... understand how human politics influenced the practices of a good message.
933064
a must read for any muslim or non-muslim to understand how human politics influenced the practices of a good message.
290322
Most of us who take a genuine interest In daily political issues, are focused on party differences and ideologies.  Although they are serious and seemingly necessary considerations, it is these very areas of contention, along with the many other divisive vehicles, such as race, sexual preference, and whatever else can be foisted upon us, and kept irritated and festering, that keep our attention fixated away from a much more pervasive and sinister agenda.
3486838
This book is worth your time. It contains an important message: "Politics is causing great spiritual harm and a big reason for that is people are going to politics to have their inner needs met." While the power and prestige of politics is a tempting false god, Wear explains, it easily turns idealists into cynics.

To be clear, Michael also discourages political withdrawal. He encourages us to get involved but order our priorities properly. Our faith should drive our politics -- not the other way around. Wear's even-handed and hopeful analysis is more important now than ever.
774395
It is an exception soure of insightful information as to the political influence on the criminal justice system as well as their declaration as to what role crime and punishment plays in our culture.
i heartily endorse it for those seeking this type of information.
t. wallman
adjunct professor
Criminolgy & criminal justice dept.
492699
I found this book to be very informative on the differences between progressive and conserative political viewpoints.  It not only explained the different ideologies in a straightforward manner, but also gave the reasons why one person would be attracted to one side over the other.  It really helped me to understand why people saw things so differently, something that often puzzled me.  The book also told how Democrats need to change their way of addressing the issues in order to get their points across more effectively, especially to those who may not have made up their minds on the issues.  It's all in the presentation, and this book showed clearly how the progressives are going to have to change their tactics to get their points across.  Really interesting stuff.
1911295
Given the increasing influence of religious issues among global leaders and American politicians, I read this book to understand more about religion's affect on the development of personality.

Dr. Kania begins by contrasting the characteristics of unhealthy vs. healthy religion. In general, the author places them in the categories of conservative vs. liberal religious approaches, respectively. He then draws from mythology to illustrate that many of the conservatively literal interpretations of scripture actually represent symbols that can be interpreted metaphorically rather than as actual Biblical events. Often these symbols denote psychological themes about life, human experience, and personal growth. Next, the author reviews the theoretical work of psychologists who incorporated a religious sentiment into their theories, some of whom described qualities of mature or healthy religion, thus setting the stage for his chapter connecting personality and religion.

While Dr. Kania discusses the limiting qualities of fundamentalism and other authoritarian religious viewpoints on personality growth and development, my favorite chapter is his chapter titled "Healthy Religion". In this chapter he presents twenty-five considerations to help you evaluate the healthiness of your own religious perspective. I think many of these considerations would provide one with a pause for thought and a basis for discussion if one is questioning their religious approach or desiring to broaden their religious perspective. Also helpful are the author's three minimal requirements for healthy religion. They are centered on the development of the individual's personality and his or her belief about ultimate power and authority.

Overall, Dr. Kania makes a case that unhealthy religion is an externalized closed system. Its authoritarian style and judgmental tone tends to stymie an individual's process of self-exploration, a necessary component for the growth of a healthy personality.  On the other hand, healthy religion is an internalized open process that evolves in stages as one's personality also evolves. In support, Dr. Kania discusses a stage theory of religious development that corresponds to the stages of personality development. He also discusses the importance of providing a nonjudgmental environment where there is freedom to safely explore and question one's religious and spiritual beliefs in order to progress through the developmental stages.

This book causes me to reflect on my own religious experiences and evolving personality as well as the overall importance of religion on personality development. As a consequence, it gives me pause for thought about our world leaders and the affect of their religious backgrounds on their personality and leadership style.
3780137
This is a little book with a big topic.  It's a great reminder of how politics, even heated, can still be discussed with civility.  All sides of the aisle can be challenged by this book. It's also a call to remember the humanity of an opponent.  We must learn from one another to grow and Coleman provides some great personal reflection as well as differing viewpoints in his book.  He allows others to give valuable input which sets a model for how we can learn from those that we adamantly disagree.  Bravo, this book is needed in our society today and should be required reading for all that take part in public discourse.
3701824
George reminds those of us who lead people, that it's not enough to communicate "what" to do, it's as, if not more important to know "how" to communicate our messages to our people. Too often, with today's speed of information and metrics, we forget the importance of engaging people on a human level. We have to recognize the impact our conversations have on people.
Thanks for reminding me George!
3772667
This book seeks to take Richard Niebuhr's five types from his book "Christ and Culture" and apply them to specifically to politics. Each of the five authors assumes one of the Niebuhr's types and then shows how that type plays out in the political realm. Very helpful book continuing a much-needed discussion.
1150656
In this excellent work we can better understand the problem of innovating the practice of politics and democracy. Using an eclectic approach readers will find models that will help them evaluate and classify what they are doing.
943211
It really resonated with how many of us have been feeling for the past couple years about politics and the county, and confirmed many of my thoughts.  I enjoyed how it mixed in sociology research with stories on his time as a candidate and congressman, and related it back to the concerns the book raised.  It is a great book for political scientists, and I hope that anyone running for Congress in the PA-12th reads the book for the lessons that it teaches about what it takes to win there.
77912
George Lakoff issues a critical challenge to left leaning political activists: get the message right!

