Sunday, June 15, 2008

Book Read, 2008

"The Year of Living Biblically" - One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. By A.J. Jacobs.

AWESOME. Funny, inspirational, enlightening, fascinating and thought provoking.

There is so much about my daily life that I can now see is linked to religion. There is so much that I've experienced that I had NO IDEA was originally linked to the bible and its laws. I am not a religious person, I guess I am atheist if a label has to be put on it.

Mr. Jacobs actually tries to live/practice ALL of the laws of the bible for one year. He exposes the fact that it is impossible to do so, no matter how much your heart is in it. The main roadblock is the "interpretation" of the words themselves.

As an added benefit, he actually takes various groups, like Amish, Hasidic Jews, etc. and gives a cursory examination of what people believe, how they interpret it, what they really really want others to know about them and what they do - without being threatening or condescending in any way. It is very much a window into those people I'd never approach on my own for fear of offending them with my ignorance.

I am fascinated by all things religion, ALL religions. Which might be one of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much, but I promise you it is not the ONLY reason.

I had read Mr. Jacobs' "The Know It All" a year or two ago, and thoroughly enjoyed that book too. Whatever he puts out next, I am buying it.