Opening the Doors of Wonder

by Magida, Arthur J.

• ISBN13: 9780520256255
• ISBN10: 0520256255
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-04-01
• Publisher: Univ of California Pr

Summary

This bold, pioneering book explores the underlying theologies, evolution, and actual practice of Jewish bar and bat mitzvahs, Christian confirmations, Hindu sacred thread ceremonies, Muslim shahadas, and Zen jukai ceremonies through conversations with the influential thinkers who experienced them. Book jacket.

Author Biography

Arthur J. Magida is Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University and author of The Rabbi and the Hit Man, Prophet of Rage, and How to Be a Perfect Stranger

Table of Contents

Prologue	p. 1
Introduction: Sometimes, the Magic Works	p. 11
Christianity: Soldiers for Christ
The Descent of the Spirit	p. 21
Bob Abernethy: No Fundamental, Life-Changing Experience	p. 48
Chinua Achebe: What Makes Someone Give Up Their Religion?	p. 55
Huston Smith: Religion Saturated the House	p. 64
Julia Sweeney: That Soldier-of-Christ, Slap-across-the-Face Stuff Is Sick	p. 71
Jim Zogby: The Wal-Mart-ization of the Church	p. 81
Judaism: Would Anne Frank Sing Karaoke?
What, Really, Is a Man?	p. 91
Leon Botstein: I'm Tone-Deaf to Belief	p. 104
Roz Chast: I Was Like a Spy. Like a Closet Jew	p. 112
Rabbi Harold Kushner: I Wanted to Make My Parents Proud	p. 120
Letty and Abigail Pogrebin, Mother and Daughter: "You Are a Woman" Meant "You Do the Dishes"	p. 129
Ram Dass: Mushrooms Gave Me What I Could Have Had at My Bar Mitzvah	p. 145
Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin: Israel and I Came of Age Together	p. 152
Elie Wiesel: I Am Not God's Policeman	p. 160
Hinduism: Coming to Brahma, Knowing Nirvana
The Thread of Life	p. 171
Deepak and Gotham Chopra, Father and Son: Religion Is Frequently Idiotic	p. 183
Buddhism: Original Perfection versus Original Sin
Waking Up	p. 197
Roshi John Daido Loori: Born a Buddha. Die a Buddha	p. 202
Robert Thurman: I Looked Like Henry Miller in Drag	p. 212
Islam: Seven Essential Words
Allah Is One	p. 223
Coleman Barks: Just Being Sentient Is Cause for Rapture	p. 230
Dr. Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens): Floating on a Cloud of Mercy	p. 239
Michael Wolfe: I Feel Like a Monotheist with Extra Credentials	p. 246
Epilogue: Would Anyone Riding by on a Horse Even Notice?	p. 257
Notes	p. 271
Acknowledgments	p. 291
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