Official Review: Good People Go To Hell, Bad people Go To...

[Theresa Moffitt]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Good People Go To Hell, Bad people Go To Heaven" by Bernard Champagne & Jay McCurtten.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Good People Go To Hell, Bad People Go To Heaven was an interesting look at religion. The unique title of the book grabbed my attention. Religious guidance is provided using a question-and-answer format. It is co-authored by Jay McCurtten and Father Bernard Champagne. Mr. McCurtten questions Father Bernard about his views on life and death. Father Bernard’s responses are direct and never sugar-coated. He details the teachings of the Catholic Church and his opinion on the current state of religion. He is very passionate about religion and the lack daily prayer in society today.

The core advice provided in this book is to develop a personal relationship with Christ by spending more than one hour a week with him. Father Bernard is critical of people who only attend church on Sunday and believe they have met their religious requirements. Daily mental prayer is recommended to begin a spiritual journey. Instead of engaging in formal prayers, he believes people should speak to God as they would speak to a friend. The book emphasizes the need for a personal relationship with God. In defending the title, the authors state that bad people acknowledge their sins by going to confession and striving to improve themselves. Good people don’t believe they have anything to confess or improve upon. Father Bernard repeatedly stated that we are all sinners and need to confess our sins. We all need to have a relationship with God daily, not only when it is convenient for us.

Initially, I was offended by the title of this book. I wasn’t sure the information it contained would align with my beliefs. However, after reading the book, I appreciate the message it provides. Although I felt that the message was harsh at times, I appreciate the knowledge gained from this book. I have often found myself lamenting that I don’t have time for mass every Sunday or other spiritual pursuits. This book identifies that as an excuse for laziness. If I have time to watch television or waste time in other ways, then I can make time for something as significant as religion. Daily prayer and reflection can be done at any time during the day and shouldn’t be confined to mass on Sundays.

I also benefitted from the idea that, through a personal relationship with God, we can relieve some of the stress and worry that occupies our time. When faced with a crisis or dilemma that overwhelms us, we should place the problem in the hands of God and have faith that it will be resolved. This is especially helpful in situations that we have no control over. To place the issue in God’s hands provides comfort in times of stress or sorrow. This seems like good advice for people that feel lost or overwhelmed in a situation.

This book was extremely well-written. The question-and-answer format was beneficial because difficult questions were raised and answered in a direct manner. Father Bernard did not hesitate to tackle difficult subjects. I read this book in one sitting. I found the topic and writing style to be interesting and informative. Although the advice was harsh at times, I give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. I believe it was professionally edited because there were only two typographical errors. These errors did not distract me from the book. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in religion. I would also recommend this book to anyone interested in beginning a spiritual journey. The book provides advice and recommendations on books and daily prayers.

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Good People Go To Hell, Bad people Go To Heaven
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Like Theresam's review? Post a comment saying so!

[InStoree]

When you say 'the advice was harsh at times' do you mean the answer comes in the aggressive way of implementing religion or just a rough expression? I like how Father Bernard presents the relationship with God, but if the advice comes in an unfriendly style, then I'll pass. Thank you for your insightful review!

[lizette]

Latest Review: Good People Go To Hell, Bad People To Hell by Bernard Champagne and Jay MCcurrten
I like the honesty and clear cut description of the reviewer, about this book. The book,is to the point and call a spade a spade and leads its audience, to thorough introspection and truthfulness.

[Theresa Moffitt]

When you say 'the advice was harsh at times' do you mean the answer comes in the aggressive way of implementing religion or just a rough expression? I like how Father Bernard presents the relationship with God, but if the advice comes in an unfriendly style, then I'll pass. Thank you for your insightful review!

When I said it was harsh at times, I meant more his statements about people needing to pray more and not assume they are going to heaven. He provides a description of Hell that is harsh, but I guess that is necessary to stress his point that people need to do more religiously on a daily basis

[InStoree]

When you say 'the advice was harsh at times' do you mean the answer comes in the aggressive way of implementing religion or just a rough expression? I like how Father Bernard presents the relationship with God, but if the advice comes in an unfriendly style, then I'll pass. Thank you for your insightful review!

When I said it was harsh at times, I meant more his statements about people needing to pray more and not assume they are going to heaven. He provides a description of Hell that is harsh, but I guess that is necessary to stress his point that people need to do more religiously on a daily basis

That sounds friendly to me I was worried that his approach would be more similar to: "do it like me, otherwise you go to Hell!" But I guess he just put the dot on the 'i' in his belief. I'm looking forward to reading it. Thank you for your answer, Theresa!

[chiefsimplex]

My attention was first captured by the ironic title.It is pregnant with meaning and has to be broken down .The issues covered in this read are of great import and the author did not assume that imposing approach so characteristic of religious books.I respect him for that.Thanks for such an informative review.

[nooregano]

The title is very clever, and I'm guessing it's to be read like: "Good" People Go to Heaven, "Bad" People Go to Hell? This is an insightful review, and I'm glad you liked the book despite your apprehensions!

[Paskiaxoxo]

Good people go to hell bad people go to heaven
My thoughts on this was first captured by the the title. Well in my opinion Thr issues covered in this read are of great importance and the author did not assume that imposing approach so characteristic of religious books.I respect him for that.Thanks for such an informative review.

[kandscreeley]

I'm not Catholic, so I'm unsure if this book would be for me. Still, it would be an interesting look at that particular religion/belief system. It sounds like it's well-written. Glad that you were able to glean something from its pages. Thanks!

[Manang Muyang]

This reminds me of the story of the Pharisee and the publican. We are all sinners and will never be worthy of heaven without Jesus's salvific sacrifice on the cross. Jesus is the perfecter of our faith. We should be eternally grateful.

[56lives]

The title of the book is misleading as it would appear to contract what the bible says. One can easily be put off just by the title. Whoever said do not judge a book by its cover was right. This review clears the mist. Reading the review has aroused the hunger in me to read the book and I will. Thanks Theresam for the great review.