[Fuusmchat] Fw: Daughters of Abraham Book Sharing

[Martha McGovern]

From: Daughters of Abraham 
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 11:02 AM
To: marthamcg at suddenlink.net 
Subject: Daughters of Abraham Book Sharing


 
                       
                       
                       
                 
           

                             
                             
                              Let's keep connected! 
                             
                              During this time of social distancing many of our chapters are connecting via Zoom meetings. We are grateful for the technology that provides us with ways to keep connected. Last week the Sudbury Valley chapter meet virtually to discuss Marcus Borg's book, Conviction: How I Learned What Matters Most. For so many reasons it was the right book to be reading during these trying times. Here are three reflections from our discussion. 




                               

                              "Borg in his book CONVICTIONS describes prayer, worship and reading the Bible in Protestantism having played an important role in his upbringing. Later in life he understood these practices which were not a requirement, were the means to love and connect with God. In Islam, praying to God five times a day, is a requirement but for the same reason. Daily Prayers help us to connect and deepen our love for God."
                              Farida Ahmed


                              "Marcus Borg's thoughts about his understanding of Christianity were refreshing and enlightening. More than once as I read I thought, "that's just like the Judaism that I practice." Chapter 4 ("Salvation Is More About This Life than an Afterlife") especially spoke to me. I don't know what I "believe" about an afterlife, don't know if one exists or what it might look like. But I was taught by my father that what matters is how we live *this* life, what we do to make our life meaningful and how we help others to have better lives for themselves. Right now, with so much suffering and tragedy in the world, this lesson has become even more important to me as I ask what I can do to help others who are having difficulties."
                              Rabbi Matia Angelou


                              "Borg's writings about his faith journey affirmed my own questions and confusions with Christianity. The transformation of his concept of God spoke deeply to me. I have often felt out of step since my own description of God does not correlate with the image of God portrayed in so many of our most common prayers. And I've grappled with the notion that "faith" is often defined as believing in what the rational me could not embrace. It was a relief to read his words: "Believing in the modern sense of the word has little transformative power. One can believe all of the right things and still be quite untransformed. But what we belove shapes our lives and has great transformative power." I found a home in Borg's description of Progressive Christians who believe "the way" to that power is not exclusive and takes many shapes within and across religions."
                              Barbara Magee 
                             
                              Please take a moment to share a book that your chapter has enjoyed; one that provided a lively discussion. We'd also love to see photos of your Zoom sessions. Send your write ups and photos to dofanewsletter at gmail.com. 
                             
                             
                              Wishing our Muslim sisters a peaceful Ramadan.
                               
                             
                       
                 
           
                       
                 
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