Overview

"Religion has exited the sidelines for center stage. Decades ago, Buddhist monks publicly immolated themselves. \""Who are these people? How could they do that?\"" Now we ask the same of jihadists who incinerate not themselves, but others. Stereotypical news images and soundbites do not adequately answer. It is time to deeply listen to and understand our neighbors. Finding Home introduces these neighbors. It opens their scriptures, allowing those next door to air issues they consider critical. Readers hear what they say and how they say it. Advocates of any cause would treasure such an opportunity. They seek the unconvinced who will momentarily cordon off their own creeds and carefully consider new concepts. Only then can the uninitiated understand the advocates' beliefs the way they believe them-not the way non-partisans opine they believe them. Afterward, hearers can decide what, if anything, they find true or meaningful. Maybe nothing. But at least they have given the other's ideas a fair shake. Buddhists would like non-Buddhists to do that for them. Muslims, non-Muslims. Christians and Daoists and Sikhs would like that. If we wish others to hear us, we must also hear them. If our own faith is true, it risks nothing from such listening. At the very least, we will understand each other better. In the center of this give-and-take in Finding Home, Christianity articulates its crucial contribution. This book is for all-materialist, agnostic, believer; Daoist, Christian, Native American; the questioning, the committed, the curious."

Full Product Details

9781940269870

Table of Contents

Reviews

In <i>Finding Home</i>, Russ Bowers helps readers examine almost twenty world religions. From the introductory chapter, Maps, I was captivated. Bowers writes objectively yet with much heart and passion. The material is impressively well researched. His weaving of the ancient texts through his own explanatory prose adds beauty and a melodic flavor in the language of the book. Bowers own musical flow of language added to the appeal of the book. Word choices, while sometimes difficult, were usually spot-on in nuance. Bowers shows a remarkable ability in selecting just the right words. Chapters are long enough to include supportive evidence for the concepts, yet short enough to read in spurts. Sometimes a question is asked at the end of a chapter, leading us on to the next. The conclusion of each chapter is succinct, pointing out why that religion is right regarding a specific tenet. I found myself looking forward to the concluding paragraph in each chapter to see if I had correctly guessed the way the summary would be presented. In this book, you won t learn everything there is to know about specific religions; rather you will take away their essence. Bowers' approach is creative and original. This book would be suitable for anyone interested in exploring religions on his or her own. It would also be a good choice for collegiate-level courses in philosophy and religion. You will learn a lot about yourself by reading this text. You will also better understand why other people hold their beliefs. If you thought you knew where your home was, your belief may be confirmed. If you weren t sure, you will most likely find out where you would at least like to visit.</p>--Claudia Cuddy, professor emerita of journalism, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ; editor in life sciences, Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc., Pitman, NJ

In Finding Home, Russ Bowers helps readers examine almost twenty world religions. From the introductory chapter, 'Maps, ' I was captivated. Bowers writes objectively yet with much heart and passion. The material is impressively well researched. His weaving of the ancient texts through his own explanatory prose adds beauty and a melodic flavor in the language of the book. Bowers' own musical flow of language added to the appeal of the book. Word choices, while sometimes difficult, were usually spot-on in nuance. Bowers shows a remarkable ability in selecting just the right words. Chapters are long enough to include supportive evidence for the concepts, yet short enough to read in spurts. Sometimes a question is asked at the end of a chapter, leading us on to the next. The conclusion of each chapter is succinct, pointing out why that religion is right regarding a specific tenet. I found myself looking forward to the concluding paragraph in each chapter to see if I had correctly guessed the way the summary would be presented. In this book, you won't learn everything there is to know about specific religions; rather you will take away their essence. Bowers' approach is creative and original. This book would be suitable for anyone interested in exploring religions on his or her own. It would also be a good choice for collegiate-level courses in philosophy and religion. You will learn a lot about yourself by reading this text. You will also better understand why other people hold their beliefs. If you thought you knew where your home was, your belief may be confirmed. If you weren't sure, you will most likely find out where you would at least like to visit. --Claudia Cuddy, professor emerita of journalism, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ; editor in life sciences, Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc., Pitman, NJ

