Science and Religion v Spirituality and Health v Character Development v Business and Spirituality
June 2003
Issue 14
Stories in the Bible present pictures of God that can be confusing, but in his book The Curious History of God author Russell Stannard shows young people how apparent inconsistencies in descriptions of God in the Bible are merely people from different places and times getting to know God better. In the same way people’s understanding of the world has changed and improved over time (thanks to scientific developments), so have their perceptions and understanding of God altered and developed.
The Curious History of God provides an amusing, but informative and educational book for young people on the changing view of God through the years. For many centuries people thought their image and therefore their understanding of God was complete. God had nothing more to reveal; people knew what there was to know. Today as science unveils the birth of new stars and planets, it is clear that God continues to create and people continue to learn more about Him. It took time for people to reach this understanding and with time current images and ideas will change and evolve yet again. By showing the progression of knowledge from biblical days to the present, The Curious History of God helps children expand their own understanding of God.
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Why are we created? Who are we? What is our purpose? These are some of the questions raised in the thought-provoking new book, Why Are We Created? Increasing Our Understanding of Humanity’s Purpose on Earth. Authors Sir John Templeton and Rebekah Alezander Dunlap encourage readers to expand their knowledge of the universe and their place in it so that they can begin to understand more about the ultimate meaning of existence. “Is it possible that we may be here to become servants of creation or even helpers in divine creativity? Could we be the beginning of a new evolution as the first creatures in the history of life on Earth to participate consciously in the ongoing creative process?” they ask.
The authors look at the relationship between happiness and purpose, suggesting that the happiest people may be those who are productive and bring happiness to others. They discuss prayer, creativity, and unlimited love as means of communicating with and expressing the Divine. Why Are We Created? was written with the express purpose of helping readers live happier and more useful lives. By becoming aware of the spiritual principles that operate in the universe and by putting these into daily practice, one can begin to become an active participant in this sacred quest for meaning and purpose.
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Post-apartheid South Africa’s efforts to come to terms with its past offer an opportunity for exploring the interaction between justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation in a transitional society. Specifically, its Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, provides a model for studying the efficacy of utilizing a truth commission to promote societal reconciliation and transcend the conflict and divisions of the past.
In Religion and Reconciliation in South Africa: Voices of Religious Leaders, edited by Audrey R. Chapman and Reverend Bernard Spong, thirty-three religious leaders from a range of faiths converse on the religious foundations of reconciliation as reflected by the experiences of the TRC and the status of relevant church-sponsored programs. Their discussions cover the concept of national versus political reconciliation; the differences and similarities between religious and political approaches to reconciliation; the question of whether or not reconciliation requires forgiveness between former victims and perpetrators; the appropriate role of religious representatives in a truth commission process; the contributions and limitations of the TRC itself; and how useful it is as a model that other countries might emulate.
The editors note that given South Africa’s history, the mandate given the TRC to balance truth-finding with promoting reconciliation made a great deal of sense. But, they add, what seems appropriate in theory may not be feasible in practice. The goals of agreeing on “truth” and “promoting reconciliation” may be in conflict. Arguments and debates on the issues, varying interpretations of responsibility, and significant discrepancies in perspectives influenced the way the commission accumulated evidence and shaped its findings. Studying the TRC, evaluating the issues that were raised, may help with the conceptualizing of reconciliation for other transitional societies struggling to heal.
Special Offer: Purchase a copy of Religion and Reconciliation in South Africa and receive a free copy of the casebound edition of Forgiveness and Reconciliation. A $5.50 shipping and handling cost will be applied to all domestic orders. Please add an additional $5.00 for international orders. Refer to Code RN31 when ordering.
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To order special offer: http://www.templetonpress.org/specialoffers.asp
Effective June 1, 2003 customers can purchase books at a 20 percent discount through the Internet bookstore. In addition, customers may also take advantage of using their American Express and Discover credit cards as well as Visa and MasterCard. The site is secure, easy to use, and orders are normally filled within 48 hours of purchase. Visit our website for a complete catalog of books available: www.templetonpress.org
Templeton Foundation Press is pleased to announce that two Templeton Foundation Press books have been selected as finalists for the 2002 Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Awards. Spirituality in Patient Care, written by Dr. Harold G. Koenig, has been selected as a finalist in the category of Body, Mind, and Spirit. Russell Stannard’s book www.Here-I-Am has been chosen as a finalist in the category of Juvenile Fiction. Books for this contest are judged on editorial excellence, and professional production as well as the originality of the narrative and the value the book adds to its genre.
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Books can now be purchased at a 20 percent discount through the online science and religion bookstore. In addition to the discount, editorial reviews of new books will be posted regularly to provide information to researchers and students looking for particular titles best suited to their specific areas of interest. Titles are now easier to find thanks to updated search features.
The site, www.scienceandreligionbooks.org, now offers over 900 books from more than 230 publishers, along with links to the latest news and information on science and religion topics. Sponsored by Templeton Foundation Press, the online store is designed to be a full-service resource center for scholars, researchers, libraries, and general readers.
Please visit the website at: www.scienceandreligionbooks.org
The current best sellers for Templeton Foundation Press are listed below. The statistics are an accumulation of both domestic and foreign sales and are updated monthly.
1. Why Are We Created?
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=57
2. The Hand of God
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=1
3. Parish Nursing
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=46
4. Religion and Reconciliation in South Africa
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=56
5. Spirituality in Patient Care
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=47
6. Purpose and Power in Retirement
http://www.templetonpress.org/book.asp?book_id=51
Books from Templeton Foundation Press are available at better bookstores and through our website at www.templetonpress.org. You may also order by calling our distribution center at 800-621-2736. Please Note: In order to take advantage of our monthly specials orders must be placed via our website or by calling the distribution center with the applicable code number. Orders placed through our website receive a 20 percent discount.
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