Customer Reviews

How to Be a Perfect Stranger: Volume 1: A Guide to Etiquette in Other People's Religious Ceremonies

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. . .of every member of the clergy in America. (As well as on a lot of other desks and bookshelves).

In the America of the 21st century, all of us have friends, relatives, etc. who practice their faith in different manners. Most of us will have occasion to attend services in houses of worship other than our own. This book is a guide on proper behavior under these circumstances.

As a Christian clergyman, I have personally have had occasion to attend service in almost every major American Christian denomination, as well as Jewish temple services. Most members of the clergy that I know are in similar positions. All of us are passionate about our own faith -- but none of us want to be accidentally offensive to others.

Some might ask, "Why should I be concerned about how to behave at someone else's religious service? I never expect to go. They don't worship the way I do. They don't believe in the same God that I believe in, etc." For persons with these attitudes, here are some points to consider:

1) You may be surprised at the type of service you find yourself. A wedding. A funeral. A christening. A Bar-Mitzpah. The list goes on.

2) There are certain situations in which NOT attending can cause MORE offense.

3) Put yourself in the shoes of another. Would you want your Jewish or Muslim co-worker to support YOU if YOU lost a loved one?

4) Showing respect to another, WITHOUT compromising your own beliefs is an excellent way to share your own faith.

The list goes on.

This book does not suggest in any way that anyone compromise their own beliefs. It does not attempt to convert or sway anyone to a different way of thinking. What it DOES do, and does very well, is provide, to an increasingly discourteous society, the minimal rules of courtesy that persons today are no longer routinely taught.

Courtesy is the oil that lubricates all social interactions. This book helps provide this service.

I am purchasing this book after making use of it first as a library choice.It is a book I would suggest srongly to all age groups (8 to 80) for information which makes it possible to be respectful of relgious services other than the ones we ourselves know best and to do so in a relaxed and comfortable manner.

Children of my generation were taught to be polite but not to attend a church or temple outside our denomination. What a tragedy. For all our assumed good manners we missed opportunities to broaden our understanding and thus, our appreciation, of others. In a true exercise of good manners, this book is an open door, a welcome gift, to come and appreciate the variety of worship there is today.

As someone who has majored in religion, and a long time seeker, this book has been sooo incedibly wonderful. This book, as well as Volume 2, explains what you can and can not do, what you should and should not do. For example, when it is respectful leave a ceremony, what you should wear, is photography permitted. It even briefly explains the ceremony. I found a few errors, however. The Hindu customs for an infant are a little mixed up, but 98% of the book is fabulous!

This book answers a wealth of questions about the meaning and purpose of some of the symbols, traditions, objects & expectations for SEVERAL major religions and many sects--and not just how to attend a particular place of worship, but what's expected if you're invited as a guest to an event at a person's house.

Each chapter focuses on one religion, and each chapter is arranged in the same order, covering a wide range of topics, including weddings, funerals, and proper attire (including which types are inappropriate and why!).

Reading this book has taught me a LOT about different peoples--the range of traditions covered truly is impressive.

The book is very informative. The book contains many little known facts concerning the religions of others. However, there was a mistake (missing taboo)in the book concerning the Jewish culture. This missing taboo in a culture that I am familiar with causes me to doubt some of the other cultures that are not as familiar.

This book is excellent no only for clueing one in on how to act at other people's religious events but also for giving one a concise, sensible, non-biased view of other religions. When I think of the inaccuracies I have been told or have read about other religions, I am shocked. This book sets one straight.

As someone who has majored in religion, and a long time seeker, this book has been sooo incedibly wonderful. This book, as well as Volume 1, explains what you can and can not do, what you should and should not do. For example, when it is respectful leave a ceremony, what you should wear, is photograghing permitted. It even briefly explains the ceremony. I found a few errors, however. The Hindu customs for an infant are a little mixed up, but 98% of the book is fabulous!