cover image SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVES ON AMERICA'S ROLE AS A SUPERPOWER

SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVES ON AMERICA'S ROLE AS A SUPERPOWER

Skylight Paths, . . SkyLight Paths, $16.95 (160pp) ISBN 978-1-893361-81-2

This timely anthology contains the viewpoints of 16 noted spiritual leaders from a variety of religious traditions and the whole political spectrum. The SkyLight Paths editors offer a collection that mostly lives up to their hope that "together we can try to change the world." These short essays, many of them with provocative stances, will compel audiences toward deeper reflection on globalization, spirituality and power. Designed for general readership, this book will also be of value to groups, such as adult Sunday school classes, that want to pursue a course of study. The eclectic assortment of authors includes Unitarian Universalist minister Forrest Church; creation spiritualist Matthew Fox; eco-feminist theologian Rosemary Radford Ruether; Buddhists Lama Surya Das and Thich Nhat Hahn; Roman Catholic "interspiritualist" Wayne Teasdale; and Christian journalist John Wilson. Here is an excellent opportunity to broaden cultural horizons. Liberal thinkers, for example, may be heartened and somewhat surprised by evangelical Tony Campolo's cogent argument for global compassion. Sufi Kabir Helminski takes America to task for squandering the goodwill that was established in Muslim countries, "alienating the majority and sprinkling gasoline on the dying embers of Islamic fundamentalism." Jewish radio theologian Dennis Prager disappoints with his misapplied oversimplifications (e.g. "[America] is the only Judeo-Christian country in world history"), but most selections are worthwhile, well reasoned and well written. (May)