A fascinating interview with Frank Schaeffer, one of the founding members of the modern religious right in America, who has since recognized the dangers inherent in the worldview he once espoused.
Optimism, Action, and How To Be The Neighborhood Pulp Hero
You never know where you’re going to find a nugget of crystalline wisdom, something that gives you pause because of its brightness and clarity, that makes you think about how you’re living your life, and how you should be living it.
I found one of these nuggets recently. The unlikely place I found it? (more…)
Brains On Fire: On Kids and Reading
Back in December 2007, the novelist James Patterson became a hero of mine.
Patterson wrote an open letter to his son in Parade magazine that resonated strongly with me, and said some things I wanted to say to my own son, Nathaniel: (more…)
Part 5 of The Fall From Grace in Genesis: Wild Nature, Civilization, and the Ecological Soul
And now, the belated final chapter, in which Cerberus the Outstanding Hamster ascends to Godhood, and Lucy finds her lost sandal. And I prattle some more about spiritual matters. (more…)
Part 4 of The Fall From Grace in Genesis: Wild Nature, Civilization, and the Ecological Soul
And here we come to Part 4…will the kids get out of the cave? Will Uncle Joe assuage Aunt Marie’s hurt feelings after his affair with Pastor Lewis? Most importantly, will Cerberus the Outstanding Hamster save the township of Williamswilliamsburgtonboro from the vicious onslaught of Republicans?
I don’t know. But there will be more spiritual stuff I wrote. (more…)
Part 3 of The Fall From Grace in Genesis: Wild Nature, Civilization, and the Ecological Soul
And now, Part 3 of that paper all about how we can all maybe be happy. Or maybe not. I’m not as optimistic as I was way back when I wrote this. Or even as I was last week. (more…)
Part 2 of The Fall From Grace in Genesis: Wild Nature, Civilization, and the Ecological Soul
Here’s the second part of the old college paper I wrote that in many ways states my basic spiritual views. If you haven’t read the first part, it is at this link:
http://outlawmoon.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/the-fall-from-grace-in-genesis-wild-nature-civilization-and-the-ecological-soul
And now, part 2… (more…)
The Fall From Grace in Genesis: Wild Nature, Civilization, and the Ecological Soul
Years ago, I wrote a paper in college that in most ways remains a manifesto of my spiritual beliefs. I’ve one battered print-out of it, and have long been meaning to transfer the text to a more permanent form, so it suddenly occurred to me that publishing it here serves that purpose and gives an intimate look into my mind to anyone curious enough to look in there. Here’s Part 1:
The Fall From Grace in Genesis:
Wild Nature, Civilization, and the Ecological Soul (more…)
Say Yes, and, to Colbert
A cool new acquaintance (Hi, JoJo!) of mine is involved in improv comedy classes locally, and talking with her reminded me of what may be the single best piece of motivational writing I’ve ever read. So I decided to share.
It’s from a commencement speech given last year, I believe, by master jester Stephen Colbert: (more…)
