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I was simply blown away. He really keeps your attention and makes some very thought provoking points.Thanks Don. I was not sure what to expect. I could not put it down.
That is how amazing it is. This is one of my favorite books. Blue Like Jazz is one of those books that you want to buy a copy for all of your friends to have. Miller provides insight and perspective into what it truly means to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
It doesn't mean you're dirty or broken. And just about the worst book I've ever read - and I have read an awful lot in my life. And that changes over time. Sometimes circumstances might make it easier to take a shortcut or think only of yourself, but sometimes circumstances make it easier to do the right thing. It's not that I'm so fabulous, but I'm on my path and you are on your path. is a cultural/political message, and cultures evolve and "traditions" change with understanding over the years. Put this silly book down, be still and listen.
But, hey - anybody can write a book these days. With all due respect, this is twisted.4) "Nobody wants to be themselves." Author claims that everyone wants to be someone else. Plus, his prose is annoying because, although he is amusing at first, he can't sustain the "wit." Not the sharpest pencil in the box, and he hasn't really thought anything through. Really. I wouldn't wantto be anybody else. knows better than you.
We all have a place; I would feel completely confused in your head, and, believe me, you would feel really confused in mine. Televangelists.This book is just another attempt at leading without accountability - just big hair. Like it or not.6) ".for thousands of years big-haired preachers." What. "Sin" just means (in archery terms) "off the mark," i.e., you're not connected to Divine/Universe/Flow. Better go talk to your pastor because HE (and certainly not SHE.). Evil Force that's out to get you and make you "sin". and it goes on and on. Who is this guy.5) Author "wished [he] could subscribe to some aspects of Christianity but not the whole thing." Well, yeah.
Author's arguments are very immature.2) Author claims it is always easier to do evil than good. Could it be the "Church" coercing the ignorant masses to swallow their dogma or feel guilty and fearful if you have "doubts" about their philosophies because heaven forbid you should listen to God for yourself.omg, it could be "Satan" whispering evil things to you and we're all just too stupid to tell the difference. And, unless you just don't haveany mirror genes at all, you have a conscience, which doesn't mean you have to watch yourself with some threat of punishment, or see yourself as"broken." You love yourself, you love others, you generally love God. Paranoia. So, please. What is he talking about.
Tradition is nothing but currently (in recent memory) accepted convention. Basic aspects of all faiths are pretty much the same: stay connected to the Divine and honor the Divine in each other. If you do feel a need for these messages, you probably have some attachment issues and you need therapy - not this book. Do human beings just never grow up. Head dresses and clothing that make an individual look larger are common practice to all human cultures; and other species make themselves look larger by building or fluffing or using big implements of some sort. But, if you are reading this book for any sort of enlightenment, it takes about 30 pages to assess his premise and to see great big holes in it.
And"cafeteria-style" is what religion has always been.
Here are some lowpoints:1) All about "being broken" and in a state of "sin" and needing to be made "new." If you are brought up with love and respect, and if your caregiver establishes a bond of trust, empathy, caring, you generally feel empathy for others, are capable of loving and bonding with others.
We all have choices all along the way, but it is not necessarily easier to do evil.
Isn't that a maturational phenomenon that manifests most clearly in adolescence.
Take marriage: used to be polygamy, not "one man and one woman"; used to be illegal to marry across socioeconomic classes (or even dress in a fabric not allowed to your class), to marry across race, to marry same sex.
When we're "on the mark" it's actually easier to do good things (Ancient Egyptians called it "doing green" ).3) "Satan".
This is an author who likes to hear himself talk; his arguments are poorly-conceived and sound great if you're trying real hard to stoke an alreadyestablished belief system.
In either case, if you do have concern for others, it generally is not easier to hurt others - it's harder because it hurts you too.
But so much of "Christianity" (define THAT depending on the century.).
I could relate with the stories the author told and he answered many of the questions I had about true Christianity. I would highly recommend this book to anyone questioning what Christianity is really all about. This book is excellent. He deals with the tuff topics that churches sometimes like to push aside and brings the bible to the real world.
It is a great story about a college student at Reed and his experience living and exploring his faith in a culture that doesn't always understand or accept Christianity. If anyone is curious about Christianity or is a Christian themselves, they would benefit from reading this book. I already think it's a great book, and I'm only a few chapters in. I recently purchased Blue Like Jazz on Amazon.com, and I am very happy with the book. It is a very thought provoking and well written story and it is well worth the read. Whether you love Christianity or hate it, you will benefit from this book.
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