Book Reviews by Ehlen Administration

Voodoo Intersection: Poverty, Crime and Disease in Haiti by Yonie Richard My rating: 4 of 5 stars Voodoo Intersection explores the cultural relevance of the voodoo religion in Haiti, and places the poverty, crime and government corruption squarely upon it. Author Yoni Richard, a Haitian immigrant to the US, pulls no punches when describing the devolution of voodoo (what she calls inbred voodoo) and how it permeates the culture, usually to the culture’s detriment. It is a very quick read, and explains the basic tenets of voodoo and how they impact the Haitian daily life. It is a very blunt explanation, and very helpful to those who don’t know much about it. It is not a pleasant or politically correct tale, but accurate from what I know of history, and obviously poignant and meaningful to Richard, as it is the life she led and fled. What I find interesting is the juxtaposition of the Haitian democratic revolution - did you know that Haiti is the world’s longest-running modern demo...

Within a Presumption of Godlessness by Tom Dauria My rating: 3 of 5 stars In Within A Presumption of Godlessness author Tom Dauria explores the shifting views of modern society from the traditional basis of the assumption of a supreme deity or deities to the the presumption that there is no god. This modern interpretation of the metaphysical realm assumes that science offers the only explanation of origin, purpose and the afterlife, and that religion is the opiate of the masses. Dauria explores such topics as the theory of evolution and its origins, modern media dismissing and even demonizing Judeo-Christian culture, and revisionist history that writes God and faith out of what is taught in academia today. I was thrilled to see a book that takes on some of the modern cultural myths that have somehow permeated our ethos, particularly straightening out some of the revisionist history. I was a little annoyed by the constant referencing of the “too smart” and “educated stupid” as ...

HEAVEN IS IN YOUR FUTURE: The gift you cannot refuse by David Arthur DuRocher My rating: 2 of 5 stars The conclusion of the book offered the theories proposed in the book as an alternative to the traditional Christian theory of salvation. I’m glad that was clarified, because this is definitely quite a different interpretation of a traditional Biblical view of souls, salvation and the Cross. DuRocher offers his personal revelation that in fact reincarnation is consistent with Christianity, and Christians are only here to aid others on the easy passage to heaven rather than be burned into heaven by fire. We all make it, however, as evidenced by the title. There is no hell in store for any soul, only the Kingdom of Heaven. While I appreciated that multiple translations were cited and stated in the text, the reading became a little redundant because of the verses written several times each. I think that it would have been simpler to cite what was changed in each translation rather t...