In Finding Home, Russ Bowers helps readers examine almost twenty world religions. From the introductory chapter, Maps, I was captivated. Bowers writes objectively yet with much heart and passion. The material is impressively well researched. His weaving of the ancient texts through his own explanatory prose adds beauty and a melodic flavor in the language of the book. Bowers own musical flow of language added to the appeal of the book. Word choices, while sometimes difficult, were usually spot-on in nuance. Bowers shows a remarkable ability in selecting just the right words. Chapters are long enough to include supportive evidence for the concepts, yet short enough to read in spurts. Sometimes a question is asked at the end of a chapter, leading us on to the next. The conclusion of each chapter is succinct, pointing out why that religion is right regarding a specific tenet. I found myself looking forward to the concluding paragraph in each chapter to see if I had correctly guessed the way the summary would be presented. In this book, you won t learn everything there is to know about specific religions; rather you will take away their essence. Bowers' approach is creative and original. This book would be suitable for anyone interested in exploring religions on his or her own. It would also be a good choice for collegiate-level courses in philosophy and religion. You will learn a lot about yourself by reading this text. You will also better understand why other people hold their beliefs. If you thought you knew where your home was, your belief may be confirmed. If you weren t sure, you will most likely find out where you would at least like to visit.--Claudia Cuddy, professor emerita of journalism, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ; editor in life sciences, Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc., Pitman, NJ

In Finding Home, Russ Bowers helps readers examine almost twenty world religions. From the introductory chapter, 'Maps, ' I was captivated. Bowers writes objectively yet with much heart and passion. The material is impressively well researched. His weaving of the ancient texts through his own explanatory prose adds beauty and a melodic flavor in the language of the book. Bowers' own musical flow of language added to the appeal of the book. Word choices, while sometimes difficult, were usually spot-on in nuance. Bowers shows a remarkable ability in selecting just the right words. Chapters are long enough to include supportive evidence for the concepts, yet short enough to read in spurts. Sometimes a question is asked at the end of a chapter, leading us on to the next. The conclusion of each chapter is succinct, pointing out why that religion is right regarding a specific tenet. I found myself looking forward to the concluding paragraph in each chapter to see if I had correctly guessed the way the summary would be presented. In this book, you won't learn everything there is to know about specific religions; rather you will take away their essence. Bowers' approach is creative and original. This book would be suitable for anyone interested in exploring religions on his or her own. It would also be a good choice for collegiate-level courses in philosophy and religion. You will learn a lot about yourself by reading this text. You will also better understand why other people hold their beliefs. If you thought you knew where your home was, your belief may be confirmed. If you weren't sure, you will most likely find out where you would at least like to visit. --Claudia Cuddy, professor emerita of journalism, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ; editor in life sciences, Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc., Pitman, NJ

Author Information

"Russ Bowers enjoyed science as a boy, but cancelled chasing a career in chemistry to think theology instead. After marrying Glenna, he pastored two US churches, completed a PhD (Dallas Theological Seminary), oversaw Christian leadership development in Cambodia, and taught theology in Singapore and world religions in the US. He has danced with hilltribesmen and dived in the Andaman Sea. While in Cambodia, Glenna volunteered her nursing skills to organizations serving impoverished children. His book Someone or Nothing? compares the thought of Kyoto School dean Nishitani Keiji with that of Christianity. He has presented papers on interreligious dialogue and Buddhist-Christian topics for fora in Thailand, Cambodia, and the US. Honeycomb, the Khmer-English journal Russ founded, was lauded as opening \""a new era for theological work in Cambodia.\"" Though living in Texas, Russ and Glenna sometimes feel homesick for Asia."

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available