Saturday, August 16, 1997

Religion in the media: a look at recent books and magazines

The Dallas Morning News

BOOKS

"The Goddess," by Shahrukh Husain, (Little, Brown and Co., $15.95). God wasn't always male. Throughout history, images of the divine feminine, or goddess, were the focus of the socially dominant religion in regions throughout the world. "The Goddess" offers an informative overview of the archetypal women whose stories generated both ancient and contemporary goddess worship. Recent archaeological explorations and accompanying theory paired with traditional mythological interpretations form a comprehensive analysis of woman-centered life and spirituality. Informative graphics and a visual feast of pictures make the book accessible. It's interesting for women who are alienated by male-dominated religious interpretations to know that there are historical alternatives. "The Goddess" offers a glimpse of women both ancient and modern who have empowered themselves by worshiping one of their own. -Olivia Casey

---

"Storming Heaven's Gate," edited by Amber Coverdale Sumrall and Patrice Vecchione (Plume Book, $14.95). It's a shame that this rich and vibrant anthology bears such an unfortunate title, for it has much to offer the reader seeking spiritual writings by women. "Storming Heaven's Gate" is a cornucopia of women's stories of the divine representing myriad religious, and not so religious, traditions. Although each writer speaks of connecting with the sacred, the variety of experience is a mighty prism on the journey. It is possible to touch the sacred in a pit bull, as Sally Miller Gearhart so eloquently does, or through a brush with cancer, as does Claudia Sternbach. Some boldly renounce the past of patriarchy and strike out on their own spiritual path, whereas others find meaning and wisdom by returning to the familiar religious observances of childhood. Readers seeking affirmation to pursue their own spiritual path will find support in these easily digested, well-written offerings from both acclaimed writers and unknowns. -Olivia Casey

---

MAGAZINES

Utne Reader (August) has a package of articles on "the art of pilgrimage." There are stories on pilgrimages to traditional sites such as Santiago de Compostela in Spain (by former Dominican priest Lee Hoinacki) and Mecca (by Californian Michael Wolfe, a convert to Islam). Another piece lists "Soul Attractions: 10 Sites for Modern Seekers," some relatively nearby, such as Chimayo in New Mexico, and some distant, such as Kataragama, a holy place in Sri Lanka. Senior editor Cathy Madison writes, "Taking a pilgrimage is not about escaping reality - it's about stepping into reality." Also in this issue are a short feature, "Punks to Monks," about "Eastern Orthodoxy's curious allure for young rebels" and an essay on the new interest in spirituality called "Sacred Blather." Mark Matousek writes: "A friend once told me that spirituality is a lot like sex: The ones who really have it don't talk about it." -Robert Plocheck

---

Mother Jones (August) has a cover package on legalized gambling. They're against it. "The industry's need for big losers contributes to personal bankruptcies, broken marriages, and even suicides," writes Martin Koughan. Called "Easy Money," the presentation is introduced by editor Jeffrey Klein, who says, "People seek the redemptive jackpot in temples of pleasure. Before our eyes, Calvinism is transforming into casinoism." -Robert Plocheck

---

Time (Aug. 4) has a cover piece on the so-called "secrets" of "Mormons Inc." Amid all the Time-style hyperbole about money and growing membership, we discover that the church's wealth is actually "dwarfed" by that of the Catholic Church, which has "45 times as many members." The 10-page feature is rich, however, with information about Mormon beliefs. -Robert Plocheck

---

REVIEWER'S CHOICE

"Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds" ,by Phillip E. Johnson (InterVarsity Press, price not listed). This is Johnson's third attack on Darwinism. The first, "Darwin on Trial," was the law professor's take on the logic - or lack thereof - of Darwinian explanations for life. The second, "Reason in the Balance," expanded that theme and looked at the social implications of Darwinian philosophy.

This book, lighter in size and intent, is aimed at high school students and undergraduates and their parents and teachers. "Young people need to be prepared to for the indoctrination, and for that they need to know some things that the public schools aren't allowed to teach them," Johnson writes.

His consistent message: Darwinism is incompatible with a religious explanation for creation - what he calls intelligent design - and with the evidence that scientists use to support the theory.

He also takes on what he considers common errors made by religious people when confronting evolution. And he uses the play and movie "Inherit the Wind" - a fictionalized version of the famous Scopes Monkey Trial - to show how anti-Darwinists have been defined by popular culture as illogical rubes. To challenge Darwinians, Johnson suggests, one must also challenge that stereotype.

When he discusses logic, Johnson is sure-footed. When he takes on specifics of science, he is less so. For example, he states that "information" that scientists say is contained in DNA is clear evidence of an intelligent source. But scientists use the word "information" in different way from most of us. They find "information" in the structure of a quartz crystal and in the specific way subatomic particles fly to flinders when crashed into each other. Does Johnson believe that all structure in nature is evidence of the hand of intelligent design? This book does not say so. -Jeffrey Weiss

(Writers are staff members of The Dallas Morning News. Write to them in care of: the Religion Section, Dallas Morning News, Communications Center, P.O. Box 655237, Dallas, Texas 75265.)

(c) 1997, The Dallas Morning News.

Visit The Dallas Morning News on the World Wide Web at http://www.dallasnews.com/

Distributed by Knight-Ridder/Tribune Information Services.