MWSA Book Review

god.com

Authors: John A. Henderson, M.D.

Publisher:  Parkway Publishers, Inc

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

A Critical and Intelligent look At Religion

At first, I thought I might be the wrong person to give an honest review of “god.com” based on the fact that I am an author of many spiritual based books and I am also a part-time minister. However, I felt I would read it and see where author John A. Henderson, M.D., was going to take me with his thinking. So, I began all ready to pounce on this premise of his that God and gods were invented and that religion was more of a disservice to people then a help. In the end, I found that the good doctor makes some well researched statements and that his thinking is logical and intelligent. Do I agree with all his theories or conclusions – no; do I respect them and have I learned to see things perhaps in a different light – yes.

I think that all religious people should read this for the purpose of reexamining their own belief system. Of course, reading this book takes an open mind and a willingness to intelligently reflect on what is being stated without automatically throwing up barriers to learning something new. There are some hard to dispute points expressed in his book that deal with The Bible and some of the commandments presented there such as some of the following examples:

•  You may possess slaves, both male and female as long as they are purchased from neighboring nations. (Leviticus 25:44)

•  You will put to death anyone who works on the Sabbath. (Exodus 35:2)

•  You shall not wear mingled clothes – for example wool and linen together – for that is an abomination. (Deuteronomy 22:11)

•  If you do not have the tokens of your virginity when you marry, the men of the city may stone you to death. (Deuteronomy 22:20-21)

•  If your testicles are crushed or your male member is cut off, you shall not enter the assembly of the Lord. (Deuteronomy 23:1)

•  Death by burning is prescribed for any priest’s daughter who is a harlot. (Leviticus 21:9)

•  Death is prescribed for anyone who sees his sister naked. (Leviticus 20:17)

•  Let a women learn in silence with all submissiveness. I permit no women to teach or have authority over men; she is to be kept silent. (1 Timothy 2:11-12)

•  Everyone who curses his or her father or mother shall be put to death. (Leviticus 20:9)

I think Henderson makes his case intelligently and provides his reasons to support his thinking. Is there a problem with organized religion – obliviously and clearly, yes! Do I personally believe in the concept of hell and fire and damnation as preached by most churches – no and the author and I are in complete agreement. Do I think that the church in its long history has abused and controlled the masses of people; yes, but that doesn’t mean that there is no God (or as the author would write it no god with a small “g”).

As a book, it is controversial and entertaining and will make you think and reflect, and perhaps even change some of your thinking. That is all because the author wrote a good argument and presented his case well. But, as in a court of law, we all know that great defense lawyers can save a murderer from a guilty verdict. Does that mean that they have served justice or presented the universal truth? I think John Henderson has presented “his truth” and perhaps one that may be shared with a great many people. He is certainly not alone. It is up to each reader to determine what they want to believe and accept. At the least, the author will force you to think and that may not be a bad thing.

I think that those who believe that there is no God or that all religions are fundamentally corrupted in some way – then his book will hit the mark with them.  If you are strongly religious then you may totally reject this book out-of-hand. However, I think there may be something to be gained by reading this book even if you totally disagree with the author’s points of view. If your beliefs are strong enough then you should be able to ask important questions of your own religion, otherwise, you are just following the dogma of what ever church you belong to and not the spirit of your faith.