True for You, But Not for Me: Deflating the Slogans that Leave Christians Speechless

Book Description

Fast, effective answers to today's tough questions and slogans that often leave Christians speechless. A rapid response to help keep the dialogue going in witnessing circumstances.

Customer Reviews:

True for You, but Not for Me.......2005-08-03

**** Many people in the post-modern world would have you believe that there is but one absolute truth, that there is no absolute truth. All roads lead to God, if there is one, they say; and morals can be adapted to fit the current situation. However, in this book, those arguments are quickly revealed to be paper tigers. In a highly readable fashion, Mr. Copan defends the Christian worldview and all that goes along with it. In the end, you will reach the logical conclusion that truth is always true, no matter what. ****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer.

Just more debate............2004-09-24

Paul Copan does it again. He turns the Christian faith into a debate/logic/philosophy class. More logic, logic, logic. Uuuugh.......
Besides, having a pat and well-rehearsed response to everything a non-Christian says is not genuine faith, but ultimately bullyism. A Christian's response to a non-Christian must come from GOD, not from ONE'S OWN LOGICAL MIND. I'm pretty sure Moses did not say to God when He called him, "Uh, hey God, uh, I don't know what to say. Can I have a script or something? It would just sound more convincing if I could read off the paper and rehearse so I can get it just right and.....". God told him He would give to him the right words to say to Pharaoh.
Debate and "proving" are ultimately wastes of time. The way to wisdom is by learning at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:38), not from rehearsing and practicing pre-fabricated arguments in front of a mirror. Besides, when Christians spend inordinate amounts of time trying to prove theological matters to non-Christians, they actually lose credibility in that they sound like robots simply spewing forth pre-programmed statements.
The book seems like so much philosophical circle-running. It's tiring to both the eyes and the brain to be able to absorb all of this anyhow. Christians simply need to pray and allow God to guide them into the truths of Scripture.

Simple logical flaw - and I include my name.......2004-08-19

Here's an example -
"If all religions lead to God, but some of
them claim to be the _only_ way to God -
isn't that a contradiction?"

Well, no.

If I choose to believe (notice, _I_ am choosing to
believe) that all religions which teach certain
beliefs which I hold as universal spiritual
principles will lead to gnosis of the Supreme,
the fact that the Denoberites believe that belief
in Denoberite doctrine is essential to that spiritual
development is irrelevant.

Or, to put it in real world terms - the doctrine of
the Roman Catholic Church holds that salvation outside
of that church is impossible. Lutheran Christians
may (in all probability, do) hold a similar belief
regarding their own church. If I believe that _both_
of them can come to know God and attain salvation -
there's no contradiction on my end. If I throw Buddhists,
Wiccans and Eckanckar-ists into the mix - likewise,
no contradiction.

Similarly, the 'true for you, not for me' presupposes
at least two different values of 'true'. From the point
of view of a nonbeliever, a Christian's faith in YHWH
is equivalent to an Asatruan's faith in Odin or Thor.
Odin's existence is 'true' for the worshipper in the second
case, but it's the same kind of 'true' as G-d's existence
in the first case. Then there's the 'true' of 'it is true
that water is wet.' The usual thing about writers like
Copan that sticks sideways in my throat is the assumption
that what _he believes_ is the second kind of true, whereas
what other people believe is the first kind.

Hope that helps!

A unique approach.......2002-11-25

Paul Copan's "True for You, but Not for Me" is a thought-provoking work that seeks to take an alternative approach to evangelism and theological discussions. In our day, relativism rules supreme, as every person feels their interpretation of reality is as valid as any other. Copan shows that it is difficult - if not impossible - to share Christ with those who have no desire to discuss Him on a level playing field of reason.

At the very heart of the book is the idea that there is absolute truth and that acknowledging this is essential for evangelization or any discussion that attempts to define "Truth". This book helps point out the lack of reason behind relativistic arguments. Fallacious logic and suspect beliefs systems are dealt with by showing people how to use logic to punch holes in relativistic thinking without having to know vast sections of Scripture. By taking Copan's clear reasonings to their logical conclusions one can create common ground for the sharing of the Gospel, increasing the likelihood of success.

