I find that I read a lot of books, or more aptly, I read some of a lot of books, and while I'm reading, there are things that jump out to me. So, I jot them down. Then, at some point, I end up misplacing the notes I've taken, or if it actually makes it onto on my computer, I eventually file it away, never to be heard from again. Well, this is my attempt to store my notes in a place where I can easily go back and find them when I need them.

It's also convenient that you can comment on the notes that I have taken because most of you are probably smarter than I am. So, I look forward to learning for you.

Several months ago, a friend of mine asked me to read Who Needs God by Rabbi Harold Kushner. At the time, I started it, but failed to get past chapter two, not because the book was not interesting, but due to my lack of commitment.

Recently, I picked it back up and have been reading it, slowly. I'll be sharing my thoughts on a chapter-by-chapter basis in the coming posts.

Below are two write-ups about the book taken from Amazon.com:

Attaining and then maintaining religious sense or persuasion is often difficult today. Our culture of individualism, self-sufficiency, and competitiveness thwarts, even nullifies spiritual inclinations, with technology a prime contender for our reverence even though it is totally "witless and unimaginative" on its own. Yet many people are vaguely aware of something lacking in their lives. Rabbi Kushner (best known for When Bad Things Happen to Good People ) believes that "human life has meaning . . . but only in religious terms." According to this crucial realization, it is religion that connects us to God and community. In the end, Rabbi Kushner goes so far as to define religion as community rather than theology--a point of contention. What, then, would be the point of his title? But mainly, he attempts to transcend differences while conveying basic spiritual truths.

And the more concise...

Using an approach that is "pragmatic and ecumenical rather than didactic," rabbi and spiritual counselor Kushner asserts that all people need God. "This is an inspirational book for all, no matter whether religious or skeptic."

Labels: Harold Kushner, Who Needs God