Rating: 
Summary: Excellent summation of the importance of religion
Review: As a lapsed Catholic, and one who is currently reconsidering his lapse, Tell Me Why is one of the most informative, enjoyable, and useful books I have ever read. Michael and Jana Novak cogently, plainly, and in surprising depth explore the importance of religion, particularly Roman Catholicism, in every day life while providing a firm footing in the rules and rationale of religion for the novice. I will reread this book many times. It should become a classic for all those curious about religion and a source of inspiration for those who have already found God.
Rating: 
Summary: Degenerates into Catholic dogma
Review: I bought this book for our Lutheran church library. The first 9 chapters and chapter 12 are excellent and thought-provoking. However, Chapter 10 on the role of women in religion (the Catholic faith) and Chapter 11 on abortion degenerate into Catholic dogma. The writers should SAY THIS: the Catholic church does not allow women to be priests due to tradition, although other faiths do. Instead, Michael weaves a mysteriously weak argument: women are great at ministering to others (ala Mother Theresa) but they could not serve as intermediaries to God because they aren't able to get through to the "warrior man" because they are too meek and mild. Doesn't that make you just go all fuzzy inside? He said how "funny" or "odd" it would be to hear a WOMAN, of all people, deliver the Sermon on the Mount. The argument was idiotic. What about Mary Magdelene, the 13th disciple? What about Joan of Arc, the warrior woman? What about female pastors of other faiths? Gee, I wonder if God listens to them? What about the fact that limiting the priesthood to males has resulted in a homosexual priesthood--not that I would mind that, but it is surely not the result the church intended way back when, and is a big problem in the eyes of the church. This is never mentioned. In chapter 11, the abortion chapter, the authors do a great disservice to their readers. They totally avoid discussing contraceptive devices (naturally)and the fact that condoms can keep you from contracting AIDS! Catholic couples and women especially are condemned, shamed and made to feel guilty by the male hierarchical church if they use contraceptives, and condemned to suffer needless pain, possible death, not to mention the guilt of unwanted pregnancy and the dangers that come with childbirth or abortion, if they do not use contraceptives. Catch 22. How do they ever get right with the church? What kind of church creates such needless suffering on the part of over half its followers-- women? The author mentions a euphemism for the rhythm method as the only acceptable birth control method, never mentioning that it is totally unreliable and does nothing to protect against STDs or HIV. Novak mentions how wonderful it is that Catholic nuns help young unmarried pregnant girls with their pregnancies. Who pays for their welfare once they leave these facilities? The Catholic church? No, you and me, the taxpayers. I got the feeling while reading this book that women are EXPECTED to suffer in this church and to just take it as a saintly cross to bear, never to object. I believe Christ expects us to make responsible decisions and take some responsibility for our lives. The idea that we should bow to some male hierarchy in a faith like Catholicism or Christian fundamentalism is silly. God did not put us on earth to suffer if we could do something to avoid it in the first place, for goodness' sake. I got so mad at these chapters that I wrote rebuttals in the margins. EVERYONE should use a CONDOM when they have sex EVERYTIME whether they are married or unmarried. You ask for death if you don't. The idea that college students receive condoms for free on campuses was so offensive to the authors because it "cheapens sex." No, actually, sex without love cheapens sex. Would they rather these students suffer and die from STDs and AIDS when they could easily avoid it? Get real! So read this book with a grain of salt and remember it is written from a very dogmatical point of view.
Rating:
Summary: Sincere belief aside, I found substantive arguments lacking.