Copan also includes excellent and reasonable ways to counter many of the harder arguments that many will raise with common sticking points in theology. For example, there is an extended section that addresses the question of how a loving God can send people to Hell who have never had the chance to hear the Gospel. Other questions on this same order of difficulty are discussed, with well-reasoned responses that will help Christians deal with the tougher questions they are often asked by those investigating Christianity.

The author's angle on evangelizing those firmly in the relativistic camp is simple, intelligent, and true to the idea that being logical and rational is part of calling oneself a Christian. Not a lot of Scripture here, since that is not the author's point. Getting to a common ground by dismantling resistance to even discussing the Bible is.

I liked the angle of the debate here and the call for greater logical thinking for Christians. The main flaw comes from the overuse of certain tactics of logic when another method of reasoning could be used - at times Copan seems repetitive. Another issue is not the fault of the book, per se, since while it is very helpful, it must be used to supplement, rather than supplant, a full knowledge of Scripture. Arguing logically is surely a help, but without a good command of the Bible all evangelism will fail. Discussing points logically can never get one to salvation - the Bible makes this clear ("Faith comes by hearing the word of God.")

So if you wish to have a logical approach to dealing with relativism and the difficult questions non-Christians ask, this is certainly an excellent source when used in conjunction with the Bible.

Reponse to Inerrancy Remark.......2002-10-25

Personally knowing Paul Copan and having discussed his view of errancy, I'm writing this to clarify a remark made in an earlier review. Paul does believe in inerrancy, but he does not believe that you need to hold to inerrancy to see the reliability of the New Testament documents. This is the academic way of looking at all sources of literature whether you hold to inerrancy or not.

Customer Reviews:

A writer who takes risks and asks important questions.......2006-01-12

This book is a fantastic collection of accounts of moving, diverse personalities who all share one thing in common- the have no functional verbal speech. Rosemary, as the character who becomes involved with these very different characters, has a wonderful humorous and passionate writer's voice, making this comparable to books like Oliver Sachs' The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat. You don't have to be interested in Facilitated or Augmented Communication techniques to find this book a thoroughly good read in its own right. You simply have to enjoy the inner worlds of human beings and how remarkable it is when those worlds get their first change at expression.

Rosemary Crossley casts aside the taboos and tackles the serious issues, never taking herself overly seriously. She's a credit to a world that takes far fewer risks and asks far fewer important questions than she does.

Read it if you dare.

A fascinating new perspective on the meaning of mental retar.......1997-04-08

Rosemary Crossley discovered (or rediscovered)facilitation training (FCT), and here she tells how and why. FCT is a means of communication with people with communication impairment - people with autism, or Down syndrome, or cp - and the real point of Speechless is that it makes us ask whether these people can't talk because they're mentally retarded or whether they get labelled as retarded because they can't talk. If you believe it really happens, that is: there's a lot of controversy around FCT, and Crossley has been accused of many things, charges she answers in this book. A must for anyone dealing with a non-speaker

How Do You Know Youre Not Wrong?: Responding to Objections That Leave Christians Speechless

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Crypto-Mormon?
More subjective picking & choossing
Responding to objections
4 stars.

How Do You Know Youre Not Wrong?: Responding to Objections That Leave Christians Speechless
Paul Copan
Manufacturer: Baker Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0801064996
Release Date: 2005-08-01

Book Description

In today's postmodern world, believers more than ever before are faced with a host of objections to Christianity. Expert apologist Paul Copan describes these objections as ''anti-truth'' claims and with ''How Do You Know You're Not Wrong'' he provides a helpful resource with thorough, biblical answers to such regularly used objections as: ''Whatever works for you''; ''Just as long as it makes you happy''; ''All religions are basically the same''; ''Christianity is anti-semitic''. At the end of each chapter, he provides practical and easy-to-share summary points to help readers intelligently and effectively answer the challenges of their non-Christian friends and neighbors.

