More and more Jews are discovering or expanding their spiritual lives by studying the ancient mystical teachings of the Kabbalah. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper are being seen as a direct engagement with God. Many people who search for spirituality in new directions appropriate what interests them and bring it back to their traditional denominations, said theologian and author Martin Marty. George Barna, of the Barna Research Group and author of The Second Coming of the Church , notes that in their quest for spiritual wisdom Americans have become quite comfortable evaluating traditions other than their own. Things are different today.
People brazenly evaluate a variety of faith gro ups, while maintaining the Christian label.
She noted that sales have risen at triple-digit rates in the last five years. Hundreds of new titles a year , from Buddha's Nature to Sister Wendy's Book of Meditations , beckon the spiritually curious. Cynthia Beard, community relations coordinator for a Borders Bookstore in Overland Park, says spirituality is one of the big draws for author events. The consequence of this attitude is that we entertain ourselves with teachings that are meant to transform our lives. Closer to God Carol Meyer remains a practicing Catholic even as she expands her spirituality quest.