American Unitarian Conference Forum

I've always been interested in Thoreau, especially in high school (during that time I was also in my "Christianity is stupid, I'm a hardcore Atheist" phase.) Walden Pond was my bible at that point in my life.
I don't know if any of you remember the movie Stigmata, but even though it's very anti RCC in ways it actually introduced me to St. Francis and to the Gospels of St. Thomas.
A lot of the things I liked about Thoreau I see in St. Francis. Living a humble simple life, getting rid of material wealth.
I bought this book off of Amazon:
St. Francis of Assisi: A Biography [Paperback] by Englebert, Omer
I also found a copy of the complete gnostic gospels in a bargain bin at Barnes and Nobles one day.
Anyone else have an interest in Thoreau or St. Francis or the gnostic gospels? Know of any other good book on these subjects?

Thoreau...apart from some reading in H.S. ...remains an author I have not fully read...though he is popular in Unitarian circles...a former minister was quite fond of him.

St. Francis...afraid I have not read much of his...mostly just short sections in other writers works...again, an interesting subject.

I liked:  "The Gospel of Mary of Magdala: Jesus and the First Woman Apostle" - by Karen L. King ..for $13.60

I cannot say she is the best writer on the topic...I have not read other versions...but..I find her text well written.  See the reader comments.  Most are favorable....of course read the critical ones as well for their points. She does write from a more femininst orientation....but the text itself is what I find important...take the commentary with the authors bias in mind.

I was going to recommend

"The Gospel of Philip: Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and the Gnosis of Sacred Union -by Jean-Yves Leloup

however, the Amazon reviews are spotty.  Not having read other versions...I liked this one..but as with any text..you have to know the authors background and bias etc.  Also, consider the bias of the reviewers....the whole gnostic text area inspires a lot of orthodox negativity.

Hi, Leny! I just noticed your post, sorry for the delayed response - but I wanted to pass along the Order of Ecumenical Franciscans. I'm currently a postulant Sister in the order. It is a tertiary (third) order that was designed for folks who could not join a monastic-style of life. If you're interested, even if just for some St. Francis book recommendations, surf on over to:

http://www.franciscans.com

Hope this is of some help! I may be able to edit this from home later, and add some more personal recommendations regarding Saint Francis. I do have a couple, but the authors escape me!

There's also a book called "Love Poems from God" which includes, among many others, writings by Francis, Rumi, Theresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Hafiz, Kabir...I have had it for a couple of years and I'm still in the midst of reading it because the mystic writings of some of the authors makes me think and reflect, and thus slows me down