Working On God

Book Review

Gallagher, Winifred. Working On God. The Modern Library. 1999.
W.G.- A behavioral-science reporter.

Comment. Henry.
The endorsements of this book focus on the value of this book as it deals with the religious environment on late twentieth century America. The author has spent three years on this resource and has done an impressive job researching religion as it relates to where people’s interests are. I don’t think her experience did much to change her understanding and relationship with God. She is still an agnostic. I found this book helpful as a resource on Zen (Buddhism), Judaism, Catholicism, and New Age.

The author talks about spirituality as she experienced it at Sonoma Mountain Zen Centre, B’nai Jeshurum (a Conservative synagogue), and a celebration of St. Francis of Assisi in the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine. She speaks as a representative of the ‘neoagnostics’ (“Well-educated skeptics who have inexplicable metaphysical feelings.”) Her focus is millennial religion, the religion of the twentieth century. The religion that appeals to neoagnostics “must be real in the experiential sense, it must also harmonize with what is intellectually known to be true”. (43)

To accept and understand a relationship between science and religion is fundamental to neoagnostics. The dynamic of the small group is conducive to thinking for ourselves and provides the community necessary for experiencing legitimate religion. The contrasts on good and bad (right and wrong) are demonstrated by the fundamentalists on one end of the scale and psycho moralists on the other.

The author subscribes to healing as the result of prayers. “Much of healing’s popularity derives from its fusion of two contemporary enthusiasms: spirituality and science.” (157) Pluralism is seen as inevitable and should be recognized and should be recognized for its positive effect on all faiths. New Age covers a great variety of practices and beliefs found in many cultures. It “is largely a movement of well educated white white-collared professionals whose spirituality must accommodate science, nature, and psychology”. (168)

Understanding and respecting each other’s view is tolerance. “The most obvious indication of moving beyond tolerance is intermarriage,” between people of different ‘faiths’. (202) Families and extended family are impacted. Children of such marriages are impacted the most. Religions of the past, i.e. childhood, will always have an impact (attraction) on a person’s spiritual journey.

Zen, Judaism and Christianity are claimed as major influences on the author’s experience of “Working On God”. Her point of reference is her position as a ‘neoagnostic’. In actual fact she does not believe in the God of Christianity. Her closing comment explains her position. “I believe religion is right. It says you should do the best you can right now. If there is a better way to live, I don’t know of it. I intend to keep working on God.” (317)


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