The God Box Paperback – May 5, 2009

To me, this is a story of the abuse raising a child in a fundamentalist religion. The programming to make children hate themselves. 10% off makes and 4% of males are queer.These religious people are causing real harm.They spend hours debating text in poorly at best or maliciously translated texts of dubious origins.How much better would they be served by discussing at, literature, creating music, math or any thing useful.Alex is an amazing writer. Read everything he writes. I love this book but it is depressing.

"The God Box" was about Paul (Pablo) and coming to terms with whether or not he's actually gay. The Christian belief (atleast in that small town) is that being gay is sinful, yet how can it be sinful if it's just a matter of falling in love?"The God Box" is loaded with challenges- Can you test god? Can you test your faith? Can you test what's in your heart and learn to be honest with yourself- regardless of what others think?Now, I titled this "coming from an outsider" because I'm just an avid reader. I am not gay, I'm not a teenager, and I'm not a believer in a god of any kind. However, because I love to read, I've read the Bible and I can respect it very much- as well as respect the faiths of those who are able to hold tight to their own personal beliefs. Religion is personal- reading books... not so much.So, now that you have a bit of a background on me- I hope that it will colour what I have to say next.WHAT I LOVED:-Paul and Manuel's characters were VERY well developed. Angie, Pa and Abuelita's were also VERY strong characters. I could picture them in my head, even though I don't think they actually were physically described in much detail in the book.-The journey that Paul was taken on through Manuel. The inner turmoil that Paul was going through while deciding if he wanted to take action or not-The dialogue with Paul and his Abuelita. I think she is my favorite character.-The descriptions and the arguments during Bible study classes. Fair to see BOTH sides of the story- and to keep true to each of the characters' opinions (didn't waver)-The discussions between Manuel and Paul about if it was sinful to be gay and Christian. I love religious debates and love hearing BOTH sides and many different viewpoints.-The ending. Very good. Brought a tear to my eye!WHAT I COULDN'T GET OVER:-The story jumped RIGHT in. Page one, there was already the inner turmoil. I think it would have been better if we got to know Paul and Angie at least a little bit before he started to "change". This book was about learning to accept- but it seemed like we "met" Paul when he was already learning to accept. Maybe a little more background would have been helpful?-The instant reaction to Manuel. Is it really like that? I know that when I see someone for the first time, no matter how handsome or energetic he is, I don't necessarily feel a "pull" toward him immediately. My mind doesn't instantly go to what it would feel like to touch his skin.-The reactions from the anti-gay guys. (turned out in the end, there was a sob story there too- I hated learning that part) It was just so dramatic. Maybe it's because it was such a small town? I know many gay guys and girls in my area and nothing like that EVER happened. Not since, like, the 80s.Even though it is technically a teen book, "The God Box" can be enjoyed by any age group and any sexuality. It's about attraction and acceptance. About romance and honesty. About faith and truth. Even if you're not religious, like me, it is still interesting to read what people choose to hold so dear to their hearts. It is intense to see inside their minds and try to understand and to feel what they do.I think everyone can relate to this story- regardless of your own life choices.

I like Alex Sanchez's writings, and this latest one is probably one of the best because it handles a difficult subject sensitively and yet with a great deal of knowledge but also with some great humor ("did I miss the small print" in reference to John 3:16). Using the "proof-texters" own weapons, Sanchez defeats them at every turn (not that they would ever admit defeat--the Pharisees never did, and the modern ones don't either). I think the story deals with issues that adults need to face as well--if you're a person of any faith, do you have to be literal-minded and closed to any other point of view? Sanchez says "No." From the youth's point of view, it was very well done, and reminded me of so many people whom I have met (as well I myself) who ran into these personal confrontations. The young man who told me: God Loves you. When I replied, "That's not the question; I know God loves me," he responded, "What is the question?" I said, "The question is do YOU love me?" He immediately left. This is the reality these people reflected in the rigidity of Elizabeth & Cliff never deal with--they might be 110 years old with minds cast in stone, but this is what one meets in the world--the sadness of it is underscored. I would like to tell these people they (can't or don't) read Jesus' comments about them: You stand in the gates to hell and make converts twice the sons of hell as you yourselves (not an exact quote, but the meaning is the same). And the obvious results are not always as nice as given in this book--i.e., Matthew Shepherd and the boys in Alabama, etc. Sanchez does a very good job of tying this together in bringing these two very sincere (and devout) boys into a sense of what it really means to have faith and to love. I highly recommend it.

