Author(s): Jane Caro, Anthony Loewenstein, Simon Smart & Rachel Woodlock

Philosophy

Four of Australia's most interesting religious - and anti-religious - thinkers come together to ask and answer the big questions, such as: What is the nature of the universe? What is a good life? How do we account for evil? and Where do we find hope? Along the way we are introduced to the detail of different belief systems - Judaism, Christianity, Islam - and to the argument that atheism, like organised religion, has its own compelling logic. This is a fascinating exercise in comparative religion and a philosophical tour de force, but also an entertaining and honest insight into the life events that led each author to their current position. Antony Lowenstein is proudly culturally Jewish but vehemently anti-orthodox. Jane Caro flirted briefly with spiritual belief, inspired by 19th century literary heroines such as Elizabeth Gaskell and the Bronte sisters. Rachael Woodlock grew up in the alternative embrace of Baha'i belief but chose Islam as the religion that would best support her into adulthood. Simon Smart is firmly and resolutely a Christian, but one who has his most profound spiritual moments while surfing. Provocative, informative and passionately argued, For God's Sake encourages us to accept religious differences but to also challenge more vigorously the beliefs that create discord.