Today’s religion and spirituality publishing news round-up includes a look at the Pope’s famous quote, “Who am I to judge?” and Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan's memoir, God Is Everywhere, From Here to There.
Random House released a new book by Pope Francis, The Name of God is Mercy, on Tuesday. In it, the Holy Father answers questions about his famous line, “Who am I to judge?” which was interpreted widely to indicate his tolerance of homosexuality. According to the New York Times, Francis explained the opposition between truth and mercy, and doctrine and mercy.
At an event celebrating the release of The Name of God is Mercy, comedian Roberto Benigni said the book was “beautiful” and joked that Pope Francis is “so full of mercy, you could sell it by the pound,” according to the Official Vatican Network. Benigni, who won an Oscar for his performance in Life is Beautiful, added that the new book by the Pope is “a social and political challenge.”
The Huffington Post compiled a list of 11 must-read books authored by Muslims, including The Essential Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks, and Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi.
Over at AlternativeNation, Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins revealed that he has been working on a memoir, tentatively titled God Is Everywhere, From Here to There, for the past year. The book is about Corgan’s spiritual influences.
Israeli novelist Dorit Rabinyan’s book Borderlife about a love story between a Jew and an Arab was banned from Israeli schools recently for its intimate scenes. The ban created a national debate about patriotism and censorship, reported The Telegraph. The uproar over the book led to a viral video of Jews and Arabs kissing each other in protest of the ban.
