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Rating: Summary: Sorry, there were not any negative stars. Review: After reading this book, I have come to the conclusion that I have great distain for this author- or at least distain for this closed minded piece of work. He gives an unfair account of other religions outside of Christianity, refering to every other religion as "they" and Christians as "us". I believe this to be one of the most closed mind, Christianity persuasive books I have read. Sadly, I can see a youth group getting hold of this book and tainting the ideas of the youth. If anyone is looking for real, unbiased information on other religions, I would suggest not wasting your money on this book, but rather doing some research of your own. If you liked this book, or you are content with believing the first thing you read, then I am very sorry for you.
Rating: Summary: For your young teens in the pluralistic society Review: First of all this book is for the teenagers and should not be criticized as an adult book that try to explain all religions in detail-even if it can ever be done. Second, this is a book for Christian teens from Protestant-Christian point of view to address a need among young people living in a confusing pluralistic society. Any religious book addressing other religions could often be found offensive to people from those religions. Thirdly, for Christians, this book is quite moderate, so it will offend both fundamental and liberal Christians. The fundamentalists would be surprised by its inclusiveness of the Roman Catholics, and the liberals would think it too fundamentalistic. This book is an excellent tool for a 'good teacher' that needs an attractive material to get the teenagers' attention. By that I mean any religious book can be misused by a bad teacher. Even a Christian church can be cultic, depending on what the leader of that church teaches. No surprising that so many cults came out of Christianity. Some reviewers here are not happy with their religion being put in the category of cults in this book. Unfortunately, the book doesn't give an extensive explanation as to what makes a cult. And again, this is not a book for adults. A detail definition like that would kill the kids. For the information of wu8604, a previous reviewer who thought the book was wrong when it says that the Moonies (Unification Church) has its geographic center in Japan, the book is correct. 'Geographic center' is not equal to its originating region. A great deal of Moonies' money comes from Japan and some of them were said to be war criminals. The Moonies in my town (Paramus, New Jersey) that I have seen so far are mostly Japanese women. They had tried very hard to recruit me, but now they gave up on me. But, thanks to Wu for his sharp eyes to catch the spelling errors. It seems to make the book more for the kids! Maybe the authors themselves are kids. This book plus your objective knowledge of other religions will make a good teaching tool for the curious kids. It will stir up some discussions between you and the kids, until they become mature enough to read more sophisticated books.
Rating: Summary: Life's Tough Questions Review: I have never been one to read dull boring factual books. I guess that is why I finished this one so quickly! It is not a blah-colorless-average book. There are tons of sections, each about 3 pages long with vibrant colors and drawings. Each section discusses different cults, drugs and other things that people consider their god. This has basic facts about lots of interesting topics and definitely tells you the core beliefs of everything from Mormons to Satan worshippers. This will certainly start up some good discussion during lunch! :)
Rating: Summary: Nice try, but.... Review: I teach a teen Sunday School class and have found that this book is a great foundation for explaining to the kids in detail how other religions are not like Christianity. For those people who have reviewed this that express surprise that it's biased, I think they missed the 2nd paragraph on the first page where it starts, "In this book we're going to take the position that Christianity is the only true religion." This is a good little book - I say little because all the information about the cults, religions, and philosophies it contains would fill volumes. I've found it to be very helpful in teaching the teens that Christianity is the only way - and why.
Rating: Summary: lot of info in a little package Review: I teach a teen Sunday School class and have found that this book is a great foundation for explaining to the kids in detail how other religions are not like Christianity. For those people who have reviewed this that express surprise that it's biased, I think they missed the 2nd paragraph on the first page where it starts, "In this book we're going to take the position that Christianity is the only true religion." This is a good little book - I say little because all the information about the cults, religions, and philosophies it contains would fill volumes. I've found it to be very helpful in teaching the teens that Christianity is the only way - and why.
Rating: Summary: Rdiculously biased and untrue Review: I was looking forward to reading the book when a friend told me about it, but was sorely disappointed and quite frankly angered by the authors manipulation of various religions and philosophies. First of all, the categorizations of the so called "religions" leads to the reader judging it before having even read about it. For instance, how, in anyone's imagination, the Unitarian Church can be construed as a cult is beyond me. Second, the author uses broad generalizations to twist the reader's perception of the religion. The unstated and underlying assumption throughout the book is that "Our version of Christianity is the best and only way to be religious, and if the other religion (described as "they" in the book) resembles "ours", then it is seen as a postive aspect. Any differing views or positions on an issue or belief is seen as inferior and strange."
The colorful and easily read pages appeal to a certain audience that may not want to put in the time and effort to really learn about other religions and ways of life. I wish the author had not been ridiculously and offensively biased because, if written well, it would have been a valuable book to own. Buyer beware, if you really want to learn about other religions, do not do it from this book. I wish I could rate it with a negative star!
Rating: Summary: Amazing. Review: It's good to have proof that other Christians believe that teenagers are too stupid to be given adequate or truthful views of other religions. It's disrespectful to teens everywhere to assume that semantic shifts and logicisms (for an illogical God, natch) are reason for disbelief.
I was smarter than this when I was five; if you can read, you don't need this book. If you give this to your kids: congrats! Maybe you should've adopted out!
Rating: Summary: Quick snapshot of basics of religion and ideologies Review: This book offers quick snapshots of the basics of most religions and religious ideologies in the world today. It is written in a format that is easy to read and comprehend for readers of all ages. It does not give in highly in depth analysis of each religion, but only about 2 to 4 page perspectives on what the fundimental ideas and tenets of each religion are. This book is great to serve as a quick reference for a quick, basic synopsis of a religion and how it relates and/or differs from Christianity. It is a quick and easy read and a must have for anyone who works with youth ministries.
Rating: Summary: Quick snapshot of basics of religion and ideologies Review: This book offers quick snapshots of the basics of most religions and religious ideologies in the world today. It is written in a format that is easy to read and comprehend for readers of all ages. It does not give in highly in depth analysis of each religion, but only about 2 to 4 page perspectives on what the fundimental ideas and tenets of each religion are. This book is great to serve as a quick reference for a quick, basic synopsis of a religion and how it relates and/or differs from Christianity. It is a quick and easy read and a must have for anyone who works with youth ministries.
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