I'm not saying everybody needs to believe in God, but if you're going to do it? DO it. Don't try and develop some sort of pocket-sized almighty that you can wrap your puny human brain around with ease.

This. SO this.

I had a very religious education, so everything was cloaked in Christianity. I keep learning things outside of that environment, and I am still being shocked by how different things actually are than they were presented to me.

Of course, I am currently in a VERY liberal learning environment, which some of my extended family is unpleased about. But, I'm so happy to get this opportunity. It gives me the chance to say, "Ok. I've seen both ends of the spectrum. What's *actually* going on?" It's a very powerful opportunity.

Of course, if this is true, then well, like centuries of people will just go to hell because there wasn't anyone who believed this way until Martin Luther came along.

Yeah, thinking about this led me to thinking about all the people who lived and died without hearing about Jesus, because they were in a pre-European contact area or lived before he was born or were raised in a situation that didn't allow contact with other religions (19th century purdah, etc.). All of them are going to hell for not being washed in the blood of the lamb? And I'm supposed to worship someone who sets this up, rather than looking for a way to exorcise him?

And then I became a Pagan.

[link]

Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" He said, "Nobody loves me." I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"

He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant." I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?"

He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist." I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!"

Northern Conservative†Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912." I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over.

I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over.

It's sad, but true. My step-grandma was a missionary through one of the two big Independent Baptist groups. My grandfather was a member of the other one. He gives her so much trouble about being part of the "wrong" group. It's bizarre.

A morning Haiku.

Cat love is
Purring on my chest
Falls asleep.

Another

Cat head bump
wake up wake up now
please feed me

Gronk is here
Sentences too short
good for haiku

Leg cramp again
Up too early, now
back to sleep

hee ... so far this morning I've seen discussions of hair, haikus, and heresy (sorry, wanted to stick with the alliteration).

Vortex, I can sympathize - my mother tries to be a black hole, sucking in all the emotion and support in the universe. All I can suggest is to resist the manipulation and stick to your limits. And she'll keep demanding and trying to manipulate you - but all you can do is resist (reistance is NOT futile).

For the "washed in the blood" (sometimes they tack on "of the Lamb") - I think it does mean that you've accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, more than just the baptism with water. (On the lighter side, having come from a non- if not anti-religious family, my joining a church and getting baptized had my mother and sister quite upset.)

And yay omnis for the date! yay Shir's sister!

Computer ready
Oh, no! Cat jumps onto chest
Busy now, petting

I don't think you should get credit for writing poetry there, Daniel. That's how you talk when you're all engronkified.

The man falls asleep on the sofa because the cat is snuggled up on him, then wonders why his muscles aren't thrilled about it.