Catholic Priests Perplexed

So, apparently Michael Jackson is looking to convert to Islam because "he is convinced it is the closest religion to his personal beliefs." My bet is that more than a few Islamic fundamentalists are going to object. Or convert to Christianity . . .

I Have Never Been Prouder of My Alma Mater

I graduated from Oregon State University in 1980 (after a remarkably quick eight year stint). While OSU is a fine institution and I am proud to consider myself an alum (in spite of this year's football season) I have never been prouder of my school. As this article points out, "researchers at Oregon State University" have discovered "a compound found only in hops and the main product they are used in - beer - has rapidly gained interest as a micronutrient that might help prevent many types of cancer." Is this a great country or what?

Beyond Atheism

I love Penn & Teller - although their lame special a week or two ago on NBC wasn't woth the time I wasted on it. I love their approach to magic, their great Showtime program "Penn & Teller's Bullsh*t" and even this interesting piece titled "There is No God" from Penn Jillette from NPR's "This I Believe" series.

Although I think you should take time to read (or listen) to the whole thing, here's a short excerpt about what it means to Jillette to believe there is no God:

It informs every moment of my life. I'm not greedy. I have love, blue skies, rainbows and Hallmark cards, and that has to be enough. It has to be enough, but it's everything in the world and everything in the world is plenty for me. It seems just rude to beg the invisible for more. Just the love of my family that raised me and the family I'm raising now is enough that I don't need heaven. I won the huge genetic lottery and I get joy every day.

"Believing there's no God means I can't really be forgiven except by kindness and faulty memories. That's good; it makes me want to be more thoughtful. I have to try to treat people right the first time around.

Phony Theory, False Conflict

I don't usually get too excited about Charles Krauthammer - okay, I never get excited about Charles Krauthammer - but this article from Friday's Washington Post has some interesting things to say about the how the Intelligent Design debate "pits evolution against faith." It's worth a read, but, if you're lazy like me, at least read his final paragraph:

How ridiculous to make evolution the enemy of God. What could be more elegant, more simple, more brilliant, more economical, more creative, indeed more divine than a planet with millions of life forms, distinct and yet interactive, all ultimately derived from accumulated variations in a single double-stranded molecule, pliable and fecund enough to give us mollusks and mice, Newton and Einstein? Even if it did give us the Kansas State Board of Education, too.

Sorry if I spoiled the punchline for you . . .

W.W.J.M.W.

I can't say it any better than the fine folks over at Holy Weblog: What Would Jesus Moisturize With? Check out Trinity Cosmetics, a company whose mission "is to use the teachings of the Christian faith to establish the finest cosmetics company in the world." Isn't that nice?

I especially loved their Inspiration page. An inspiring quote on Faith, a Daily Prayer of Mother Teresa's, followed by, what else, a Shiny Hair Recipe. (I promise I am not making this up!)

Bird Flu Symptoms

As a public service to our readers we are providing the following list of symptoms of bird flu, as identified by the Center for Disease Control. If you experience any of the following, please seek medical treatment immediately:

1. High fever

2. Congestion

3. Nausea

4. Fatigue

5. Aching in the joints

6. An irresistible urge to crap on someone's windshield

The West Wing Live Debate

I thought tonight's gimmick on the West Wing was pretty interesting. I don't know about the east coast feed but Alda was the better "live" actor for the west coast. AND I thought Vinick won the debate - although it was definitely close.

More importantly, how about this idea: If the producers really haven't decided who will win the "election" how about letting viewers vote? Wouldn't it be sweet to be able to vote for a fictional president? Somebody should call John Wells . . .