For those interested in the Christian faith can I recommend two books by Alan Watts. He made a name for himself with his books on Zen and eastern religions. Those books are all readable and rewarding - if approached with caution - but I've found his earlier works on Christianity both better written and more suggestive.
"Myth and Ritual In Christianity" (only available second-hand) approached Christianity by ignoring completely its truth or falsity and treating the sacraments purely as myth. "Behold the Spirit" is one of the best books that Watts wrote (it's my personal favourite), a wonderfully perceptive account of the mystical strain in Christianity. Pity he was a (genuine) sex addict and a serious alcoholic. The two vices are linked as he said he only felt sexy when he was drunk. And he knew even less about meditation than I do! Still, his faults were his problem; we can enjoy his insights. ---In [email protected], <authfriend@...> wrote: Barry's already made two WHOPPING bloopers today, but I guess he figures he needs to round things off with a third. And what a third... When Barry's panties get in a twist, it has the effect of shutting down what little is left of his brains. Of all the mind-numbingly stupid posts he's made--and I have 18 years' worth from which to choose--this one tops them all. (snip) Barry wrote: > Anyone daring to use the term "anti-Semitic" has already > withdrawn from the company of thinking individuals on > planet Earth. > > You're implying that one group of people's fantasies about > how the universe works are more important than, more "true" > than, and and more inviolable than, anyone else's. > > Me, I class ALL religious beliefs as fantasies. I think that > qualifies me as an egalitarian, unlike some who get their > panties in a twist when their particular fantasies are > challenged. :-)
