To be completely honest, the reason I picked up the copy of Cathleen Falsani’s latest book Sin Boldly that I noticed on the new release table of the bookshop I happened to be in at the time was due to its displaying a picture of a dragonfly on the cover. However after thumbing only a few pages I quickly determined that this was a writer approaching religious topics in a manner to which I could relate: decidedly liberal and unconventional – not entirely unlike the open-minded attitude I have come to admire in one of my favorite writers in the genre, Annie Lamott.
Doing a bit of background reading on Ms. Falsani, I quickly discovered that in addition to her work for the Chicago Sun Times as a religion columnist, she also maintains a splendid blog named The Dude Abides that I have now come to regard as a daily “must read.” Her perspective on what she terms “godstuff,” the complete definition of which I have yet fully to form to my own satisfaction, as well as her other observations of the intersection of life and faith are truly refreshing, especially for those (like myself) who find ourselves too often ashamed to even admit any religious faith or spirituality for fear of being associated with the “know nothing – do as I say not as I do” brands of theology all too common in modern America and indeed, all around the world.
So why am I, a nature writer with a nature-focused blog, recommending a decidedly religious blog? For the same reason that I have many times cited the long-running public radio program Speaking of Faith – they both do a superb job of speaking to that intangible quality to be found by some in religious practice and by some (in some cases others, in other cases the same people) in the first hand experience of the divine presence through the observation and contemplation of nature. All those people of faith who cherish an open mind as well as an open heart as elements essential to their faith-tradition, as well as those decidedly or perhaps simply de facto agnostics who always suspected that there was an intelligent manner in which matters of religion could be discussed, are heartily encouraged to visit The Dude Abides to peruse Ms. Falsani’s work.
Peace and good bird watching.