Customer Reviews:

Crypto-Mormon?.......2007-01-26

This book is a wonderful addition to "True For you, But Not For Me" and "That's Just Your Interpretation." And kudos to the cover designers for keeping that ingenious design of the crazy road signs that was used on the second book. The first book's cover is funny in its own way, but for illustrating the idea that all roads do not lead to Mount Fuji (much less Mount Zion), the crazy road signs is a stroke of genius.

Being the third in a series, Copan has the freedom to deal with many of the side questions that were not covered in the first books. Get the other books if you want the basic questions, and do this one for the deeper and the side questions.

I thought the discussion on the mind-body problem was insightful, and Copan rightly fingers Descartes as main culprit in the miscommunication. The discussion in chapters 3-5 on the nature of scientism versus science was even better. We are not dealing with science (which is merely correlated data), but scientism (not only an assumed philosophical framework for managing data, but also an outlook on ethics, economics, politics, and includes a robust social-political-academic agenda).

On thing I would have liked so see in the discussion is Thomas Aquinas's statement in his Five Ways. Back in the 1200's, Aquinas pointed out that one possible argument against God was naturalism: "It is superfluous to suppose that what can be accounted for by a few principles has been produced by many. But it seems that everything we see in the world can be accounted for by other principles, supposing God did not exist. For all natural things can be reduced to one principle which is nature."

His reply was not reductionism as used by Copan (53), but the obvious teleology in the world: "Since nature works for a determinate end under the direction of a higher agent, whatever is done by nature must needs be traced back to God, as to its first cause." Everyone believes in ecology or the "Circe of Life." Well, where did this come from? As he aaerts, if animals have rights, where did they come from?

I was let down with the discussion on Abraham. Isaac was an obvious symbol of Christ ("he received him in a figure" Heb. 11:17-19), but Copan never mentions this. His explanation is Jewish, but not Christian. Abraham was being taught a vital lesson: faith in the Atonement.

The section on the Fall of Adam was an eye-popper. Copan's view of the Fall of Adam is essentially the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Here are the data:

COPAN:

* "Our deeply sinful condition should be understood in terms of damage/consequences rather than guilt reckoned to all of us as the result of Adam's sin. Otherwise, what do we make of those who die in infancy or who are mentally retarded?" (202)

* (Quoting Gordon Lewis and Bruce Demarest) "None will suffer the execution of the penalty who not themselves responsibility sinned." (205)

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

* "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression." (Articles of Faith 2)

* "Hence came the saying abroad among the people, that the Son of God hath atoned for original guilt, wherein the sins of the parents cannot be answered upon the heads of the children, for they are whole from the foundation of the world." (Moses 6:54)

* "But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism! Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell. Behold I say unto you, that he that supposeth that little children need baptism is in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; for he hath neither faith, hope, nor charity; wherefore, should he be cut off while in the thought, he must go down to hell." (Moroni 8:10-14)

* "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." (2 Nephi 2:25)

In 1974, Truman Madsen wrote a paper called "Are Christians Mormon?" (BYU Studies, Vol. 15, No. 1, p.73). He showed that many churches are slowly modifying their doctrines. The shocking thing is that they are looking more and more like Mormonism. Maybe this idea needs to be revisited.

More subjective picking & choossing.......2006-09-16

This is an excellent book for anyone who confronts today's Evangelicals. It's a good demonstration of the expected subjective selection between which Biblical passages are chosen to be re-interpreted and which are held to be unquestionably true as-is. Mr. Copan does an excellent job of stressing that certain difficult passages (e.g. Jacob's sacrifice of Isaac) must be viewed in terms of the environments in which they were created: locations, point in times, and overall contexts in which they appear. Unfortunately, for Biblical passages which support his particular prejudices, he does no more than assert that they are self-evidently true and must be taken as-is. Hopefully, anyone reading this book will be able to see the ironic light in which this casts Evangelicalism, and will go on to view ALL Biblical passages with regards to the evironments in which they were created.

