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The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew---Three Women Search for Understanding
The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew---Three Women Search for Understanding
The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew---Three Women Search for Understanding
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The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew---Three Women Search for Understanding

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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A groundbreaking book about Americans searching for faith and mutual respect, The Faith Club weaves the story of three women, their three religions, and their urgent quest to understand one another.After September 11, 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 to write an interfaith children's book that would highlight the connections between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. After just a few meetings, however, the women realized that they themselves needed an honest and open environment where they could admit-and discuss-their concerns, stereotypes, and misunderstandings. 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.A memoir of spiritual reflections in three voices, The Faith Club has spawned interfaith discussion groups in churches, temples, mosques, and other community settings. It will make you feel as if you are eavesdropping on the authors' private thoughts, provocative discussions, and often-controversial opinions and conclusions.As the authors reveal their deepest beliefs, you watch the blossoming of a profound interfaith friendship and the birth of a new way of relating to others. Pioneering, timely, deeply thoughtful, and full of hope, The Faith Club's caring message will resonate with people of all faiths.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateApr 30, 2012
ISBN9781452677590
Author

Ranya Idliby

Ranya Idliby was raised in Dubai and McLean, Virginia. She holds a bachelor of science from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, and earned her MS in international relations from the London School of Economics. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.

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Rating: 4.041666666666667 out of 5 stars
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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is an entire book of discussion about one of our most taboo topics -- religion. Three brave women of different faiths (Christian, Islam, and Judaism) join forces to write a children's book and end up as fast friends who over a period of three years demystify stereotypes about relgion as they learn more about the tenets they share rather than those that divide them.There is much to mull over in this book. I thought the conversations and feelings sounded honest, but somehow stilted, as if they were self-conscious of all the readers listening in to their innermost thoughts. I know I would be. And I would have liked more on how that children's book turned out! I did think the guidelines at the end to encourage more "Faith Clubs" were excellent ways to explore one's own belief system.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    In the wake of 9/11, Ranya Idliby, a Muslim American of Palestinian descent was inspired by a passage in the Koran about Muhammad's Night Flight to write a children's interfaith book about the commonalities between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. She recruits two other mothers in the New York City area to help her write the book, Priscilla, a Reform Jew, and Suzanne, a Episcopalian Christian who was raised a Catholic. They find that before they can find common ground, they have to work through their differences. The book consists of their three intertwined first person narratives and snatches of transcripts of their conversations as they come together and clash and try to understand each other. I was raised as a Catholic and as an American I'm steeped in an overwhelmingly Christian culture. As a native New Yorker Judaism is also a religion that has represented something familiar and respected to me--I've had close Jewish friends and mentors, and I admit by and large I'm a fan of Israel. Nothing imparted about Christianity or Judaism or the views expressed by Priscilla or Suzanne surprised or challenged me. That leaves Islam, which I'm a lot less familiar with. I can't say I've ever personally known a Muslim. Ranya Idliby says "When Americans think of Islam, they think of terrorism, fanatics, abused women, spoiled rich Arabs, a religion of the sword spread by the sword." Guilty. I admit I have a lot to learn about Islam. I had read the Koran, well before 9/11, but I didn't get much out of it. Unlike Judaism and Christianity, I just didn't have the cultural context to. I admit of the three women, I found myself most resistant to Ranya's representations of her faith. When Ranya speaks of her unhappiness with how many Americans see Muhammad as a fraud who plagiarized Jewish and Christian texts, I have to admit that isn't far from what I believe. And Muhammad from what I've read was a warlord--a man who did impose his religion by force--Ranya herself alludes to that military aspect elliptically a few times while at the same time calling Muhammad "a man of peace." Ranya