Customer Reviews

Oh God!: A Black Woman's Guide to Sex and Spirituality

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Found this book to be a good guide, but it did not address real world relationship issues. This is not a book for a 20something looking for ideal love. The author is far removed from the dating scene. If you are looking for young and hip advice,I prefer LaDawn Black's Stripped Bare.

Ms. Newman's book is horrible!! Don't let the title fool you! She's using the word of God and spirituality to decieve women, black women in particular, into thinking that sex before marriage is all good!

This book was given to me by a friend. She read it and didn't like it. I read it and then read the reviews. I agree with the Publisher's Weekly review.

Unfortunately, the book does not live up to its initial promise.

Newman is curiously opaque about sex outside of marriage.

She wants her readers to feel good about themselves. This is hardly new advice.

Newman attempts to cover too many subjects, including body image, domestic violence, orgasm in marriage, dancing in church, dating and HIV prevention. Though these are all worthy topics, Newman sacrifices depth for breadth.

Her book is a very disjointed guide.

This book was awesome! Reverend Newman breaks down portions of the bible in ways that you will never hear a male pastor do. Each page had some bit of new information that really caused me to think about what I've been told in the past about the history of women in the bible and the current status of women in the church. EVERY woman should read this book.

Dr. Newman has written a book that every open-minded woman--dare I say, Christian--will want to read and share with friends. Do I agree with every comment made? No! However, overall, Susan has done a fantastic job of opening the door for Christian women to have an honest conversation about sex and spirituality. She has said some things that before now we dared not whisper in church. But, now women are talking and sharing their true feelings. The book also provides needed advice about how sexually transmitted diseases are spread and how to practice safe sex. Of course, if Christians are not having sex, there is no need to discuss safe sex. Let's keep it real!! We all know what's happening and who's doing it? For those who may not agree that sex and sexuality is a topic for church, here's the opportunity to have a discussion. You don't have to agree with what Susan writes, but we must take our heads out of the sand, open our eyes and acknowledge what's happening around us. I have never heard any one stand in the pulpit or in the church to condone teen pregnancy, rape or incest or encourage the members to contract HIV/AIDS. Yet, it would seem to be the message when we refuse to educate our members. Thanks, Dr. Susan Newman, for opening the doors for conversation and even debate about sexuality and spirituality.

Finally, someone in the church is talking realistically about sex. Dr. Newman contends that our sexuality is a gift from God that should be embraced and celebrated. Each women must decide the path that is right for her -- taking into account respect for self, neighbor and God. Black women of faith have been conflicted for too long. If Oh God! and Dr. Newman can help us find a healthy balance between our sexual and spiritual selves, I say more power to her!

I was shocked by the tone of the two negative reviews, but I am convinced that those people did not actually didn't read the book. They are obviously threatened by Dr. Newman's contention that women of faith should take control of all parts of our lives -- and our decisions, sexual and otherwise, should be between ourselves and God. Obviously there is some hidden agenda at work here because people who bought Oh God! from Amazon.com did not also buy that list of sex books quoted by the so-called "Christian" reader, they actually bought:

It's All Good Hair by Michele N-K Collison
Sittin' in the Front Pew by Parry A. Brown
You Know Better by Tina McElroy Ansa
Satisfy My Soul by Colin Channer

And, those quotes were taken totally out of context.

Oh God! says, read the bible for yourself -- don't just listen to what your pastor says or what your girlfriend says. God gave you a brain, so use it! Do what is best for you, taking into account all of God's commandments. Read this book for yourselves -- you will not be disappointed.

Reading Oh God! is like sitting in a room listening to Dr. Newman talk. It is as if she knows the secret concerns I have about myself as a Christian woman wrestling with the issue of sex. She opens up the Scriptures in areas where male clergy have never gone. I'm challenged by this book, and changed by it. I don't agree with everything, but because my eyes have been open to many new things, I am willing to consider them.

There is no reason you can't be a spiritual and sexual being. These things are not mutually exclusive so it's about time someone pointed it out. Thank you to Susan Newman for writing an honest book that speaks to women who are often told it's wrong to experience sexual feelings if they are true Christians. If I remember correctly, one of God's first directives to Adam and Eve was to "be fruitful and multiply." God doesn't place a ban on sex, men do for their own reasons and women fall prey to the belief that sex is sinful. It is a perfectly natural impulse and a beautiful thing to share with someone you love. Hallelujah! Free at last! A thinking, feeling woman's guide to wholeness and fulfillment.

Thank God some one had the courage to tell the truth, about God, Sex, the Church and the sacredness of the body. Rev. Newman has broken the seal of silence that has left many estranged from the church and their own sense of faith. In her clever, sensitive and oft times painfully honest manner; Rev. Newman uses humor to make the uncomfortable safe and invites women and men to walk the journey of self discovery to wholeness.
As an ordained clergywoman I have longed for a text this accesible and sincere. I praise God for Rev. Newman's courage and call...

Dr. Susan Newman has taken a bold step in her original work, Oh God! The honesty and frankness with which she writes is refreshing and empowering to women, women of faith and the church community at-large. It is not surprising that some reviewers will take exception to the book at first read, because the work challenges long held silence, traditional comfort zones and prudish mind-sets regarding sexuality. Dr. Peter Gomes encountered similar diatribes on his work, The Good Book Reading The Bible With Mind And Heart. Once again people of faith are being asked to engage the Holy Scriptures with all of their intelligence and to relinquish tacit acceptance of simpleminded traditional understandings.

In concluding my review, I am hopeful that the book will encourage dialogue and discussion not immediate dismissal. To quote Bengel, "Apply yourself closely to the text; apply the text closely to yourself." In this case do so regarding the Holy Bible and Oh God.