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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A wonderfully clear explanation of the importance of faith, November 6, 1998
I have never before written to an author about one of his books, but I wrote to Michael Novak to thank him (and his daughter) for having written "Tell Me Why," one of the most personally meaningful books I've ever read. Having recently been involved in an argument with an atheist mathematician who resolutely denies that faith can be reasonable at all, I particularly was taken with Novak's clear explanation of the intimate relationship between faith and reason (see also the Pope's most recent encyclical, "Fides et Ratio" for more on this subject). Though Novak is Catholic, "Tell Me Why" is NOT an apologia for Catholicism (though it does do a fine job of explaining many things about the Church). Novak's knowledge and basic sense of fairness allow him to deal even-handedly with other faiths and with those who have no faith. In brief, he explains why he feels that religion and belief in God should matter to us. The discussion includes the existence of God, the meaning of faith, and the meaning of doubt. It addresses the relationship between faith and reason. It touches on questions like abortion, family structure, marital fidelity, "organized" religion, even some Church history. It asks why religion matters at all, why so many different religions came into being, and whether they're all part of a greater truth. It also asks how being religious is supposed to affect our everyday life. And, perhaps most importantly, it blends all the answers together in a marvelously expressive dialogue of love with his daughter which makes the whole thing especially effective. "Tell Me Why" reminds me somewhat of C.S. Lewis's work, though updated and Americanized. The conversational style makes it very easy to read and brings the potentially heavy subject matter to life. Regardless of your faith or lack of same, if you have ANY interest in a spiritual life or in a discussion of the Big Questions, you should read this book.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hooray for popular theology!, September 12, 2001
This review is from: Tell Me Why: A Father Answers His Daughter's Questions About God (Paperback)
I would have given "Tell Me Why" four stars instead of five, because of all the issues left only half-explored or totally unexplored by Michael and Jana Novak. (For instance, barely anything was said about Eastern religions.) However, this book's shortcomings are not half as important as what this book can do for people. "Tell Me Why" can start debate among believers and non-believers alike. It can inspire critical thinking among the most complacent readers. It can even bring about new joy and enthusiasm to those who need a boost to their faith. Other reviewers have complained that the discussion "degenerates into Catholic dogma." Being Catholic, I can assure other Catholics that this is a great book to read--and tell believers of other faiths that this is a book that will set them thinking about their own religious and spiritual beliefs. "Tell Me Why" covers abstract issues, such as how to choose a religion and why it is important to believe in a Higher Power, and practical points, such as abortion and ritual--all explosive topics in their own ways. To its credit, "Tell Me Why" does not merely lay down Catholic doctrine and leave the reader, who may be unfamiliar with Catholicism, floundering for answers; it presents the philosophic background of each teaching. Doing so requires a lot of intellectual meandering, which is why Michael Novak can take over ten pages to answer a simple Yes or No question. (Of course, problems still crop up when Michael Novak explains something to daughter Jana's content, but not to the reader's.) The text is sprinkled with quotes and prayers from figures such as C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, and other philosophers of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. (Michael Novak has a mind very much like a database when it comes to his field.) While reading, I often found myself thinking about unincluded others who have written about spritual and religious matters, such as M. Scott Peck or Kahlil Gibran. Though my experience proves that "Tell Me Why" is far from perfect or comprehensive, it also shows that this book _does_ inspire people to look into themselves in order to complete what the authors may have left unexplored. We need more popular theology in our lives.
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16 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Sincere belief aside, I found substantive arguments lacking., August 26, 1999
By A Customer
I have always struggled with the concept of religion - I come from a relatively intellectually and politically liberal family with oddly devout roots in the Catholic Church. When I read the jacket to this book, I said ahhh - NOW I will get some answers. Alas, I was disappointed. I began with an open mind and heart, wanting desperately to find the reasons to believe that have escaped me for the last 20 odd years. Although I disagreed with some- and honestly couldn't follow other- arguments, I pressed onward, determined that somewhere I would find a truth. Instead, I encountered the same flowery rhetoric I could have gotten for free from my parish priest. The premise of the spontaneous faxes between father and daughter intrigued me, particularly in light of my own father's jaded view of the Church. But many times I found the dialogue contrived and forced, with circular arguments. Often I felt that Michael Novak did not answer Jana's questions, period; he recited the Church line and told her to pray. I was particularly devastated to find, directly after a passage saying that issues like abortion and homosexuality have become politicized and religion and politics should be separate, blatant references to both major political parties. So much for nonpolitical discourse. I will say, however, that the attempt was worthy. I know countless 20-somethings that are looking and asking, but are not finding answers. I honestly feel, however, that this is more of an affirmation for the believers rather than a guide for the doubters.
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