A groundbreaking book about Americans searching for faith and mutual respect, The Faith Club weaves the story of three women, their three religions, and their urgent quest to understand one another.
After September 11, Ranya Idliby, an American Muslim of Palestinian descent, faced constant questions about Islam, God, and death from her children, the only Muslims in their classrooms. Inspired by a story about Muhammad, Ranya reached out to two other mothers to write an interfaith children's book that would highlight the connections between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. After just a few meetings, however, the women realized that they themselves needed an honest and open environment where they could admit—and discuss—their concerns, stereotypes, and misunderstandings. After hours of soul-searching about the issues that divided them, Ranya, Suzanne, and Priscilla grew close enough to discover and explore what united them.
A memoir of spiritual reflections in three voices, The Faith Club has spawned interfaith discussion groups in churches, temples, mosques, and other community settings. It will make you feel as if you are eavesdropping on the authors' private thoughts, provocative discussions, and often-controversial opinions and conclusions.
As the authors reveal their deepest beliefs, you watch the blossoming of a profound interfaith friendship and the birth of a new way of relating to others. Pioneering, timely, deeply thoughtful, and full of hope, The Faith Club's caring message will resonate with people of all faiths.
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"This surprised me. Recent bible study sparked some convos, and my friend suggested this book. Wonderful perspectives and very hot topic subject matter regarding the three relgions. Especially after 9/11. It's not a worn out subject. There are serious emotions and incredible historical events related to the events prior to and as a result of 9/11. I felt like I was in the room...uncomfortable at times, enlightened, angry, sad...but my overall conclusion still stands. We are of the same beliefs underneath it all. And why are we fighting again. Don't egg me. I'm military brat blood through and through..but still...The book...not fiction...really makes you wonder."
— Ali (5 out of 5 stars)
“Brimming with passion and conviction, and concluding with suggestions for starting a similar faith club, this is essential reading for anyone interested in interfaith dialogue.”
— Booklist (starred review)" Reading this book caused me to examine my own faith in more detail. None of these women were certain of their beliefs and that was disappointing to me. I learned a great deal about the Jewish and Muslim faiths. We can learn much from each other. "
— Shawna, 2/16/2014" Maybe one of the best books I have ever read. An enlightening read, no matter your religious tendencies. "
— Emily, 2/16/2014" Interesting but I felt the authors seemed not to be well versed in their respective religions they were discussing. A good try at bringing different religions to start a dialogue "
— Sipho, 2/13/2014" A feel-good read that will make you think about your religious beliefs and your conceptions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. But mostly you come away wanting to start your own Faith Club while eating large quantities of chocolate. "
— Shelley, 2/11/2014" I really enjoy the frankness of their discussions and that there isn't much sugar coating when they disagree. But like all good friendships, they respect each other enough to go the distance when they do have conflicts or differences in opinions. "
— Lynne, 2/11/2014" Great read. The book is truly an insight into the minds and personal conversations of these three women. I thought it was really brave of them to come to terms with elements of their respective faiths they didn't believe in & didn't follow. Also, I could really appreciate the openness they shared, confronting each other's stereotypes without fear of being labeled racist. I think it's a great book for anyone wanting to learn and gain insight on how religion isn't and shouldn't be as complicated as we make it to be. "
— Nazia, 2/6/2014" I loved this book. Possibly because I'm on a spiritual journey of my own, or because this is just the type of book that really intrigues me. The story was told so perfectly by these 3 women. There wasn't a moment that left you wondering what reason they had behind what they believed, or what they were struggling with believing. You felt like you were invited into the club. I was left with new understandings, and an open mind. "
— Rebekah, 2/3/2014" It's a wonderful book that discusses the differences and similarities of 3 women of different faiths (Christian, Judaism, Muslim). "
— Kaia, 1/22/2014" reading slowly, never finished, a bit too maudlin "
— Jeri, 1/12/2014" This was a wonderful, wonderful book! I learned so much about about the 3 different faiths, it was truly a wonderful journey! "
— Kimberly, 1/7/2014" did not finish this one :( "
— Norma, 12/22/2013" This book is a reminder that we have much in common with one another and establishing solid meaningful relationships allows that to be revealed. This is more about working to connect, which these women did beautifully. "
— Mary, 12/19/2013" This was such a fabulous book club read! So much to discuss...the book goes through so many topics and it is wonderful to read many of the similarities and to have a better understanding of the main differences. These women did a wonderful job putting this book together! "
— Rebecca, 12/15/2013" Very interesting account of the conversations and experiences of trying to understand one another's religions. "
— Judy, 9/28/2013" I like that this book incorporates multiple perspectives on religion and highlights the interconnectedness of all people. "
— Catherine, 7/23/2013" Lightweight. It may be that the three women who wrote this book, consciously or not, conducted their discussions primarily for the purpose of writing a salable book; in any case the book seemed made with marketing in mind. "
— Michal, 4/4/2013" This is a hopeful book -- part of the answer to our current crisis is to have interfaith conversation and this book is great place to start. "
— Paul, 4/2/2013" Thought-provoking and enlightening, but the presentation is frustrating and overly long. "
— Anne, 3/30/2013" Informational. Didn't like how it's written but I also can't think of a better way to write it. I stalled out in the middle but once I picked it back up, it went fast. "
— Summer, 1/21/2013" It takes honest communication between faiths to truly understand each other and appreciate the different beliefs. "
— Eleanor, 1/18/2013" An eyeopening book. A muslim, christian and jew collaborate on this book to explain what each religion really believes. It's a no-holds-barred account of these 3 women examing their faiths. Great book! "
— Jana, 12/29/2012" Educational, but half way through it felt repeatitive, so I quit reading it. "
— Kalleeandsam, 11/26/2012" A little boring since I am not interested in religion. The religions were idealized, as the religions are described as they are in theory rather than in practice, and from a liberal point of view. But worth reading anyhow. "
— Marcie, 7/28/2012" An appealing personal faith history of three women who came together to explore both the differences and central truths behind Judaism, Christianity and Islam. "
— Patty, 7/6/2012" another book club selection. (i should quit my book club.) i'll get back to you, but so far it is quite cheesy. UNBELIEVABLY cheesy. interesting concept, but the writing style is driving me MAD. "
— sdrd, 6/22/2012" I read this book a couple of years ago and enjoyed it, found it very interesting. I will be interested to hear how you like it, Laura. "
— Ann, 5/22/2012" I really liked learning about Islam and Judaism from the perspective of practicing mothers. I also liked being able to follow their feelings and thought processes. This book is a good conversation starter. "
— Cara, 4/28/2012Ranya Idliby was raised in Dubai and McLean, Virginia. She holds a bachelor of science from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and she earned her MS in international relations from the London School of Economics. She lives in New York City with her husband and two children.
Suzanne Oliver was raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and has worked as a writer and editor at Forbes and Financial World magazines. She graduated from Texas Christian University and lives in New York City and Jaffrey Center, New Hampshire, with her husband and three children.
Priscilla Warner grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, and spent many years in Boston and New York as an advertising art director, shooting ads for everything from English muffins to diamond earrings. Priscilla coauthored the New York Times bestselling memoir The Faith Club, then toured the country for three years. Finally, in the skies over Oklahoma, she vowed to find her inner monk and began meditating her way from panic to peace. She is also the author of Learning to Breathe.
Pam Ward, an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator, found her true calling reading books for the blind and physically handicapped for the Library of Congress’ Talking Books program. The fact that she can work with Blackstone Audio from the beauty of the mountains of Southern Oregon is an unexpected bonus.