The Laughing Jesus

June 15, 2005
In their latest collaboration (after "Jesus and the Lost Goddess"), Freke and Gandy announce a crusade to do away with the alleged "lies" of institutional religion based on inaccurate history and the literal interpretation of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Scriptures. In Part 1, "The Bathwater," which draws on both classic and unconventional sources, they argue that the fundamentalist branches of these religions created an us-vs.-them mentality that led up to 9/11. In Part 2, "The Baby," spirituality becomes the answer to religion as the authors promote their form of Gnosticism. Freke and Gandy end with "A Philosophical Workout" of exercises to promote unitive consciousness. The problem with this book is its stereotyping of the religions addressed, and, in the name of Oneness, its proclaiming a dualism of literalism vs. Gnosticism. While it will rub many readers the wrong way, it may appeal to New Agers who view themselves as spiritual rather than religious; recommended for libraries serving that audience. -Carolyn M. Craft, Longwood Univ., Farmville, VA

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