Comments on: Social Justice Challenge: Religious Freedom

By: Wendy

Wendy — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:48:09 +0000

Wonderful review…this sounds like a powerful read.

By: Review Round-up for Religious Freedom Month | Social Justice Challenge

Review Round-up for Religious Freedom Month | Social Justice Challenge — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 05:46:15 +0000

[...] reviewed In the Presence of My Enemies by Gracia Burnham with Dean Merrill. So did [...]

By: Sheila (Bookjourney)

Sheila (Bookjourney) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:41:04 +0000

I read this book several years ago and really found it to be fantastic. When you mention Martin’s prayer I had to smile – I had forgotten how strong he was in his faith. An amazing read!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:26:03 +0000

Excellent post! I especially enjoyed reading about the evolution of your own faith, and how it felt, as a child, to be a believer who is seen as being out of the mainstream. And you had some powerful things to say about religious freedom and following the Golden Rule. Such a simple, beautiful rule — reflected in virtually all religions and philosophies — and so hard for humans to follow!

By: jim

jim — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:35:40 +0000

Great attitude. I think religious freedom and the continued separation of church and state is one of the most important issues we face as a country and for the world as well. Thanks for this.

By: christopherpeck

christopherpeck — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:23:34 +0000

Great post Mom, I look forward to reading more about social justice issues in the year ahead. It’s funny, I was just realizing recently that in a way I live where I do because of religious freedom. Sonoma County, CA (the whole Bay Area really) is very tolerant of Buddhism: there are numerous Zen (my preference), Theravadan, and Tibetan groups here, among many others. I take it for granted that I will have access to like-minded folks and teachers, and won’t have to hide what I’m doing. Thank God-goodness-Spirit-Buddha for that!

By: Belle

Belle — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:23:20 +0000

I really enjoyed this post, Margot. It was interesting to see how your childhood experiences helped you to develop your own personal faith, one that has been so powerful in your life. I think, too, that there can often be such a world of difference between faith itself and religion in general.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:51:26 +0000

Great post. Margot. I am a Christian and it upsets me when other Christians fail to recognize the Golden Rule in their own lives. I know it’s not just Christians, but it is the religion I know best and for some to choose intolerance and call it God’s will is absurd to me.
I remember reading about this event at the time, but haven’t thought about it since. Great review.

By: Staci

Staci — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:47:55 +0000

I grew up without much religion and so I have had to go out there and do it on my own. I believe in religious tolerance too but I’ve experienced hypocrites within a church that I was attending which totally turned me off. I don’t go to church but I still believe in God and have read the Bible. I’m so glad that they had their rock solid faith to help through that harrowing experience.

By: Tami and Dave

Tami and Dave — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:19:43 +0000

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your faith. It is sad and strangely ironic that a country that was founded by people willing to suffer and fight for religious freedom has become so intolerant – not just to “other” faiths but to the very faith on which it was established. The idea of “tolerance” has been mutated to mean no religion at all rather than the kindness and understanding of differing views that you talk about. We should all reach for a genuine tolerance. We appreciate your review of this book – I will put it on my TBR list.