claims Islam is a tolerant religion from which you can "come and go"--yet I've heard that in countries following Shari'a law that you can be executed for converting people from Islam. Ranya does go into the distinction between the Wahabi Islam that has promoted fundamentalism and militarist Jihad and a more peaceful, moderate tradition, but I admit I ended the book still skeptical--but at least curious and wishing to put a biography of Muhammad on my reading list. Perhaps the one by Armstrong recommended in the bibliography.Yet at the same time it was easy to identify with Ranya and feel sympathy for the prejudice she had encountered. I was moved by the tale of how her family was driven out of Palestine and were unable to return, and yet unable to settle in Jordan and Kuwait but were made to feel like outsiders. She made me think about Israeli policy and feel for the displaced Palestinians. And she made at least her way of being Muslim sound very appealing. Ranya spoke of Islam's simplicity--about there being no Bar Mitzvah or Baptism making you a Muslim, but simply stating you recognize only one God, and that Muhammad is his prophet. That especially if you're a Sunni Muslim, that there is nothing standing between you and how you interpret the word of God and how you decide to worship. That as long as you acknowledge God, it doesn't really matter to your salvation whether you're a Jew, a Christian, or a Muslim nor can you be labeled an "infidel"--all three faiths are "people of the book." How a Muslim finds the proof of God in the beauty and order of the universe. And when Ranya spoke of her difficulties in finding a mosque that speaks to her needs to be part of a Muslim community in tune with her beliefs, I felt more than a bit of shame for my fellow New Yorkers' resistance against having a mosque go up near Ground Zero. All the more because her pastor, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, is involved. So Ranya's musings definitely was the portion of the book I found most valuable, where I found not just the most answers but questions. It's probably no accident given their search for common ground that each was a rather liberal representative of her religion. Priscilla following Reform Judaism but unsure of her God, Ranya sure of her faith in God but Mosque-less, and Suzanne a convert to one of the most socially and theologically liberal Christian denominations. Each women definitely touched me, spoke to me. I identified with their emotions in the wake of 9/11, and the challenges of their lives as they grappled with questions about dying, good and evil, dealing with tradition and stereotypes and pressures to conform. I was moved by how their collaboration became a friendship that changed each of them. These women could be my neighbors and their journey together is more meaningful to me than some doctrinaire book by a imam, minister and rabbi. Now, this book isn't going to give you an in-depth grounding in Judaism, Christianity or Islam. No question. But this makes a good beginning at least in imparting what the three religions have in common and what divides them. It should pique your interest to learn more, and the bibliography at the end of the book is a good place to start.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This memoir of three women examining their religious faiths was well written and brought up many interesting questions about what unites us despite our religious differences. In the end I felt like all three authors came to the conclusion that they were defining their own faith rather than letting outside congregation or tradition define it for them. I admire the strong faith in God and desire for understanding. Ultimately, though, it seems to me that for these women their faith differences were all in their cultural and historical identities and that they really shared the same liberal faith ideas. Interesting things to think about.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Inspiring - loved it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The Faith Club I requested for Christmas. It's billed as a frank discussion between a Muslim, Christian, and Jew about all things spiritual, stereotypical, and religious. Largely, it succeeds. They actually make a distinction between spirituality and religion. They address the issues of religion being co-opted for political reasons. They talk about the stereotypes they had of one another based on preconceived ideas- including things people wouldn't admit in polite company. It's an honest book, which you can't say about everything out there today, and I enjoyed the read. I think there are a couple of places it fell down- not addressing the Christian Right in the same way (or as much as) they handled the vocal Muslim political sect, and they didn't involve a conservative Muslim woman or a conservative Christian. I understand that this particular book wasn't the goal of the project, but I think broadening the discussion would have had interesting implications. It's definitely worth picking up, even if it's just from the library.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This nonfiction work is a compilation of three women who take a journey in their faiths as they gain understanding through the sharing of their beliefs and lives.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    it helps understand other's beliefs. I hate the word "other".