Review: I have always struggled with the concept of religion - I come from a relatively intellectually and politically liberal family with oddly devout roots in the Catholic Church. When I read the jacket to this book, I said ahhh - NOW I will get some answers. Alas, I was disappointed. I began with an open mind and heart, wanting desperately to find the reasons to believe that have escaped me for the last 20 odd years. Although I disagreed with some- and honestly couldn't follow other- arguments, I pressed onward, determined that somewhere I would find a truth. Instead, I encountered the same flowery rhetoric I could have gotten for free from my parish priest. The premise of the spontaneous faxes between father and daughter intrigued me, particularly in light of my own father's jaded view of the Church. But many times I found the dialogue contrived and forced, with circular arguments. Often I felt that Michael Novak did not answer Jana's questions, period; he recited the Church line and told her to pray. I was particularly devastated to find, directly after a passage saying that issues like abortion and homosexuality have become politicized and religion and politics should be separate, blatant references to both major political parties. So much for nonpolitical discourse. I will say, however, that the attempt was worthy. I know countless 20-somethings that are looking and asking, but are not finding answers. I honestly feel, however, that this is more of an affirmation for the believers rather than a guide for the doubters.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderfully clear explanation of the importance of faith
Review: I have never before written to an author about one of his books, but I wrote to Michael Novak to thank him (and his daughter) for having written "Tell Me Why," one of the most personally meaningful books I've ever read. Having recently been involved in an argument with an atheist mathematician who resolutely denies that faith can be reasonable at all, I particularly was taken with Novak's clear explanation of the intimate relationship between faith and reason (see also the Pope's most recent encyclical, "Fides et Ratio" for more on this subject). Though Novak is Catholic, "Tell Me Why" is NOT an apologia for Catholicism (though it does do a fine job of explaining many things about the Church). Novak's knowledge and basic sense of fairness allow him to deal even-handedly with other faiths and with those who have no faith. In brief, he explains why he feels that religion and belief in God should matter to us. The discussion includes the existence of God, the meaning of faith, and the meaning of doubt. It addresses the relationship between faith and reason. It touches on questions like abortion, family structure, marital fidelity, "organized" religion, even some Church history. It asks why religion matters at all, why so many different religions came into being, and whether they're all part of a greater truth. It also asks how being religious is supposed to affect our everyday life. And, perhaps most importantly, it blends all the answers together in a marvelously expressive dialogue of love with his daughter which makes the whole thing especially effective. "Tell Me Why" reminds me somewhat of C.S. Lewis's work, though updated and Americanized. The conversational style makes it very easy to read and brings the potentially heavy subject matter to life. Regardless of your faith or lack of same, if you have ANY interest in a spiritual life or in a discussion of the Big Questions, you should read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Hooray for popular theology!
Review: I would have given "Tell Me Why" four stars instead of five, because of all the issues left only half-explored or totally unexplored by Michael and Jana Novak. (For instance, barely anything was said about Eastern religions.) However, this book's shortcomings are not half as important as what this book can do for people."Tell Me Why" can start debate among believers and non-believers alike. It can inspire critical thinking among the most complacent readers. It can even bring about new joy and enthusiasm to those who need a boost to their faith. Other reviewers have complained that the discussion "degenerates into Catholic dogma." Being Catholic, I can assure other Catholics that this is a great book to read--and tell believers of other faiths that this is a book that will set them thinking about their own religious and spiritual beliefs. "Tell Me Why" covers abstract issues, such as how to choose a religion and why it is important to believe in a Higher Power, and practical points, such as abortion and ritual--all explosive topics in their own ways. To its credit, "Tell Me Why" does not merely lay down Catholic doctrine and leave the reader, who may be unfamiliar with Catholicism, floundering for answers; it presents the philosophic background of each teaching. Doing so requires a lot of intellectual meandering, which is why Michael Novak can take over ten pages to answer a simple Yes or No question. (Of course, problems still crop up when Michael Novak explains something to daughter Jana's content, but not to the reader's.) The text is sprinkled with quotes and prayers from figures such as C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, and other philosophers of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. (Michael Novak has a mind very much like a database when it comes to his field.) While reading, I often found myself thinking about unincluded others who have written about spritual and religious matters, such as M. Scott Peck or Kahlil Gibran. Though my experience proves that "Tell Me Why" is far from perfect or comprehensive, it also shows that this book _does_ inspire people to look into themselves in order to complete what the authors may have left unexplored. We need more popular theology in our lives.
Rating:
Summary: Hooray for popular theology!
