07.23.07
The spiritual saga of William Lobdell
Occasionally — but rarely — daily journalism can result in a piece that rocks the reader to his emotional roots. Such an article is printed today in the Los Angeles Times. It’s by the paper’s religion reporter, William Lobdell, on why he lobbied hard for the job — and why at last he asked to be relieved of it. In powerful ways it is mindful of the Confessions of St. Augustine.
(Thanks to Jim Romenesko for the heads-up.)
Superiorgirl said,
July 25, 2007 at 9:59 am
Lobdell was reporting on religion, which is man-based, not God-based. The failures and shortcomings he mentions are all the fault of humans. When we put our faith in people it is inevitable that we will be disappointed. I don’t recall any place in the Bible where ‘religion’ is the answer. I am not a ‘religious’ person. I am, however, a Christian and that is the point that Lobdell never gets. The biggest fault of religion is that it distracts us from what we really need and that is Jesus. Too bad Mr. Lobdell got religion instead.
Michael Krahn said,
August 1, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Hey,
I have an article on Lobdell up at:
http://tinyurl.com/2rfe93
Enjoy!
Henry said,
August 2, 2007 at 6:32 am
Thanks for the article, Michael. It adds understanding to the situation.
Michael L. OWEN said,
August 6, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Superiorgirl has a good take on Lobdell. I just saw his “lost my faith” article in “The Week.”
He should do a good deal of scriptural searching, not “religion searching,” for the answers he wants to find.
Ron Gabriau said,
August 10, 2007 at 5:52 pm
I have just finished reading Mr.Lobdell’s story of lost faith in the recent “The Week” magazine. His decision to abandon what he had hoped would give him a “deeper and sturdier” faith has had a profound effect on me. I have struggled with my Catholic faith for many years and have decided that I too must find solace somewhere other than in organized Christianity. I wish Mr.Lobdell support and encouragement on the journey ahead of him. He would do well to take encouragement that the way he abandoned could give no answers. It is our responsibility and obligation to make peace with the questions for which the Church has never had answers. Being free from the corruption and “authority” of the bishops and “God’s representatives”on earth begins that process towards wholeness of body, mind and spirit.