Separation of Church and State

Separation of Church and State. Back to this topic. Islamic Law or Sharia says that there can be no separation of church and state. In the United States and most other Western nations this is unfamiliar to us-somewhat. In the West, our laws are as well open for interpretation, which is why we have the judicial system. Since they are open to interpretation, it makes us hard to really know what is right and what is wrong in some cases. Just look at all the disputes in history. This is why we have judges. But, judges are there so that they assure that religion or politics are left out of the decision. (Some don't do that). The United States would be much different if this was not true. What if all people still did not have equal protection under the law. We all know what happened before equal rights practices were undertaken in this country. It was not pretty and not fair. I believe that this is some of the worry that Westerners have about non-secular states.

The Quran

The Quran. As a Westerner, the Quran, as for most Westerners, can be a topic of great confusion. Even for most members of the Islamic faith there is a disconnection between the actual interpretations of the text between different followers of Muhammed. We saw that with out Muslim speaker who told us how some Muslim interpret the Quran in different ways. Those people are the ones that really ruin the name of the Quran. They take it too far. From what my limited amount of education can tell, the Quran has so many interpretations and this is one reason for the conflict between some Islamic nations. So if there is more than one interpretation of this religious text of such difference that it can cause violent conflict, how can the rest of the world accept that Islamic law can be incorporated into national law? Will groups within the same borders be governed by laws that may or may not be associated with laws interpreted from one groups understanding of the Quran? This may be irrational for the West to accept and I don't think we will every accept it. Many believe we are a Christian nation and I don't think it is going to change just yet.

An Intro

Hmmm... is it reasonable to involve religion with politics? To some countries the answer is yes, but to countries like the United States we say that being secular is right. But does our current President leave religion out of his political decisions? As we all know the answer is no. Bush has been heard saying that he has to go pray to figure out what he should do about his Iraq debacle. In our Pledge of Allegiance the concluding line includes the statement ‘One nation, under God.” So why are we trying to force Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq to become secular? Are there good reasons for this? That is what I would like to explore in this section of my blog.

Conan has a stalker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRtB3mNlzR8

Conan O'Brien has a stalker. Can you guess who???? I'll give you a hint... He works for a higher authority. That's right, it's a Catholic Priest. Are you surprised? Yeah, me neither. I heard this story on Howard Stern (where I hear all my news) and everyone laughed about it. The priest is David Ajemian and he has been stalking Conan since 2006. He refers to himself as "Your Stalking Priests" in his threatening letters to Conan. How can a wack job like this be allowed to be a catholic priest?!?!? They need screening tests or something. This guy has followed Conan from California to New York and thankfully he got arrested. He tried to get out of by attempting suicide but the judge did not fall for that and he is set to have a court hearing in February. Hopefully he doesn't get out of it and goes to jail or something. Who calls themselves a stalker to the person they are stalking... weird. Are the Catholics the only religion with this problem? It seems like it.

Catholics in Alaska

I have read Lobdell's article about the Catholic priests in Alaska. It's sick that Joseph Lundowski raped so many boys in Alaska and the Catholic church isn't even trying to make these victims feel any better. He nearly raped all the boys in the village but only 28 men have come forward. He would just pulled down the pants of these little boys and just penetrate them. I am so disgusted by this man. He would engaged in oral sex on them also which was the least harmful of all his things. He would force them into sex with himself and other children and told the it was the only way into heaven. What a sick bastard. How vicious can you be to do this to little boys especially so unexpectedly. He thought he held such authority that he was allowed to do this. it is so upsetting and I was almost in tears when I read this article. It was so graphic. I knew about the catholic priest scandals but nothing has hit me as hard as this article. The only thing the Catholic Church can give these men is money and $10,000 isn't enough for everything Joseph did. He was a sick pervert and thankful he has already passed. What a dirty man...

Catholics...

I'm a Catholic and I can't be more ashamed. After hearing all those horror stories in class about the Catholic priests, I am in disgust. I went too all those Catholic functions and thank god I hadn't blossomed yet because I would of been raped. The speakers that we had made me wonder if I knew anyone that had been molested from these disgusting priests. I asked my brothers but they said no. I wonder if they are telling the truth. I am just really disappointed with priests. How can they molest little boys?!?!? That is soooooo wrong. First they start with making boys feel bad for masturbating or thinking about sex or whatever and use it against them to molest them. The catholic diocease needs to regulate them better instead of just moving them around. They are really ruining the children and making them messed up. No where in the bible does it say rape children and it is so hypocritical that people in power would do this. Priests are someone in our community that people look up to and they shouldn't be. This really makes me rethink my faith because I don't want to be part of rapists or even worst, pedophiles.

