Contact: David Madgalene, 510-528-2942, davidra@sonic.net

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Nov. 8, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Kurt Vonnegut's reputation as a nasty unbeliever is being challenged by David James Randolph who knew the late author as a good neighbor in New York City and Long Island. Vonnegut, whose 90th birthday would be November 11, 2012, was often depicted as the bad boy of American literature whose books were banned and since his death his reputation has suffered from tales of nastiness in his "authoritative biography." But if this is the public Vonnegut then he had a secret life in which he was a decent human being, a contributive member of society and a creative interpreter of Christian faith and traditional values, according to Randolph.

Randolph counters the prevailing view with evidence from Vonnegut's published work, public records and his friendship with the author. Vonnegut came to Randolph when he was senior minister of Christ Church United Methodist in New York and Randolph presided at the wedding of the author to Jill Krementz in 1979.

Vonnegut supported the church's outreach to the community and later worked with Randolph in founding Writer's Day when the minister moved to Babylon on Long Island. Vonnegut cheered Randolph when he was invited to join the Center for the Arts, Religion and Education at Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley where he continues to write and speak. Writer's Day continues at the New Way Fest celebrated annually. Randolph will develop his appreciation of the author in his autobiographical book, "The Great Parade" to be published in the spring of 2013. 

The sermon quoting Vonnegut and describing the church's outreach to the hungry and homeless has an eerie relevance today as seen in "Have You Ever Loved a Bag Lady?" in 'Credit Card Christ" by Randolph available from Amazon.com.

More at  "Saint Kurt: The Gospel According to Vonnegut" at New Way Media blog.

For more go to: newwaymediafest.blogspot.com

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