What are you reading right now?

[Turbo3000]

Speaking of the devil's work, here is another of Hitchen's books that knocks down a "saint" a few hundred notches. Great read, lays out the pernicious effects of self-promoting religious fundamentalism, especially in the context of taking advantage of a vulnerable audience. Being from the country where this occurred, I fully endorse Hitchens' viewpoint.

As the Sunday Times said, it is "a dirty job but someone had to do it."

The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice

Sounds interesting.

Book must be out of print. Amazon has used copies from 44-900 dollars.

[Scrumhalf]

Yeah, I read it a while ago but I got it from our public library.

Here is the blurb from the description of the book:

Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, feted by politicians, the Church and the world's media, Mother Teresa of Calcutta appears to be on the fast track to sainthood. But what, asks Christopher Hitchens, makes Mother Teresa so divine? In a frank expose of the Teresa cult, Hitchens details the nature and limits of one woman's mission to the world's poor. He probes the source of the heroic status bestowed upon an Albanian nun whose only declared wish is to serve God. He asks whether Mother Teresa's good works answer any higher purpose than the need of the world's privileged to see someone, somewhere, doing something for the Third World. He unmasks pseudo-miracles, questions Mother Teresa's fitness to adjudicate on matters of sex and reproduction, and reports on a version of saintly ubiquity which affords genial relations with dictators, corrupt tycoons and convicted frauds.

[Turbo3000]

Yeah, I read it a while ago but I got it from our public library.

Here is the blurb from the description of the book:

Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, feted by politicians, the Church and the world's media, Mother Teresa of Calcutta appears to be on the fast track to sainthood. But what, asks Christopher Hitchens, makes Mother Teresa so divine? In a frank expose of the Teresa cult, Hitchens details the nature and limits of one woman's mission to the world's poor. He probes the source of the heroic status bestowed upon an Albanian nun whose only declared wish is to serve God. He asks whether Mother Teresa's good works answer any higher purpose than the need of the world's privileged to see someone, somewhere, doing something for the Third World. He unmasks pseudo-miracles, questions Mother Teresa's fitness to adjudicate on matters of sex and reproduction, and reports on a version of saintly ubiquity which affords genial relations with dictators, corrupt tycoons and convicted frauds.

I doubt our bible belt public library would have it.

[FitnessBrat]

I doubt our bible belt public library would have it.

Have you read the other two we mentioned?

[Turbo3000]

Have you read the other two we mentioned?

I haven't, but I think I will pick one up this week.

I am currently reading a swimming technique book.

[FitnessBrat]

I haven't, but I think I will pick one up this week.

I am currently reading a swimming technique book.

Do The God Delusion. I may have questions, haha.

[Scrumhalf]

I am currently reading a swimming technique book.

Which one are you reading? I have some triathlete friends who swear by the Total Immersion book (and videos and classes).

[Turbo3000]

Which one are you reading? I have some triathlete friends who swear by the Total Immersion book (and videos and classes).

That's it. I have some videos also.

I was never a huge water lover, I could survive in water, yet I didn't know how I properly swim. I had a teacher show me the freestyle and we worked for a few weeks, I now do laps on my own but I know I need to be more relaxed and streamlined in the water. Total immersion is suppose to help with that.

Hoping to do a tri this summer with an ironman on my wish list for 2014(we will see how this small short one goes first).

[FitnessBrat]

I haven't been reading The God Delusion. I'll pick that back up later.

Just started Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion.

Have you read this, Scrum? Sounds very interesting because I don't know much about their "beliefs" - besides they're expensive.

[auri]

Penthouse.

[Scrumhalf]

Scientology is the biggest scam going. I have read a lot of things about them, although not specifically the book you mention. Yes, it can get very expensive to get into their inner circle. Not sure why one would want to do so. Plus they have some pretty dangerous ideas about mental health, etc. that is extremely detrimental to those who can truly benefit from professional help, so it is not just another religion that is "harmless" but rather does active harm to society IMO.

[Scrumhalf]

BTW, I am reading Accelerando by Charles Stross. This library borrowing for the Kindle is working out great. It is a book about a future of pervasive computer usage and nanotechnology - lots of cyberpunk-like elements. Very interesting book.

[FitnessBrat]

I just can't even understand why someone searching for some type of religious following doesn't see that you don't "belong" to this church, you BUY into it. Never understood "religions" that give out information to just certain members, lol.

But yes, makes sense that it would prey on and be most detrimental to, those that are in need of mental health care - or Dianetics. :wacko:

[Scrumhalf]

It was totally weird hearing Tom Cruise's criticism of Brooke Shields for her getting professional treatment for postpartum depression. Cruise just came across as a total buffoon and unfortunately this is the Scientology position on mental health, that these kinds of issues don't exist and you shouldn't get professional treatment for it. Total nutjob, ironically.

[Turbo3000]

I haven't been reading The God Delusion. I'll pick that back up later.

Just started Inside Scientology: The Story of America's Most Secretive Religion.

Have you read this, Scrum? Sounds very interesting because I don't know much about their "beliefs" - besides they're expensive.

Let me look up the Scientology books that I have read and let you know of some more to check out.

I am reading an Anatomy book and staring at an Anatomy Atlas.

Reading Game of Thrones first book as well.