Most people who know me "IRL" know that I am pretty conservative, but that I am also very "live and let live." I prefer not to have the government telling me what I should do and how I should do it, therefore, I don't think the gov't should tell other people what they should do and how. I do feel, however, that each "right" I claim carries with it an equal responsibility. That is, is I believe that I have a right to life, I have a responsibility to honor that right for someone else (i.e. do not kill him).

I do not want the government telling me what faith I can hold or how to practice it; consequently, I have a very difficult time stomaching telling someone else if or how he can practice his. This all brings me to some word vomit on my jumbled thoughts and feeling about the news out of West Texas:

1) I reaffirm my belief that the government should be out of the business of marrying people. Many of the "evils"of polygamy (from a social standpoint-- I am not talking religion here) stem from the fact that it must by virtue of the laws of our land be practiced in secret. Because polygamy is illegal, those who practice are removed from certain protections. I am speaking specifically here of the coercion of young girls into marriage as a third or fourth wife to someone not of their own choosing and of the shunning and exile of young men (because they are competition).

2) I hate to see babies taken from their mommas.

3) I am disappointed, though not surprised, in the tone taken by most media outlets. There is possibly more to this story than s*x. Is anyone else tired of hearing about the bed found in their temple?

4) If there is clear cut abuse, and I do mean clear cut, then each victim should be protected and the perpetrators convicted to the full extent of the law.

5) The net cast by law enforcement is a bit broad for my tastes.

Now that I have opened this can of worms, I am curious as to anyone else's thoughts. Maybe it will help me make sense of mine.

Labels: civil rights, will she ever shut up?

(H/T to Gavin for the video)

I think I am a person of above-average intelligence. Truly. However, I fail to see where science and faith are mutually exclusive. My mother is a scientist; my mother is also the person who was most instrumental in my spiritual formation. One of the finest scientific minds I know (that is, know personally) belongs to a man of great faith.

Here goes the part where I alienate half (or maybe all) of the people who read my blog:

I do not believe in a literal seven twenty-four-hour-day creation. I do, however, believe that we were created. I believe that an evolutionary model may offer some insight as to how we were created, but not why. For they why, I must rely on my faith, simple as it is.

I do not believe that science and faith a re mutually exclusive. I do wonder, however, if science and religion are mutually exclusive.

This video has me chuckling, but it is somewhat bittersweet. I think Richard Dawkins has been gifted with a brilliant mind and a curious spirit. What is interesting to me, and a little sad, is that Dr. Dawkins fails to see the similarities in people of science and people of faith. Questioning, seeking, constantly searching; is that not the crux of his life's work? Does that not describe the journey of faith?


P.S. The Selfish Gene is still one on the most interesting books I have ever read.

Labels: Faith, Gripes, will she ever shut up?

There is pretty much nothing good about unemployment. I wanted to get that out of the way. It has, however, afforded me some reading and watching time that would otherwise not exist. This week's offering were pretty diverse:

The Simpson's Movie
I'll have to give this one a C-. If you love the TV show (which my husband does), you will love the movie (which he and millions of other Americans obviously did). There is pretty much nothing more to be said. I laughed a bit, but I really don't dig the humor so much. Beside, I was distracted by the inordinate number of CHILDREN IN THE THEATRE!!!!

Big Love (Season 1, pilot and episode 2)
I really want to like this show, truly. I have read nothing but good about it, and I want to be the type of person who "gets it" (how vain is that?). Confession: I don't "get it." Seems to me that the entire show is an excuse to show Bill Paxton having sex with three different women. I have the rest of the season in my Blockbuster Queue, so I will give it another shot. It just doesn't resonate with me. Perhaps it is because of our geographic location and proximity to Colorado City, but I just do not see plural marriage as a funny novelty.

Extras (Season 2)
May I share something? I am not a person given to celebrity "crushes" (with the exceptions of Colin Forth and Ioan Gruffudd), but Ricky Gervais is fast approaching crush status in my book. Be is just sooooo blasted hilarious! Oh yeah, and he laughs just like my Jonathan.

As for the reading, that's an entirely new post...

Labels: life, will she ever shut up?

You know who you are. You are the parents who though it would be a fun family outing to the cinema. But why choose such a kiddie flick as Ratatouille or Surf's Up! when The Simpsons Movie looks much more interesting? Sure, why not!
Here's the thing: movies have ratings for a reason. PG-13 is most likey NOT APPROPIRATE for your 5-7 year old bairn. Not only that, but your children do not contribute to my enjoyment of the movie with their constant squawking and squirming.

Thank you for your future consideration.

Sincerely,
The Lady in the Front Row.

(In my defense, this movie outing was by way of a gift to my Jonathan. No way would I go see The Simpsons Movie on my own volition.

Labels: Gripes, ground control to major Tom, will she ever shut up?

So much is rattling around in my brain these days that I need to purge...

-Togetherness is beautiful, and I not only love my husband, I also enjoy his company and like him. Having said that, I look forward to his return to full-time employment soon. Jon was laid off right before vacation (that is, the day we left) and I was laid off right after. Some more income sooner than later would be appreciated.

-My being laid off is really just a kick in the pants from God. I had been very unhappy there for months, but really liking the money. Now I will be back in school full time and working part time.

-The above hinges on Jon's working situation. He has an extremely good opportunity coming up, but we are playing the waiting game right now. We covet your prayers.

-The waiting game is taking its toll on my mental health. IRL friends know that I have battled severe depression in the past. I am fighting its hold over me. I refuse to be ruled by irrational thinking!!!!! Prayers there would be helpful, too.

-I have, for the first time in my life, entered the rabbit warren that is unemployment compensation. I wonder what will come first- an actual check, or a part time job? I spent a hour on the telephone yesterday- forty-two minutes of that was hold time to get a live person. I honestly cannot fathom anyone WANTING to stay on unemployment. Shoot, if it weren't for the fact that both of us are currently out of work, I would not even bother. Unfortunately, we need something more than Jon's part-time gigs to get by. What do people who have no savings do when something happens? If it weren't for our saving (however meager) we would be up the creek without a paddle.

-Balance. Something for which I am striving these days. It seems that so much needs to be done before school starts in September. I know that it will be even more difficult to keep on top of things then, so I really have to get a handle on my home management NOW. Thank you FlyLady!

-GP is celebrating Baptisms this week. Yay! Last week we watched video from our baptism celebration in the spring. I really do not like my picture taken, and I deplore video. Of course, who would be up there but me, blubbering on as I am wont to do (case in point- this blog). Anyway. I am still in wonder at what God has done for us the last two years. That's a whole post in and of itself.

-Speaking of GP, we have reached a decision (and by "we" I mean that Jon had decided long ago and was patiently waiting for me to catch up) to officially transfer our membership from CUMC. Generations of Potter would be turning over in their graves... I am kidding, of course.

-Jon is playing and singing in the other room.. I cannot think of a better way to spend my evening than listening to him as I first blog and later do some reading. I love that there is always music in our home.

-Devin said something last week which has been running around in my head. He said that when people say they don't like change, what they usually mean is that they don't like to be inconvenienced. Well, I can say that I don't like to be inconvenienced, for sure. I also don't really like change all that much. Even positive changes freak me out. Anyone remember me sobbing uncontrollable during our wedding vows??? Yeah, that's a girl who needs to get a grip.

-My sink needs to be cleaned, so this is it for now.

Labels: life, will she ever shut up?