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tigersquashdonut 's review for:
I really loved this book. I come from a religious background, and I haven't had too great a life. However, I have never questioned my faith, even in my worst moments. The reason I mention this at all is because A. J. Jacobs has given me insight into another world: one of forced faith. Jacobs even ponders whether he should raise his son religiously so that he has a good moral structure in his life. Or as he puts it - 'Would I rather have Bart Simpson or one of the Flanders kids?'
Following him on his journey is both informative and hilarious, something which can be gleaned by skimming the massive index at the end of the book. As his beard grows, so does his heart, which I think is really sweet. The ending did feel somewhat anti-climactic, but a book like this is more about the journey than the finish line, so I'll try to forgive Jacobs for that.
A lot of wonderful things and a lot of horrible things have been done in the name of religion. The Year of Living Biblically showed me that everything comes down to interpretation. Did that guy walking past me nudge me by accident, or was that on purpose? These small perceived slights don't matter in the scheme of things. If I make a mistake in regards to religion, it's not life or death. This book has made me want to be more religious. It makes me want to 'love my neighbour', even though he lives in his house alone and frightens me a little.
Sometimes when I'm walking on the street, I see an individual struggling to carry a lot of shopping bags. I think to myself that I should probably help them, then I get visions of being battered to death with messenger bags and/or heavy purses. In my area it's not unusual to see drug dealing, so everyone is always slightly on guard. Regardless, this book has shown me that my pride has been getting in the way. If an agnostic sort-of-Jewish author can 'put on' religion for a year, and look insane while doing it with his odd attire and new attitude, then I can certainly risk getting haemorrhaged by a 'bag for life' in order to help others.
Following him on his journey is both informative and hilarious, something which can be gleaned by skimming the massive index at the end of the book. As his beard grows, so does his heart, which I think is really sweet. The ending did feel somewhat anti-climactic, but a book like this is more about the journey than the finish line, so I'll try to forgive Jacobs for that.
A lot of wonderful things and a lot of horrible things have been done in the name of religion. The Year of Living Biblically showed me that everything comes down to interpretation. Did that guy walking past me nudge me by accident, or was that on purpose? These small perceived slights don't matter in the scheme of things. If I make a mistake in regards to religion, it's not life or death. This book has made me want to be more religious. It makes me want to 'love my neighbour', even though he lives in his house alone and frightens me a little.
Sometimes when I'm walking on the street, I see an individual struggling to carry a lot of shopping bags. I think to myself that I should probably help them, then I get visions of being battered to death with messenger bags and/or heavy purses. In my area it's not unusual to see drug dealing, so everyone is always slightly on guard. Regardless, this book has shown me that my pride has been getting in the way. If an agnostic sort-of-Jewish author can 'put on' religion for a year, and look insane while doing it with his odd attire and new attitude, then I can certainly risk getting haemorrhaged by a 'bag for life' in order to help others.