Customer Reviews

Welcome to Doomsday (New York Review Collections)

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Although I am a retired American Baptist pastor, I preach, now and then, at local Unitarian Universalist churches. I had been invited to preach in the Oaklandon Unitarian Universalist church of Indianapolis on September 28, 2008. As I thought about an opportunity which is demanding, I came across this book by Bill Moyers. Immediately I knew that the "text" for my sermon would be taken from this "holy book" or "Welcome to Doomsday." In addition, this "word" was stimulated by this one who is a member of my trinity. The two others are Martin E. Marty and James A. Autry (whose book "Looking Around for God" is one I have reviewed). It will be up to you to determine if what I write and Moyers' book affirms is an inerrant and infallible word of God or just a frightening word from a Baptist preacher and a Baptist journalist! Like Bush's word when he stood on the ruins of the World Trade Center -- a lot of words, talk, talk, talk, none infallible.

From my perspective the reason this book is so relevant is because of some major events in history. The events are associated with July 4, 1776, and December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001. The first two are about freedom and making the world safe for democracy. The third or September 11, 2001, makes clear that the events surrounding 9/11 (exercerbated by an oil hungry administration) struck us so powerfully that we long for a future that is secure and safe. This longing has opened the door for the "doomsday" mentality socially, politically and religiously. The present is frightening. Who knows when another event like 9/11 will take place. So cast your lot on some age beyond. Indeed, there are those who want to precipitate the end times so that they will be caught up out of this awful history and "be raptured." This is the kind of "stuff" Moyers takes on in this little book.

September 11, 2001, convinced us that we could defend freedom by imprisoning and murdering the Iraqi while ignoring Osama ben Laden and by turning ethics into personal virtue because of the inherent danger in calling for help from the UN for international concern. September 11, 2001, has us transforming politics from a system protecting the freedoms secured by 1776 and insured by 1941 into those guaranteeing profit from oil by pre-emptive strikes on the competition and, potentially, Iran. But the most alarming result of 2001 is the growth, development and enrichment of the "doomsday" perspective.

St. Augustine wrote, "Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage: anger at the way things are and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are." Bill Moyers' book is angry, courageous and hopeful. Augustine also heard a voice, when he was struggling with his life and had a vision of the 'good book,' saying "Take up and read." I suggest you do the same.

Because Bush & Co have, without a doubt, diabolically turned our country upside-down, Bill Moyers book, "Welcome To Doomsday" should be required reading! Mr. Moyers, truly a national treasure, is also most certainly one of our most prolific 'thinkers' and writers. This book spares the reader empty rhetoric and redundancy but nevertheless is powerfully profound and informational -- please treat yourself, you won't regret it!

I ordered this "book" for my stepfather for Christmas as I know he is a Bill Moyers fan. When it arrived in a shipment with other items, I thought it was some sort of free booklet in the bottom of the box. I contemplated returning it as I didn't know if it was even worth giving as a gift. In the end, I kept it and my stepfather ended up liking it. Next time I order a book, I suppose I'll pay more attention to the page no. & size specifications.