I listened to this audiobook while driving to and from work. It is more of a diary / blog / journal of one woman's journey to simplify her life with radical giving / sacrifice. There are various experiments she does around the number seven. There is a time when she eats only seven foods. There is another time when she wears only seven items of clothing. There is another time where she pauses to pray seven times a day. The aim of her trials is for her spiritual enlightenment. Hatmaker is a Christian, so there are many references to Jesus throughout. The author makes a claim that most people in America--even those who consider themselves poor--live like royalty when compared to third world countries. Hatmaker even talks about adoption and her struggle to adopt Ethiopian children. While I admire the author's drive for altruism, I do not see it as taking on widespread popularity anytime soon. Yes, there are people starving and suffering in the world. But does giving up one's possessions and living a lower quality lifestyle really help all that much? Wouldn't it be far greater if the countries in need solved the root cause of poverty, abuse, and neglect? Why should someone forego having their own children to take care of a child someone else had? These are very deep ethical questions that the reader will have to answer.
No comments:
Post a Comment