, co-founder of The Clergy Project co-author, Caught in the Pulpit: Leaving Belief Behind Chris Highland does a wonderful job introducing the atheist perspective to an audience that may not otherwise seek it out. Without being confrontational, he raises important questions while helping readers understand that atheists are a vital part of their community. Hemant Mehta, editor, FriendlyAtheist.com I often meet good people who feel lost and lonely because they've lost faith, friends, or family or, worst of all, all three in one fell swoop ... How grateful I am to introduce such wanderers to Chris Highland, a wise, compassionate guide who has blazed his own trail through the wilderness on the other side of faith. Bart Campolo, Humanist Chaplain, U. of Cincinnati host, Humanize Me podcast This seminal work by former minister/chaplain Chris Highland is captivating, intriguing, and challenging. Each chapter is a gem in itself, and together they make for a powerful book by a very enlightened and savvy professional. John S. Compere, PhD; VP, The Clergy Project author, Outgrowing Religion I was particularly struck with [the] straight to the heart and straight to the point presentation.... [A] very nice mix of well crafted, substantive columns. Laurence Cotton, historian producer, Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America ""While he may no longer be a believer, Chris Highland has not lost his pastor's heart. He continues to teach and challenge, to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable, drawing on everyone from Henry Thoreau to Stevie Wonder. Taken to heart, this book will see walls come tumbling down, walls that keep us from one another."" Bob Ripley author, Life Beyond Belief: A Preacher's Deconversion ""What I love about this book is that it truly -- and intentionally -- honors questions, not answers. Chris himself has lots of questions -- and he is very comfortable not having answers for them ... Chris muses and reflects, wonders as he wanders. The essays are varied, inspiring, informative and creative. His gentle style builds bridges and opens doors with folks of many faiths, and those with no religious connection at all. He can raise thorny questions as well, which awakens a sharpness of vision and awareness. This book is a great companion for time alone, or for stimulating conversation with others."" Sara Vurek, Buddhist, Board Certified Clinical Chaplain ""Chris Highland's ... articles are delightful and stimulating excursions for anyone interested in how beliefs affect the way we relate to each other. His genuine interest in the thoughts of others, and his willingness to describe his own, reveals a well-grounded sensibility that seeks to bridge the gaps between people divided by the beliefs or doubts that we happen to hold."" Jim Gronvold, former shelter administrator and counselor author, Pith & Piffle: overt verse

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