Received from the First Reads program on Goodreads.com, to read and review.

Modern scientific discoveries and historical analyses are increasingly challenging traditional religious beliefs. Some respond to these challenged by denying the science, becoming ever more entrenched in their traditional, literalists understandings of religion. Others, concluding that science has shown God to be an entirely human construction, have rejected religion entirely. In the middle, mainstream liberal religion faces diminishing attendance and support, and is in danger of becoming irrelevant.

This book is an argument for a different approach, one that acknowledges the atheist conclusion that the theist God who can act in the world is, in fact, a product of our imagination. The author argues, quite passionately, that we don’t need such a God. Instead, she argues for “god” as an abstract concept that embodies the ideals we value the most: Love, Compassion, Justice. In her vision, we are all called to become this “god” to each other, in community, supporting each other as we strive to bring these values into reality in our world.

It is a compelling argument, but one that is not likely to persuade wide swaths of the population. For conservative believers, the call to reject the idea that God actually exists will be impossible to accept, and few of these believers will take the time to read these arguments to their conclusion. For those who have rejected religion entirely, while they may be willing to consider her arguments, I’m not sure how many would feel the need for the trappings of religion in the manner the author envisions.

This book probably will speak only to that small group of people who, like me, continue to feel an emotional connection to religion, even as we rationally conclude that beliefs of our church have no basis in reality. Unfortunately, I don’t know how many of us will have the courage to respond to her call to bring her vision of a non-theist church into being.

If you are curious about what a “God-less” church would look like or how it would function, I would encourage you to read this book. For those who can keep an open mind and reserve judgment, I think that this vision of a church for the future should, at a minimum, provide a different perspective for thought and discussion.

Left on a bench on the east side of the park.

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