A Reluctant Agnostic

A Reluctant Agnostic is a story about sincere, humble, joyous Christianity confronted by contradictory natural evidence—a tale of religious conviction at odds with science. The author grew up in the very unique Old German Baptist Brethren Church, where he was immersed in wholehearted fundamental faith, and he shares details of the Brethren experience with an insider’s affection. Yet for all their distinctiveness, these plain-living people nevertheless embrace the

The Bible is arguably the greatest masterpiece of literature ever produced. But what makes it great? Who decides whether it is great, accurate or valid? Is one opinion or interpretation better than another?These are questions that are best left to the experts...right? Aging Gracelessly is the culmination of an 18-month study by the author to read the Bible, analyzing it from the perspective of a reluctant agnostic... and hopefully find in it a much anticipated inner peace. It is a genuine attempt to investigate the “Good Book” without the bias and influence of others.The author delves into each book of the Bible and relates the experience with an unusual honesty and candor. He is looking for peace... and possibly salvation... and, like C. S. Lewis, fully expects to get off his agnostic fence to join the two billion other Christian adherents who consider the Bible the ultimate handbook for the soul. Along the way, he discusses with himself many of the facets of our intangible existence; things like good vs evil, reality vs wishful thinking, faith vs brainwashing, and ignorance vs stupidity. Aging Gracelessly raises as many questions as it addresses...and it will make even the most vigorous believers among us think about what we believe.

What is agnosticism? Is it just the 'don't know' position on God, or is there more to it than this? Is it a belief, or merely the absence of belief? Who were the first to call themselves 'agnostics'? These are just some of the questions that Robin Le Poidevin considers in this Very Short Introduction. He sets the philosophical case for agnosticism and explores it as a historical and cultural phenomenon. What emerges is a much more sophisticated, and much more interesting, attitude than a simple failure to either commit to, or reject, religious belief. Le Poidevin challenges some preconceptions and assumptions among both believers and non-atheists, and invites the reader to rethink their own position on the issues. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

This is a book about hope. It is an iconoclastic view of God, spirituality and you. Through a series of visions and dreams, the purpose of your life is revealed. Why God has put you on earth and the essence of your purpose here is part of the revelation. This book covers a wide range of happenings that tie into the grand scheme of things that make up God's reason you are here. This book explains why the outrageous things have happened to you and are probably still happening. It will allow you the knowledge to be more accepting of yourself and of God. It is not another "Get Rich With God" book and will have little to do with granting your financial wishes. You will not be able to say a quick prayer and attract all of God's blessing to you in one afternoon. And don't expect God's help to win the lottery anytime soon. If you are at a point in your life where you are asking "why", this book will help you understand the will of God and the part you play in the evolution of your soul. Challenged by the author, God showed him God's grand scheme, including humans' Life Plans, free will, God's Domain, reincarnation, sex, angels, and the three simple things God wants from humans This book is not for everyone. If you have your ducks in a row about religion, God and a positive feeling of your spiritual well being, then good for you. However if you have no idea of why all these preposterously negative things are happening to you and have been happening to you over the years....if you have been beaten down to the point you have nothing left to believe in...and nothing to lose...this book might help you at least understand why God lets these things happen to you. It is not the end all and be all for everyone. But for those of us who are still struggling to figure out WHY, this might help.

From the author of The Architecture of Happiness, a deeply moving meditation on how we can still benefit, without believing, from the wisdom, the beauty, and the consolatory power that religion has to offer. Alain de Botton was brought up in a committedly atheistic household, and though he was powerfully swayed by his parents' views, he underwent, in his mid-twenties, a crisis of faithlessness. His feelings of doubt about atheism had their origins in listening to Bach's cantatas, were further developed in the presence of certain Bellini Madonnas, and became overwhelming with an introduction to Zen architecture. However, it was not until his father's death -- buried under a Hebrew headstone in a Jewish cemetery because he had intriguingly omitted to make more secular arrangements -- that Alain began to face the full degree of his ambivalence regarding the views of religion that he had dutifully accepted. Why are we presented with the curious choice between either committing to peculiar concepts about immaterial deities or letting go entirely of a host of consoling, subtle and effective rituals and practices for which there is no equivalent in secular society? Why do we bristle at the mention of the word "morality"? Flee from the idea that art should be uplifting, or have an ethical purpose? Why don't we build temples? What mechanisms do we have for expressing gratitude? The challenge that de Botton addresses in his book: how to separate ideas and practices from the religious institutions that have laid claim to them. In Religion for Atheists is an argument to free our soul-related needs from the particular influence of religions, even if it is, paradoxically, the study of religion that will allow us to rediscover and rearticulate those needs.

"Quammen brilliantly and powerfully re-creates the 19th century naturalist's intellectual and spiritual journey."--Los Angeles Times Book Review Twenty-one years passed between Charles Darwin's epiphany that "natural selection" formed the basis of evolution and the scientist's publication of On the Origin of Species. Why did Darwin delay, and what happened during the course of those two decades? The human drama and scientific basis of these years constitute a fascinating, tangled tale that elucidates the character of a cautious naturalist who initiated an intellectual revolution.

Bayberry Island is a small, lush island located just off the northern California coast. Although the island is a figment of the author's imagination it is very real to the villagers that live there. Charley Morgan moved to Bayberry Island with her four year old son, Mickey, and her fiancé, Rand, to begin a new life away from the big city. Rand decided to leave Charley and Mickey and returned to the city. Charley vowed to never love again and was determined to raise Mickey alone. Then Sean Garrett bought the small Market in the village and Charley found herself falling for him. Could she trust Sean with her heart and could she trust God with control of their future?