{"product_id":"my-almost-certainly-real-imaginary-jesus-9780980040753","title":"My Almost Certainly Real Imaginary Jesus","description":"Kelly Barth, like many American kids, went to Sunday school, sang songs about Zaccheas, and was tucked in with bedtime prayers. A typical Christian kid, that is, until she developed a searingly deep crush on another little girl playing afterhours in church, and more importantly, until Jesus--a tiny, imaginary Jesus, one that stays \"safely tucked behind the baseboard or the petals of a peony\"--became her invisible friend and constant companion.  \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eHeartbreakingly honest and hilarious, \u003ci\u003eMy Almost Certainly Real Imaginary Jesus\u003c\/i\u003e shows just how easy it can be to fall headlong into fundamentalism, venturing into the very heart of enemy territory and the church s false promises of altar calls and sexual cures. In the spirit of Anne Lamott s \u003ci\u003eTraveling Mercies\u003c\/i\u003e, this debut memoir is plainspoken, speaking with candor and insight. Barth particularly addresses the disconnect between the radical and very human Jesus of history and the church s supernatural savior. She asks the question to all in the closet--both closet Christians and closet homosexuals: Which is more difficult, admitting to being Christian or admitting to being gay?\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn answer is found in her own hard-won journey, a hopeful answer that is an \"attempt to leave a record of the early signs of the turning and softening of a collective heart.\" Giving voice to many who have searched for sanctuary in a church that has largely rejected them, this story pauses at the threshold of one of a growing number of churches which, in opening the door to her and other homosexuals, welcome Jesus back inside as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Arktoi Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/01\/2012\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780980040753\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 229\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.50lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.00h x 5.00w x 0.70d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAward:\u003c\/b\u003e Triangle Awards - Finalist\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 05\/01\/2012 pg. 63\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 08\/01\/2012\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 09\/01\/2012 pg. 17\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLJ Best Books of Year\u003c\/i\u003e 12\/01\/2012 pg. 30\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Kelly Barth","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":38294240493749,"sku":"9780980040753","price":16.11,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_96782029-b6e1-4fed-aeea-4b1e69951d28.jpg?v=1611066405","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/my-almost-certainly-real-imaginary-jesus-9780980040753","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}