Review: I would have given "Tell Me Why" four stars instead of five, because of all the issues left only half-explored or totally unexplored by Michael and Jana Novak. (For instance, barely anything was said about Eastern religions.) However, this book's shortcomings are not half as important as what this book can do for people. "Tell Me Why" can start debate among believers and non-believers alike. It can inspire critical thinking among the most complacent readers. It can even bring about new joy and enthusiasm to those who need a boost to their faith. Other reviewers have complained that the discussion "degenerates into Catholic dogma." Being Catholic, I can assure other Catholics that this is a great book to read--and tell believers of other faiths that this is a book that will set them thinking about their own religious and spiritual beliefs. "Tell Me Why" covers abstract issues, such as how to choose a religion and why it is important to believe in a Higher Power, and practical points, such as abortion and ritual--all explosive topics in their own ways. To its credit, "Tell Me Why" does not merely lay down Catholic doctrine and leave the reader, who may be unfamiliar with Catholicism, floundering for answers; it presents the philosophic background of each teaching. Doing so requires a lot of intellectual meandering, which is why Michael Novak can take over ten pages to answer a simple Yes or No question. (Of course, problems still crop up when Michael Novak explains something to daughter Jana's content, but not to the reader's.) The text is sprinkled with quotes and prayers from figures such as C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, and other philosophers of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. (Michael Novak has a mind very much like a database when it comes to his field.) While reading, I often found myself thinking about unincluded others who have written about spritual and religious matters, such as M. Scott Peck or Kahlil Gibran. Though my experience proves that "Tell Me Why" is far from perfect or comprehensive, it also shows that this book _does_ inspire people to look into themselves in order to complete what the authors may have left unexplored. We need more popular theology in our lives.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth The Time
Review: Interesting and thought-provoking, although with some flaws. At times, for example, it can be rambling and lacking in substantive answers to the actual questions posed--it often leaves the reader wanting more. Of course, the very fact of wanting more indicates the overall solidity of the book. On balance a very worthwhile read.
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant dialogue in search of God. . . .
Review: Jana Novak is both honest and relentless in her quest for the truth. She raises questions not confined to the young or the skeptical. Frequently in life we encounter situations that can cause us to be revisited by nagging doubt over God's existence and His love. We don't understand the origin of evil. We don't understand why God allows suffering. We don't understand the human imperfections of our religion. Michael Novak's answers are not just rich in hard-earned wisdom, but also as soothing and reassuring as the lapping of ocean waves on a calm day. In *Tell Me Why* he shows himself to be more than one of the brilliant theologians and philosophers of our time; he also rises to great heights as a father, giving his daughter not merely knowledge, but a legacy of truth and love. I wish I had had this book when my own son was beginning to ask similar questions and will recommend it wholeheartedly to him--as well as to anyone else in search of God.
Rating:
Summary: Jana Novak's skepticism does us a big favor.
Review: Jana Novak's skepticism allows all of us to question our own beliefs, to explore our reasons for belonging to a given religion, and to ask ourselves what we really do believe in and why. It seems an important exercise for all of us, and a chance to renew our Faith and our membership in a community of believers. Agreeing with Michael Novak's answers or not, he guides us in weighing our beliefs, providing a framework for our explorations while keeping our search in a very directed path. Highly recommended for parents with teenagers/ young adults, but also for the parents to prepare their own clear thinking. Indeed, there isn't one of us who can't benefit from taking the time to ask and answer Jana's questions. The effort is heartening!
Rating: 
Summary: A wonderful book for anyone curious about God and religion.
Review: Like many people, I felt that something was missing in my life and perhaps it was religion and God. But I had many questions first, and I wanted easy-to-understand answers. My father has provided these answers in this book, in a simple, concise and insightful way. This is one of the most helpful and life-altering books for me. Spirituality is such an important part of life, and it was such a joy and relief to understand it finally, and then welcome it in to my life. I hope this book helps all others who are making their way down the spiritual path -- in fact, I know it will.
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