A new book in the James V. Brown Library Religion Collection, endowed by Christ Episcopal Church, will be the subject of the May 4 Book Review Program.
In "Religion for Atheists," Alain de Botton, a freelance writer and philosopher, argues that supernatural claims are false but that religion still has important ideas for the secular world.
He states that world religions have good ideas that can enrich our relationships, overcome feelings of envy and inadequacy, build a sense of community and reconnect us with the natural world.
The reviewer will be Henry J. Hopper. He graduated from the College of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio, where he majored in history and has a master's degree in theology from Princeton Seminary, Princeton, N.J.
An ordained Presbyterian minister, Hopper has served churches in Pennsylvania and California. In addition, Hopper has an associate degree in criminal justice from Villanova University and was employed by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole for more than 27 years.
Hopper and wife, Alison, have been residents of Williamsport since 1974.
Book Review Luncheons are open to the public and are free of charge unless participants choose to order the light lunch that is available. The lunches cost $5 each and can be reserved by calling the library Information Desk at 326-0536 no later than 3 p.m. the Wednesday before the luncheon. Participants may bring a bag lunch or takeout.
The luncheon starts at noon with the program beginning at 12:30. Those interested may attend the 12:30 talk without lunch. These events are held in the Lowry Theatre on the third floor of the Welch Family Wing of the library.
The Book Review Luncheon on June 1 will feature Dr. Jonathan Williamson reviewing "The Disappearing Center" by Alan I. Abramowitz.
