Q

The Office's Rainn Wilson is sick of this 'anti-religious' thing

Rainn Wilson on his lesser-known spiritual side, and why people shouldn't be so "squeeged out" by people of faith.

Rainn Wilson — best known for his role as the socially awkward Dwight Schrute from The Office — joins Shad to discuss his lesser-known religious convictions and the connection between creativity and spirituality. 

In his new book, The Bassoon King, Wilson sheds light on the importance of his Bahá'í Faith, his life as a religious minority, and his brief flirtation with atheism. He urges secular folks to be less "squeeged out" and more open to connecting with their religious peers. 

"I risk a lot, talking about faith. It's turned off a lot of people ... 'oh that weird guy from The Office is a member of some weird-sounding religion, and he's talkin' weird about spirituality'," he says, paraphrasing a common reaction. 

"I just want to get people talking again, and not having this one topic be so off limits."  

q: From Jackson Pollock to John Coltrane ... whether or not you're a person of faith, do you have a favourite work of art rooted in religion or spirituality? Tell us what it is and why it strikes you. (Your reflection might be read on air.) 

Rainn Wilson of The Office says he's sick of this 'anti-religious' thing — particularly when discussing spirituality with creative types. (Ben Shannon/Fabiola Carletti/CBC)