Thinking Out Loud

I know I should optimize my titles for search, but since my titles are part of my art, I cannot compromise. You see, I love a title that is clever and nuanced. For today's post, I vacillated between "Write it Out" and "Right it Out." Both have a meaningful application. Through writing, I come to know what is right for me. And as I discover additional rights in life, I return to my pad and write it out. It's a beautiful, self-reinforcing cycle. I was texting with a dear friend today and she confessed her lack of confidence in certain areas of her life, particularly regarding her decision to leave her faith culture. We were both raised in the same religion by devout parents, and this past weekend our church held one of its large conferences. I didn't even remember that it was that time of the year and I was busily engaged at a work conference in a distant city. I have no idea what was covered in their sessions and I can honestly say, I do not care. Sh...

Had a fun interchange with a friend about equality and reincarnation. Here's the convo (my replies are in blue): What are your thoughts on gender? Today I'm feeling pretty pissed off about being a woman and not from a cultural repression standpoint just like pure biology. It feels like a punishment. Well according to mormon doctrine. . you are inferior IMO You are a help meet for man and you are part of a harem in the eternities . You get to make babies for your King. .   you also get to give yourself unto him and he only receives you . . as he does not give himself unto you for he needs to be able to receive multiple women Darn Eve. . shouldn’t have eaten that damn fruit I know that's why i want a different opinion haha most organized religions oppress women though. So it’s not just mormons. But it sounds right. It does suck more than being a man.   I believe it that it's a punish...

I think one of the most important discoveries for me this year has been the discovery of Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris. They are both insanely intelligent atheists committed to educating the masses about the dangers of organized religion. According to Harris and Dawkins, societies should rely on science, not dogma, for their governing principles. Additionally, it has been so refreshing for me to hear intelligent people give voice to some of the very same perplexing questions I have had over the years concerning the Bible, God, and organized religions. What's ironic though is that there was a time--not all that long ago--where, because of what I was taught, I thought I would be hell-bound for listening to these heathens. Entertaining, let alone agreeing, with individuals offering arguments of their nature is programmed into believers as blaspheme. But now that I have expanded my beliefs, I find it fascinating to study and learn from the argument of others. I want to discover ev...

I can hardly wait to pen this post for my fingers are afire with the "Puzzling Truth." And I must give credit where credit is due for my friend Stephen Palmer stimulated so many thoughts of mine today with his morning post: The Puzzle of Humanity You should seriously go and read it before reading on as it will provide some context for why I sent this email to a coworker: Hi [Co-worker], Here is one of my friends. I forward this post because in it, he beautifully explains how I feel about truth and world religions. I was raised LDS, and am well versed in scripture. I love the beautiful truths contained in the LDS faith, but I don’t believe it is the only true church. I believe they all contain beautiful truths and that at the end of the day what will matter most is how we lived, loved, and served our fellow brothers and sisters.  It took me awhile to come to this realization for I was raised staunch LDS-- by very devout parents, but as soon as I realized it, I had to ...