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Where Was God on September 11? (A Scientist Asks a Ground Zero Pastor)
 
 
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Where Was God on September 11? (A Scientist Asks a Ground Zero Pastor) [Paperback]

John Horgan (Author), Frank Geer (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Book Description

April 2002
A Scientist Asks a Ground Zero Pastor: "Where Was God on September 11?" is the transcript of an actual conversation between a passionate rationalist and a clergyman engaged in the work of comforting those whose lives were shattered by the attacks of September 11, 2001. One of the world's most celebrated science writers, John Horgan, puts the big moral questions to a pastor who has been daily ministering to the survivors, the Ground Zero rescue workers, and the families and friends of the victims of the attacks on the World Trade Center: How can a God of goodness condone such an evil inflicted on so many innocents? Is the God in whose name mass murder is committed the same as the God in whose love the bereaved seek comfort? Can we hope to find answers to such questions, or does the solution to the problem of evil transcend all efforts at human understanding? Can each of the world's major religions continue to claim unique access to universal truth without fomenting deadly fanaticism?

Horgan also asks Reverend Geer practical questions about grieving, solace, healing, and persistent distress: How can people help others—and themselves— start healing after an event like September 11? Do post-9/11 symptoms such as sleeplessness, inability to concentrate, or vague dread fall within the normal range, or are they flags for clinical attention?

Drawing on a lifetime of pastoral duty and priestly meditation, Reverend Geer answers with courage and loving-kindness Horgan's battery of tough questions in Where Was God on September 11?

All royalties from this book go to charities selected by the authors.


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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Nous avons tous été touchés personnellement", explique le révérend Francis Geer, coauteur du livre "Où était Dieu le 11 septembre?" -- Le Monde (Eric Leser), September 12, 2002

"Where Was God on September 11?"...is an interesting dialogue between Rev. Geer and...the agnostic science writer John Horgan. -- The New York Times, August 31, 2002 (Peter Steinfels)

About the Author

Formerly senior staff writer for Scientific American, John Horgan is the acclaimed author of the controversial bestseller, The End of Science, translated into 11 languages. His newest book, Rational Mysticism — based on in-depth interviews with the world's preeminent religious philosophers, scientists of the mind, and mystical practitioners—will be published by Houghton Mifflin within the next year.

Rev. Frank Geer is the rector of St. Philips Church in Garrison, New York, and the director of religious services at St. Luke's–Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan, where he served in the months after September 11 as a grief counselor to the families of the victims and to the survivors of the World Trade Center disaster.


Product Details

  • Paperback: 84 pages
  • Publisher: Browntrout Publishers (April 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0763156922
  • ISBN-13: 978-0763156923
  • Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,293,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

 

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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Compassion and empathy, May 12, 2002
By 
A. Prentice (Hudson Valley, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Where Was God on September 11? (A Scientist Asks a Ground Zero Pastor) (Paperback)
Imagine two kind, thoughtful, intelligent people sitting in your kitchen with you and trying to make sense out of a senseless event. This brief and moving book invites you, the reader, into the conversation of two such people, one of whom believes in a Christian God and one of whom does not. Science writer John Horgan says: "I can't accept the idea that there is some kind of divine intelligence underlying the way blessings and suffering are meted out in this world." And pastor Frank Geer says: "From my earliest memory to this day, I have always believed in Christianity. My faith says 'It's not luck. There is a God out there who's watching out for us.'"
These two compassionate men do not try to argue each other out of their respective beliefs, but rather try to find the comfort in the values that each holds to offer to those who have suffered in the terrorist attacks on September 11--and in other tragic events. So, readers with a range of faiths can find some words here that will evoke responses of agreement, empathy, and even comfort.
The book reads quickly and merits rereading. The format is that of an erudite conversation, and I found myself wanting to be a part of it. I found this to be a good book that also does good.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A Moving Discussion, November 20, 2002
By 
Mark H. Drought (http://www.geocities.com/markdrought) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Where Was God on September 11? (A Scientist Asks a Ground Zero Pastor) (Paperback)
Both sides of the issue of God's place in the events of 9/11 and in history as a whole are handled compassionately and civilly. The agnostic point of view is somewhat overshadowed by the Christian view in terms of sheer volume of commentary; however, this makes sense, since the pastor was actually ministering to the victims in NYC and has more first-hand experience with the disaster. Clearly, the two men like and respect each other, and neither shows disdain for the other's positions. Rather, both seem to exhibit a bemused lack of understanding for how the other could hold a view that is so out of touch with reality. It's pleasant to hear opposite poles behaving respectfully -- if only our politicians showed this sort of tolerance. This is a book that's inspirational without being Pollyannish. Even the agnostic position seems uplifting -- it's spirituality without religion, a sort of secular humanism without the snottiness that so often infects that position. And the priest manages to be a Christian without being an intolerant fanatic -- also more spiritual than religious. All and all, a refreshing experience.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding with Faith, July 16, 2002
By 
"life_enthusiast" (Santa Fe, NM United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Where Was God on September 11? (A Scientist Asks a Ground Zero Pastor) (Paperback)
This book is a conversation between two intelligent, sincere people, one who has faith, and one who has skepticism. They work together well, asking each other quesstions that are hard to answer. They both bring understanding and a desire to connect with others to the question of huge catastrophe. How could this be allowed; what possible good can be seen in the WTC disaster?

3000 people died, but 26,000 were saved, and there was great heroism. More than that, people helped each other through hard times. This book helps us see the perspective of nine months later. It is great.

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Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
John Horgan: Frank, where were you when you first heard about the attacks on the World Trade Center? Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
young fireman
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Ground Zero, World Trade Center, New York City, Good Samaritan, Indian Point, John Ilorgan, Last Judgment, Paul's Chapel, Twin Towers
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