Rating: 
Summary: A Breath of Fresh Air Amid a "GSI - IBI - TSI" Religious Era
Review: "GSI - IBI - TSI": God Says It, I Believe It, That Settles It! The message is crystal clear: when it comes to God and religion, it's my way or the highway. But here's my favorite bumper sticker; it's even more over the top: GOD LOVES YOU WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT. Nice, huh? 'My way is the ONLY way: deal with it!'It's no wonder that so many people are disenfranchised from religion in any and all forms. Enter Scotty McLennan, whose book of encouragement for the reader to "find your religion" is even more relevant now than when it was written. He basically pulls out of the ground the "KEEP OUT" sign the GSI-IBI-TSI crowd has put in front of the "spiritual mountain" that McLennan encourages the reader to climb. McLennan treats each of the major world religions equally, and as other reviews note he gives each their due. It is precisely this tone of respect -- no, not a wishy-washy "I'm OK, You're OK" perspective, but rather (gasp!) with an open mind -- which draws in the reader. He also makes it clear that learning about other faiths can strengthen one's existing faith - a blasphemous statement in the minds of the GSI-IBI-TSI crowd, but surely a welcome one for those who have either found the religion they were brought up with to have lost its meaning, as well as those turned off by such closed-mindedness, who have never set foot in a place of worship before. It is important to note that McLennan does not coddle non-believers, but rather acknowledges those who at their point or "stage" in their religious walk consider themselves agnostic or atheistic. His perspective that such people are at a fluid "stage" in their religious life helps open the minds of such people to consider investigating other spiritual paths. The story of the "spiritual experience" of a lifelong Russian atheist may well open some minds. Where the GSI-IBI-TSI crowd would haughtily berate those at such a stage, it is these people who most need a genuine, positive, open minded message that McLennan offers. It is precisely this kind of message that is in increasingly short supply in our society which is increasingly becoming more and more polarized into "us" and "them". The book is not "deep" by any means, yet McLennan's tone is earnest and engaging, sharing McLennan's own experiences as well as those who found their way "up the path." For anyone who had long written off religion, this breath of fresh air book is for you. Those in the GSI-IBI-TSI group, the preaching to the choir Lee Strobel books are down the hall ;-)
Rating:
Summary: A Breath of Fresh Air Amid a "GSI - IBI - TSI" Religious Era
Review: "GSI - IBI - TSI": God Says It, I Believe It, That Settles It! The message is crystal clear: when it comes to God and religion, it's my way or the highway. But here's my favorite bumper sticker; it's even more over the top: GOD LOVES YOU WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT. Nice, huh? 'My way is the ONLY way: deal with it!' It's no wonder that so many people are disenfranchised from religion in any and all forms. Enter Scotty McLennan, whose book of encouragement for the reader to "find your religion" is even more relevant now than when it was written. He basically pulls out of the ground the "KEEP OUT" sign the GSI-IBI-TSI crowd has put in front of the "spiritual mountain" that McLennan encourages the reader to climb. McLennan treats each of the major world religions equally, and as other reviews note he gives each their due. It is precisely this tone of respect -- no, not a wishy-washy "I'm OK, You're OK" perspective, but rather (gasp!) with an open mind -- which draws in the reader. He also makes it clear that learning about other faiths can strengthen one's existing faith - a blasphemous statement in the minds of the GSI-IBI-TSI crowd, but surely a welcome one for those who have either found the religion they were brought up with to have lost its meaning, as well as those turned off by such closed-mindedness, who have never set foot in a place of worship before. It is important to note that McLennan does not coddle non-believers, but rather acknowledges those who at their point or "stage" in their religious walk consider themselves agnostic or atheistic. His perspective that such people are at a fluid "stage" in their religious life helps open the minds of such people to consider investigating other spiritual paths. The story of the "spiritual experience" of a lifelong Russian atheist may well open some minds. Where the GSI-IBI-TSI crowd would haughtily berate those at such a stage, it is these people who most need a genuine, positive, open minded message that McLennan offers. It is precisely this kind of message that is in increasingly short supply in our society which is increasingly becoming more and more polarized into "us" and "them". The book is not "deep" by any means, yet McLennan's tone is earnest and engaging, sharing McLennan's own experiences as well as those who found their way "up the path." For anyone who had long written off religion, this breath of fresh air book is for you. Those in the GSI-IBI-TSI group, the preaching to the choir Lee Strobel books are down the hall ;-)
Rating:
Summary: Finding Your Religion
Review: Find a well worn path and "start walking" is the basic message of Rev. Scotty McLennan's book. He suggests "some kind of personal contemplative discipline" and discusses the studies of Dr. Herbert Benson of Harvard who writes of "wiring for God" and "the faith factor". This book is entertaining reading. It may even uplift the Western parrot who flys backwards (afraid of demon infested feathers) in a futile search for the right ritual and correct doctrine. This wind of wisdom is the pure, free air of Godly humanism. Good book!
