Esther Maria Magnis, a German writer and author of "With or Without Me," shares her poignant journey through faith and loss. In a raw conversation, she explores childhood grief following her father's cancer diagnosis and how it shaped her spirituality. Esther navigates the tension between belief and materialism, the symbolism of colors in her memoir, and the power of shared prayers among siblings. With authenticity, she discusses wrestling with faith amidst suffering and the beauty found in connecting with the divine through life's hardships.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Childhood Encounter with God
As a child, Esther Maria Magnis had a profound experience at the ocean, sensing a loving and absolute presence.
She felt an unconditional love and a deep self-awareness, waving at what she identified as God.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Prayer During Father's Illness
When her father was diagnosed with cancer, Magnis felt an overwhelming urge to pray, consuming her every thought and action.
This intense prayer felt like a direct connection to God, a desperate plea woven into her being.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Praying with Siblings
Magnis and her siblings shared an unspoken desire to pray for their father and gathered in the attic.
In the shared silence, they experienced a profound peace and a sense of God's waiting presence.
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In this beloved picture book, Judith Kerr tells the story of Sophie and her Mummy who are interrupted by a hungry tiger at their tea time. The tiger eats all the food, drinks all the water from the tap, and even consumes Daddy's supper. Despite the chaos, the story is filled with humor and charm, showcasing Kerr's vibrant and colorful illustrations. The book has been a favorite among children and parents since its publication in 1968, offering a delightful and imaginative tale that has stood the test of time.
With or Without Me
With or Without Me
Esther Maria Magnis
Esther Maria Magnis's "With or Without Me" is a deeply personal memoir exploring her complex relationship with faith. The book chronicles her childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, weaving together experiences of joy, grief, and spiritual questioning. Magnis recounts her family's struggles with her father's cancer diagnosis, her subsequent loss of faith, and her eventual return to a belief in God. The narrative is marked by unflinching honesty and a poetic style, making it a compelling read for those seeking to understand the complexities of faith. The book's exploration of doubt, loss, and the search for meaning resonates with readers across various backgrounds.
The Loss or The Fading of Rituals
The Loss or The Fading of Rituals
Byung-Chul Han
Heritage
Heritage
Sasher Stanishitz
Esther Maria Magnis is a German writer whose book ‘With or Without Me’ is a memoir of her journey with faith and the perception of reality.
With unflinching honesty Esther takes us through her childhood and adolescence as she, along with her brother and sister, deals with the grief of her father’s cancer diagnosis, her prayers, and her journey through the loss of faith, into materialism, self-deconstruction and finally the turn back to the idea of God.
Justin and Belle talk to Esther about her raw account of coming to terms with faith through the beauty of life, the ugliness of death, and even the apparent silence of God.
For Esther Maria Magnis: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Without-Conversion-Esther-Maria-Magnis/dp/163608026X
For Re-Enchanting: https://www.seenandunseen.com/podcast
There’s more to life than the world we can see. Re-Enchanting is a podcast from Seen & Unseen recorded at Lambeth Palace Library, the home of the Centre for Cultural Witness. Justin Brierley and Belle Tindall engage faith and spirituality with leading figures in science, history, politics, art and education. Can our culture be re-enchanted by the vision of Christianity?
Re-Enchanting 