The Priest Who Left His Religion: In Pursuit of Cosmic Spirituality
by John Shields
About the Book
Follow the story of an ordained Catholic Priest, destined by family prophecy to be the first American Pope. The author reveals his disillusionment over the Pope’s betrayal of scientific insight into the Bible. Shattered by his discovery of the dishonesty of his church, John Shields takes us through the torment of leaving the priesthood and the church. With courage and self-compassion, John relates his arduous struggle to make the shift from religion to spirituality. As he examines his own life, John tells how the findings of science convinced him that spirituality is rooted in the universe. He shows us a sentient cosmos where everything is interlinked, conscious and purposeful. Inspired by the science that confirms the foundation of his present spirituality, Shields leads the reader to welcome the union between science and spirit.
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About the Author
John Shield’s remarkable career has spanned theology to economics, negotiations to senior labour management. A deep love of culture and place has infused his environmental consciousness. John is recognized internationally as a leader in the labour movement and an advocate for win/win bargaining. A deep interest in spirituality led him to contemporary cosmology, which is illuminating a deeper understanding of the universe. For the past twenty years he has explored the connection between science and spirituality.
Born in NY City, Shields holds a Masters Degree in theology from St. Paul’s College in Washington, DC, where he worked with Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement. He went on to teach popular theology in Canada and the US. He left the church and moved to British Columbia in 1969. An interest in social justice led him to the labour movement where he was a champion for women’s equality work. He was President of the BC Government and Service Employees Union (BCGEU) for fourteen years. He has been teaching Labour Relations and Negotiations at Vancouver Island University.
For more information on John Shields please visit his website at www.johntshields.ca.
Praise for ‘The Priest Who Left His Religion’
“Here you will find both a story of a passionate, skeptical, spiritual man and a story of a culture in search of a new way of being.”
Dr. Paul Bramadat, Director, University of Victoria, Centre for Studies in Religion and Society
“This book is truly wonderful – thoughtful, profound, lucid, brave, touching, deeply tender, and radiant with insight, love, and honest hope for the great turning of this moment. This book is a wonderful gift on so many levels.”
Lynette Jackson, International Educator, University of Victoria
“John Shields presents an interesting account of the interaction between his growing understanding of modern cosmology and his spiritual development.”
Dr. Alan Batten, Astronomer Emeritus
“As a former Catholic, who also left the church, I found John’s story offered me a fascinating insider’s view of the underbelly of the Catholic organization, as well as a place to resonate with the void that is left when one is on the difficult journey of moving on from the powerful grip that Catholicism is designed to have on us. The book was a great read that I am still thinking about weeks later….”
Paul Robillard, Certified Counselor, Mediator, Crucial Conversation Trainers and Mind Shift™ Coach
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This book is no longer published by Influence Publishing.