Responding to objections.......2006-04-27

Paul Copan is a rising star in Christian apologetics and philosophy. He has written a number of excellent titles defending the Christian faith, on both popular and more academic levels. This volume follows two of his earlier works, namely, True For You, But Not True For Me (1998) and That's Just Your Interpretation (2001).

In all three volumes he raises common objections to the faith and answers them with wisdom, learning and clarity. In this volume, he examines three categories of objections: the nature of truth, the broad area of science and scientism, and objections to specific biblical and theological claims.

In the first section, for example, he devotes a chapter to pragmatism, the claim that what is true is what works. Copan offers three strengths of this view, but then offers eleven problems with the position. And these shortcomings are profound. Lying, for example, may "work", but does that make its right, or true?

In section two he lists eight common objections, centered on the supposed clash between science and faith. In these chapters he deals with a number of related themes. Chief among them is the way in which science can tend to overstep its bounds.

Thus Copan distinguishes between science (a helpful discipline when kept in its proper place) and scientism (the idea that science speaks to all truth, and what is not covered by science is not true). The latter is a philosophical position, not testable by the very tenets of science. It is a presupposition that itself is not empirically verifiable.

While science rightly studies the natural world, scientism seeks to say the natural world is all there is: only matter matters. The truth is, as Copan demonstrates, there are many areas of knowledge that go beyond scientific study. The proper domain of science is nature, but we need more than science to understand what may lie beyond nature.

In the third section Copan looks at common complaints about the Christian faith, such as the idea that the church excluded or suppressed certain texts from the New Testament. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown of course makes such claims. But as Copan demonstrates, the early church leaders did not determine which books would be in or out, they merely acknowledged the authority of existing books.

The various Gnostic gospels that sprang up several centuries after Christ were all seen to be spurious and untrustworthy. Texts like the Gospel of Thomas were clearly at odds with the apostolic writings, and reflected a much different worldview. They also appear on the scene much later.

Thus on a number of fronts, various challenges to the faith are presented and assessed. As with the two previous volumes, these objections are capably dealt with. Not all readers will be convinced by every argument, but at least it becomes clear that there are good answers out there to the host of criticisms leveled against Christianity.

4 stars........2005-07-27

**** In a world where it often seems like the only right some vocal people are willing to grant Christians is the right to remain silent, it is easy to begin to wonder, "am I wrong to believe?" Addressing this question with solid reasons why you are not wrong to believe and what makes Christianity logical, this book will give you the confidence to deal with a world in which Christans are resident aliens. How do we know we have a soul and are more than animals? What about the strange things in the Old Testament that often seem bizarre and harsh? Did a lot of books get left out of the Bible? The answers to these questions and more will give you surety that not only are you, the Christian not wrong, but you are right. ****

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore, Freelance Reviewer.

Love and Magic When Kids Leave You Speechless

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Fantastic!
An invaluable resource for raising responsible kids.
Excellent resource for "simply" solving common childhood bahaviors
Definately worth the money!

Love and Magic When Kids Leave You Speechless
Jim Fay
Manufacturer: Love and Logic Institute
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Braun IRT 4020 ThermoScan Ear Thermometer

ASIN: 1930429045

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic!.......2007-02-08

Any parent (or teacher) will appreciate the responses Jim gives. Everything Love and Logic puts out is excellent, but this is something you can pick up in an emergency and find specific answers right away. An important resource for anyone who deals with modern-day kids. I loved it.

An invaluable resource for raising responsible kids........2006-08-18

It is so nice to have concrete things to say when your kids come up with something you never thought of (which they invariably do). I love this whole series!

Excellent resource for "simply" solving common childhood bahaviors.......2006-05-26

This book is excellent and loaded with common sense solutions for everyday behavior problems (and they work). I just took a Love & Logic class at our local YMCA and there wasn't anything "heavy handed" in the teaching materials we received or the videos of the authors we watched. A heavy dose of empathy is always used with their methods i.e the "love" part of love & logic.

Definately worth the money!.......2006-05-10

As a parent and a school counselor I highly recommend this book and all the resources from Love and Logic! They are excellent tools for parents and teachers. In case you are turned off by the thought that they might be a Christian organization - They are not, nor do their books promote or discuss anything related to Christianity.