Mormons on South Park

I just watched an episode of South Park where they talk about the Mormon religion. They talked about the how John Smith founded the religion and really poked fun at it. They kept calling him dumb and I felt really bad for Mormons during that episode. I wonder if everything they said about John Smith was true. It's South Park so probably not... Did he really transcribe the golden plates through a hat and couldn't duplicate them? I'm going to research that and see what the truth is. Anyway, during the episode the Mormon family was so nice and didn't try to push there fate on anyone but Stan somehow got wrapped in it. Later though he gets mad and yells at them. The Mormon family didn't do anything wrong and it sucked that they got yelled at anyway. They didn't deserve that and if that is what really happens to Mormons daily I feel bad for them. That episode had to suck for the Mormons.

Bad News for Romney

The leader of a polygamist sect called the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormonism) , Warren Jeffs, is going to jail. He was known for being an absolute ruler and became famous for getting some sort of marriage with Mormon men followers and underage girls. Which also caused for him being sent to jail. Even though Warren Jeffs and Mitt Romney may not know each other, this does not help Romney out. Mormonism is already controversal which his campaign already that this added publicity will only push him farther away from the office. I feel anymore news that has to do with anything on his faith, good or bad, will bring him down. It's sad that religion can be a determining factor for someone's vote instead of just see what the person has to say or can do. Even though polygamy is not practiced anymore, anyone ignorant of current traditions of different religions will not know this. I don't think most Americans research before they vote so this can only hurt Romney.

Mormons lead a happy life

After researching Mormonism and reading the articles presented for us I feel like Mormonism is not as scary as it seems. Before taking this poly sci class, I did not know a thing about Mormonism and did not think too much of it. After learning their culture and traditions, Mormonism is actually a good religion. First of all their networking is amazing! The generally care for one another and really try to help each other out. It seems that once you are a Mormon, you a Mormon for life. My sorority has great networking but nothing compared to this. Mormons seem to have great family values. I feel like parents are really involved in their children's lives and vice versa. They really try to keep them together based on faith and have plenty of programs to keep them together. It's nice to see that. Also Mormons become their own god after death. Who wouldn't want that? The only thing that I think is not a great thing in the Mormon church is no birth control. I know catholics believe that too but you see more Mormons actually following that. My brother best friends had like 5 kids that last time I saw him and that financially has to be quite a burden. Despite just having a lot of kids, Mormonism seems like a good thing. I don't feel threatened at all by it and it's better to know about different religions than to just disapprove without trying.

Romney's Mormon Question

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1619552,00.html

This article I found quite interesting by Nancy Gibbs. Unlike the others where the mostly list of the same stuff, this one gave new information about Romney and Mormonism. She wrote, "It is about what our faith says about our judgment and how our traditions shape our instincts." This quote automatically made me think of one authority figure, George W. Bush. He bases his activities on his judgment through faith and his born again nature is definitely the tradition that shapes his life and indirectly ours too. What if you are a different religion... do you really want some guy dictating you on his beliefs. This is further proof why it is necessary to have a separation of church and state. No more then ever since this country is changing. The US is a mold of many different cultures and pretty soon the minorities will be the majority. Anyway back to the article... Besides telling us a little about Mormonism, Gibbs gives us more of a background on Joseph Smith (creator of Mormonism). He ran for president in 1844 ad "was murdered by an angry mob." Doesn't seem like anything is really changing now. Romney wants to run for president but the angry mob is not the Christians and they will not let him. It kind of seems to me that Mormons are a little power hungry. Even Smith had a successor, Brigham Young, who has the most famous Mormon college named after him. Even though these Mormons are a secretive group, still everyone knows who they are. They are those sets of kids the bike to your house and try to read you their bible. Since us non-Mormons or "gentiles" as we are called can't do it ourselves. I feel like they are always trying to push their religion on me and it gets frustrating.
Romney's inspiration, Dwight Eisenhower, was very religious. He "saw the addition of 'under God' to the Pledge of Allegiance and IN GOD WE TRUST to dollar bills and declared that "our form of government has no sense unless it is founded in a deeply felt religious faith and I don't care what it is." He's seems pretty outspoken and stands his ground. Maybe that is why he is Romney's inspiration since Romney needs to excel in those areas. He's needs a backbone and stop flopping around. He's obviously a little delusional because he thinks, "the American people want a person of faith to lead the country. [He doesn't] think Americans care what brand of faith someone has." Can he not tell from all the articles about him that it is an issue. We already have someone with faith running our country and that sucks. How is another very faithful person going to do much better. He will be just like Bush and no vote for the things we really need like stem cell research because it goes against his faith. We need someone that will disreguard their personal feelings and really do what is best for the country. Enough religious nuts, lets get someone rational for once!

