So You Think You're Not Religious?: A Thinking Person's Guide to the Church [Paperback]

James R. Adams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1989

A powerful and practical introduction to the church for newcomers and old-timers alike. Topics include belief, the creed, sacraments, prayer, and belonging.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Cowley Publications; 1St Edition edition (January 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936384697
• ISBN-13: 978-0936384696
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #234,757 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Having doubts is part of being religious . . ., March 24, 2000

By 

Allen Smalling "Constant Reader," (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: So You Think You're Not Religious?: A Thinking Person's Guide to the Church (Paperback)

. . . or, as the Episcopal priest of a friend of mine told him, "A good Episcopalian is an athiest two days a week." It is somewhat in that spirit that James Adams' SO YOU THINK YOU'RE NOT RELIGIOUS was written. It's for people who think they're not conventionally religious but who like the idea of belonging to a faith community (a local church), or who have some religious beliefs but not, they think, to the extent their church would demand. If you would feel like a hypocrite standing up and reciting the Apostles' or Nicene creeds ("We believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus his only begotten Son . . ."), then this book is for you.

Adams makes some very useful points in this layman-oriented book. First, many churches--especially Espiscopal churches, his home base--are open to skeptics. Second, many skeptics have more beliefs than they realize. Third, many of your pewmates are more flexible than you may think and perhaps they are somewhat skeptical themselves. Fourth, reciting the ancient creeds is not a scientific formula ("WE belive THAT") but instead a confession of corporate hope and longing ("WE believe IN"). Adams even adds some helpful pointers on how to go "church-shopping"--very useful in this age of ecclesiastical diversity (for example: in other countries of the world, an "Anglican" church is merely a church that is descended from the Church of England, but here in the USA it's often used as a code word to indicate conservatism of style and theology).

My quibbles with Adams' generous and useful book are minor. I am uncomfortable with his assertion that "[c]hurches with a racial and cultural mix exist, but by examining them closely the visitor will likely find them to be congregations in transition from one kind of people to another." (p. 190). This is uncomfortably close to the late Mike Royko's observation that racial integration in Chicago exists between the time the first black family moves in and the last white family moves out. Happily, I know of several Episcopal churches in Chicago that entertain a racial/ethnic mix; in fact, they do better than other upper-middle-class denominations in that regard.

This is a fine book for an inquirer's class or just to read alone. Although meant for Episcopalians, it works well for people who would really like to join a church but who fear they would have to check their brain at the cloakroom before entering the sanctuary. Adams shows the ethical, spiritual, intelligent and honorable approach to embark upon a religious life.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A helpful book, July 8, 2000

By 

Charlotte A. Moore (Perry, GA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: So You Think You're Not Religious?: A Thinking Person's Guide to the Church (Paperback)

This could be a helpful book for any spiritual searcher who is turned off by the religious right, but would really like to be part of a church. James Adams offers many helpful interpretations of scripture, and a historical background that will help readers see that Christian philosophers and church leaders back through the centuries have raised most of the questions that today's doubters raise. The only quibble I had while reading it is that I think the author occasionally pushes his arguments too far - but this is a book that's just right for people who are naturally skeptical and like to argue. I'm glad I bought it and will pass it on to others

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Intro, July 22, 2002

By A Customer

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This review is from: So You Think You're Not Religious?: A Thinking Person's Guide to the Church (Paperback)

This is a great introduction to the Episcopal Church for anyone who considers themself to be an intellectual, a skeptic, or a secular humanist. Adams is witty and backs up his arguments with a theology that invites people in to experience Christ without fearing that they'll be brainwashed.