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Question on books

Audie

Veteran Member
What are some books on y'alls reading list to help you understand whatever beliefs that are interesting you at the moment? Currently reading

Out of the Shadows: An Exploration of Dark Paganism and Magick
John J. Coughlin.

Other books currently borrowed by me on kindle unlimited to read later are
Paganism and the Evolution of Christianity
Candace L. Bowser

MAGICK: It's All In Your Head
Asbjorn Torvol

Paganism: Everything from Ancient, Hellenic, Norse, and Celtic Paganism to Heathenry, Wicca, and Other Modern Pagan Beliefs and Practices
Mari Silva

Lessons of a Young Heathen
Asbjorn Torvol

The Onyx Bible of Theistic Satanism
Anonymous person

The Bible of the Adversary : 10th Anniversary Edition
Michael W Ford

The Luciferian Mind: Volume One
Isaac Walker

PAGANISM: The Ultimate Guide To Paganism Inlcuding Wicca, Spirituality, Spells & Practises For A Pagan Life (Magick Spells, Witchcraft, Book Of Shadows, New Age)
Solemon Rune

White Crow's Beginner's Book of Shadows: A Witchcraft Primer for the Novice
Jennifer Lefering

So curious to see what all of y'all are reading on various beliefs be it abrahamic, Dharmic, pagan or other. Could give me ideas on what to read next.

Different taste in books! I would not read
any of those even ifn was dead.
 

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
Different taste in books! I would not read
any of those even ifn was dead.

Will your reading list be different when you're dead?

What do you plan on reading now that you wouldn't read while dead?
 

Audie

Veteran Member
I am interested in the core reasons behind religious beliefs and comparing concepts throughout different belief systems. So the below will reflect that. This isn't my whole collection of books.

God: A Human history of Religion by Reza Aslan - An overview of how the concept of God arose and developed throughout society

Essential Guide to Egyptian Mythology edited by Donald B Redford - quite a detailed dictionary of Edyptian Mythology. Super complicated concepts involved. Helped me to understand middle eastern religion in general funnily enough.

Mythology of the Incas by David M Jones.

The Religions Book published by DK. An intro to all major religions and a few minor ones.

Myth, Ritual and Religion Volume 2 by Andrew Lang. Focuses on humanities concept of the divine and religious ritual.

The Holy Grail by Giles Morgan - exploring the development of the Holy Grail belief

Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence by Karen Armstrong - Debunking the myth that religion was the cause of all the major wars in history

The Marian Conspiracy by Graham Phillips - Less a conspiracy but more tracking a certain line of reasoning as to Jesus actual origins and where Mary eventually died.

Ten Theories of Human Nature by Leslie Stevensen & David L Haberman - explores different ideas of human nature throughout history and is short but complicated. Also analyzes the understanding of human nature in Abrahamic faiths, Confucionism and Hinduism.

Fairy Legends and Traditions of Southern Ireland by T Crofton Croker

JW Publications - I have a lot of these that I thought informative enough not to chuck in the trash. Insight into the scriptures and CT Russells books are good books for reference for how JW beliefs developed.

Book of Hindu Myths - Need to find the book so I can't tell you the author.

Periphery books that help me to understand belief better:

1984 by George Orwell - About Indoctrination, especially relevent to many of todays religions and how they work.
Moral Tribes by Joshua Greene - How morality actually develops in societies
Paranoia the 21st century fear by Daniel and Jason Freeman - Sheds light on modern day Paranoia which i think is relevent to religions of today.

Dante's Inferno - the origins of the popular Christian concept of hell
Paradise Lost by John Milton - Elaborates on the War between God and Satan
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - Explores the relationship between a Creator and the consequences of condemning his creation
Add 'Confessions of Saint Augustine" to those
 

PureX

Veteran Member
I can understand that. It's great to develop your own ideas on things. The problem with me is I am trying to develop my own ideas regarding the Divine and to do that itll be helpful to read a variety of other people's ideas.
In the end what you'll discover is that we all envision the Divine Mystery in whatever way we think best suits our natures. Angry, vengeful people believe in an angry, vengeful God. Frightened people believe in a scary God. Weak people believe in an all-powerful God. Kind and loving people believe in a kind and loving God. And so on it goes. God is a mystery that we can then endow with whatever characteristics we personally relate to, an best understand. Because that's the God that validates who we are, the most.

