Grace Without God - by Katherine Ozment (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Publishers Weekly "Best Books of 2016"

Spirituality & Health Magazine Best Book of 2016

Nautilus Gold Award Winner 2016: Religion and Spirituality of Other Traditions

Religion News Association, First Place: Excellence in Nonfiction Religion Books

Meet "the Nones"--In this thought-provoking exploration of secular America, celebrated journalist Katherine Ozment takes readers on a quest to understand the trends and ramifications of a nation in flight from organized religion.

Studies show that religion makes us happier, healthier and more giving, connecting us to our past and creating tight communal bonds. Most Americans are raised in a religious tradition, but in recent decades many have begun to leave religion, and with it their ancient rituals, mythic narratives, and sense of belonging.

So how do the nonreligious fill the need for ritual, story, community, and, above all, purpose and meaning without the one-stop shop of religion? What do they do with the space left after religion? With Nones swelling to one-fourth of American adults, and more than one-third of those under thirty, these questions have never been more urgent.

Writer, journalist, and secular mother of three Katherine Ozment came face-to-face with the fundamental issue of the Nones when her son asked her the simplest of questions: "what are we?" Unsettled by her reply--"Nothing"--she set out on a journey to find a better answer. She traversed the frontier of American secular life, sought guidance in science and the humanities, talked with noted scholars, and wrestled with her own family's attempts to find meaning and connection after religion.

Insightful, surprising, and compelling, Grace Without God is both a personal and critical exploration of the many ways nonreligious Americans create their own meaning and purpose in an increasingly secular age.

From the Back Cover

A THOUGHT-PROVOKING EXPLORATION OF HOW TO LIVE A MEANINGFUL LIFE WITHOUT RELIGION.

Meet the "Nones," a rapidly growing group of religiously unaffiliated Americans (so-called because they check the box that reads, essentially, "none of the above" when asked about their faith). While many Americans are raised in a religious tradition, recent decades have seen large numbers of families drift from their churches and synagogues, temples and mosques, and abandon faith-based practices. But what is lost when we leave religion?

Faith traditions give us a moral grounding and a sense of identity by connecting us to our past and creating tight communal bonds. But without the one-stop shop of religion, how do the nonreligious fill the need for ritual, story, community, and, above all, purpose and meaning? With a quarter of Americans identifying as religiously unaffiliated, these questions have never been more urgent.

Katherine Ozment--writer, journalist, and mother of three--comes face-to-face with the fundamental issue of the Nones when her son asks her the simplest of questions: "What are we?" Unsettled by the only reply she can summon--"Nothing"--she sets out on a journey across the changing landscape of America to find a better answer.

Insightful, surprising, and compelling, Ozment's search is both a personal and critical exploration, inspiring readers of all backgrounds to find their own way forward to a meaningful life.

Review Quotes

"In this beautifully written, exhaustively researched, and deeply personal book, Katherine Ozment explores the challenges facing parents who want to raise moral, community-minded children in the absence of formal religion. Grace without God fundamentally changed the way I will raise my children." - Steve Levitt, bestselling author of Freakonomics

"Throughout history, organized religion has played a central role in raising children. Americans are increasingly moving away from the church, but giving little thought to how that might impact their children's values and sense of community. In this beautifully written, exhaustively researched, and deeply personal book, Katherine Ozment explores the challenges facing parents who want to raise moral, community-minded children in the absence of formal religion. Grace without God fundamentally changed the way I will raise my children." - Steve Levitt, bestselling author of Freakonomics

"We are in new and uncharted territory. The family and kinship ties that once insured religious adherence are unwinding. What has been lost? Where might this new freedom take us? In her deeply personal quest to answer these questions, Ozment has created an important book for our time." - Ethan Watters, author of Crazy Like Us

"An engagingly personal exploration of parenting without religion that's clear and honest, thoughtful and deeply felt. This is a brilliant addition to the growing chorus of voices in nonreligious parenting. Grace Without God is just that good." - Dale McGowan, author of Parenting Beyond Belief and Raising Freethinkers

"This book is perfect for those of us who have moved past religion but still crave community and sense of moral guidance. Ozment has interviewed dozens of seekers, academics and spiritual leaders, finding secular answers to the big questions: What's the meaning of life? How do we deal with death? What is our purpose? A satisfying and deep read." - Julie Scheeres, bestselling author of Jesus Land

"An astute journalist, Ozment deftly explores whether meaningful ritual can offer an adequate substitute for organized religion. Her candor, open-mindedness, and reflection provide solace to the reader struggling with similar issues in their own lives, respectfully honoring the ghost of religion rather than writing it off." - The Humanist

"This well-crafted, accessible exploration of a pressing topic, full of hard questions and astute observations, can serve as a springboard for discussion by parents--and others--who wonder whether people 'need God to be good.'" - Publishers Weekly, starred review

"An informative and relatable discussion on the changing landscape of religion, society, and identity." - Library Journal

"Grace Without God is a pilgrimage. Katherine Ozment is one of millions who have left traditional religion only to find that not only is something is missing in their lives, but that they long to give their children the meaning, sense of belonging, and spiritual depth of religion. In Grace Without God, we are invited to travel with her as she searches religion, philosophy, and social science for tools to construct meaning in our time." - Peter Morales, President, Unitarian Universalist Association

"What an important book. I inhaled every word. Every person struggling to live a meaningful life will find wisdom and sustenance in Grace Without God." - Mary Johnson, author of An Unquenchable Thirst

"Combining the talent of a gifted story-teller, the erudition of a scholar, and the soft touch of a mother, Ozment takes her readers on an unforgettable examination of life's deepest questions. Profound, moving, and uplifting, Grace without God is a gem and is destined to become a classic." - Julien Musolino, Associate Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Science, Rutgers University, and author of The Soul Fallacy: What Science Shows We Gain from Letting Go of Our Soul Beliefs

Ozment is not out to bash religion or defend atheism. Quite the contrary: with insight and sensitivity, drawing from her own experiences, Ozment presents a compelling, informative, and inspirational account. Highly recommended for those who no longer believe or congregate, but yearn to live a meaningful life all the same." - Phil Zuckerman, author of Living the Secular Life

"It's not a spoiler to say that Katherine Ozment goes looking for grace only to discover she's had it all along. From the first page, you'll be struck by Ozment's gracious curiosity, as well as her intelligence, optimism, and all-around secular loveliness. I felt proud to belong to her tribe--human and godless both." - Catherine Newman, author of Waiting for Birdy and Catastrophic Happiness

"It's not a spoiler to say that Ozment goes looking for grace only to discover she's had it all along. From the first page, you'll be struck by Ozment's gracious curiosity, intelligence, optimism, and all-around secular loveliness. I felt proud to belong to her tribe--human and godless both." - Catherine Newman, author of Waiting for Birdy and Catastrophic Happiness

"So many of us don't call ourselves religious, and yet miss much of what religion offered our parents and grandparents--a sense of community, morality, and ritual. Whether you are atheist, spiritual, an occasional meditator, or a confused seeker, this beautifully-written book will help answer some of life's big questions." - Laura Fraser, best-selling author of An Italian Affair

"Ozment offers her own version of do-it-yourself religion, encouraging everyone to wonder, to seek knowledge, and to connect to a larger purpose. Grace Without God is thoughtful and insightful." - June Sawyers, Booklist