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Gospel Reality
The Book that Helped Change my life.
TRULY "LIVING IN AWE" OF THE DISRUPTIVE GRACE OF THE LORD!
I Don't Get It...
Awe inspiring Grace!!

Speechless
Steven Curtis Chapman , and Scotty Smith
Manufacturer: Zondervan Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0310235820

Book Description

Steven Curtis Chapman and his pastor Scotty Smith urge believers to reject the tidiness of legalism for the "messiness" of God's unsettling grace.

Customer Reviews:

Gospel Reality.......2003-03-05

I'm at a loss for words, just read this gem of a book if you want to walk in the light with two brothers who know what that means.

The Book that Helped Change my life........2003-03-04

Speechless has helped me grow deeper in love with my father and look at my life in a better Prespective. Also if u listen to his music cd it really does help...

TRULY "LIVING IN AWE" OF THE DISRUPTIVE GRACE OF THE LORD!.......2002-03-17

This is a GREAT book. Steven Curtis Chapman gives us looks at his personal life, and Scotty Smith gives us better insights on becoming better Christians. Great for all! Grade: A+

I Don't Get It..........2001-03-19

What's with those reviewers stating that Scotty Smith takes the grace of God as a license to sin? If you agree with them, PLEASE cite examples. I am troubled by these accusations, which seem to me to be unfounded.

Awe inspiring Grace!!.......2001-02-11

This book is truly inspirational. Steven and Scotty are really open on their struggles and hardships. Each story teaches us something new. This book has reinforsed how being a Christian is more than just being obedient and obeying God's Word. It's trusting in Jesus to work through you. Grace is an awsome thing to understand and accept. This book even brought an even bigger meaning to my favorite scripture of 2Cor 5:17. If your really looking to know more about God's Grace then read this book.

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Guitar Players Beware

Steven Curtis Chapman - Speechless
Steven Curtis Chapman
Manufacturer: Hal Leonard Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0634009710

Book Description

13 songs from Steven Curtis Chapman, who in his career has sold 4 million albums, and won 38 Dove Awards and 3 Grammies. Includes: Be Still and Know * The Change * Dive * Fingerprints of God * Great Expectations * I Do Believe * The Invitation * The Journey * Next 5 Minutes * Speechless * What I Really Want to Say * Whatever * With Hope.

Customer Reviews:

Guitar Players Beware.......2004-10-16

Stephen is a great composer. I you would love to learn the cords to his songs for the most part they are not here. I had to transpose most of the songs I wanted to play. The author was very fond of Eb. I have never writen a song in Eb and the publisher loves it. Unless your great at reading music and/or transposing I would stay away from this one.

Speechless: The Erosion of Free Expression in the American Workplace (BK Currents)

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SPEECHLESS is a key acquisition
Speechless is an important book
Informative for scholars, managers, and employees
An important work on a compelling topic ...

Speechless: The Erosion of Free Expression in the American Workplace (BK Currents)
Bruce Barry
Manufacturer: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1576753972

Book Description

A factory worker is fired because her boss dislikes the political bumper sticker on her car in the parking lot. Another is canned after refusing to display an American flag at his workstation. A flight attendant is grounded because her airline doesn't like what she's writing in her personal blog. Is it legal to fire people for expressing themselves, even when it's unrelated to performing their jobs? Can you lose your job because of a bumper sticker? For many American workers, the answer is yes. In "Speechless," Bruce Barry confronts the state of free speech in the American workplace. He shows how employers and courts are eroding workers' abilities to express themselves on and off the job, with damaging consequences for individuals, their employers, and civil society as a whole. In defense of free speech in and around the workplace, Barry argues that the experience of liberty in a free society, as well as in life, in general, depends in part on the experience of liberty at work.

