Losing My Religion: How I Lost My Faith Reporting on Religion in America - And Found Unexpected Peace Book

This is a slow-starting but ulitmately riveting spiritual memoir. There are two primary storylines that fascinate: the subjects that the author covers as a religion writer for the Los Angeles Times and the story of the impact that this vocation has on his spirituality. It is both sad and ironic that in finding his vocation he loses his faith, in no small part due to the egregious behavior he uncovers in the supposedly devout. A warning in the spirit of full disclosure: Lobdell sensitively handles the defining topic of his religious reporting career, but the stories themselves will shake anyone's faith. Unfortunately, the toll it takes on the author is palpably relayed and, in the end, I understand where he ends up even though I am saddened by it. What I value most is that in this frank and largely unflinching memoir, the author often challenges us to examine our own assumptions and beliefs. I, for one, emerged more conscious of and comfortable with my own faith, and appreciate that I was tested by the (implied and occasionally explicit) questions in book. A must read for true believers, skeptics, doubters, atheists and anyone else interested in spirituality and its relation to our world. As troubling as it is at times, the journey, so compellingly relayed, is as indelible as it is valuable.