PENGUINS MARCHING.BACK TO CHURCH

March 1, 2006 -- NEW YORK-A small blue book is causing a rather large stir in the San Diego area this winter. Penguins, Pain and the Whole Shebang: Why I Do the Things I Do, by God (as told to John Shore), is a short book in which God speaks, mostly irreverently, about why Christianity makes sense. And through word-of-mouth, small groups and enthusiastic booksellers, Penguins is reaching people who had previously been skeptical about Shore's assertion that "'Christian' and 'Delusional, Brain-Dead Zombie' aren't necessarily synonymous."

"This book changed my life forever," is typical of the book's fan mail, and many readers are more specific: "When I got to the part.about the Holy Spirit, I started crying. I've been a Christian for 42 years, and this is the first time I think I've ever really understood what the Holy Spirit is," reports one woman. "This book inspired me to explore going to church again, and my daughters and I are now preparing to join a more open and affirming congregation," writes another. And to the publisher's great delight, many readers report buying copies for friends, relatives and priests: one recent event for 35 people resulted in 45 copies sold.

John Shore, the book's author, knows his audience. Eight years ago, he was what he describes as "anti-Christian.The religion struck me as ridiculously immature, a way-too-obvious system designed mostly to capitalize on people's guilt." But one despairing moment in the supply closet of the law office where he worked changed that: Shore dropped to his knees and became a Christian when he heard a voice saying, "Isn't this what Jesus is for?"

Now it appears that Shore, a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in San Diego, is returning the favor to God-and to many of his fellow humans. In addition to the swell of grassroots enthusiasm the book generates, it's being chosen for discussion by church groups, reading clubs and church staff who want a fresh and relevant tool for evangelism. And that's just fine with Shore, as long as the book's promoters and fans don't lose sight of another of the book's essential truths: it, like the Christian life through Shore's eyes, is gut-splittingly funny. Or, as "God" says, "One thing is certain: There's no way you don't believe in me because I'm not funny. I mean. what about penguins? I mean, c'mon! Automatically funny!"

John Shore is a writer, editor, and Episcopalian. In addition to being the scribe of God, he has been a door-to-door encyclopedia salesman, a shoe salesman, law office flunky and a Jiffy Lube guy. Shore is also the author, with Richard Lederer, of Comma Sense, the American answer to Eats Shoots and Leaves. He lives in San Diego, California, with his wife of 25 years, whom he describes as "the greatest woman in the history of Our Kind."

Penguins, Pain and the Whole Shebang: Why I Do the Things I Do, by God (as told to John Shore)

John Shore 120 pages 5 x 7 Available from Seabury Books 1-59627-019-5 Hardcover $15.00