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| Patric Miller, golfer and near death experiencer |
I was
recently reading reviews of Dr. Eben Alexander's book "Proof of Heaven: A
Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife." The most helpful Amazon review
was by Patric Miller, who identified himself as someone who had had a near
death experience. I was impressed by Patric's review, but even more impressed
by his comportment in the lengthy discussion that followed. As is often the
case with Amazon discussions, some posts were prickly. Patric remained classy
and on topic. You can read Patric's review here.
Patric maintains a webpage, "Beyond God and Science," where he talks about the insights he gained from his own near death experience, here.
I asked Patric to review "Save Send Delete." His review is below:
***
In the C.S. Lewis classic book, "The Screwtape Letters," we read one-way communication from an earth-bound demon, working to try and capture the soul of a wayward Christian. In Danusha Goska's "Save Send Delete" we are privy to one-way replies to a modern day demon, in the semi-fictionalized role of one of the chief skeptic leaders of the modern atheist movement.
Like many who read this book, you may be compelled to try and figure out who the key protagonist is based upon. I was assured by the author that the actual role model was indeed a well-known, public skeptic/atheist who can be seen regularly on talk shows, and multimedia interviews online. And more important, that the events of the story were all true.
Which of course makes the entire book all the more compelling.
If this "fiction" was indeed based upon real life events, then one must believe all of the heartbreaking and amazingly revealing transcript of a life that is enlightened, beyond challenging, and yet based in a Christian faith that is not only unshakable and adamant in its defense.
"Mira" is resolute and amazingly brilliant in her defense/offense, dodge and parry dueling with "Rand," the flawed, flailing, and all too foibled famous atheist/science pragmatist known for destroying every challenge from Christianity and other traditional faiths and "fringe science," that would dare look at our existence as being more metaphysical than physical. Her arguments are solid, and convincing, in a way that is hard to refute, although we are not privy to what is actually being written by "Rand."
While this literary vehicle can be frustrating at times, her replies make it clear as to the direction and stance he takes. And let's be honest...if you have seen any of the aforementioned professional atheists on a talk show, or read one of their books, the "party line" is pretty clear, thin and repetitive.
However, what makes this a great piece of writing, worthy of the highest recommendation, is not the outward debate that transpires, but the way in which this book examines the true state of the human condition, and how frail and fragile "success" really can be, in this complex, reality-show-as-stars-world. The fact that more people know who "Honey Boo Boo" or "Snooky" are, and don't know who Michael Shermer or Richard Dawkins are, should make my point.
Mira and Rand are not just theological polar opposites, their very existence as a famous, rich, well-lettered, and privileged voice of humanism, contrasted by a person marginalized by circumstance, health issues, and a health and education system that borders on sadistic, is at the root of the amazing transformation that takes place in both of the characters of the book...and most likely the reader.
While I am not a member of any specific faith or religious denomination, the message here is clearly one of the need for us to see every person beyond the basic outer shell, and realize that compassion cuts both ways in a society so divided by religion, politics, and a widening income gap that creates a clear caste system in the Western world, as well as third world countries.
The most amazing aspect of this book to me...and I agree with other reviewers that it is a short read, simply because you can't put it down...is that you are left to fill in the blanks in your own life, in a way that almost no other modern book on theology, personal relationships, or the perils of online relationships usually does. This is a cautionary tale, not only in realizing the limitations of electronic communications without personal contact, but even more important, the need to reach out and MAKE personal contact with everyone you meet in your everyday life.
Mira/Danusha does this in ways that are humbling, compelling, and amazing.
This is a voice that should be heard...no matter where you stand on the debate between science and faith. This book should be the beginning of a life-changing moment for the author...as well as the reader. I only hope that I can be part of getting the word out to a far larger audience.
Patric maintains a webpage, "Beyond God and Science," where he talks about the insights he gained from his own near death experience, here.
I asked Patric to review "Save Send Delete." His review is below:
***
In the C.S. Lewis classic book, "The Screwtape Letters," we read one-way communication from an earth-bound demon, working to try and capture the soul of a wayward Christian. In Danusha Goska's "Save Send Delete" we are privy to one-way replies to a modern day demon, in the semi-fictionalized role of one of the chief skeptic leaders of the modern atheist movement.
Like many who read this book, you may be compelled to try and figure out who the key protagonist is based upon. I was assured by the author that the actual role model was indeed a well-known, public skeptic/atheist who can be seen regularly on talk shows, and multimedia interviews online. And more important, that the events of the story were all true.
Which of course makes the entire book all the more compelling.
If this "fiction" was indeed based upon real life events, then one must believe all of the heartbreaking and amazingly revealing transcript of a life that is enlightened, beyond challenging, and yet based in a Christian faith that is not only unshakable and adamant in its defense.
"Mira" is resolute and amazingly brilliant in her defense/offense, dodge and parry dueling with "Rand," the flawed, flailing, and all too foibled famous atheist/science pragmatist known for destroying every challenge from Christianity and other traditional faiths and "fringe science," that would dare look at our existence as being more metaphysical than physical. Her arguments are solid, and convincing, in a way that is hard to refute, although we are not privy to what is actually being written by "Rand."
While this literary vehicle can be frustrating at times, her replies make it clear as to the direction and stance he takes. And let's be honest...if you have seen any of the aforementioned professional atheists on a talk show, or read one of their books, the "party line" is pretty clear, thin and repetitive.
However, what makes this a great piece of writing, worthy of the highest recommendation, is not the outward debate that transpires, but the way in which this book examines the true state of the human condition, and how frail and fragile "success" really can be, in this complex, reality-show-as-stars-world. The fact that more people know who "Honey Boo Boo" or "Snooky" are, and don't know who Michael Shermer or Richard Dawkins are, should make my point.
Mira and Rand are not just theological polar opposites, their very existence as a famous, rich, well-lettered, and privileged voice of humanism, contrasted by a person marginalized by circumstance, health issues, and a health and education system that borders on sadistic, is at the root of the amazing transformation that takes place in both of the characters of the book...and most likely the reader.
While I am not a member of any specific faith or religious denomination, the message here is clearly one of the need for us to see every person beyond the basic outer shell, and realize that compassion cuts both ways in a society so divided by religion, politics, and a widening income gap that creates a clear caste system in the Western world, as well as third world countries.
The most amazing aspect of this book to me...and I agree with other reviewers that it is a short read, simply because you can't put it down...is that you are left to fill in the blanks in your own life, in a way that almost no other modern book on theology, personal relationships, or the perils of online relationships usually does. This is a cautionary tale, not only in realizing the limitations of electronic communications without personal contact, but even more important, the need to reach out and MAKE personal contact with everyone you meet in your everyday life.
Mira/Danusha does this in ways that are humbling, compelling, and amazing.
This is a voice that should be heard...no matter where you stand on the debate between science and faith. This book should be the beginning of a life-changing moment for the author...as well as the reader. I only hope that I can be part of getting the word out to a far larger audience.
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