No holidays, that is just insane!

http://www.newsweek.com/id/41889

I read Newsweek's article "Mitt's Mission" about Mitt Romney and I was really surprised. They really dug into the Mormon culture and everything about it. So I will be discussing it here. Mitt was brought in the Mormon faith and "believed each person lived as a spirit with God before the creation of the world." So wow that be a lot of spirits everywhere. It could be true but i don't really think so because just look at our population, it's growing every second. There are "Mormon rules against swearing, against the consumption of alcohol, coffee, and tea, against extra- and premarital sex." Omg those rules are harsh. I've broken every one of those repeatedly. I wouldn't even be allowed 100 feet of their chapels or whatever they call it. I can't believe people follow those rules. They are so strict and so easy to disobey. How can you not drink tea??? It makes you feel better. Another weird thing is "proxy baptisms or baptisms for the dead." I can't imagine touching a dead body. That would be sooooo gross. I wonder if the proxy baptism is done the same way a regular baptism is done. I know it's is part of their cultural but I know at funerals I always cry and the body is sealed in a coffin, looking at the person would make it so much worst. There are stuff about missionaries and positions in the church but everyone else most likely have some extent of that stuff. Romney states there are "commonalities between Mormons and Christians" and i can see of that but most of it isn't like that. Christians don't do half the shit that Mormons do and they are definitely not as secretive. That sucks that no one can really see what they do if you do not join. Kind of sounds like a cult... ohhhh and also they don't celebrate holidays!!!! what is up with that??? i can't imagine not dressing up for halloween, or getting presents on christmas, or be romanced on valentine's day. That enough will make a lot of people not want to join. Maybe they should get rid of that and then maybe more people would join their cult. No holidays, that is just insane!

Mormon Week... with our leading man Mitt Romney!!!

http://www.newsweek.com/id/41889

I'm going to talk about the political issues here. Well first of all, it took me forever to figure out what LDS stands for (Later-day saints, for everyone else that is as confused as I was). I'll quote what interest me and talk about it. Well in the beginning the reporter speaks of how he went to the church that used to be the mormon church that Romney went to when until he was 10. When the reporter asked Romney about it, he replied with "Oh yeah, I don't know where that is." Why would Romney lie about. It doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me so why is he denying it. Something sounds fishy to me and makes my support for him lower. I know he doesn't want to talk about religion but he does not have to lie about it. Like the reporter said, "Nothing is more politically vexing or personally crucial for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney than the story of his faith. Romney really is promoting himself as a business man. I don't blame him. President Bush relies on faith to guide him and look where that has brought us. Next, "only 45 percent of registered Iowa Republicans say America is ready for a Mormon president." That really sucks how low that is. His religion has nothing to do with his presidency and no religion test is needed to be the president. I wish people would read more and better educate themselves on these topics. Regardless, Romney appears to be a "glossy and robotic candidate who will say anything to get elected and believes nothing in his heart." That is so harsh. Romney may have flip-flopped his sides before but that quote is still unfair. He is only acting that way because he does not want to talk about his religion. Can't we respect the guys decision? Not according to Kirk Jowers, he believes, "If you choose not to talk about the church and focus solely on Romney's business and political abilities, you deny the public an opportunity to know him as intimately as the public demands of its front runners." Yeah i see that but it is not anyone's business what you do in your private life. Clinton should of said none of your business when Monica blew him. Who cares? She wanted to do and no one forced her. I just hate how much reporters are making Romney talk about Mormonism. "Romney made clear that questions about his faith were out of bounds, and from the start, his faith was all anyone wanted to talk about." I couldn't of said that better. Maybe its all this talk of his religion that makes him appear flip-floppy from being a "social moderate to win election in liberal Massachusetts," to be a "social conservative to be viable in the primary race." I do agree with the article though and I think he changed his position to be better suit his target audience which is something we don't want in a future president. I didn't care when he did not talk about his religion but i do care that he is changing his political stand point. The last thing we need is a wishy washy president.

Use condoms.

check out this video, its way funny

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2gLlBv_SrZw

No matter what religion you are, use condoms.