Rating:
Summary: Fun and encouraging read
Review: For those readers who have been scurrying around religion, unsure which direction to go, McLennan's Finding Your Religion provide's a bit of insight that may ease your journey. Other reviewers are right when referring to its self-helf type presentation of giving numerous examples, pulled from McLennan's years of experience as a professor and counselor. But I don't think this detracts from the purpose of the book, which I believe is to invite the reader to open (or re-open) themselves to religion and the spiritual/emotional benefits one can derive from religious belief. His unassuming manner is evidenced by his including numerous faiths in his presentation, as McLennan believes that no one path is the "right one".
Rating:
Summary: Fun and encouraging read
Review: For those readers who have been scurrying around religion, unsure which direction to go, McLennan's Finding Your Religion provide's a bit of insight that may ease your journey. Other reviewers are right when referring to its self-helf type presentation of giving numerous examples, pulled from McLennan's years of experience as a professor and counselor. But I don't think this detracts from the purpose of the book, which I believe is to invite the reader to open (or re-open) themselves to religion and the spiritual/emotional benefits one can derive from religious belief. His unassuming manner is evidenced by his including numerous faiths in his presentation, as McLennan believes that no one path is the "right one".
Rating: 
Summary: Tiresome, trivial, and condescending
Review: I found this book rather tiresome and somewhat condescending. It also seems to trivialize belief, making it more like a game one plays, not something that has real significance or meaning beyond the scope of one's life.
Rating: 
Summary: Climbing the Spiritual Mountain
Review: I had the honor of meeting Scotty (as he prefers to be called) at one of his now famous Chaplain's Table meetings. I was there at the invitation of my daughter to participate in a discussion on relationships. In particular, our father daughter relationship was to be the topic. So I did get to spend a few minutes with Scotty and watch his interaction with the students and faculty members at the table. He is as compassionate, sincere, and full of fun as his book leads us to believe he is. Finding Your Religion is an invaluable resource and a must read for those folks wanting to put more life into his or her spiritual practice as well as for those wanting to branch out and search for a new spiritual path. This well written, easy to read manual on why it's okay to question our childhood religion does not let us off the accountability hook. We are still challenged to live our chosen religion, whatever it may be. There are no simple platitudes or easy ways out for us. Scotty reminds us over and over to live our religion everyday and to be the best we can be, whether that is Jewish, Christian, Bahai, Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, or Unitarian Universalist. By relating his own story as well as real stories about real people that he has met in his travels, Scotty brings the struggles along our spiritual paths to life. We know we aren't alone in our searching, and we come to understand that it's the journey that counts. We also learn that there are many different spiritual paths we can take, but they all have the same goal - a fuller, richer life for the practitioner. The respect Scotty demonstrates for each individual and each religious path is an attribute all too rare in our world today. There is more than toleration shown here. Scotty shows us the way to truly loving our fellow travelers, regardless of the path they or we choose to get to the top of our spiritual mountain. After reading this book, one should be much more comfortable with being on a personal spiritual quest. But it is also a call to action. Finding Your Religion is a call to really get out there and just do it!
Rating:
Summary: Find Your Faith!
Review: I thought that this was an excellent book for those who no longer find meaning in thier current faith and are searching for more from religion. This book is really a motivation to start exploring and helps you understand where you are on your spiritual quest. A wonderful and quick read!
Rating:
Summary: Tiresome, trivial, and condescending
Review: I very much enjoyed this book. I am just beginning my religious exploration (after procrastinating about it for several years), and I found that it gave me a very good perspective on ways to approach it. I was very interested in the author's metaphor of mountain-climbing for a person's religious experiences over their lifetime - I found both that and the reference to various stages of spirituality to be very helpful. They gave me a good idea of where I am and what spiritual pursuits I will find the most fulfilling and helpful to me right now.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent starting point, but would be useful anytime
Review: I very much enjoyed this book. I am just beginning my religious exploration (after procrastinating about it for several years), and I found that it gave me a very good perspective on ways to approach it. I was very interested in the author's metaphor of mountain-climbing for a person's religious experiences over their lifetime - I found both that and the reference to various stages of spirituality to be very helpful. They gave me a good idea of where I am and what spiritual pursuits I will find the most fulfilling and helpful to me right now.
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