The Seven Faith Tribes by George Barna - Another DNF

The Seven Faith Tribes: Who They Are, What They Believe, and Why They Matter
by George Barna
Published April, 2009
BarnaBooks - Nonfiction/Religion
DNF (272 pages)

When we create a burgeoning industry of assisted living for our elderly relatives we don't have the time or inclination to care for, we redefine family and negate a fundamental strength of our society. When we donate less than 3 percent of our income to causes that enhance the quality and sustainability of life, our lack of generosity affects the future of our society. When we permit the blogosphere to become a rathole of deceit, rudeness, and visual garbage, we forfeit part of the soul of our culture. When we allow "no fault" divorce to become the law of the land, as if nobody had any responsibilities in the demise of a marriage, we foster the demise of our society. When we choose to place our children in day care and prekindergarten programs for more hours than we share with them, we have made a definitive statement about what matters in our world.

I highlighted the sentence that made my jaw drop. Interesting that the author of this book referred to the blogosphere as a "rathole of deceit, rudeness and visual garbage" and then chose to promote his book through blogs, don't you think? I have to admit, that sentence put me off so thoroughly that I only lasted about 3 more pages (up to page 12, in the first chapter).

From the cover of The Seven Faith Tribes:
In this groundbreaking work, acclaimed researcher and best-selling author George Barna identifies, describes, and analyzes the seven major "faith tribes" in America--documenting who they are, what they believe, how they vote, and what they are passionate about.

I managed to read about one "tribe" and that was quite some time ago, when the book arrived at my house. The Seven Faith Tribes arrived on my doorstep just after I finished reading The Blood of Lambs in April. I referred to the section on Muslim beliefs at that time, hoping that I would find some additional information that would help illuminate the Muslim faith. I found the chapter unrevealing and, in some ways, innacurate -- at least in comparison to what the author of The Blood of Lambs said about his Muslim beliefs.

I would suggest that you read the sneak peek chapter, posted just prior to this blog entry, if you're interested in the book. I can't think of anyone to whom I'd recommend The Seven Faith Tribes, but I didn't get far enough to say, "Don't read it," so I'll just leave it at that -- no recommendation, no warning to avoid the book.

Up next: No idea, although I finished The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie, a few days ago. Maybe I'll review it. But perhaps I'll just babble. We'll burn that bridge when we get to it.

Just walked in:

The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson
The King's Legacy: A Story of Wisdom for the Ages by Jim Stovall

Yesterday's surprisingly embarrassing windfall:

In the Kitchen - Monica Ali
The French Gardener - Santa Montefiore
East of the Sun - Julia Gregson
The Love of Her Life - Harriet Evans
(all from Simon & Schuster)

First Comes Love, Then Comes Malaria - Eve Brown-Waite
Love in Bloom - Sheila Roberts
In the Sanctuary of Outcasts - Neil White
Life's That Way - Jim Beaver
A Wall of White - Jennifer Woodlief
(all 5 won during the BEATwittyParty and sent directly by Folio Literary Management)

The mailman tottered halfway across my yard, balancing those two big boxes (I met him in the middle) and I recall declaring to someone (either my online book group or those wildly fun people I hang out with on Twitter) that if the UPS or FedEx trucks came anywhere near my house I'd have no choice but to throw myself beneath their wheels. Fortunately, that was it for the day. Only 9 books. Hahaha. Only.

Because this post needs some color, a peek at last weekend's swim meet:


We were very fortunate. Today, the heat index crept up to 98 degrees (88 degrees, 63% humidity the last time I looked) but it was quite pleasant during the swim meet.

And, one last thing:

Does anyone know what the heck Ed means by "assumptive coverage" in his comment to this post? I looked it up online. Ed has used the two words together repeatedly, but Google tells me he's quite unique in his wording. I avoid jumping into controversy in much the same way that most people avoid individuals with the plague, so I'm not leaping into the middle of this issue. But, boy, Ed sure has a few bloggers and book tour coordinators riled up with his recent comments.

Now, I shall fold my technical T-shirts as the homemakers do and quietly go read a book (because I'm writing this late at night, although it won't show up until morning -- it's like time travel, cooool). Nighty-night!

Bookfool in bare feet with air conditioner and ceiling fan