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Informative,
Interesting,
Insightful

3 reviews

The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew-- Three Women Search for Understanding
by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, Priscilla Warner

Published: 2006-10-03
Hardcover : 320 pages
9 members reading this now
32 clubs reading this now
6 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 3 of 3 members
"Welcome to the Faith Club. We're three mothers from three faiths -- Islam, Christianity, and Judaism -- who got together to write a picture book for our children that would highlight the connections between our religions. But no sooner had we started talking about our beliefs and how to ...
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Introduction

"Welcome to the Faith Club. We're three mothers from three faiths -- Islam, Christianity, and Judaism -- who got together to write a picture book for our children that would highlight the connections between our religions. But no sooner had we started talking about our beliefs and how to explain them to our children than our differences led to misunderstandings. Our project nearly fell apart."

After September 11th, Ranya Idliby, an American Muslim of Palestinian descent, faced constant questions about Islam, God, and death from her children, the only Muslims in their classrooms. Inspired by a story about Muhammad, Ranya reached out to two other mothers -- a Christian and a Jew -- to try to understand and answer these questions for her children. After just a few meetings, however, it became clear that the women themselves needed an honest and open environment where they could admit -- and discuss -- their concerns, stereotypes, and misunderstandings about one another. After hours of soul-searching about the issues that divided them, Ranya, Suzanne, and Priscilla grew close enough to discover and explore what united them.

The Faith Club is a memoir of spiritual reflections in three voices that will make readers feel as if they are eavesdropping on the authors' private conversations, provocative discussions, and often controversial opinions and conclusions. The authors wrestle with the issues of anti-Semitism, prejudice against Muslims, and preconceptions of Christians at a time when fundamentalists dominate the public face of Christianity. They write beautifully and affectingly of their families, their losses and grief, their fears and hopes for themselves and their loved ones. And as the authors reveal their deepest beliefs, readers watch the blossoming of a profound interfaith friendship and the birth of a new way of relating to others.

In a final chapter, they provide detailed advice on how to start a faith club: the questions to ask, the books to read, and most important, the open-minded attitude to maintain in order to come through the experience with an enriched personal faith and understanding of others.

Pioneering, timely, and deeply thoughtful, The Faith Club's caring message will resonate with people of all faiths.

For more information or to start your own faith club visit www.thefaithclub.com

Editorial Review

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Excerpt

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Discussion Questions

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Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

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Book Club Recommendations

Member Reviews

Overall rating:
 
 
  "Good to start conversation"by Linda B. (see profile) 04/06/17

Our group is comprised of several Faith traditions including people who prefer not to belong to any organized religious group. We agreed this book helped us examine some stereotypes and taught us all... (read more)

 
  "One Voice"by Colleen B. (see profile) 11/12/10

The book was supposed to be written from three different points of view, yet they all had the same voice. The book is a great concept, but they launched the book prematurely. None of the three women... (read more)

 
  "The Faith Club"by Mel A. (see profile) 08/20/10

This book was a little difficult to get started but very informative and insightful about different religions. We had a great discussion about national and local stereotypes.

 
  "The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew-- Three Women Search for Understanding"by Lora Glass N. (see profile) 02/10/10

We really enjoyed this book and the discussion was great. It was both insightful and inspiring. This is a must read.

 
  "The Faith Club"by Marsha M. (see profile) 02/10/10

The concept for forming the club was interesting, but I just didn't care for it much.It did generate a lively discussion at my book club. Several of the members just really loved it. I don't care for group... (read more)

 
  "THE FAITH CLUB"by KAYE S. (see profile) 01/25/10

NONE OF THE NINE BOOK CLUB MEMBERS LIKED THIS BOOK. THE MAJORITY OF US DID NOT EVEN FINISH IT- OUR VIEW THAT IT WAS ABOUT THREE WOMEN FIGHTING FOR "THEIR" RELIGION THAT THEY WERE NOT VERY WELL VERSED... (read more)

 
  "Good insight"by Debbie R. (see profile) 11/10/09

 
  "The Faith Club"by Allison P. (see profile) 06/06/09

This book was very interesting. A little "whiney" at the beginning, but very informative and compassionate in identifying the commonalities of all three faiths.

 
  "Educational and interesting"by Sheila F. (see profile) 07/16/08

I learned a lot about different religions and enjoyed reading of other women's spiritual journeys. I could really relate to so much of this book.

 
  "three real women discuss their religions and their relationship with each other"by Deirdre B. (see profile) 02/11/08

Really inciteful. It allows the reader to get a first person perspective on Christianity, Islam and Judaism from lay people like you and me. It boosts understanding of how people of these three faiths... (read more)

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