An Anglican priest in British Columbia has earned a PhD for his research into the spirituality of snowboarding.
Rev. Neil Elliot of St. Andrews Anglican Church in Trail began his studies 10 years ago in England, pulling together a love of snowboarding, an interest in spirituality and a desire to understand the relationship between spirituality and religion.
It was the word “soulriding” that first captured his attention more than a dozen years ago, while he was living in England and snowboarding in the Alps in Europe. The term made him wonder if there was a spiritual dimension to carving a path down a mountain.
Then there’s spirituality and boxing, starting from souljabbing. Many possibilities there. And hockey too, from soulicing. A lot of dissertations there. And basketball, from soulhooping.
is there no limit beyond which sheer silliness becomes intolerable?
Well, i suppose in a doctoral program, where there are no more subjects left for research, one must take what one can get. I wonder what “discipine” this is in? Recreation science? Larry
“Spirituality of snowboarding?” Hmmph! Might just as well have said “spirituality of snorting crack!”
I agree with Larry’s comment.
I have no idea why snowboarding and “snorting crack” would be compared in comment #2.
-A snowboarder
Clearly this person missed a calling in sales.
“Then there’s spirituality and boxing”
Yep, worked fine in the Boxer Rebellion – made them bulletproof.
I’ve just taken up yoga to help with the pain and weakness my Lupus causes. I can see a spiritual dimension to it. Come to think of it, perhaps I can incorporate some simple prayers or meditations on the Passion during Lent as I’m holding these poses and breathing.
But a Ph.D. in Christian Yoga? Nah, I don’t think so. (Although, I have contemplated putting together some yoga and strengthening exercises to some of my favorite hymns. Does anyone think a DVD called “Sweating to the Hymnal” would be a lucrative enterprise? 😉 )
Love it, #6, love it. ha ha ha ha ha Larry
For an Anglican cleric in Canada it actually seems like a fairly deep topic.
‘Snowboard’? Wasn’t that a song by Anne Murray, eh?