Community members explore doubt, question faith

By Erin Goldman, Managing Editor

Two men sit in the booth of a dilapidated diner drinking coffee, mulling over copies of The Dallas Morning News, and discussing the latest Cowboys game in their thick Texas drawl. Suddenly, the topic of conversation shifts: religion. The younger of the two men announces he does not believe in God. The older man appears shocked initially, but, with sincere curiosity, asks him to explain his reasoning.

“A generation ago to be considered a good, upstanding citizen, one needed to be religiously affiliated,” said Dan Kasten, Upper School English teacher. “People weren’t more spiritual or religious, it was just what ‘good’ people did. Now, there is a looser expectation. It’s far more common to openly claim lack of affiliation; people can still be considered honorable.” read more