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    True story told by the three women of three faiths who formed the Faith Club. I learned a lot about two of the religions and admire them for doing this. The book also has tips on forming a Faith Club. I think everyone should read it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A dear friend loaned me her copy of The Faith Club, as I was reading The Red Tent for my book club, and pondering over how Islam, Christianity, and Judaism all came from similar historical roots and might fit together in harmony. In this nonfiction book, three women, a Muslim, a Christian, and a Jew, meet over a series of years to chronicle some of their thoughts and discussions regarding their beliefs in their religions and their ideas about faith. What seems to have resulted as an outcome of their frank conversations, is an understanding and harmonious respect for the diversity and similarities of each religion. Having such interfaith conversations helped the three women to realize, that although they might worship God in different ways, through their own cultural and religious practices, they could participate in some of the ritualistic events and appreciate the other women’s faith in God. I especially loved the poem which Priscilla, the Jewish woman, heard at a funeral she attended, and it totally addressed the way that I feel wanting to pass on a spirit of love, long after I am gone. The poem reads:EpitaphBy Merritt MalloyWhen I dieGive what’s left of me awayTo childrenAnd old men that want to die.And if you need to cry,Cry for your brotherWalking the street beside you.And when you need me,Put your arms Around anyoneAnd give themWhat you need to give to me.I want to leave you something,Something better Than wordsOr sounds.Look for meIn the people I’ve knownOr loved,And if you cannot give me away,At least let me live on in your eyesAnd not on your mind.You can love me mostBy lettingHands touch hands,By letting Bodies touch bodiesAnd by letting goOf childrenThat need to be free.Love doesn’t die,People do.So, when all that’s left of meIs love,Give me away.I was so fortunate to have been invited to participate in Ramadan dinners recently, and I have come to respect Muslim teachings about love, kindness, and respect toward others, as well as Islamic discipline and fortitude in fasting (meaning no eating and drinking of fluids until after dusk for the whole month of Ramadan). God’s outpouring of love for others is truly manifested in a pluralistic attitude, embracing diversity in religions and realizing that we are all God’s children. The three women of The Faith Club sought to promote such an open-minded approach through their insightful discussions about their faith, and the last chapter of the book even provides detailed advice of how to start a faith club.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Woodrell has definitely captured what it is like to live in a subculture that is so isolated from the bigger world around it. The Ozark area is such a paradox of beautiful lodges and resorts and, on the other hand, pockets of isolated, poverty-stricken rural poor. Woodrell's portrayal of the Dolly clan is, unfortunately, not unbelievable.Ree's search for her father who has skipped his bail reflects a parallel search for a better life; she doesn't know where to look for him and her only idea of a better life for herself is to join the Army. The effects that meth have had on the rural poor is devastating. That together with generations of family hardships, feuds, intermarriage, and poverty paints a pretty depressing picture.I live in Missouri and have just now discovered Woodrell. He calls his writing "Country Noir" which is truly an apt description. This isn't a pretty book, but it is an honest one and one that I would highly recommend for those looking to meet characters not found in most other writing.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book really made me think. A lot. I personally am a Jew - raised in the Reform Jewish religion, and I became a born again Christian 20 years ago when I was 27 years old. So, I know about the Jewish and Christian points of view that are presented in the book. I know very little, however, about the Muslim religion. I read the books "Three Cups of Tea" and "Stones Into Schools" this year and they gave me more insight into the Muslim religion than I had before and this book has taught me even more. After 911, Rayna, the Muslim mother in this book had decided to try to write a book for children about the connections between the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian religions, so she mentioned that idea to a Christian friend of hers - Suzanne, who then contacted Pricilla, a friend of a friend who happened to be a Jewish mother who was a writer. I guess they never wrote a children's book, but this book is about their "Faith Club" as they call themselves and their discussions of the three major world religions that they had together and how their relationship changed all of their views of the three religions including their own personal religious views as they got to know one another over a few years. Interestingly, none of these three women are or were very fundamentalist in their religions. Had they been, I doubt they could have had the relationship that they do. To me, Suzanne an Pricilla seem to be pretty typical representatives of the Christian and Jewish religions