Shopping for God: A Sceptic's Search for Value in the Spiritual Marketplace Book

Is spirituality more than just a lifestyle choice? In Shopping for God, prompted by something of an epiphany at Milton Keynes--where, beneath the Golden Arches, the scales fall from his eyes and he sees for all its worth the bankruptcy of consumer culture--Howard embarks on an enthralling journey of discovery. Like a true postmodern pilgrim, he ventures to sample as many delicacies from the spiritual smogasbord as he can. Unlike many a postmodern pilgrim, he asks tough questions of the "faiths" he finds along the way, offering a healthy dose of critical, yet intelligent, analysis. This is more travelogue than treatise, written with the warmth and humour of a Bill Bryson. Howard's search takes him to the tips of tors, to tucked-away churches, hidden valleys peppered with teepees and basement chapels awaiting their UFO saviours. It is both a fascinating and moving account, as he genuinely seeks enlightenment from druids, King Arthur lookalikes, sound healers, witches, seekers of the cosmic orgasm, fundamentalist Christians, self-help therapists and others. Shopping for God is sharp and well-researched--a worthy social document for the turn of the century. Many "normal" people still long to believe, but struggle to belong (especially to organised religion). So is there something out there that gives meaning and depth to a culture obsessed with the surface of things? "I am not sure if I can believe at this point," concludes Howard. "I find some of the stories hard to swallow. That is not the heart of it for me, though. I am waiting to be convinced." It certainly beats a day at Milton Keynes. --Brian DraperRead More