But for those few who manage to figure this out, they can choose the god-image that best comports with who they want to become, instead of who they already are. And in pursuing a relationship with that God, can in time effect real changes in their own nature. (For the better, hopefully.)
 

Orbit

I'm a planet
I just finished:

"Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation" by Kristin Kobes du Mez

"Drugs Use for Grownups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear" by Carl L. Hart

I'm about halfway through:

"The First Paul: Reclaiming the Radical Visionary Behind the Church's Conservative Icon" by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan.
 

Bear Wild

Well-Known Member
What are some books on y'alls reading list to help you understand whatever beliefs that are interesting you at the moment? Currently reading

Out of the Shadows: An Exploration of Dark Paganism and Magick
John J. Coughlin.

Other books currently borrowed by me on kindle unlimited to read later are
Paganism and the Evolution of Christianity
Candace L. Bowser

MAGICK: It's All In Your Head
Asbjorn Torvol

Paganism: Everything from Ancient, Hellenic, Norse, and Celtic Paganism to Heathenry, Wicca, and Other Modern Pagan Beliefs and Practices
Mari Silva

Lessons of a Young Heathen
Asbjorn Torvol

The Onyx Bible of Theistic Satanism
Anonymous person

The Bible of the Adversary : 10th Anniversary Edition
Michael W Ford

The Luciferian Mind: Volume One
Isaac Walker

PAGANISM: The Ultimate Guide To Paganism Inlcuding Wicca, Spirituality, Spells & Practises For A Pagan Life (Magick Spells, Witchcraft, Book Of Shadows, New Age)
Solemon Rune

White Crow's Beginner's Book of Shadows: A Witchcraft Primer for the Novice
Jennifer Lefering

So curious to see what all of y'all are reading on various beliefs be it abrahamic, Dharmic, pagan or other. Could give me ideas on what to read next.

"Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer - Wonderful personal narrative on Native American Spirituality of the Northeast.
.

"Odin’s Wife: Mother Earth in Germanic Mythology" by Reaves, William P.

"Becoming Nature: Learning the Language of Wild Animals and Plants" Tamarack Song - Reconnecting with our natural world. This is what drew me to my pagan religion.

"Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves" by Frans De Waal. He has been a champion among scientists reminding us that we are related and connected to this world.

" The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate—Discoveries from a Secret World" . by Peter Wohlleben. He does a wonderful job and explaining the amazing new discoveries on trees that can change your perspective when walking through a forest.



"Old Norse Religion in long-term perspectives." Collection of writers in the field of Norse studies It was the Road to Midgard project in Sweden.
 

VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
"Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer - Wonderful personal narrative on Native American Spirituality of the Northeast.
.

"Odin’s Wife: Mother Earth in Germanic Mythology" by Reaves, William P.

"Becoming Nature: Learning the Language of Wild Animals and Plants" Tamarack Song - Reconnecting with our natural world. This is what drew me to my pagan religion.

"Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves" by Frans De Waal. He has been a champion among scientists reminding us that we are related and connected to this world.

" The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate—Discoveries from a Secret World" . by Peter Wohlleben. He does a wonderful job and explaining the amazing new discoveries on trees that can change your perspective when walking through a forest.



"Old Norse Religion in long-term perspectives." Collection of writers in the field of Norse studies It was the Road to Midgard project in Sweden.
Sounds like those could be useful to me. Might have to look for them.
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
Me too. What are your thoughts so far?

I'm only on Chapter 4; Advice to Householders, so I'll need to get further into it and go back through it after I've read it to offer any real perspective. I haven't been reading it in one sitting, so to speak. I've put it down for months at a time and have picked it back up.

