Why Am I Writing on Substack?
It's a natural development of my education, interests and vocation.
Substack: Why this, why now for me?
I have divided my career among writing, teaching, and business consulting and editorial services. I studied religion at Yale and Indiana, where I received my Masters, then got my Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in an interdisciplinary program, Religion & Literature, with a specialty in ethics. I taught business ethics for a decade at DePaul University.
In this sense, my life has really led up to this phase of commenting on religion, politics, culture, ethics, literature, and the arts. Or anything else that strikes me as important.
For recent articles, you can search my name on newthinking.com. My Twitter handle is @craigmindrum. I also published an essay in Newsweek about a lifelong friendship of mine where the two of us differ on Israel-Palestine. https://www.newsweek.com/christian-jewish-best-friend-couldnt-agree-one-thing-1856416
Three current book projects can give you an idea of the eclectic nature of my work:
- A Tao te Ching that Makes Sense: A new English version of the ancient Chinese classic that seeks to use language that is both poetic and understandable. The Tao te Ching is an important text, even an essential one. If someone were to ask me to explain what I mean by “God” I would hand them this text and tell them to get back to me in a couple of months.
- Ethics and Literature: A Kind of Light: A book that solves the ancient dilemma about what form of discourse—philosophy or art—can best illuminate the human condition.
- Your Truth Within: Making Sense of Religion and Spirituality: I try to chip away at the accretions of false religious doctrine and mythology to arrive at a defensible, rational understanding of religion and spirituality.
What kind of community am I looking to build here?
I am a liberal, both religiously and politically. Yet I remember my perspectives from earlier in my life when I was more conservative. I believe I understand that thinking. Some of my religious writings are quite radical, questioning foundational doctrine. Yet I am not interested in drawing readers only from that pool. I am looking for engagement and even (respectful) debate and pushback. I am interested in providing knowledge and experience to readers, but also in learning from them.
Although many of my writings contain elements critical of current religion, politics and culture, my goal is to be as kind, empathetic and understanding as possible. I may not always succeed in that, as I see too much violence and hatred being spread by religious and political extremists. My expectation is for thoughtful feedback. If your position is poorly reasoned, I am likely to point that out. I employ a “civility screen” to feedback, and I won’t respond to anything profane or hateful.
Frequency
My intention is to publish at least once a week, usually on Monday mornings or over the weekend. However, I reserve the right to post more often.