Customer Reviews:

SPEECHLESS is a key acquisition .......2007-10-18

SPEECHLESS: THE EROSION OF FREE EXPRESSION IN THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE is a top pick for college-level business libraries, addressing issues of freedom of speech from legal, managerial and ethical perspectives and examining how the legal system affects employee speech rights and employer workplace management alike. From office politics and political correctness to protection for expression and how and why free speech works, SPEECHLESS is a key acquisition not just for business holdings, but for libraries strong in American politics and civil rights issues.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Speechless is an important book.......2007-07-08

This is an important book, and I read it with a growing sense of its value and force. It is in the American dialogue - the great national debate that takes place at the water cooler as well as the blogosphere; the church picnic as surely as the corner bar - that the warp and hue of our nation's culture take shape - finally forming through policy, legislation and influence the environment that we, and those who follow us, will inhabit.

If this is correct, as Vanderbilt University professor Bruce Barry makes a solid case for in his timely, lucid and meticulously researched "Speechless - the Erosion of Free Expression" in the American Workplace (swerving neither left nor right as he goes) then certainly, if we are to have a true democracy, this dialogue must carry forward the beliefs of all Americans. Nor are these beliefs merely intended for the ballot box; indeed, they are the essence of what Dr. Barry refers to as the marketplace of ideas. For it is in this marketplace (as Dr. Barry makes plain) with its tension, its push and pull of competing voices, that arises the most vital and important element of a functioning democracy: Truth.

This notion of a marketplace of ideas and the necessity of its vitality is not new. In Chapter 6 ("Why Free Speech Works"), Dr. Barry quotes Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes' famous dissent in the 1919 Abrams v. United States, in which Holmes describes "the best test of truth" as "the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market."

A marketplace for ideas, from which truth is sometimes "roughly" (mostly roughly, it seems) constructed - this very truth which informs our laws and policies and national conversation - we have this very marketplace now, right? And it's protected by the First Amendment, right? In fact, in the Internet age, this marketplace for ideas is bigger and better than ever, right? So why write a book called "Speechless - the Erosion of Free Expression in the American Workplace"? Ok, so maybe we can't always say what we want in the workplace, but doesn't that still give us weekends and evenings for speaking our mind?

Wrong. And this is where "Speechless" especially shines - as a compelling, sometimes unnerving study of the vast patchwork quilt of law and policy that many of us confidently suppose is there to cover our back.

In "Speechless," Barry shows us how that quilt is doing an increasingly uneven job of protecting us (us mainly being employees but by extension here, all Americans) as it inevitably, along the way degrades our national dialogue. Building his case that our backs are either not covered, or not covered very well (nor with any kind of predictability), Barry travels the country, producing case after case of this employee and that employee losing his or her job for reasons complex and simple, large and small. Drawing out guidelines based on state action (i.e., the right that congress will not curtail our speech), differences in public vs. private employment, and exceptions like whistleblower protection (including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), and others, we are left with a certain cold clarity: as a public-sector employee, "you have rights to free speech except where you don't," and rather worse for private-sector employees: "you have no right to free speech except when you do."

But it's not even that simple. Shoring up many of these free speech (or lack thereof) terminations (with, in these cases, their attendant litigation) is the rule of "at will" employment - basically meaning that both employee and employer either may be fired - or may quit - without "cause, notice or severance." In other words, if as an employer I decide I don't like your blog about, say, undocumented workers (regardless of what it says), and even though it has nothing to do with my company and you wrote it on your own computer, on your own time, I can fire you when you next walk in the door, and not hand over a penny in severance pay. (If as an employee, I don't like my boss's blog, I am free to quit my job without notice, etc, but I am the one without the paycheck.)

And as Barry points out, at-will employment is the "dominant employee relations policy in the United States."

Combine "at-will" employment with such additional conditions as (among others) a significant decline in union employees, judges increasingly likely to tilt toward management, an increase toward company political partisanship, and longer work hours w/the Internet at hand, and the net result is that our glorious marketplace of ideas is lately more often the kind of place where if you value your job, you'll want to watch what you say, and to whom you say it. Of course, anyone may contest a termination and push it toward settlement or courtroom - but the individual (possibly still minus a paycheck) will be squaring off against Goliath, and Goliath's well-paid lawyers.