Who Can Forget Ann Coulter?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2wnPHFSdrME

Of course I had to comment on this also. She is so right-winged and so focused on being a Christian Rupublican. She wants us all to be Christian and she believes that will make it much safer. I know plenty of Christian kids that do criminal acts and they don't make me feel safe. She is completely nuts. She says many out there things like Bill Clinton is a homosexual, and more recently, Christians are the "perfected Jew." I'm not even Jewish but wow, she offended a lot of people. She tries to back-track herself out of her offensive comment but does not do a very good job. How does she make a living? I can't believe people actually read her stuff. That just shows you how fucked up we are as a society to accept her as being a good standing public figure. I wonder if this will further her career or stop it. Judging by her already great support, this will probably just catapolt her even bigger with her outspoken and offensive attitude Imas got kicked out of broadcasting and so should she. She really is crazy and not deserving of her fame

Which Presidental Candiate Should You Pick

Check out this website, you fill out a questionaire and it tells you which candidate you should vote for.

http://www.selectsmart.com/president/2008.html



So i participated in this website and they ask you 24 questions including your stance on marjiuna, abortion, environmental issues, gay rights, etc. After submitting all my answers Barack Obama was my highest scoring candidate with 74% followed by Al Gore (not announced but I would definitely vote for him) (70%), Dennis Kucinich (never heard of him) (69%), and John Edwards (65%) with Hilary Clinton trailing at 10th place (56%) and Stephen Colbert at last place with 15%. This website let you pick how much of significance each issue has with you to better weight your decision. I have been considering Barack Obama lately and I'm glad to see this website reinforces. Of course, I will not only relay on this site. Only thing that sucks with this site is you don't know what position they oppose from you. If it was abortion, stem-cell research, or gay rights then I would not vote for them. Those issues are only a problem because of religious views and nothing else. Who has the right to tell a girl that she has to have a baby. Are they going to pay for her baby and personal trainer :) ? It is so stupid that the government thinks they have that right. We are already overpopulated as it is. Let people that can't bring a new life into a loving and stabile environment not have the kid. That simple. Gay rights is a tough on for me because I think there is nothing wrong with gay people and I think it is biological but i think civil unions are enough with the tax benefits. It shoud be the same as marriage but just called different. Stem cell is a major one because it saves lives. How simple. Why would anyone want to stop that? Human life is more important that some religious belief. Those issues are definitely the most important to me.



Howard Stern had some other good sites for this too if you want to check him out

Bill Maher's Take on Constitution Day

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7jdtLTIzZWo

First of all, I love Bill Mader. He makes politics interesting to watch and makes you feel smart. Sort of like Jon Stewart but more professional. And the fact that they curse on that show is even better.

Bill Mader talks of how the constitution says that you don't have to past a religious test to be in the government. I never knew about it but I would never assume that you would anyway. No where in the constitution does your religion have anything to do with how you will run a country. Maybe someone should of told John McCain that... I'm actually starting to believe that maybe Obama is the best choice for us. We may start to do better. He doesn't think God led us into war like George W. Bush does. It would be nice to have a sane person in office or what Bill Maher says, "a rationalist." I am a rationalist and don't get caught up in what religion has brought us into to. Us rationalist only constitute 20% of people under 30 and it should be way more. We can make a difference and change this country for the better. Any presidental candiate would be better than Bush. Even Rommey with his holy underwear as Bill says. That his belief and he can believe whatever he wants but I'm not believing that. With all this research on religion with our candiates, its really urges me to research more on them and make a educated decision on who i should vote for. Our president should be voted on ambition, sanity, and stability among other things, regardless of religion. That is what the constitution intells.

McCain Buried Himself in a Hole

http://youtube.com/watch?v=DCv-ONLH1Js

This McCain's interview with Beliefnet on who he thinks should run our nation. He tries to be respectful of all religions and tries to keep a neutral ground but when asked his personal beliefs, he sticks to Christian. Even though it does not sound as bad as other racial groups make it out to be, it is still offensive. There might be more that cut out but he seems to just stick with his fate. He believes the US was founded on christian ideals and thinks someone of that background should run the country but we shouldn't disregard someome as a candidate if they aren't Christian. it seems like he is contradicting himself a bit. He knows there is a seperation of church and state but when he talks about a Christian president, the seperation is lost. Worst could of been said, but I see how Jewish and Muslim people are offended. The US is blend of many different religions and cultures and who is to say if one religion is more influencial then the other. We already have a Christian president that is ruining our country so maybe a Muslim one can do better. It would not take much. He needs to stop relying on religious votes to win a presidental election and actually show us what he can do. Now he is pretty much known for this interview with beliefnet. Everything anyone says gets linked to the internet and most likely, youtube. He should not be saying comments that will infuriate the people he needs to support him. His comment was stupid and he is getting the consequences of saying something offensive. By my judgement, he is not going to be president

Please Check Out Loose Change!!!

