Dr Rachael Kohn – 'The David Suzuki Of The Soul'

HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS MEDIA RELEASE

The New Believers:
Re-imagining God

DR RACHAEL KOHN – 'The David Suzuki of the Soul'

NEW ZEALAND SPEAKING TOUR IN SEPTEMBER

An adventure into the contemporary trends that are reshaping religion and spirituality, both in established traditions and through new and evolving beliefs and practices.

"Rachael Kohn's book 'The New Believers' provides a mirror into which every organized religious tradition should be compelled to look. She points to hope not fear, to openness not repression. The spiritual side of human life is far from dead in this 21st century but many forms of institutional religious life are so clearly in the last stages of rigor mortis. Rachael Kohn offers to those who have the eyes to see a new pathway into a religious future that is real. It might be religion's last chance." Bishop John Shelby Spong, author, A New Christianity For A New World

The predicted decline of religion is a furphy. Books that claim to be conversations with God sell in the millions, women are turning towards the Goddess, the famously anti-religious profession of psychology is drawing insights from Buddhism and scientists are suggesting the biological basis of morality. The search for the Divine extends far beyond the walls of the church and synagogue.

Today's new believers are re-imagining God to embrace the self-help movement, the Westernisation of Buddhism and the moral agenda of environmentalism. Undeterred by the sharply secular dissection of the Bible, they have unearthed fresh ways of experiencing its wisdom.

But the news is not all hopeful. The race to find the latest guru and the explosion of spiritual creativity often lack a moral compass. As religious extremism targets the West, can we afford to ignore potentially dangerous directions in the search for meaning?

Rachael Kohn assesses the new spirituality — its benefits as well as its cost to society — with passion and understanding. The New Believers confirms her unique place in Australian media and national debate, forged by her acclaimed weekly radio programme, The Spirit of Things For more information on Rachael, check out her website: http://www.rachaelkohn.com/about.html, for details of her events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, please check out: http://www.harpercollins.co.nz/authors/events.cfm

Rachael is touring Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland 23-28 September. Tour details follow, RRP $34.99, Release Date Now Available

ENDS

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