The quest to be spirit filled never ends because it is always revealed that we must continue on toward an ever moving goal. This text certianly reveals fresh,yet ancient ways, to become more aware of what lies around us and how we can incorporate it into ourselves. I have come to understand that to be so self focused is not to be "self centered," for as we beautify our spirit we bring beauty to the world.

Inspiring! I couldn't put it down.

I couldn't put the book down. I read a lot of spirituality, but this one is one of the best. It goes over major life events, ways to pray, ways to contemplate, why, how to do it in the modern world. It doesn't recommend running to a guru, but gives sound advice to use today. Highly recommended.

This is a good book that captures the excitement of the original movie and screenplay.

Kaufman does not say that we (Catholics, humans, etc.) can simplt disregard papal teachings. What he stresses is that one must follow his or her conscience. This teaching comes straight out of Vatican II. It does not mean that we can do what we feel like, rather, we must take time to inform our consciences through study and prayer. If a person finds that her conscience tells her that, for example, the not-infallible papal teaching on birth control is not morally correct, then she *must* -- not should, not can, but *must* -- follow her conscience. Straight out of Vatican II -- I'm not making this up.

One hears so little about conscience in the Church. God gave us minds and consciences so that we can use them. (Hopefully, we use them wisely, but that's beyond the scope of this review.) Kaufman's book stresses conscience, and also informs the reader of the history behind some controversial Church decisions, including papal infallibilty.

I found this book to be very interesting and helpful in my spiritual journey.

Despite its rather confrontational title, this book is a scholarly examination of the development of "official" Roman Catholic Church teachings on three controversial subjects: birth control, divorce and remarriage, and abortion. It also examines the development of the doctrine of infallability, and how it applies to very few Church teachings, including none of those mentioned above. The book concludes with a discussion of "democracy" in the Church. I found the book inspirational, not because of the author's dissents from official teaching on the three subjects (on only a very narrow point when it comes to abortion), but because of his exposition of the critical importance of the individual conscience in matters of faith. Although the author does not confront Pope John Paul II directly, the book implicitly is very critical of the current Pope, and, particularly, his leadership towards a more dogmatic approach to the Roman Catholic faithful, and his squelching of open dialogue on issues which, the authors persuasively argues, are matters for individual conscience. Regardless of one's view of "the Church", or its teachings on these topics, I recommend the book for its scholarship and its thought-provoking nature.

Kaufmann does a tremendous job of enlightening the history behind the decisions and "other information" all catholics should have. He compels us to examine the basis behind the dogmas, doctrines and encyclicals. A must have for any catholic living with todays social and moral struggles. I can disagree and still be a good catholic.......I was ready to leave the church til I read this book!