We talk to Dolly Parton about her latest album, her remarkable career and her liberal approach to faith

"Parton is grateful for the grounding her Christian upbringing provided. Throughout her career, she has recorded Christian songs, such as “He’s Alive” and “The Seeker”. But her ideas about religion have evolved over the years. Today, she has a more open and liberal idea of faith. “We all need something to believe in, whether you believe in God or not, whether you call it Mother Nature or Father Time or a higher wisdom. You need to believe in yourself and you need to believe there’s a force that can push you and lead you on. I was always guided by that.”

“I’m very creative – what keeps me going is both spiritual and creative energy,” she clarifies. “I’m not a religious fanatic. I wouldn’t even say I’m religious, though I grew up with that background."

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