I Don't Know Much

Despite my obvious desire to be the center of attention, I have always been a bit part in the theater of life. Even my own life. In the story of my birth, for example, the real star was not the new arrival, or even the divine mother. It was my aunt. (So far in all my posts, I have avoided using... Sign in to see full entry.

I often wonder how much my origin has influenced subsequent events and attitudes in my life. I don't argue over when my life, or my existence began. I'm really only interested in the parts I know something about. So the whole "pre-existence" doctrines of various and sundry belief systems haven't... Sign in to see full entry.

I first read the Book of Mormon at 9. It was in response to a challenge from a Primary teacher, and for my effort I was given a model car I never finished putting together. As an adolescent and adult, I read the book again at least fifteen times in two languages. I knew the contents pretty well, but... Sign in to see full entry.

Some local organization in the middle part of Ohio held an unbaptism ceremony, and got written up in the newspaper. In a semi-formal ritual, they used hair dryers to remove the effects of infant baptism in born-again atheists, or something like that. Meanwhile, there were others outside, a group... Sign in to see full entry.

I called my parents three times this week. Usually, I call once a week, just to kind of keep in touch. It's not that I like talking to them. Ever since I left their church, I have felt a little uncomfortable with them, maybe because I heard they had told my siblings I quit going to church because I... Sign in to see full entry.

I knew something I wasn't supposed to know. This was when I was seven years old, and I don't remember how I learned it, but I was impressed with my memory, and I loved to show off, and I couldn't help myself. The Sunday School teacher had asked a question, and I new the improper answer, so I shared... Sign in to see full entry.

I am a teacher. Those who can't do teach, they say, and I can't really do, so I teach. That puts me in contact with people taking classes, trying to get a degree that will advance them toward their career goals. Most of them are younger than I am, but a few are my age, going for a second shot at... Sign in to see full entry.

I grew up in the Las Vegas desert. Okay, actually the desert about an hour's drive north of Las Vegas. And I never did any drugs. Not even coffee of tea. That was all part of the doctrines of the church, something called the Word of Wisdom. No alcohol, no tobacco, no "hot drinks", which was... Sign in to see full entry.

There is a philosophical question proposed, I think by David Hume, that asks whether a tree falling in a forest where there is no one to hear, will it make a sound. A quick Internet search led to all kinds of responses to the question, but nothing on its origin. It seems to come from the ideas of... Sign in to see full entry.

Ever since I heard the term, I've wanted to join in the Culture Wars to fight on the side of culture. But I've never been quite sure which side that was. The Culture Wars seem to be some sort of conflict between Liberals and Conservatives, which seems absurd to me, as only the aristocracy is... Sign in to see full entry.