11 Comments
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dan's avatar

Fascinating piece. The intro drew me in and brought a smile that lasted well after I finished reading. I am not so familiar with some of the historical account, but I really appreciated the beautiful arc connecting religious and intellectual liberty—the idea that each of us can (and ought to) have a direct line, without the risk of swinging off of one. Thank you, indeed, to the brave wordsmiths and warriors among us for holding the line.

Michael Taylor's avatar

What a wonderful essay!

Cathleen Labate's avatar

Oh I thought it was a Wyeth....yes, it is filled with unknown tension. Perfect painting for your insightful writing today. I shared this with many friends!

Deb Robinson's avatar

Hi Sebastian! It is unmistakably an Andrew Wyeth. I just looked it up and it’s circa 1982 and he named it Adrift. I hope your summer is going well. I was in your neck of the woods yesterday likely at the same beach. Deb

working rich's avatar

“Ripoll was swung off into eternity.” Never used swinging as a euphemism for hanging but it does sound nicer.

Sebastian Junger's avatar

Yes, it was taken from a 19th Century historian quoted earlier. Thank you for reading it.

Cathleen Labate's avatar

Who is this artist, the painting is haunting....

I never really knew there was a history to how we pray...and people died for this...and still do.

Sebastian Junger's avatar

I believe the artist is Andrew Wyeth...I forgot to attribute, shame on me. I'll look. Its a beautiful, enigmatic painting. Is he dead? Sleeping? What about the danger of shoal water just off his starboard?

andrea tasha's avatar

Hi Sebastian— so much of your writing speaks directly to questions my heart and mind have always asked, and you manage to dig away the distractions and find something real, like the tap root. Your work has made an impact for me—thank you!

Sebastian Junger's avatar

Thank you so much, Andrea - I didnt even know you were reading it! I hope you are well.