FREE: Looking for a Miracle: Weeping Icons, Relics, Stigmata, Visions & Healing Cures, by Joe Nickell

The listing, Looking for a Miracle: Weeping Icons, Relics, Stigmata, Visions & Healing Cures, by Joe Nickell has ended.

Paperback, Like New condition
5.0 out of 5 stars Very exciting work, August 4, 2004
Amazon Review By Lance Uppercut "mals5" (Lawrence, KS)
I have read this book several times from the library, and finally decided to just buy it. Another review mentioned how he seems to deny all miracles, but that is not the impression I got (which most of the other reviews also seemed to have a similar understanding) considering he is simply trying to show that most (in)famous miracles do not hold up well under a rigorous inspection. The area that I wish he had addressed was the life and miracles claimed of Jesus. I understand that to be an even more touchy- and to some, insensitive- subject but I have a lot of respect for Joe Nickell and his many-faceted career; I think he could treat the subject with the needed care.
The book is worth reading alone for the sections on commercial miracle workers and healers (Oral Roberts, e.g.) and how they abuse the faith of those who give them money. I'm sure this is not an original idea but these commercial tele-evangelists are basically bringing back indulgences from the ancient Catholic church. Most modern people, religous or not, are sickened of the idea of indulgences and use it as a primary example of past Catholic corruption, yet it is still happening today, with not nearly the outcry that one might expect. But I digress...
This book is well-done, and raises many important ideas that I cannot give the proper justice too. Highly recommended...