Do you believe in God, life after death, or nothingness? Do you know the origins of the Bible's New Testament? This book explores the world of science, religion, and atheism and integrates them into the aspects of Twentieth and Twenty-first Century physics. It ponders life and death experiences and includes the author's own near death experience. Posing many questions about the realm of our existence, it stresses the importance of promoting humanity without exclusionary elements of human prejudice. These and many other contemporary issues are combined with the latest scientific and philosophic theories in the search for real truth of subjects that have brought down entire empires in bloodlust, and have each of us pondering the eternal "Why?" We are in the second century since the collision of science and religion. One is based in empirical evidence; the other is based on thousands of years of pure faith. Hang on as your perfectly ordered world is shaken and stirred - if you have an open mind to believe what is real and allow for possibilities of the yet unknown.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
To believe or not to believe. . . that is the question, isn't it?
November 2, 2010
Format:Paperback
To believe or not to believe. . . that is the question, isn't it?
Nicholas Oliva writes a thought provoking and insightful book that challenges the ego attachments we have about the beliefs we hold. This book will not appeal to those who are threatened by challenges to their faith or religious ideologies, or to those with low level reading skills. It is well written and filled with ideas that are sure to spawn heated and complex intellectual debate. Moments of humor lighten what might otherwise prove to be too serious and cerebral a tone for some readers.
Oliva explores concepts of belief in relation to our experience of God and the spiritual. The author asks his readers to take a hard look the beliefs they hold concerning life, death, and God, and draws from historical, scholarly evidence, and scientific theory to address limiting religious beliefs and atheism.
The difficulty with this book is that there has been centuries of biased, agenda driven effort to suppress information and debate of the kind Oliva presents with his book. Many readers may have a negative reaction to the book, without ever getting past the first chapter, simply based on their prior religious conditioning.
As the author says . . . and I paraphrase, "We all die. There is no empirical evidence as to what happens after that. Everything we believe is based on conjecture and faith." The author shares an account of his own near death experiences and the affect dying had on his spiritual views and shift in paradigm. This book attempts to level the playing field with open discourse on diversity of belief.
This is an eloquently written book and an attractive volume. It is suitable for gift giving or to get a rise out of those annoying relatives, who are less than considerate when it comes to diversity in faith. If you are looking to explore new paths and spiritual dimensions, this is a book for you.
Reviewer: Vonnie Faroqui for WITS
Nicholas Oliva writes a thought provoking and insightful book that challenges the ego attachments we have about the beliefs we hold. This book will not appeal to those who are threatened by challenges to their faith or religious ideologies, or to those with low level reading skills. It is well written and filled with ideas that are sure to spawn heated and complex intellectual debate. Moments of humor lighten what might otherwise prove to be too serious and cerebral a tone for some readers.
Oliva explores concepts of belief in relation to our experience of God and the spiritual. The author asks his readers to take a hard look the beliefs they hold concerning life, death, and God, and draws from historical, scholarly evidence, and scientific theory to address limiting religious beliefs and atheism.
The difficulty with this book is that there has been centuries of biased, agenda driven effort to suppress information and debate of the kind Oliva presents with his book. Many readers may have a negative reaction to the book, without ever getting past the first chapter, simply based on their prior religious conditioning.
As the author says . . . and I paraphrase, "We all die. There is no empirical evidence as to what happens after that. Everything we believe is based on conjecture and faith." The author shares an account of his own near death experiences and the affect dying had on his spiritual views and shift in paradigm. This book attempts to level the playing field with open discourse on diversity of belief.
This is an eloquently written book and an attractive volume. It is suitable for gift giving or to get a rise out of those annoying relatives, who are less than considerate when it comes to diversity in faith. If you are looking to explore new paths and spiritual dimensions, this is a book for you.
Reviewer: Vonnie Faroqui for WITS
By Eva Clancy
Format:Paperback
FAB U LOUS!!!!!!!!! :) First of all this book is written in a very easily digestible format--with just the right smattering of that incredible humor Nicholas Oliva is so famous for!!!!! I honestly believe the information presented will be pivotal in many people's spiritual journey. I applaud Nick's bravery in writing such a work. :) I wish that I would have had access to such a book early in my own spiritual journey!!! A truly amazing work!!!!!!! I am most impressed!!!!!!!! I feel that both Christians and Non-Christians alike can benefit from this book!!! Read with an open heart and an open mind--there is nothing to fear here--Nicholas Oliva truly only wishes to share his amazing experience and knowledge!!!! AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
