Randy Pausch's Religion.

Coinciding with Randy Pausch's passing last week, many have been searching the net for clues about his religion. I know this because many searches have ended up on my site with the following search terms, "Randy Pausch religion" or some combination, since I have reviewed his book, "last lecture" and commencement address in May, 2008, and the blog title includes the word religion.

I didn't previously comment on his religion in part because he downplayed it. However, in viewing his "last lecture" and reading his book of the same name some clues emerge. Dr. Pausch wrote about his family: "We were Presbyterians." He called his father "the most 'Christian' man [he] ever met." He further stated that "unlike [his] mom, [his father] didn't easily embrace organized religion."

Also, consistent with being a Presbyterian or other Protestant, Dr. Pausch referenced his "minister." "And since my diagnosis, my minister has been very helpful." His minister told him that Dr. Pausch also needed emotional insurance to supplement his life insurance. The minister "explained that the premiums of emotional insurance would be paid for with [Dr. Pausch's] time, not [his] money." To this end, the minister suggested that Dr. Pausch make videotapes of himself with his young kids so "they'll have a record of how [they] played and laughed."

Eschewing the opportunity to evangelize, Dr. Pausch explained that his religious views would not be explicated in the last lecture or book because he believed religion is a private matter.

He did allow he had a "deathbed conversion." It, however, pertained to his conversion to a Mac after his diagnosis.

Finally, Dr. Pausch referred to "karma" in his lecture and book in the following fashion: "It's not about achieving your dreams. It's about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you." He also said in the lecture: "I believe in karma."

I think Dr. Pausch here was referring to "karma" in the generic and not religious (or new age) sense.

UPDATE: A Unitarian Universalist website asserts he was one: http://uua.org/news/newssubmissions/117142.shtml

UPDATE 2: Here's the pertinent excerpt from the interview linked above:

"UUA.org: What is your religious background, and what is it about being a Unitarian Universalist that attracted you to this faith?

"Pausch: I was raised Presbyterian and attended church regularly until I was about 17. I like the fact that [Unitarian Universalism] appeals to reason and thought more than dogma."

Randy Pausch: The Lecture After The Last Lecture.

For those who enjoyed my review of Dr. Randy Pausch's The Last Lecture (see May 5, 2008, post), here is a short video of his commencement address to the May, 2008, graduates of Carnegie Mellon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATiyfX1I45I

As Shakepeare wrote in Hamlet, "Brevity is the soul of wit," Dr. Pauch wittily emphasizes only a few points:

1. Express gratitude;
2. Find and follow passion;
3. Live well, without regret;
4. Elevate relationships over things; and
5. Love, defined by putting another's happiness over your own.

UPDATE: Here is my post about Randy Pausch's religion:
http://lawreligionculturereview.blogspot.com/2008/07/randy-pausch.html

Book Review: The Last Lecture.

Randy Pausch has much to live for.

He's a well-respected and loved computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon with three young children. He's considered a pioneering expert in virtual reality. In fact, he wrote a section on it in the World Book encyclopedia.

However, forty-something Randy Pausch learned he only had months to live.

During this closing window, Dr. Pausch decided to thrive. He delivered a "Last Lecture," at Carnegie Mellon, which has been immortalized on the internet:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5700431505846055184

He reprised it with a much shorter (and more subdued) version on Oprah Winfrey's show here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8577255250907450469

In addition, he wrote a book also entitled, The Last Lecture, with Jeffrey Zaslow. The book largely tracks the lecture, although Dr. Pausch provides insight into his process and priorities in doing the speech.

He reveals: "Under the ruse of giving an academic lecture, I was trying to put myself in a bottle that would one day wash up on the beach for my children."

During a recent interview, he painted a beautiful but haunting metaphor. He said that he knows his family is going to go over a cliff (when he dies), but that he has time to furiously make nets. This lecture and book were part of the nets he's constructing.

In the process, Dr. Pausch contributes mightily to all viewers and readers who have the benefit of experiencing his wise words. In his dying, he educates the living how to live and ultimately to die.

The book and lecture are generally framed around how he achieved his childhood dreams. But he admits enabling others' dreams is the most gratifying.

Dr. Pausch handles his impending death with remarkable grace. Moreover, through his life and The Last Lecture he leaves an encouraging legacy to all.