April's Reading Challenge for 2019 is to read as many books as you can which fit in with the theme "Religion and Philosophy". Exactly how these books fit the theme is up to you, as long as you squeeze in a work of fiction, a work of non-fiction, a book by an Australian author and a book by an author you haven't read before (yes, the same book can count for multiple categories).
As promised, this week we're following up Easter by looking at Jesus - but probably not in the way you expected. Sharon read a book that explored the parallels between Jesus' teachings and those of the Buddha. New reviewer Mikki read about the rights of people to interpret Jesus' teachings in different ways (and what happens when it all goes pear-shaped).
Sharon Bryan read Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings, edited by Marcus Borg and Ray Reigert.
It’s a strange and eerie thing, but when you compare a lot of the things Jesus said (according to the Bible) to some of the things Buddha said (according to several sources – he taught for a longer period of time and had a lot more of his teachings written down by his followers), they’re kinda the same things. They don’t overlap much when it comes to theology, but in terms of philosophy, they’re singing from very similar hymn books.
Marcus Borg has lined up a number of teachings from both of these itinerant teachers (and found some striking similarities in their careers, as well as their teachings) and presented them in a coffee table book – which is, of course, the pinnacle of communication.
Is this going to give you a deep explanation of the teachings of either man? No. Is it going to be a deep and informative foray into comparative religion? No. But it will give you an interesting taster for the core teachings behind both Christianity and Buddhism, and maybe whet your appetite to find out more.
Non-fiction, 232.954 JES
Mikki Rhoades read Why Waco? Cults and the Battle for Religious Freedom in America, by James D. Tabor and Eugene V. Gallagher.
This is both a factual and critical account of events surrounding the Waco Seige in Waco, Texas during April 1993. After a 51-day stand-off between federal agents and members of a millennial Christian sect called the Branch Davidians, the siege ended when fires consumed the Branch Davidian compound. Seventy five people, including twenty five children, lost their lives in the fires.
Authors James Tabor and Eugene Gallagher, both specialists in religious studies, make the point that the siege could have ended peacefully had negotiations taken into consideration the biblical framework in which David Koresh and the Branch Davidians lived. Tabor was directly involved in the incident as consultant to lawyers mediating directly with sect leader David Koresh, and uses this experience as a platform from which to critically evaluate negotiations throughout the 51 days.
The first half of the book offers a detailed explanation of events surrounding the siege, as well as background information on the origin and theological beliefs of the Branch Davidian sect. The second half offers a deeply critical analysis of the US government’s negotiations with Koresh. The premise of the analysis is that negotiations were rooted in anti-cultist bias based on the misunderstanding of charismatic leadership in unconventional religious movements.
The clear suggestion of the authors is that the government negotiations with David Koresh did not support the Branch Davidian’s right to religious freedom. While a valid point for theological and political discussion, the book is lacking in deep analysis of Koresh’s psychological and theological soundness. As he also perished in the fires, there have been no opportunities to interview him after the events. There have been, however, interviews conducted with survivors of the siege and former members of the Branch Davidians. These accounts are minimised in the book which is problematic as far as balanced critique of the cultism is concerned.
Religion, Non-fiction, An author I haven’t read before, 299.930973 TAB
As promised, this week we're following up Easter by looking at Jesus - but probably not in the way you expected. Sharon read a book that explored the parallels between Jesus' teachings and those of the Buddha. New reviewer Mikki read about the rights of people to interpret Jesus' teachings in different ways (and what happens when it all goes pear-shaped).
Sharon Bryan read Jesus and Buddha: The Parallel Sayings, edited by Marcus Borg and Ray Reigert.
Marcus Borg has lined up a number of teachings from both of these itinerant teachers (and found some striking similarities in their careers, as well as their teachings) and presented them in a coffee table book – which is, of course, the pinnacle of communication.
Is this going to give you a deep explanation of the teachings of either man? No. Is it going to be a deep and informative foray into comparative religion? No. But it will give you an interesting taster for the core teachings behind both Christianity and Buddhism, and maybe whet your appetite to find out more.
Non-fiction, 232.954 JES
Mikki Rhoades read Why Waco? Cults and the Battle for Religious Freedom in America, by James D. Tabor and Eugene V. Gallagher.
Authors James Tabor and Eugene Gallagher, both specialists in religious studies, make the point that the siege could have ended peacefully had negotiations taken into consideration the biblical framework in which David Koresh and the Branch Davidians lived. Tabor was directly involved in the incident as consultant to lawyers mediating directly with sect leader David Koresh, and uses this experience as a platform from which to critically evaluate negotiations throughout the 51 days.
The first half of the book offers a detailed explanation of events surrounding the siege, as well as background information on the origin and theological beliefs of the Branch Davidian sect. The second half offers a deeply critical analysis of the US government’s negotiations with Koresh. The premise of the analysis is that negotiations were rooted in anti-cultist bias based on the misunderstanding of charismatic leadership in unconventional religious movements.
The clear suggestion of the authors is that the government negotiations with David Koresh did not support the Branch Davidian’s right to religious freedom. While a valid point for theological and political discussion, the book is lacking in deep analysis of Koresh’s psychological and theological soundness. As he also perished in the fires, there have been no opportunities to interview him after the events. There have been, however, interviews conducted with survivors of the siege and former members of the Branch Davidians. These accounts are minimised in the book which is problematic as far as balanced critique of the cultism is concerned.
Religion, Non-fiction, An author I haven’t read before, 299.930973 TAB
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