Dr. Barry has performed a much needed job in rounding up so concisely the many loose strands that circumscribe America's environment for free speech. But he also done something else: in Speechless, he broadly and brightly illuminates areas of our lives as Americans that have slipped deeper into the shadows, where essential protections have begun to drop off and in some cases, no longer even exist. And it is only with this knowledge that we can begin to reclaim what we are losing.

Informative for scholars, managers, and employees.......2007-06-06

As a business ethicist, I expected to find in Speechless a detailed discussion of the implications of voice and silence for ethics in organizations, with references to topics like whistle-blowing, groupthink, and moral imagination. I found that discussion in Chapter 9, which is about the right length for it, because those topics have been covered well elsewhere, and Chapter 9 is a good introduction to many of the important works in that area.

The rest of the book treats the restriction of expression in the workplace as an ethical problem of a different order, with implications both for the quality of life of individual employees, and for the quality of participation in political and cultural institutions outside the firm. But despite clear advocacy for greater freedom of expression in the workplace, Speechless also explores the risks that such freedom poses: a hostile working environment, partiality in public bureaucracies, employees driven to distraction by each other, or the legal and reputational threats that can arise when someone says something thoughtless. The result is a thorough, evenhanded, and entertaining study of a perennial problem: with liberty comes liability, both for those who grant them and for those who take them.

Speechless's readable discussions of the relevant legal frameworks and cases are particularly helpful. They facilitate not only understanding the tensions between goods at stake, but also identifying remedies that can be taken at both the public policy and the enlightened-management levels. For scholars interested in exploring the implications of speech and its restriction in the workplace, this book is a useful introduction to the perspectives of law and management on the problem. Managers trying to ascertain what they have a responsibility to control and what they have the freedom to permit will also find Speechless to be a valuable resource . . . as will employees who are curious or nervous about the risk posed to their careers by the scope of their convictions or their recreations.

An important work on a compelling topic ... .......2007-06-04

This book is very well researched and scholarly but also written in a very readable format -- even with a respectful sense of humor in places. As a human resources professional, I find the subject of this work of particular interest. Not only does it cover the subject of free speech in the workplace in a very authoritative manner, but it also provides some excellent legal context on topics such as 'employment at will' in an easily understand fashion for the reader who may not have any formal legal experience. Overall, it was a very worthwhile read which both informed and captivated me on a topic of significant import in today's workplace. A respectable piece of writing on a complex and potentially controversial topic! Well done Professor Barry.

God in the Flesh: What Speechless Lawyers, Kneeling Soldiers And Shocked Crowds Teach Us About Jesus

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Simple - without biased dogmas
Simple...Fresh...True...
Yuck

God in the Flesh: What Speechless Lawyers, Kneeling Soldiers And Shocked Crowds Teach Us About Jesus
Don Everts
Manufacturer: InterVarsity Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0830832874

Book Description

Winner of a 2006 Logos Book Award! A Likewise book."They were amazed at his teaching.""They fell down before him.""He touched her hand.""They left their nets."Often when we read the New Testament accounts of Jesus' life, we focus on his teachings and stories. But Don Everts draws our attention to the seemingly insignificant "stage directions" of the Gospels that describe the activity surrounding him. Everts writes, "It's significant that in the Gospels we don't just have a bullet list of quotes from Jesus." We also have observations of what he did and how people responded to him. By examining these simple phrases and casual comments, Everts assembles a startlingly fresh portrait of who Jesus was and is. While no one has seen the invisible God, when we look at the life of Jesus, we discover what his early followers discovered--that Jesus is the very flesh of God.

