Dave grew up a devout Catholic, attending a Catholic grade school, high school and college; and then he taught in Catholic schools for five years, smug in the knowledge that his was the one and only true faith. Meanwhile, he was a devout “American” as well, believing that the United States of America was God’s bastion of goodness and democracy on Earth; that everyone admired and envied the country–and him. But then (thank goodness!), he traveled abroad, immersing himself in a foreign culture and language; and he studied, finally questioning with an open/critical mind. The dogmas came tumbling down…leaving him bereft, disillusioned, bewildered, lost. He had no choice but to finally decide for himself what he would believe, who he would become. Dave will share his heartfelt philosophical and personal journey; which, in the end, is (or, at least, ought to be) everyone’s.