(RNS) Cathleen Falsani isn’t alone in finding a spiritual role model in the Dude, the slacker anti-hero of the 1998 film “The Big Lebowski.” In fact, the character has spawned a new religion, the Church of the Latter-Day Dude, which says it has ordained more than 60,000 members.
— Key tenets of Dudeism are explained in “The Take it Easy Manifesto” and, of course, the Book of Duderonomy. They include “keep your wits about you even when you’re bummed out” and “when confronted by unfortunate circumstances, forget about it.”
— Great Dudes in history include Mohandas Gandhi, Julia Child, and Snoopy, Charlie Brown’s dog.
— Visitors to the Dudist Web site, Dudeism.com, are encouraged to sign up for a free ordination as a Dudist priest, after which they can minister at religious ceremonies — including weddings — in some U.S. states.
— Falsani herself has been appointed a Dudey-Satva for her work in spreading the gospel of Dudism. She eagerly awaits requests to preside at a wedding.