Young spiritual leaders are beginning to remove the reasons why so many of us have kept religion at arm's length. "Spiritual sagacity does not belong only to seniors like Mother Teresa and Dorothy Day, Martin Buber and Abraham Joshua Heschel, the veteran Desmond Tutu and the aging Dalai Lama. Let's hear from a generation that is marked by new experiences." —from the Preface by Martin E. Marty By transforming our faith traditions in light of today's increasing diversity, the search for community, the Internet and our changing lifestyles, these young, visionary spiritual leaders are helping to create the new spirituality. Ten contributors, most in their mid-thirties, span the spectrum of religious traditions—Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Unitarian, Buddhist—and offer their "visions," bold spiritual manifestos, for transforming our faith communities and our lives. Hear how one Catholic priest proclaims "all religion and spirituality ought to be zesty, passionate, rich and deep"; how one rabbi serves a "congregation" on the web for Microsoft and rides in squad cars on drug busts in New York City; how a self-described "Zen priest" is serving an Episcopal church in Alaska; and how a talented young woman lives her "wild and precious life" changing the world as a nun. These stories, and others, will challenge your assumptions about what religion is—and isn't.

Young spiritual leaders are beginning to remove the reasons why
so many of us have kept religion at arm's length.

"Spiritual sagacity does not belong only to seniors like Mother Teresa and Dorothy Day, Martin Buber and Abraham Joshua Heschel, the veteran Desmond Tutu and the aging Dalai Lama. Let's hear from a generation that is marked by new experiences." from the Preface by Martin E. Marty

By transforming our faith traditions in light of today's increasing diversity, the search for community, the Internet and our changing lifestyles, these young, visionary spiritual leaders are helping to create the new spirituality.

Ten contributors, most in their mid-thirties, span the spectrum of religious traditions Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Unitarian, Buddhist and offer their "visions," bold spiritual manifestos, for transforming our faith communities and our lives.

Hear how one Catholic priest proclaims "all religion and spirituality ought to be zesty, passionate, rich and deep"; how one rabbi serves a "congregation" on the web for Microsoft and rides in squad cars on drug busts in New York City; how a self-described "Zen priest" is serving an Episcopal church in Alaska; and how a talented young woman lives her "wild and precious life" changing the world as a nun.

These stories, and others, will challenge your assumptions about what religion is and isn't.

Eight Questions of Faith is a spiritual exploration of some of life’s biggest questions—questions that have been asked by prophets and kings, mystics and sinners—that continue to be asked by every one of us today. Niles Elliot Goldstein uses eight questions found in the Bible to explore the human journey from cradle to grave, confronting such important existential experiences and themes as mortality, responsibility, forbidden knowledge, sin, and the afterlife. By interweaving texts from the Bible, commentaries, philosophy, psychology, and literature with his own experiences, Goldstein also meditates on midlife. This book will appeal to believers and nonbelievers alike and is aimed at anyone who has ever faced a challenge or wondered what life is all about. 

Gonzo Judaism is both a clarion call for a new Jewish agenda and a blueprint for an adventurous but genuine path toward spiritual growth and true religious wisdom. Rabbi Niles Elliot Goldstein, founder and Rabbi Emeritus of The New Shul in New York City, says that most conventional Jewish institutions are out-of-touch and have relied too much on nostalgia, guilt, and fear--none of which resonate with modern Jews. He challenges Jews to adopt the "gonzo" spirit--the rebellious, risk-taking attitude associated with the gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson--and to take creative, innovative steps to reshape and revitalize contemporary Judaism.
Goldstein urges readers to take a fresh look at Judaism, to become educated about its history and tradition, to find what feels spiritually meaningful, and to create a Jewish culture and community rooted in affirmation, joy, and celebration. He provides a wealth of information on organizations, institutions, synagogues, grassroots groups, and networks that can help get you started on the gonzo path. "Gonzo Judaism" was chosen by "Publishers Weekly" as one of the best religion books of 2006, and was also a finalist for a Quill Award in 2007.

What are the qualities we need to cultivate in order to face the challenges of our life with less fear and more courage? In "The Challenge of the Soul", Rabbi Niles Goldstein uses a variety of teachings - from Jewish and other sources - to show readers how to cultivate what he calls the spiritual warrior within. Goldstein interweaves the teachings of sages, biblical figures, and philosophers of all stripes with his own insights and personal experiences as a rabbi, martial artist, and limit-pusher to help readers get past their perceived limitations and confront life's challenges with fearlessness and fortitude. Goldstein identifies eight essential qualities that he believes we should cultivate to approach life with self-determination: openness, introspection, discipline, courage, creativity, stamina, restraint, and perseverance. Then he uses a programmatic approach to explore these qualities and the ways we can embrace them in our lives. Rabbi Goldstein is known for challenging himself physically, mentally, and spiritually. He served as an FBI chaplain to law enforcement after 9/11, has travelled to numerous remote and inhospitable places, and has sought out challenging experiences to rigorously test himself and the meaning of his faith.