So far, it has deepened my understanding of India's culture, and I find myself looking at maps to get a perspective on the locations described in the book. I find Sri Ramakrishna to be a fascinating person, and some of what he says resonates with me to a point, and this may sound a bit weird, that I already had some of these understandings, though I'm not sure where I got them, and it's almost like I'm reading them a second time, though I've never read the book.

It does have a bhakti-heavy feeling, but that's understandable given that the translator (the book was originally penned in Bengali) is a disciple of the Holy Mother (Sarada Devi), who was Sri Ramakrishna's wife. The term "God" is used quite liberally throughout the book, and I'm still trying to figure out if this points to Brahman. I suppose I'll better understand as I read on.
 

Samael_Khan

Goosebender
[QUOTE="JustGeorge, post: 7097352, member: 69421"
I read this book every year or two, almost seemingly against my will... and get so upset. But I seem to be able to refrain from doing it again later on....[/QUOTE]

I have read it twice so far. I have to read it probably every year too so that I can see how relevant it is in our current world.
 

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
I'm only on Chapter 4; Advice to Householders, so I'll need to get further into it and go back through it after I've read it to offer any real perspective. I haven't been reading it in one sitting, so to speak. I've put it down for months at a time and have picked it back up.

So far, it has deepened my understanding of India's culture, and I find myself looking at maps to get a perspective on the locations described in the book. I find Sri Ramakrishna to be a fascinating person, and some of what he says resonates with me to a point, and this may sound a bit weird, that I already had some of these understandings, though I'm not sure where I got them, and it's almost like I'm reading them a second time, though I've never read the book.

It does have a bhakti-heavy feeling, but that's understandable given that the translator (the book was originally penned in Bengali) is a disciple of the Holy Mother (Sarada Devi), who was Sri Ramakrishna's wife. The term "God" is used quite liberally throughout the book, and I'm still trying to figure out if this points to Brahman. I suppose I'll better understand as I read on.

Its taken me awhile to get through. Think I started it back in December. I don't think its really meant to sit down and read cover to cover; some of it is too repetitive for that.

I'm not sure at what point you begin to see his arguments that the formless God of jnani and the God with form of bhakti are the same. It is said at several points that he sees Kali as Brahman, and spends a lot of time debating God with and God without form(especially with Narendra). As fascinating as Sri Ramakrishna is, I find the devotees to be equally as interesting. Especially Narendra, of course, (interesting to hear some of his background), though as I near the end of the book, I admit I find 'M', the one who records all of this, to be intriguing as well, as I note he's often accused of being too silent. Makes me wonder why, and what kind of a person he was. (Leave it to me to ponder the irrelevant.)


[QUOTE="JustGeorge, post: 7097352, member: 69421"
I read this book every year or two, almost seemingly against my will... and get so upset. But I seem to be able to refrain from doing it again later on....

I have read it twice so far. I have to read it probably every year too so that I can see how relevant it is in our current world.[/QUOTE]

The telescreens and the smartphones creep me out. Just can't do it.
 

oldbadger

Skanky Old Mongrel!
What are some books on y'alls reading list to help you understand whatever beliefs that are interesting you at the moment? Currently reading

Out of the Shadows: An Exploration of Dark Paganism and Magick
John J. Coughlin.

Other books currently borrowed by me on kindle unlimited to read later are
Paganism and the Evolution of Christianity
Candace L. Bowser

MAGICK: It's All In Your Head
Asbjorn Torvol

Paganism: Everything from Ancient, Hellenic, Norse, and Celtic Paganism to Heathenry, Wicca, and Other Modern Pagan Beliefs and Practices
Mari Silva

Lessons of a Young Heathen
Asbjorn Torvol

The Onyx Bible of Theistic Satanism
Anonymous person

The Bible of the Adversary : 10th Anniversary Edition
Michael W Ford

The Luciferian Mind: Volume One
Isaac Walker

PAGANISM: The Ultimate Guide To Paganism Inlcuding Wicca, Spirituality, Spells & Practises For A Pagan Life (Magick Spells, Witchcraft, Book Of Shadows, New Age)
Solemon Rune

