It really isn't very hard to function in a society that consists of a lot of people who hold opinions you think are wrong.

I dunno - it gives me heartburn....

It really isn't very hard to function in a society that consists of a lot of people who hold opinions you think are wrong.

True enough, we ourselves do it every day.

Also, why would an Intelligent Design just muck around with single cell organisms for billions of years?

Lack of funding?

I particularly dislike the notion that God put fossils in the rock to test people's faith. A petty, practical-joke-playing God is a good thing?

I dunno - it gives me heartburn....

It gets easier with practice.

I'm not sure why the kids were standing around the flag pole holding hands and praying but they were. Some kids were making fun of them, and it was really odd to see. All of them standing around the flag pole like it was some kind of religous artifact.

This would be "See You at the Pole", a yearly event organized (by whom I have no idea) for the Christian kids to be able to openly express their faith on campus. Because often Christian kids feel like they're not allowed to talk about their faith at school.

I don't bother judging too hard.

That may be where you're going wrong....

We were taught that there are some things that we don't understand - that God works in mysterious ways and what-not.

That's a big reason why I'm not a religious person. That and the misogyny.

That may be where you're going wrong....

I don't have energy left over from judging the people who refuse to pivot their heel. You have no idea how all-consuming that is.

My high school experience and religion:

1. My Biology professor was a strict Creationist who told us repeatedly that the "facts" in the textbook were not true.

2. Every Friday, the Pep Rally would start with a prayer to Jesus.

3. I spent the most time in Study Hall of any Honors student.

These items have a direct correlation.

I have massive questions about how to raise my son, with regard to religion, though. I think a solid knowledge of Christianity is important to feel part of American society. I mean, failing actually being a member of another religion. I think a solid knowledge of Judaism and Islam are important to living in the world (and Hinduism and Buddhism if we end up living in Asia). But I don't know how important actually having faith is. I had it, as a child, can't imagine otherwise.

Eh. My kid will probably grow up believing in the lineage of Slayers.

Because often Christian kids feel like they're not allowed to talk about their faith at school.

This makes me sad. They should feel that can talk about it. Prostelize, no. But talk about it, yes.