Using his considerable accomplishments in cognitive science and linguistics research--then deftly interweaving key insights from each--he delivers a profound and detailed description of the political frameworks employed by "left" and "right" in the US.  Included with these descriptions are his 'prescriptions' -- ideas to remedy the erosion of Democratic Party success in state and national elections.

This is a book to read and study closely. I have taken to heart Professor Lakoff's admonition that neglect of the serious implications of cognitive science is a form of "science denialism" the US left can no longer afford.
3972716
Recent trends in the United States seem to point to a constantly lowering importance of religion in public life.  Yet religion persists as an important factor in elections and in policy making.  Grappling with the question of the interactions of faith and politics does not compare in importance to larger, eternal mission of the church, but political life is unquestionably an element of the temporal mission of the church.

In Five Views on the Church and Politics, Amy Black brings together five scholars who describe and discuss their own traditions' views.  Each of these contributes a chapter, to which the other four offer brief responses: Thomas Heilke (Anabaptist), Robert Benne (Lutheran), Bruce Fields (the Black church), James K.A. Smith (Reformed), and J. Brian Benestad (Roman Catholic).

As you might expect from this type of book, each chapter feels just a bit brief.  Each contributor covers the high points of his tradition, while providing extensive sources for those who want to dig in.  The responses highlight the differences among the traditions.  I was left with an impression of varied traditions that have distinctive ways of saying the same things.  Of course, there are differences among these five traditions, but there are many more similarities.

Five Views is a very useful volume for readers looking for a brief synopsis of these five traditions.  Black couches each in categories drawn from Neibuhr's Christ and Culture.  She points out that "these traditions overlap in many significant ways, have borrowed from each other's teachings over time, and continue to learn from one another and change from within."  Five Views did little to dispel my notion that while theological and scriptural traditions certainly inform denominational views on politics, the reverse is also frequently true.  Sometimes those who shape a denomination's position use theology and scripture to defend a political perspective.

At the very least, Five Views will be a useful book for seminary classes on Christian ethics.  But one hopes that lay people and clergy will use Five Views as a starting point for reflecting on their own traditions and the theology behind their own political views.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
3885191
This book has a message that we can all learn from. I love the way that it is thought provoking without being preachy.
4497014
Connected seeks to show the unique power of social networks. This is achieved through laying out the findings of many studies that have ultimately illuminated how the links between humans impact on our experiences in life. The authors look at topics including: the transfer of contagious illnesses, finding a spouse or partner, and political beliefs.

I found the book fascinating. At times I wondered about correlation vs causation. The lines did appear to be blurry. However, on balance the findings presented and the author's arguments provide strong support for the broad thesis. We are influenced by others in almost everything we do, and we influence others in almost everything that we do. A specific point that the book draws out is that this influence can be indirect and hidden (through degrees of separation).

The biggest insight to arise as I reflect on this book is the idea that humans are fundamentally relational beings. We are impacted by who we know moreso than we are impacted by what, exactly, we hear.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in how humans relate to one another.
3827786
Very informative at such a time that we need to hear the message give.
1193197
This presentation uses one of our National Parks and the specific issues noted in publisher's summary as a microcosm of controversies and policymaking issues within the NPS. This premise allows for a clear focus, rather than a muddle of multiplicity. As a government agency, policies are primarily part of a political agenda, and park superintendents have less influence in the decisionmaking process. Detailed studies into the specific controversies listed and the eventual outcomes are well presented in this piece, and reflect the US political climate.
Narrator Jack presents the material with the clear, well defined speech and tonality characteristic of the successful lecturer.
I received this book as a gift