Customer Reviews

How to Be Your Own Selfish Pig, And Other Ways You've Been Brainwashed

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In How to be Your Own Selfish Pig, Susan Schaeffer Macauley, the daughter of Christian thinker Francis Schaeffer, takes many of the ideas in her father's works and places them in simpler language geared to teenagers, kind of "easy apologetics" if you will.

While the comparisons to her father's books are inevitable, I was also reminded of C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity as I read this.

Macauley reminds us that we need to take the time to think about what we believe and why. Mrs. Macauley uses several examples of people she has known through her work at L'Abri in England and the crises of faith they experienced when life got difficult. With these stories as a launching point, she delves into the tough questions such as, "Don't all religions lead to God?" and "How can we know the Bible is true?"

While the book could be read and understood by upper elementary children, it does touch on issues such as sexual promiscuity and homosexuality, so I wouldn't recommend it for a student younger than junior high. It's a worthwhile book that I feel would foster good discussion between parents and children. It's more than handing a child a list saying, "Don't do this, and this, and this," it encourages the reader to think about the "why" behind the rules, and to help them determine what they believe about God and how to live in a fallen world.

Suzanne Shcaeffer is the daugter of the late great Christian thinker, Francis. She takes the ideas of his work and puts them in down to earth, humourous but compelling language. Even better, the cartoons are excellent. This book is intensely human, serious and will take you behind the scenes of what you believe, while splitting your sides with laughter.

Are you a pig? Do you know the meaning of Life? Susan has written a quick paced look into the maze of religions and world-views, and she provides us with rich answers to life's toughest questions. The book guides you though each turn and struggle with both compassion and thoughtfulness. You'll find no room for getting past her quick wit and hard core truth. Dive in, you won't like the shallow end anymore!

I purchased this book as an introduction to world views for my 12 year old daughter. We both appreciated the way Macaulay presents the ideas she sets forth in the book. They are presented in active manner often asking (in the beginning) the young person about their willingness to explore these ideas. I think it's great for the tween who may have a desire to form their own thoughts and ideas as she acknowledges this and encourages them to do so - thoughtfully, with reason, logic and the gospel.

This book was a great tool to read with my 10 year old daughter. We have been studying world view and what that looks like for different people. The book tells specific stories of people who come to L'Abri tp visit. These people are real, and struggle with God and discuss their beliefs. Some athiest, some with eastern religion - a whole assortment. I found that it has given both of us more assurance in speaking about our faith in a loving way. Listening to other views and challenging people about what they think. 1st Peter 3:15

I plan on having my teenage son read it next. I'm only 3/4 done with it, so unless there is some twist at the end - I recommend it. It would be great for adults too, my intent was to read with my kids. I am enjoying it myself as well.

My daughter's homeschool class for Wordlviews uses this book. They really enjoy it. Lots of great points and encourages thinking and discussion. Quite entertaining as well. Lots of examples.

This book is an excellent primer for someone wanting to apprehend the importance of detecting worldviews in oneself and others. The author is the daughter of Francis Schaeffer. She uses the experiences she gained in the Swiss La'Bri during her childhood and the one in England to draw out the key idea of the book.

What she really wants us to know is that ideas have consequences and the way one thinks will lead to actions which are consistent with one's thoughts. Throughout the book, she gives top-level analysis for the predominant world-views in the world, and then she contrasts them with the truth of the Christian world-view. She pulls heavily from her father, but writes in a way that a youth can easily grasp what she is trying to communicate.

I read it with my 14 y/o daughter, and it lead to good conversations that challenged her to examine her own thinking. She discovered some inconsistencies that she wants to address, and she truly sees how non-Christian worldviews fail to work for the good of the person in real life.

She has a unique talent of making moral philosophy very understandable. I highly recommend this book for college students who are taking philosophy or religion courses. But this book is for everyone, whether you are amused by Philosophy and religion or not. It is a must read for any person who wishes to be educated and an easy read with a treasure trove of questions. She asks questions that the average person must consider in developing a value system and a world view. You'll treasure this book.

I believe people of all ages would benefit from reading this book. It was a good book.