www.Here-I-Am - Softcover

Stannard, Russell

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1890151858 ISBN 13: 9781890151850

Publisher: Templeton Foundation Press, 2002

Synopsis

Sam didn't think much of religion. What with science being able to explain almost everything about us and about the world we live in, there didn't seem much point to believing in God any more. But then came the day Sam was exploring the Internet, and stumbled across God's website! At least, that was what it claimed to be.Sam decides to investigate, and becomes engrossed in conversations with the mysterious person on the other end. Together they explore the great questions arising out of evolution, astronomy, cosmology, the laws of nature, and the possibility of miracles. Not that Sam knew much science. Fortunately the stranger was able to explain the science from scratch in a way that Sam could understand. They also tackled the problems of evil, suffering, and death; that really set Sam thinking.Readers will be challenged to form their own personal responses to the issues raised based on a listing of forty questions at the back of the book. Sample questions include: ·What do you hope to achieve in your lifetime?
·Does belief in God play a part in that?
·Do you believe in evolution—that you came from animals?
·Do you think there is life on other planets?
·If so, does that make human beings less important?
·Do the world religions contradict each other, or are they simply talking about the same God in somewhat different ways?
·How should belief in an afterlife affect the way you live this life?

About this title

About the Author:

Russell Stannard is emeritus professor of physics at the Open University, the United Kingdom's largest university. Besides contributing to the science/religion dialogue himself, he has written best-selling books introducing children to modern science, and is a well-known television and radio broadcaster.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-8-Readers meet Sam, sitting at his computer and telling the story. Suddenly, a voice inside the screen calls to him. Is it a virus? A hacker? God? The voice knows the boy and invites him to converse, even to enter certain scenes in the computer, including a concentration camp, a hospital, and a crowded street in India. Readers who advance past chapter three will eventually come to realize that the voice tries to help Sam think about religious issues. Stereotypes abound: the boring minister at church, the bully at school, the teacher who only teaches facts, and parents who disagree with one another. "God" finally gets tired of communicating. "To Hell with him!" shouts Sam as he rips the paper out of the computer, and he is left to ponder the ideas the hacker has raised. There's no characterization, and the book is heavy-handed and poorly written. Not for any library.
Linda Beck, Indian Valley Public Library, Telford, PA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Templeton Foundation Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1890151858
• ISBN 13: 9781890151850
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160