A Song of Humanity (ASOH) is a (now revised) science-based alternative to the world’s scriptures. BIG purpose, HUGE scope, yes? Why would one attempt this? How does ASOH complement the world’s scriptures?
First, it is written as a conversation between parent(s) and a child. Easy to read, easy to understand. Good bedtime reading for children from 3 and up. “The stars are beautiful, aren’t they, my child? Do you know where stars come from?” “Is that a T-Rex? Yes, it is my child.”
Second, ASOH summarizes scientific findings about the origin of the universe, of the Earth, and of humankind. With 20 pages of references from cosmology, particle physics, history, culture, evolution, psychology, ethics, religion, and other fields and more than 900 endnotes, ASOH is truly a solid science-based alternative to the mountains of regional mythological misinformation offered in the world’s scriptures and texts. The “answers” in the classical scriptures are stories created by people who didn’t have the benefit of modern science. It is time to revise our popular understanding of the universe.
Third, ASOH presents a global perspective. The Bible describes a history of the Hebrews, the Koran describes the beliefs of Arab nomads, the Bagavagita describes a history of Hindus and the Tao de Ching describes the philosophy of Chinese–all are regional perspectives. ASOH includes scientific evidence from and modern stories about real people living on all six regularly inhabited continents.
Fourth, each of the ASOH books end with reflective questions rather than dogma. “So, my child, what do you think?” And “Of course, new science may modify our understanding.” Not “So, that’s the way it is! Period.”
REVIEWS. Here’s what one reader wrote (names removed):
“A few weeks ago my neighbor passed a copy of your book to me. I must tell you I find it compelling. It feels as though this is the culmination of a lifetime of scholarship and experience. I am enjoying its format, and the clear and unemotional depiction of important points and events, and the calm and thorough explanations of various phenomena. We don’t have any grandchildren (yet??), but I will save it for that hopeful eventuality when I may need to do some calm reasoning and explaining.
We are nonetheless steeped in the Christian tradition, and have attended church “religiously” for the duration of our 40 years of marriage. Our particular denomination prides itself at not having to leave your brain at the door when you enter the church. In fact, we rather feel that the more we learn, the more we are mystified by it all…so to me your book lays it out there and allows the reader to draw his/her own conclusions. Thank you for such a thought provoking tome.”
Another reader wrote: “What a trove of scientific fact! I think I’ll be using it as a reference manual for years to come. I find I’m much more a student of anthropology and sociology than the physical sciences, so my “favorite” chapters are the Right and Laws through Relationships–particularly the chapters on Self and Families–and Money through Revelations. This truly is a tome of accomplishment on your part! Thank you for sharing!”
Table of Contents: Genesis, Exodus, Gods, Prophets, Conquerors, Rights and Laws, Genes, VABEs, Intelligence, Mating, Children, Self, Families (on six continents), Proverbs, Matter, Air, Water, Money, Culture, Apocalypse, Revelations, Index, References, Endnotes.
ASOH is written in Book/Chapter/Verse for easy reference and discussion in families, book groups, church classes, schools and individual conversations. Everyone will find the text informative, interesting, and provocative. Parents teaching their children will find a relatively complete guide for reading, thinking, and living–as one reader said, “a guide for life.
AVAILABILITY: See the links below to purchase hard, soft or ebook copies of the First and Revised Editions of A Song of Humanity.
HERE Members can get PDF copies in several languages and AUDIBLE (*.mp3) copies of the Revised Edition
($5.00 on Membership Levels) In English, Spanish, German, Japanese, Chinese, Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, French and Hindi
AMAZON eBook REVISED EDITION AMAZON Paperback REVISED EDITION (6″ x 9″ size, 2nd image above)
LULU PAPERBACK REVISED EDITION (8.5″ x 11″ paper size, 3rd image above)
AMAZON eBook FIRST EDITION link AMAZON Paperback FIRST EDITION
AMAZON Hardback FIRST EDITION Barnes & Noble FIRST EDITION Paperback link
The Table of Contents follows. Each item in the Table of Contents is a “Book” further divided into chapters and verses. You can preview/read the titles in RED BOLD.
1. GENESIS (Chapters 1-10)
2. EXODUS
3. GODS
4. PROPHETS
5. CONQUERORS
6, RIGHTS and LAWS
7. GENES
8. VABEs (pp 205-217)
9. INTELLIGENCE
10. MATING
11. CHILDREN
12. SELF
13. FAMILIES
14. RELATIONSHIPS
15. PROVERBS
16. MATTER
17. AIR
18. WATER
19. MONEY
20. CULTURE
21. APOCALYPSE
22. REVELATIONS
23. Index
24. References
25. Endnotes
Various: I gave a pre-publication copy to a friend who was reading it to her three year old. The child wanted to see pictures of the various dinosaurs described in Genesis, so I added 43 drawings and diagrams to clarify the text descriptions of various animals and concepts.
October 2021: I gave a copy of my book, A Song of Humanity: a Science-based Alternative to the World’s Scriptures, to a friend/acquaintance. Two days later she reported that her 13 year old son had commandeered the book and wanted to read it before she did. Surprised her. Ten days later (today) she reported that he was still reading the book — and she was again surprised. Yay! Perfect response. Maybe 300 years from now, it will be “required reading” for all families.
November 2021
“Humans have believed in magic since we were still living in caves. All cultures and religions are magic based, even Christianity. There’s Noah’s ark, bringing people back from the dead, walking on water. It’s all the same to some extent.” Shirley A. Martin, Bloodline Gypsy: Jook and Gypsies, Vol. 1.
