For the past year, LA Times reporter, Kurt Streeter, has been talking with me about my recent spiritual and religious experiences. But unlike all the other reports about Year Without God, Kurt dug deeper. He asked me about my childhood, my fundamentalist college days, he spoke to people from my past and told the most complete story about my personal evolution to date. He tells bits about how I refused to read Voltaire’s Candide in college, and how my views began... Read more
Every so often I get an earnest email from someone asking me to “look deep in my heart” and ask whether my current situation is just the result of being hurt by the church. I got one such email recently. Here are some excerpts. I would like to ask you to look deep into your heart. Ask yourself. If it wasn’t for the people who hurt me, would I make the decision to rebel against God or am I so... Read more
I know it’s cliche, but seriously—where has the time gone? It’s hard to believe that 11 months have passed since I wrote that initial manifesto, declaring that I would live a year without God. I had no idea what I was getting into on that late December afternoon. I was at the end of my proverbial rope. I was out of answers and out of energy to come up with new answers. My foray into atheism was, from one perspective,... Read more
I have been nervous about this gathering for a while. I knew it was going to be important but I think I was hoping to avoid it as long as possible. I’m talking about Thanksgiving with my family. As we often do, we gathered at my maternal grandmother’s house in the tiny town of Jamestown, California. It’s basically a ghost town now, but like most towns in that part of the state, they were once thriving mining communities. Mark Twain... Read more
…because it helps me make important decisions in my life.” —said no one ever On Sunday I had the privilege of speaking at The Center for Inquiry in Hollywood. My former church is only about 1 mile from CFI and I have driven by there for years. It wasn’t until this year, though, that I attended a few of their amazing programs. The video of my lecture should be available on YouTube soon, but I just want to touch on one point... Read more
In my last post I gave a quick update, 10+ months into my Year Without God, but I saved some of the most important updates for another post because I didn’t want them to get lost in the news. They have to do with my most important relationships. The essential reality of my life in the past year is that I remain a father, partner and friend to the most precious people. They have impacted me profoundly and this journey... Read more
I can’t believe how quickly this year has gone by. With just less than two months to go I’m realizing more than ever what an never-ending journey this is. In some ways this has been the best year of my life. In other ways, the hardest. Here are a few updates as I head in to the home stretch. REMAINING GOALS I have a few books I’d really like to finish before the year ends. I’ve started a number of books... Read more
Editors’ Note: This article is part of the Patheos Public Square on Politics in the Pulpit. Read other perspectives here. On Tuesday, Americans will go to the polls to make some very important decisions regarding the life of our democracy and everyone is vying for our attention, our money and our vote! Elections are about power: who has it and who doesn’t. People who have traditionally lacked the power to create the best life for themselves and their families can... Read more
The selection of Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi as co-recipients of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize was widely hailed as a victory for the human rights of children, and especially girls. I was personally thrilled with the choice, having been charmed by Malala’s many interviews following the publication of her autobiography, I Am Malala. I am also happy to learn of Kailash Satyarthi and his three decades of work to end child slavery in India. I and many of my... Read more
The unraveling of one’s worldview is a tricky thing. Throughout this year I have wondered where the unraveling will end. My experience often brings to mind the very first single released by Weezer called, “Undone (The Sweater Song).” If you want to destroy my sweater Hold this thread as I walk away Watch me unravel, I’ll soon be naked Lying on the floor (lying on the floor) I’ve come undone Am I going to find myself completely undone? Lying on... Read more
Year Without God
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