Former American Press staff writer Sunny Brown Farley writes "Naked Faith," a look at faith in its natural form: lived out in the day-to-day lives of ordinary people.

The Last Lecture

Posted August 9, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Filed Under Faith & Religion | 1 Comment

I am sure most everyone has seen the youtube video called The Last Lecture. If you haven’t, be sure to check it out.

In it, Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon University computer science professor, talks about life in the face of terminal cancer. He talks about achieving his dreams and helping others achieve theirs.

What he doesn’t talk about is his faith. I think that is why at the end of the video, I felt a little unsatisfied. I wanted to know more about the faith of this incredible man. And I have to say that I hope he is a person of faith.

I guess the thing that troubled me about his last lecture is that he didn’t say.

I can’t understand how anyone can separate the faith they hold from the rest of their life. When one is a person of faith, it is woven into the fabric of their being. It cannot be removed or set aside or dismissed for the feelings and sake of others. I wondered if perhaps Randy didn’t want to offend anyone by espousing his faith but I found that troubling too. I don’t subscribe to the same faith as every other person in the world – no one does. Still, I respect the faith of others and their commitment to living it out best they can. I would hope others would extend the same respect.

And so, I enjoyed the last lecture but wanted more. I wanted the brave professor to bravely say he was a Buddhist, instead of talking about karma. I wanted him to say he was a Jew instead of referencing Moses. I wanted him to say he was a Christian instead of mentioning church in his blog.

Randy passed away about a week ago and I am happy I got to know a little about him. I only wish, as I’ve said, that I could have learned a little more … .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

Comments

One Response to “The Last Lecture”

Gerald on August 9th, 2008 1:45 pm

I too wish people of influence would speak out with a strong voice the faith that is apart of their life … but then again if they are not willing to use that strong voice to speak about their faith then their faith must not be strong.

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