Religion in Exile: A Spiritual Homecoming

As a novice to readings in spirituality, I claim no special intellectual or spiritual insights into the mind of God. But as a seeker and traveller, I grow in mind and spirit, advancing from the words and wisdom of John Shelby Spong and Marcus Borg, to Michael Morwood, to Matthew Fox, to, now, Diarmuid O'Murchu.It is an ever-increasing circle. There is much in RELIGION IN EXILE to stimulate the imagination and engender spiritual reflection. The interrelationship of humanity with the cosmos and all life within it directly supports and reinforces the spiritual viewpoint of the mystics who precede us. This book is for all who are open to becoming spiritually a part of the whole.

With Religion In Exile: A Spiritual Homecoming, British counselor and social psychologist Diarmuid O'Murchu offers penetrating and original insights into the evolving spiritual awareness of our contemporary times. His observations are engaging, thought-provoking, and occasional inspiring. Religion In Exile is enthusiastically recommended reading for anyone with an interest in spirituality and the role of religion in modern life.

Diarmuid O'Murchu is a counselor and former (I believe) religious priest who explores the idea of a spirituality without religion. He speaks of conemporary experience as being in exile from the earth and from the presence of God that the earth manifests. Christianity, Judaism and Islam have been patriarchcal religions which have divided and conquered the world. They rely heavily on authority to promote their revelation. What is most appreciative about this work from one Roman Catholic's perspective is that a fellow Catholic, who has been imbued with the theology and spirituality of that religion has discovered what other Catholics have. Namely that religion can take a person only so far in the discovery of God. There is a truth that exists beyond all religion. O'Murchu explores the Mother Earth Goddess spirituality pre-existent of the modern religions as well as aspects of it in those religions. He explores current ecological and political movements for a sense of "homecoming" as he calles it. This is a short book that is tantalizing in some aspects. His bibliography points to longer, more focused works that have been part of his research. The view that O'Mucho presents does not mean one must leave one's religion. It is simply a way of seeing in anew.