Thanks for the post about Jackie Speier!

btw, love the new pics! 

Happy New Year Maia,

re Christmas mass, yes, it was our Catholic church (we are still officially members).  I was hoping for an interesting homily, but was very disappointed.  The priest told a story about when he went to a bookstore and picked up and read a book of Christmas stories.  Of the 29 stories, NONE had any mention of Jesus's birth!  He was appalled!  I silently screamed "YES! and for good reason!". 

Anyways, I was hoping for nice music (it wasn't), to meet some old friends (we didn't) and to perhaps listen to a good story (nope).  We ended up sneaking out before communion (we were in the balcony).

I'm not sure if I'll be able to force myself to go back next Christmas - at least with the current priest. 

Nonetheless, we did have a nice holiday season.  A weekend trip to Chicago to visit the museums followed by a visit with my parents in Michgan.  Everything was great.

 

Take care and we'll see you around A/N

I'm not sure if I'll be able to force myself to

Hi Maia and congratulations to you on bringing a new little heathen into the world!  I hope all is well.

 

I'm doing fine, thanks and yes, I still say "Merry Christmas" (although it is now New Years - like you, I'm a little slow in checking my A/N comments).  It is a tradition afterall.

 

We went to mass on Christmas Eve for the first time since last Christmas.  It was a good reminder of why I left in the first place.  My kids and wife had similar views, in fact, we left before communion!  It was just "God awful".

 

I've been quiet on AN for the last month or so - trying to spend more time with my family and reading and less time on-line. I'll be on from time to time, but probably not as much as I have been in the past - although I'll see how long that will last!

 

Hope you are well and that the new year treats your family kindly.  Take care and happy new year

By the way, I was a bit happy to hear that your atheist father has been married to your religious mother for quite a while. I have a crush on a man who is most likely Christian but have been avoiding him like the plague because of religious issues that could occur.

Re: Tea party. I wish I could attend. Most of them feel like both parties are screwing up gov't and I agree. Republicans do spend too much money and some tea partiers (independents, I guess) are also tired of the distractions of abortion, gays, and religion that the Rebublicans use on their party-members. The GOP does hate tea partiers becuase they want big-business to control the GOP, not the commoner. I like the tea party concept. And some of them are democrats, too. I want a third party. America is all about options (esp. products) so why only 2 party choices?

Maia, I enjoyed the TJ Blog post -Thanks, I'm a huge TJ fan. I am a regular listenter to the "The Thomas Jefferson Hour" podcast by Clay Jenkinson, who is a Jefferson historian among other things. I think I've listened to at least a hundred of his podcasts. There are several podcasts in the archives that deal with Jefferson's views on religion if you want his perspective. His FB fan page is linked below
http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=35011834183

btw, I was also a Catholic for most of my life. In fact, I was an usher and lector just two years ago. Man how I wish they would let me back at that podium now! What fun that would be!

Thanks Maia. I also enjoyed reading your intro and blog. I'm looking forward to reading your future posts.