amy, it didn't feel like a pile on at all. Please go on, if you have more to say. My questions were earnest questions, not argument set-ups. For every article out there (on either side) there is a rebuttal, and that's where they all lose me. Here's what I know (not necessarily in this order):

1) I have no reason not to accept sound scientific findings.

2) To date, nothing science has found has talked me out of theism, but I don't think it's meant to, in the first place (personal opinion of some scientists, aside).

I'd never want to talk you out of theism, Cindy -- it's such a huge part of you! For my own part, I'm pretty thoroughly agnostic on the G-d question*, but also a total evolution fangirl; I don't think atheism is required by my position, although literalism is clearly Right Out. Still, I wanted to say something upfront rather than worry that you felt like you were getting jumped. (Anyway, my major hate-on is for shitty, shitty arguments and the way they're used to manipulate people.)

* and yet? Still weird on writing it. Behold my contradictions!

Oh, I didn't think you would try to talk me out of it. I mentioned that, because I think it plays into where all the writers lose me. I lack a tizzy for science v. religion and vice versa.

Anyway, my major hate-on is for shitty, shitty arguments and the way they're used to manipulate people.

Yes. And that's part of why I didn't feel piled on, either. I was truly asking, because at some point, when you're reading point-counterpoint articles, at least one of the writers is mistaken, misleading, or flat out lying (often both are, from what little I understand of the subject, at least somewhat mistaken/misleading).

My goodness, I'm watching GG and I'd forgotten how nutty April's mom is.

Oh God, the church scene in Friday Night Lights is killing me.

I'm such a fucking ass: I was sitting here thinking about how there wasn't really anything I wanted to watch on TV, and did I do anything useful? No I did not. I watched this morning's Ellen. And now, am I going to go to bed early? No I am not. I am going to watch House. Like a fucking sucker.

My cats are actually touching each other! In a friendly manner! OK, so they are both passed out and it is more a matter of stretching limbs winding together, but...that particular arrangement has never happened before.

People know that if you wake up with a bat in your room you should get treated for rabies immediately, right? Just FYI.

I did not know that. Glad I do now.

"That's the most frightening sex toy I've ever seen."

I had a very similar reaction.

Speaking of science: Our future is in his hands...

Price. Less.

That's really all I've got. No original content today, but I was paying attention, see.

Oh, speaking of paying attention, I did read the link from earlier about the Christian Coalition, and it seems to me like they're permanently marginalized now, which pleases me no end.

To those House lovers out there? Wow. This episode is blowing my socks off.