Recently I stubbled upon this video from youtube

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7E3oIbO0AWE

I suggest you really watch it. It's extremely long (79 minutes) but just watch a little bit and you'll get the jist. It's about how 911 was actually planned and staged by our government. It tells you how government officials were told not to ride any plans on 9/11, how there is no scientific proof that a plane hit the pentagon, how bombs blew up the world trade center, and much more. I'm not really surprised. I used to have a teacher that worked for the government say that bombs blew up the world trade center and I thought he was crazy. But after watching the video, I believe he was right all along. The evidence is so apparent and brought to you in a way that makes it easy to understand. The US government really start a war on fake acquisations just get more oil and why do they try to hide so much from the American public. I don't want to give too much away on this video because it is worth watching. Watch it and let me know what you think.

George Bush Does Not Like Black People

There has been recent coverage and support of the California Wild Fires. Acutally a lot of it. People have been donating a lot of money, there has been plenty of aid for all people threatened by the fire, and even public officals have visited and tried to help. Now I may be wrong, but I don't remember as much being done when their was the New Orleans tradegy. I know celebrities endorsed it and tried to raise money, which might still happen for California (I doubt it though, since most people are rich where it did happen), but what I'm talking about is how George Bush has handled the situation. He came to California pretty early and tried to rid of us of our worry but I don't remember him being as attentive with the New Orleans tradegy. Is it because they are black? We all remember Kayne West's quote and if you don't (http://youtube.com/watch?v=zIUzLpO1kxI). Everyone thought he was being crazy, but was he actually right? It seems like there is more help for us Californians then there was for New Orleans people. Are we a society that is still racist and continues to belittle African Americans? It seems unfair to them, they are still citizens of our nation. I feel more people were eager to aid with the wild fires then with the flooding in New Orleans. More people died and lost their homes there so shouldn't they deserve more aid. I know what happened to California was horrible since some of it was a natural disaster and some of it was arson, but it isn't worst then what happen in New Orleans. Who cares what celebrities almost lost their houses in our golden state, we should focus on the working class people that make our nation what it is. I may be completly wrong, and if I am correct me, but it seems like our incident had more support then the worst tradegy in New Orleans

Bush's Faith Brought America to Hell

I've just read "Faith, Certainity, and the Presidency of George W. Bush," and i definitely learned a lot. He relies completely on faith and not of analysis or research. I'll just state it, I've never been a fan of George W. Bush (or Bushy how i like to say to seperate the two Bush(s)). I'm not a big fan of war and we shouldn't of gone to war. Who knows if terrorist really did it (check my post with "loose change" in it). So back to Bush... he's not a great president and after reading this article, it definitely confirms my assumptions. He doesn't listen to anyone and gets angry at them if they do not side with him. He seems arrogant. I'm sorry but if God is telling you to do the actions that he is doing, God does not look very good. Maybe something great will happen in the end of all this chaos, but so far the future does not look bright. We have lost so many innocent lives to Bush's "faith." He went to Harvard Business School but still did not learn to think. This makes Harvard not look so great (go UCI!)... He believes everything he is doing is great and does not see any fault in his work. He won't even speak to the men he used to look up to because now they don't agree with him. It is just sad how our county has turned from a budget surplus to a budget deficit along with everyone else bad that has happen. I blame George Bush and I don't blame myself. I wasn't 21 at the election so I couldn't vote, but I did volunteer that day to work the polls. He got voted in only because of his faith. People need to stop having sex with their cousins or whatever they do in the southern states (no offense) and really research this guy. The fate of our nation is in our hands. Do you really want a guy that believe Switzerland really did not have an army to lead us? He could not read one History book and realize that? He does not believe in the seperation of church and state, which is in the Constitution. He does not pay attention to way our nation was founded and just goes to beat of his own horn. It's disheartening to realize we put this guy in office for 2 TERMS!!! one was enough. i wish al gore was elected because he cares about our environment on a whole and would not be troubling himself with a war we should not be fighting. If time could go back...

Are these fires terriorist attacks???