as I know them. I am not sure about Rayna since I really don't have any friends who are Muslim. She talks a lot in the book about her difficulty in finding like-minded Muslims who are not fundamentalist and radical in their views which makes me think, sadly, that she may be more atypical than typical as a representative of her religion. I identify very much with Priscilla, because my Jewish background has highly influenced my understanding of God even though I am a born again Christian. Like Priscilla, I am unsure if there is an afterlife, because the Jewish religion does not focus on or teach about that. I have long wondered how the Christian religion can claim to be the "fulfillment" of the Jewish religion when they focus so much on the afterlife which is not even a major part of the Jewish religion, nor is there a concensus on it as part of the Jewish religious beliefs. Like Priscilla, I also have high blood pressure and expect to have my medication for that changed soon.I understand the feeling of being a minority and the influence of the Holocaust. I enjoy the explanation of the Muslim religion that Rayna shares and Suzanne's journey to accept the other two religions.I think that this is a very good book and I highly recommend it.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Following 9/11, three New York mothers – a Christian, a Muslim and a Jew -- agree to meet and discuss their faith in hopes of writing a children’s book. The women are well-educated, but to a great extent uninformed about the common roots of their faiths, as well as the intricacies of each others’ beliefs. Starting out as virtual strangers, they stumble over complicated stereotypes, hit cultural landmines and finally arrive at enlightenment over the course of more than three years. Eventually, they forge powerful friendships with each other, while changing and growing spiritually in unexpected ways. The book includes excerpts from their conversations, as well as each woman’s narration of the effects of the dialog upon her spiritual, religious and family life. The text is well-written, well-organized, engaging and an easy but very worthwhile read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Another book I highly recommend. Definitely made me think, definitely made me wonder and challenged me in some ways. Very interesting to see how they came together, what issues were the hardest for them to work out, and how they overcame those differences and became really great friends. Nice. Made me really wish I had people to talk to like that frankly! LOL!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Probably the single most important criticism applied to this book has to do with the relative amateur understanding these three women have with respect to their own religions. It's a strong accusation: You aren't qualified to speak for us. This, I believe, highlights one of the inherent problems with religion. First of all, most people are laymen when it comes to the book specifics of the religion they follow and practice. Religions tend to thrive better when the hierarchy is more structured and the leaders at the top speak for the group. Religions are formed around a uniqueness that sets them apart from the rest, and similarly, the group tends to reject beliefs that undermines that uniqueness.Secondly, all of the above is ultimately pointless. It was more valuable that these three women opened themselves up to each other than to try and be spokesmen for their religions. This book highlights their journey to try and understand something different from what they know. If more people spent less time trying to prove the worth of their earth-centric knowledge of God and more time meeting with their neighbors, I believe a real growth would result.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    As much as I wanted to like this book it just didn't work for me. The change of voices was badly edited, I didn't feel the connection that many readers claim to feel with the book.A brilliant idea with so so execution.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I was surprised to find out that there are so many similarities between Christianity, Judaism, & Islam. Great inspirational read. 
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    The authors make an attempt at promoting the idea of interfaith sharing groups and they succeed, but only because they are all on the very moderate (and modern) end of the spectrum in their respective religions. Even then, some of the discussions become a little heated. If they'd included an atheist or a fundamentalist, the conversations would have been a lot more interesting. Still, the concept and purpose is admirable - most religions espouse a similar moral code even though their practices and ceremonies and doctrine are different. Seems like faithful people should be able to find more commonalities than differences. If we're all trying to live by the golden rule, does it really matter where we attend services on a day of worship?
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Ranya Idliby-Muslim, Suzanne Oliver-Episcopal and Priscilla Warner-Jewish. After 911. The three discuss concerns, conflicts, etc. raising their children in the world today in their particular religions. They develop an understanding of each others religions, but also involves the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since Ranya is a displaced Palistinian.