White Crow's Beginner's Book of Shadows: A Witchcraft Primer for the Novice
Jennifer Lefering

So curious to see what all of y'all are reading on various beliefs be it abrahamic, Dharmic, pagan or other. Could give me ideas on what to read next.
The Rubaiyat of Omar Khyamm
Beautiful prosaic translation and a message to enjoy the day, take some wine with a loved one, and to let the claims of religion pass on by, because life is too fleeting to waste a moment of it.

Wonderful book. :)
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
I'm not sure at what point you begin to see his arguments that the formless God of jnani and the God with form of bhakti are the same. It is said at several points that he sees Kali as Brahman, and spends a lot of time debating God with and God without form(especially with Narendra).

I think the moment of his own realization that the two are one was when he cut Kali down with a blade. At least that was my take-away. What are your thoughts?
 

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
I think the moment of his own realization that the two are one was when he cut Kali down with a blade. At least that was my take-away. What are your thoughts?

Yeah, I could see that there.

It seemed like at that point, he got rid of his last 'crutch' that was keeping him from realizing Brahman.

Like a real crutch, its necessary for one to use when regaining strength to walk on one's own, but to use it once no longer needed makes more problems.
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
New release I'm reading now.....
An Interactive Bible Course for Beginners.
lff_E_lg.jpg

https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&pub=lff&srcid=share

For those who are interested, we all need help to study and understand the Bible and this is a good model for teachers and students alike.
 

VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
What are some books on y'alls reading list to help you understand whatever beliefs that are interesting you at the moment? Currently reading

Out of the Shadows: An Exploration of Dark Paganism and Magick
John J. Coughlin.

Other books currently borrowed by me on kindle unlimited to read later are
Paganism and the Evolution of Christianity
Candace L. Bowser

MAGICK: It's All In Your Head
Asbjorn Torvol

Paganism: Everything from Ancient, Hellenic, Norse, and Celtic Paganism to Heathenry, Wicca, and Other Modern Pagan Beliefs and Practices
Mari Silva

Lessons of a Young Heathen
Asbjorn Torvol

The Onyx Bible of Theistic Satanism
Anonymous person

The Bible of the Adversary : 10th Anniversary Edition
Michael W Ford

The Luciferian Mind: Volume One
Isaac Walker

PAGANISM: The Ultimate Guide To Paganism Inlcuding Wicca, Spirituality, Spells & Practises For A Pagan Life (Magick Spells, Witchcraft, Book Of Shadows, New Age)
Solemon Rune

White Crow's Beginner's Book of Shadows: A Witchcraft Primer for the Novice
Jennifer Lefering

So curious to see what all of y'all are reading on various beliefs be it abrahamic, Dharmic, pagan or other. Could give me ideas on what to read next.
I finished all except the Luciferian mind one. I decided not to read it after I found out its a book about how evil Luciferianism is from a Christian perspective. I borrowed 10 more:

The Door to Witchcraft: A New Witch's Guide to History, Traditions, and Modern-Day Spells
Tonya A. Brown

The Left Hand Path: Philosophy & Praxis, Volume I
Asenath Mason

Upon The Great Goddess of The Left-Hand Path
Baal Kadmon

Awakening Lucifer
Asenath Mason

Tree Magic Witchcraft Book: An Ultimate Guide For Starter, Wiccan Tree Magic In Rituals: Dark Wicca Magic
Marcos Naugler

Dream Gates & Astral Paths
Edgar Kerval

Luciferian Order: To Know, Dare, Will and Keep Silent
Lucian Black

The Satanic Bible: 50th Anniversary ReVision
Michael Aquino

Queer Paganism (Full Colour): A spirituality that embraces all identities
Jo Green

Norse Mythology: Learn about Viking History, Myths, Norse Gods, and Legends
Amy Hughes
 
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