Sometimes I read something simply because of the person who wrote the piece. It is typical for humans to have their preferences. Some people like specific musical groups. Others are drawn to particular artists. I am a person who likes specific authors. In fact, I have a number of favorite authors. There are the obvious favorites like the late monk, Thomas Merton. He is pretty famous, which means many people know him. Another favorite of mine is Paul Knitter. Knitter has just retired from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He is a long-time professor and scholar who is not as famous as folks like Merton. But he has had a long, distinguished career shaping the ways young folks think about life and their world. Knitter was one of the earlier people involved in the ecumenical and interfaith conversations. When I say ecumenical, primarily I mean the interaction and dialogue among diffe...