Randy Pausch Religion

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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.