THIS I BELIEVE

Editor: John Marsden Contributors: Bob Ansett, Wolf Blass, Eric Bogle, Helen Caldicott, Charles Court, Helen Darville, Tim Ferguson, Kevan Gosper, Al Grassby, Elizabeth Jolley, Joan Kirner, Paul Mercurio, Robyn Williams, William Yang and many more... Published: 1996, Random House Australia Price: AUD$24.95 ISBN: 0-09-183112-1 SUMMARY What kind of society have we become that we don't even think about our beliefs anymore? There are few things more important that we as humans can do, yet we hardly ever do it. John Marsden wrote to over a hundred well-known Australians asking them to articulate their beliefs, beliefs which they had arrived at after many challenging experiences. This I Believe is the first articulation of the diverse spiritual values of the people of this country. It is honest, provocative and inspirational - essential reading for anyone remotely interested in what Australians believe in as the country approaches the next century. EXTRACT "Smack bang in the middle of the word 'believe' is the word 'lie'. This is no coincidence. At the centre of every belief system you'll find a flaw that negates the purpose of the whole thing. For example, the much touted Christian belief system has accumulated a staggering amount of real estate for its prophets that makes me wonder if the beliefs of Christianity aren't just angles to get the suckers in. "So, when asked to say what I believe, I can only say what I don't believe and see what's left standing at the end. "I don't believe in Good and Evil as universal forces. Yin and Yang are rarely black and white. A bad man will die a septuagenarian billionaire, massaged to death in his sleep by a dozen teenage nurses in tight uniforms. Where's the justice? 'Later,' says the Karma crowd. 'In the next life he'll come back as an ant.' Fine, but which ant? How can we punish him if we can't find him?!"

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As the next millenium approaches, the need to articulate our beliefs has never been so crucial. In a timely and inspirational gathering of voices, a hundred well-known Australians tackle the biggest question of all... What do you believe? Contributions from Bob Ansett, Wolf Blass, Eric Bogle, Helen Caldicott, Ron Clarke, Charles Court, Helen Darville, Tim Ferguson, Kevan Gosper, Elizabeth Jolley, Paul Mercurio, Clover Moore, Jocelynne Scutt, Peter Singer, Robyn Williams and many more... View this article here John edited two books which were also released in 1996. This I Believe is a collection of a hundred essays by eminent Australians, in which they discuss the beliefs they hold and the values they've formed. View this extract here This I Believe - Over 100 eminent Australians explore life's big question, edited by John Marsden, Random House Contributors include: Stephanie Alexander, Wolf Blass, Ron Clarke, Helen Darville, Beverley Farmer, Tim Ferguson, Al Grassby, Elizabeth Jolley, Joan Kirner, Paul Mercurio, Peter Singer, Robyn Williams, William Yang (to name just a few). - Random House media release View this article here