With all the fires going around in california right now, one may think these are not all natural disaters. some are declared arson but who would really do that to so many innocent people. its sick that someone wants to jump on the band wagon of these fires and stage another fire when we already have so many. who would of ever thought anything bad could happen to orange county. i think it may be terrorist attacks. think about it, its a pretty good one... we cant stop them, its killing many homes and harming poor innocent animals, and runing our lungs. i wont be suprised if everyone dies from second hand smoke (knock on wood). the terrorist already killed many people in 9/11, whos to stop them now. the war is certainly not helping...



it may not be the terrorist style since a lot of people aren't killed at once, but its is still devesating. they already believe they are the chosen ones and do their suicide bombing not caring for the innocent people they are killing. i just think it is really sad how many people lost their lives when they didnt need to. i cant believe how religion can make people do that. but its not shocking, just remember the crusades and how many people were killed for religion. when will it stop and everyone be civil with each other. one of the fires is by my house and i remember driving home the other day and seeing the fire 100 ft away from me since the road was blocked off then. i drove by the same place today and it is devestating the looks of it now. trees and bushes are burnt and not including all the wildlife that has suffered and probably been killed. Orange county is even that bad, San Diego is horrible. Traffic sucks, there is smoke everywhere, work is canceled (which only sucks if u didnt want an unpaid vacation).

i just wonder if terrorist did start the fires because we would of never seen it coming and it has aleady screwed so much already. if religion can make people do all these bad things in the world, how come no one tries to stop it?

Lobdell's Article

I've just finished reading Professor Lobdell's article, "Religion beat became a test of faith." Some weird questions and comments arose as i was reading it. First of all, i have friends that go and went to Mater Dei. i really hope they got this raping thing under control because i have a lot of friends that have been raped and that is something that sticks with you for the rest of your life. it really is a sick thing and i cant believe priests commonly participate in that. you would think an adult man would know better. A quote that really stuck out for me was, "Keep your eyes on the person nailed to the cross, not the priests behind the alter." i find that very true. a priest is just a normal person trying to peach us gods teachings while trying not to rape us. we shouldnt care that much about it him but more about our savior if you believe that. i dont think the church should pass around donation bowls at every service. if people want to donate they will, but dont make it socially awkward if we dont put money in the basket. a armenian priest told my friend in new jersey after her brother died that funerals make the church the most money. Can anyone actually believe that?!?!?!?! she is crying because her only brother died and what the priests manages to say. plus the church was sneaky too. they left blank envelops in the church for people to leave money thinking it was going towards the affected family, not the church. i really hate how money hungry churches really are. esp what mormon churches do. Many mormons, "rigorously follow other biblical commands such as giving 10% of their income to the church." thats a lot of money the mormon church is getting. that 10% should be what you are putting in your saving accounts that go towards your children's education. i hate how churches relentensly try to always get money. how much money do they need? they make money at bake sales, weddings, funerals, weddings, and everything else. when will they say they have enough?

Blog Virgin

I'm Brigitte and I'm a blog virgin. I've never been one to really voice my opinions in a public place for all to read. First I rather tell people then spending typing it and second, i dont think anyone really cares. I know i pretty much don't. if its a close friend that is writing and something im interested in, then ill take a look but otherwise i wont even click on it. i guess it started from myspace with all those bulletins people wrote. i got so over seeing a new one every half a second and most were about stupid stuff anyway. thats why i never wrote any because they got annoying and i didnt want to become annoying which i probably am now. also peoples blogs can be used as blackmail against them or something since you are writing it. ive heard some horror stories.so on about the class, but just wanted to take a moment to introduce myself.

so... I am actually very excited to take this class. For years my co-worker and I have been saying we want to take a religion class to learn all the different religions, and hopefully this class will be pretty close, but I'll still take that other class eventually. So what im most curious is why the media focuses so much on religion. its kinda out dated and i definitely think our lives should not be centered around it, especially the tv. i hate when extremely right-winged religious nuts call the fcc and complain about everything. most of us dont care that janet jackson's nipple came out anyway... it was only for a half a second and your tivo could barely see it... i think its good to have some spiritual guidance in your life but not to center your whole life around it and especially try to make everyone else accept it to. i was raised catholic and then kind of went to christian and now i think im more agnostic. i think there is something out there but im not sure what. since im not 100% sure, im not going to go around forcing what i believe on everyone so why should people do that to me. no one can be a 100% if there really is a god or whatever so i believe it shouldnt be the main force that drives your life and actions. if you want to disagree then do but i think thats a legitamate favor to ask