Customer Reviews:

Simple - without biased dogmas.......2006-05-01

In both his books and his ministry, Don Everts breaks Christianity down to it's simple, grassroots fundamentals. He explores Jesus not as the center of a religion, but rather as an engaging individual who, by his very nature, caused inexplicable, powerful reactions of all those around him. Everts approaches Jesus not by what Jesus said in Scripture but instead he explores all the verses that Jesus didn't say. The simple accounts of the people around him. Everts calls these verses the, "stage directions." From these easily overlooked and forgotten words, Everts paints a picture of a man that simply was. Wasn't concerned with religious doctrine or appropriate religious customs. Instead we see people going out of their way to touch a simple carpenter walking down the street. Common, smelly fishermen, leaving their livelihoods to walk along his side. The most scholared religious men dumbfounded by his wisdom. Don's words remind us of what lies at the heart of true Christianity. Just a simple man that asked others to follow him.

Simple...Fresh...True..........2005-09-06

I like the way this author explains Jesus. He explains Jesus as he really is. His writings about Jesus are simple and fresh and true. I read the first few pages of this book and it sucked me in because everything he said about Jesus was refreshing to my mind. I definitely recomend this book!

Yuck.......2005-08-21

Sorry ...hard to get beyond the first few pages of this very pompous author's presentation of his world solutions to everything.

Average customer rating:

Just o.k.
Great charactes and plot
great book
Couldn't stop laughing.
Fun and funny

Speechless (Red Dress Ink)
Yvonne Collins
Manufacturer: Red Dress Ink
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0373250495

Book Description

What happens when a political wordsmith finds herself at a loss for words?

Libby McIssac is known for two things: catching bridal bouquets (her record's an even dozen) and having a way with words. Since the former isn't really something that looks good on a resume, it's a good thing she's been able to parlay the latter into a new career as a political speechwriter. But just as she's being careful to dot her i's, cross her t's and make her boss look like she knows something about . . . well, anything, Libby's world is turned upside down.

Libby just wants to write the speeches that'll make the whole world sing, or at least ones that will get her boss to remember her name correctly and stop using Libby as her coatrack at flashy events. But in Clarice Cleary's office there's only one belle of the ball, and it's the one reading the speeches -- not writing them. Enter a handsome British consultant -- a bit on the cagey side, perhaps -- who upsets the delicate chain of command around the office and somehow always gets what he wants, including Libby?

When a media leak of a big-time scandal sends everyone into a tailspin, Libby fears she may get caught in the cross fire. Cue the fake alliances, the secrets, the sex, the subterfuge, the hidden friendships: it's all there.

Welcome to the world of politics, where perception is everything, nothing is as it seems and the last thing you want is to be left speechless.

Customer Reviews:

Just o.k........2006-07-10

I wasn't crazy about this book and had to skip through some of the boring parts (i.e. the emails to her friend).

Great charactes and plot.......2005-04-26

Known for the statuesque physique that allows her to become a legend on the wedding bouquet retrieval circuit, Libby McIssac is ready for a change. She is also ready for a new relationship with Tim Kennedy, a man she meets at a wedding... until he mentions his long-distance girlfriend.

A new job as a speechwriter for the Toronto Minister of Culture is nothing more than a glorified secretary (and handbag holder), particularly at the hands of the minister's vindictive secretary, Margo, but Libby tries to make as much of it as she can. Her new position brings her into many comical situations with Tim, particularly when he is finally single and ready to start dating.

And yet another wrench gets thrown into the mix, as Richard, a British consultant hired by the minister to spruce things up has plans to shake up more than the office, as he pursues Libby, much to the consternation of Margo.

Libby gets a backbone and pursues her own goals, particularly that of being an actual speechwriter, standing up to the conniving Margo, and reaching out to find love.

The story is witting and engaging, and full of great characters that you will love and love to hate.

great book .......2005-04-08

the book is a great book, its fun and sexy. but i personally didn't like the ending. it was too boring. but overall a great fun book to read. i'd recommend it to women.

Couldn't stop laughing........2005-02-24

To me this book was hilarious. It dragged in a couple of chapters. But what this woman went through I think it was written well and very funny. I read this book in less that 2 days, I couldn't put it down.

Fun and funny.......2004-04-20

I had a good time reading this one- Libby's work situation is hilarious and will make almost anyone's bad job look like a cakewalk in comparison! You have to give points for originality, and I enjoyed reading about the Canadian political system for a change.

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