When I first read this book, it struck me that it would probably be the last of the CWG series that I would purchase. I do not wish to take away from the very sincere and positive comments of the other reviewers, because the basic message of the book is sound. But I am sensing that Mr. Walsch is increasingly preaching to his choir.
Seems highly doubtful that the folks whose ideas this conversation is directed at exposing (exclusionary and fear-based religious groups) will ever hear the message. So, other than gaining Mr. Walsch a lot of self-satisfaction at having impressed other like-minded souls, how is it that this dialogue will reverse the disturbing trend for fear-based religious adherents to destructively act on their beliefs?
I wrote to the author not long after I had read the book and asked him why it is he only speaks in forums where he is sure to have an agreeable audience, i.e. predominantly New Thought and New Age churches/gatherings, folks who from my personal observation are not causing a whole lot of trouble in this world. After all, I suspect that the obvious targets of this particular discussion with God (religiously conservative Christians, religiously conservative Jews and the vast majority of Moslems) will probably never be drawn to his dialogue in large numbers, if at all. I even offered to Mr. Walsch that if he would go speak at a church, synagogue or mosque of his choice where such religious adherents are likely to worship, that I would pay his airfare and go there myself to sit in the front row and actively support him. (That was a very sincere offer, by the way, not intended in any way to minimize his message.) I did not receive an answer. But the dialogue that would likely ensue between Mr. Walsch and the congregations of those groups is something I WOULD be willing to invest money to listen to. And, to borrow from a portion of the titles from his earlier books, THAT would be an "uncommon dialogue"!
In closing, I wonder if I am the only one picking up on Mr. Walsch's increasing sense of self-satisfaction. Ironically, it seems to me he has developed an exclusionary attitude towards those he does not consider as enlightened as himself. As evidence, I will offer a personal story. Some time ago, when I still actively supported the CWG foundation (including financially), I had two different friends, both women, remark about their memorable experiences in meeting Mr. Walsch at two different events. One woman described him as "haughty", the other said "he is getting a little big for his britches". Both comments took me by surprise, because I know that both women, just like me, have read his books and essentially agree with the message in this particular book.
Meanwhile, I am still waiting for a response to my offer to allow him to go to the next level of the discussion...for to paraphrase what Jesus said, if you have an issue with your brother, take it up with HIM...God and all your friends already agree with you, Mr. Walsch.