“Man Seeks God” by Eric Weiner

April 4, 2012 at 7:35 PM | Posted in Books | 2 Comments
Tags: Eric Weiner, Raëlism, Woody Allen

What sounds like a heavy book is really beach reading for the Woody Allen set. Eric Weiner, formerly a well-know correspondent for NPR, is a guilt-ridden non-practicing Jew who takes us on a mostly fun trip to find a religion that he can buy into. There are, I learned, thousands of religions and here are the ones he dipped his thorny beak into:

Sufism
Buddhism
Franciscans (Catholic)
Raëlism
Taoism
Wicca
Shamanism
Kabbalah

Of the group you may be wondering about Wicca and Raëlism. Wicca is witchcraft and Weiner is more sympathetic than you’d think. He really finds a warm if skeptical spot in his heart for the witches. Raëlism, though, is a trip.

Raëlism was founded by a very much alive French prophet and they are great believers in flying saucers, free love and have the wonderful propensity to go topless right in the middle of their curious services. Even here, Weiner, while not sold, finds some things of value.

So, does he choose one? Well, he seems to take something from all of them (meditation from the Buddhists) but warms up the most to the one closest to his lineage, Kabbalah.

Man Seeks God is worth reading if you are the searching type, as I am.

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This sounds like something that is right up my alley. I plan to go on to study Religious Studies in school, and I’m doing an article series that has a bit of learning like this to it. I’d probably enjoy the book immensely.

That’s what I like about talking to you and reading your blog. Always new discoveries and gems to read/listen to!

Comment by Deanna Ogle— April 15, 2012 #

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- I do recommend the book. I actually listened to it and in this case it was helpful as the author read it himself and his “voice” comes through.
  
  I really appreciate you reading and commenting!!
  
  Comment by tommackey— April 16, 2012 #
  
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Off the blocks