Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters by Steven Pinker (Goodreads Author)

4 out of 5 stars  ****
 

Scholarly explanation of rationality and how humans use it to achieve their goals whether noble or not. Reason, logic, and truth can expose hypocrisy and rally support for causes deemed worthwhile. So rationality is a valuable tool to evoke moral progress in a flawed world inhabited by flawed beings.

The bulk of this book is a mindful that lists scientific formulae, graphs, and statistic computations that require an attentive focus to grasp. Listening to the audiobook in the car proves to be disconcerting because safety while driving robs from that focus needed. A disappointment occurs when politics becomes opportunity to voice obvious prejudice in the name of rationality. Opinion is stated as fact with a hint of snobbery and elitism. 

The Holy Spirit: Activating God's Power in Your Life by Billy Graham, Jack Garrett (Narrator)

 

5 out of 5 stars  *****

Billy Graham explains religious questions about the Holy Spirit, the Triune God, and the Spirit's purpose. Developing a relationship with the Holy Spirit is impossible without faith in God and His word, the Bible. Jesus Christ is the other component of that Trinity. Jesus tells the apostles that He leaves the Holy Spirit with them to guide, support, and encourage them in their mission to spread the Good News, the gospel, after He leaves but that He'll return one day.  After Christ's second coming, mankind will be without the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit benefits those who accept Him and rejects those who refuse. Its fruit are the characteristics of God, never changing, and not subject to any laws or rules. They are Peace, Love, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. Surrender to God's will and be graced with these qualities in a transformation that yields eternal life.

The Holy Spirit dwells in Christians to comfort as well. The imperfection of man is apparent in an honest relationship with God and this is not only humbling but dangerous if one gives up striving to live a life Jesus exemplifies. Man's failures are not damning; only quitting on the Holy Spirit is. Man's sins are forgiven by the sacrifice Christ makes on the cross.

The Spirit exhorts confession, repentance, and obedience out of love. This daily practice of prayer, Bible study, and obedience deepens the understanding of one's purpose, to love God with all one's heart and to love one's neighbor as oneself. Listen to His wisdom, feel His peace of mind, grow in love and do everything in it; notice constant joy regardless of any circumstance, demonstrate kindness, be of good humor and intention, be trustworthy and never lie, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger in gentleness, and surrender to the Holy Spirit personal desires for the righteous will of God.

The President and the Freedom Fighter: Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Their Battle to Save America's Soul by Brian Kilmeade

 

5 out of 5 stars  *****

A wonderful read about the lives of two self-made men from different parts of the country in the mid 1800's. Their fates converge in a time of great stress and human suffering. Each possess qualities they admire in the other. Together they cause the fundamental changes needed in a time America needs them most, the Civil War. At first, Abe Lincoln, the president, does not commit to the abolitionists' cause to put an end to slavery. A self-educated, runaway slave who becomes a gifted orator against slavery, Frederick Douglas, influences the president enough for him to champion the Emancipation Proclamation which initiates eventual freedom for all slaves in a United States of America. Brian Kilmeade does a great job paralleling these two historical giants as men driven by the moral standards delineated in the Declaration of Independence. He captures their strength and poise; qualities that enable the violent clash of ideas to dwell inside earnest and pragmatic leaders who serve one nation and the notion that a Constitutional Republic can exist in harmony once the stain of slavery is removed.

In Touch Daily Readings for devoted living march 2022 by Dr. Charles Stanley

5 out of 5 stars  *****

This monthly devotional stresses wisdom, how to acquire it, and how to practice it everyday. It is wise to read Dr. Charles Stanley's devotionals everyday because it brings one in communion with God who grants wisdom. 

Extinction Shadow (Extinction Cycle: Dark Age #1) by Nicholas Sansbury Smith (Goodreads Author), Anthony J. Melchiorri (Goodreads Author), R.C. Bray (Narrator)

5 out of 5 stars  *****

The first book of an enjoyable diversion from reality, Extinction Cycle: Dark Age 1: Extinction Shadow begins a dystopian series, a renewed encounter with a supposedly vanquished enemy. Biological experiments gone wrong produce hideous creatures known as Variants. Their escape and voracious appetite for living flesh and blood start a major war for survival. This series begins post-war with humans seemingly about to eliminate their created nightmare.  Special military units establish safe zones throughout the United States and scout for stray creatures. When certain posts go dark, no communication or inhabitants, the Ghost Team is sent to investigate. Their discoveries raise new questions but one thing is for sure, the Variants are mutating at an incredible rate, becoming smarter, and thriving somewhere. This intense display of courage and loyalty comes alive because of the narration by R.C. Bray who reads the excellent writing of Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Anthony J. Melchiorri.

 

The Widow by K.L. Slater (Goodreads Author)

 5 out of 5 stars  *****

Interesting story, well written, well narrated and a pleasure in which to escape. The mundane becomes a world of mystery and drama about everyday people. Slater captures ethnic styles of the characters. The protagonist's view emanates from a middle-class English town with Polish transients who seek temporary safe haven while on their own personal quests. Childhood and adult relationship issues reveal personal struggles that are relatable. The five star rating indicates an appreciation for the author's hard work and talent in expressing this narrative so eloquently. 

The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt

4 out of 5 stars  **** 

Jonathan Haidt explains what motivates people to feel one way or another about an issue utilizes intuition before tactical reasoning. Intuition may result from personal experiences but reason belongs to group(ish) associations to support a viewpoint their intuition directs. They defend their opinions as righteous despite any proof of veracity. Similar minds use reason to support their stance behind drawn lines. The more significant the issue the more passionate the defense. This can lead to less debate and wider divisions.

The slippery slope that leads to division between large parties, Democrat vs Republicans or Liberals vs Conservatives, develops as each group assigns certain qualities to their group as defining characteristics for the party. One party touts a list of preferable, human pursuits that provide society opportunities to thrive in a secure prosperity while demonizing others who do not belong to their group's collective way of thinking. The tools and actions, the means, to achieve desired outcomes, the ends, justify their positions and define their campaigns.

People also wear their party affiliation as a badge that deputizes them in the name of everything that is good. The problem with this is the "untruth" that it creates, "us against them" mentality, a natural division. Groups of humans can accept an entire agenda that is not 100 percent representative of their true beliefs just to fit in a powerful, structured party. The sense of belongingness is strong in humans, especially when membership infuses one with a sense of power they lack as a sole individual. Truth, again, may suffer cover-up consequences when it does not align with a particular agenda.

To his credit, the author admits that he is a Liberal. His political leanings are evident before his admission when he refers to one side being this and the other that. Those descriptions are from old and new talking points that fail to recognize that all sides possess the human qualities they attribute to one party or another. They are generalizations which are faulty. Also, the descriptions are outdated. What is known as "Liberal" has come to define the Left side of politics when it should simply apply to individuals without denoting one group or the other. Labelling differences seems to create a deeper chasm with less thought to what truly defines the label, itself.

This book is a scholarly research and investigation into what makes good people divided on the passionate subjects of politics and religion. It sheds much needed light onto the psychology and motivation for one's choices. The author, a proclaimed Atheist, admits that religious groups produce the kindest, most peace loving, and tolerant people in the world. He bases this on their codes of morality which appeal to the higher standards one strives to achieve. Religion is also responsible for so much death and turmoil due to the unhealthy divide that can emerge between one religion and another, especially when one feels more powerful or dominant than the other. Then, the bully tactics start. To diffuse such terrible outcomes, truth should be the "rider" that guides the "elephant" through life.