I'm glad you saw the Geraldine Doogue program. I
probably received more mail from that program than any I've ever
done.

You ask about whether Christine shares my views on
Christianity? Prior to my meeting her, she was very active in
her church, St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Morristown, New
Jersey. She was twice elected to the Vestry and, as a volunteer,
she ran the entire Christian Education Program of her parish for
ages one to 99 years, she says. She also headed up the
Christian Education Commission for the Diocese of Newark.
Growing up in England, she was a cradle Anglican. She is a
person of deep Christian commitment, sound judgment and a keen
mind.

She serves now as my editor for both this column and
my books. She administers my professional life and accompanies
me everywhere I go. She is in every audience that I address and
in every church where I preach. I absolutely adore her and say
so every chance I get.

Does she share my perspective on Christianity? Not
any more than I share hers. We have worked together so long and
so closely that I honestly don't know who has influenced whom the
most. I only know that I could not accomplish half of what I do
had she not been in my life for the last 18 plus years. I had
been a widower for a year and a half when we got married and I
know what it means "to be born again."

In regard to your fundamentalist girlfriend and "how
much difference in religion can the average relationship handle?"
I think if one partner believes he or she has the truth and if
the other disagrees the other is wrong, or if one partner thinks
the other is going to hell, then that is too much to handle. If
your need to be right is greater than your need to love then the
relationship cannot help but be neurotic. Religion is usually
not the problem. The way religion is used and the role it plays
in a person's security system is.

Thank you for asking.

John Shelby Spong