Who Needs God (Hardcover)

by Harold S. Kushner (Author) "some people can create lives of holiness all by themselves, the way Mozart could create immortal music without taking piano lessons, but that most of..." (more)
Key Phrases: more die, Book of Psalms, New Age, Clint Eastwood (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
When Bad Things Happen to Good People and When All You've Ever Wanted Isn't Enough have attracted scores of people to Kushner as a spiritual counsellor and his new book promises to be another bestseller. The lack of a question mark after the title signals the rabbi's conviction: he doesn't ask, he states that we all need God. Kushner's approach is pragmatic and ecumenical rather than didactic; he believes that God hears people even when they protest divine "mishandling" of their affairs, complain or argue as clearly as they pray. Readers will be intrigued by the author's refutation of the big bangper web. theory on the world's origin, among the elemental subjects he covers. This is an inspirational book for all, no matter whether religious or skeptic. Jewish Book Club selection; BOMC alternate.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Attaining and then maintaining religious sense or persuasion is often difficult today. Our culture of individualism, self-sufficiency, and competitiveness thwarts, even nullifies spiritual inclinations, with technology a prime contender for our reverence even though it is totally "witless and unimaginative" on its own. Yet many people are vaguely aware of something lacking in their lives. Rabbi Kushner (best known for When Bad Things Happen to Good People ) believes that "human life has meaning . . . but only in religious terms." According to this crucial realization, it is religion that connects us to God and community. In the end, Rabbi Kushner goes so far as to define religion as community rather than theology--a point of contention. What, then, would be the point of his title? But mainly, he attempts to transcend differences while conveying basic spiritual truths. Recommended for general audiences. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 7/89.
- Carol J. Lichtenberg, Washington State Univ. Lib., Pullman
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Summit Books; 1 edition (September 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671680269
• ISBN-13: 978-0671680268
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #305,588 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Refreshing Perspective, June 16, 2000

By	eric podell (Van Nuys, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who Needs God (Paperback)

Kushner creates an understanding for the existence of G-d that is both thought-provoking and inspiring. By taking a leisure and open-minded approach to an often troubling and problematic subject, he makes the rationalization of a higher being both logical, and easy to accept. Most important, Kushner makes us believe that we truly are not alone, no matter our individual circumstances. An eye-opening read for the secular, and religious alike. Words to live by. We shall never forget.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Is "Full of Sky"..., August 25, 2000

By	yygsgsdrassil "yygsgsdrassil" (Crossroads America) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Who Needs God (Paperback)

....I hide nothing about my search for spiritual awareness. If you've followed along some of the book reviews I've done in Amazon.com--and other places, because I do write articles under psuedonyms in other venues--you would know I've read a lot in the religious and spiritual and philosophical arena. Rabbi Kushner has written many books on how modern folks could cope in today's trials and tribulations starting with the great "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" which, in my estimation, still is one of the best books on the searching I have ever read.

This book, "Who Needs God" is written for those who are too-- should I say 'distracted' by everything to find the love God gives us through the fellowshipping and community of churches, and a hope that can be strenghtened by belief in and awareness of someone greater than our poor selves. Kushner writes passages that are sheer beauty...in a chapter entitled "Can Modern People Pray" he says Psalm 73 is a "Spiritual Masterpiece" in which the author comes to experience God and "in the light of that experience, all doubt, all philosophical and intellectual questions melt away" and "once we have tasted the prescence of God, we will no longer envy the wicked..."

I cannot adequately describe how stirring and how helpful this book has been for me. It is has been a lifechanging expeience for me. You will have to get it and read it to find out for yourself..

The "full of sky" quote comes from Kushner's introduction in a fable about a Sky Maiden who leaves her earth-husband after he's opened the box she asked him not to...it was to the husband empty, but to the Maiden, it was full of that which she came to know and love from her celestial existence....

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who Needs G-d, June 12, 2001

By	D. Gehr (Englewood, Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who Needs God (Paperback)

Well, I have to let you know that I had some difficulty getting into this book. That lasted all the way through the introduction. The only reason I gave this book four stars was that I had some difficulty following the author's train of thought at times. I am reading the book for the second time. I have found this book excellent for focusing on my own doubts on being Jewish and my relationship or lack there of between myself and G-d. This book provided the perspective I needed to reach inside and think of my own needs and the needs that G-d may have for me. This book is a great read and one that you will like to own.