I so rarely see someone with a belief system similar to mine and your way of articulating it is so far beyond what I've ever been able to do (which is, like, "the sublime exists, I have experienced it, it must be the work of God or gods" so thank you
Hey Albert, thanks for this. I also drove across the country, including a stop at the badlands, after realizing I was very depressed, and I'm a practicing catholic again after a long time, despite many frustrations with the church, because I've come to understand that this must all be For Something
"Enchantments of Mammon" by Eugune McCarraher is a book about how the world used to be a spiritually enchanted place, and that the enchantment hasn't been lost, but has instead been transferred to awe of money and capitalism; it's a good encapsulation of "how it could be vs how it is"
Beginning of Last Temptation is so good. I also read it as a late teen, and to this day the horrible description of each disciple’s human frailties stays with me. Especially the one who didn’t sin, not because he was good, but because he too chickenshit.
Hey Albert, just finished reading this and want to simply say thank you. Gorgeous, haunted (in all the best ways) and honest and extremely resonant for where this ex-evangelical dwells these days. Bravo.
Loved this and as a pastor I relate so much. A colleague once wrote in the NYT that she believes in eternal life because the idea of death petrifies her. Sums up my feelings entirely. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve leaned into an understanding that faith isn’t rational but religion shouldn’t be fanatic.
There is so much to think about after reading this, especially as a non-believer who wants nothing more than to be a believer. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the hump and believe there is a God, but as a new parent, I can see why it would be great if there was one.
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I enjoy your writing no matter what you choose to write about, but I gotta say, you could never write too many cooking blogs for me.
https://deadspin.com/how-to-make-pulled-pork-a-guide-for-unfussy-super-bowl-5981103/
Thanks for sharing them.