I just finished reading the newest book by Alex Sanchez, The God Box. I absolutely love this book. The book tells the story of a high school senior dealing with coming to terms with his sexuality, and then reconsiling that with his faith, and what his church has tought him about homosexuality.Sanchez does an excellent job of taking many of the passages used by many religious leaders to condemn homoseuality, and find fault with the logic that is used. While it is not as indepth as the books published on the subject, he does an excelent job of telling the gist of it. He also offers the books that he used at the end of the book, so you can look into them further if youa re really interested in looking at a scholarly take on the subject.Even though the book is written with the intent to help young teens reconslie their sexuality with Christinaty, there is very little demonizing of the religious people in the book. Even those characters, who are homophobic and anti-gay, are not portrayed as a completely evil and vile people. They are treated with dignity. While those characters are charactures of the religious fundamentalists that are seen on television, like Dr. James Dobson, they are not at all portrayed to be like the Rev. Fred Phelps.This is an extremely well written book, and keeps in line with all of Alex Sanchez's other writing. I highly encourage anyone of any age to read not only this book, but all of his other books as well. They are all definitely well worth the time, and maybe you'll learn a little something as well.

On one level, this is an entertaining read for teenagers or anybody else who is interested in the problems of confronting one's own sexuality today. It shows the courage needed for "coming out" and clearly indicates the dangers posed by those advocating suppressing gay feelings and by homophobic bullies. The heart-warming story of the friendship between Pablo and Manuel has a happy ending, of course, and parents need have no qualms because they never go further than kissing.I am some way past my teens, however, and I bought it mainly to see how Sanchez would deal with the Church's traditional condemnation of homosexuality. He succeeds in this by pointing out that sexual orientation is innate rather than acquired or chosen, and by indicating the weakness of the popular biblical arguments. He shoots down Leviticus with ease, and points out that the Genesis 19 story about Sodom was only one attempt to account for the city's destruction; that the Sodomites' main sin was their refusal to accept God's messengers. He might have dealt more effectively with Paul's attack by pointing out that the great man was outraged more by the abuse of power in high places, by promiscuity and genereral excess, than by love between members of the same sex.This is a book to buy, re-read and reflect upon.

Without a doubt one of the best books I've read. I am slightly biased in my opinion however since the book reflects so many of the issues I had to deal with in my life as a teenager. As others have indicated, this should be a mandatory read in schools. Although I came to my own conclusions about organised religion several years ago, the content of this book should be a must read for anyone going through the utter hell that is the reconciling of your nature to your life. Anyone who has had the fear of fire and brimestone thrown at them on a weekly basis in sermons, resigning yourself to a life of celibacy or eternal damnation... two great options to choose from, should read this book. And parents of gay children, friends, relatives, anyone who has an inkling of doubt in their mind about what the "good book" has to say on the matter of being gay... read it.On a personal note, it took me many many years to come to terms with who I am. Save yourself the heartaches I endured. Bypass all the doubt I encountered along the way. Catholics do guilt in a big way! Read it.

I didn't expect much from this book when I ordered it, but I am so glad I did. It's an interesting perspective on how religion and sexuality can very much exist together, and those different interpretations of the bible are outlined in the book. I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who is either struggling to accept their sexuality because of their religious beliefs, or someone who wants to understand how the two can exist in harmony as well as for just a great read! It is well written and thoroughly enjoyable.

It's a common dilemma that is being dealt with here and it is well written with a considerable degree of understanding

Well written and one of the better gay stories. Twists and turns of plot are not forseeable as so many are.