I saw a license plate frame on a VW Jetta today that said, "God can't be everywhere at once. That's why he made grandmothers."

And I thought, "Cute, except that directly contradicts the notion that 'God is Omnipotent'. Jesus Christ, don't religious people even attempt logic anymore??"

Of course, that also reminds me of another recent, un-religous conversation I had.

I asked my mom why strangers and aquaintances kept asking me what Kathy's due-date is. The information is completely worthless to them. What possible use would they get out if it? The question just serves to irritate me, because I know all they'll do in response is nod and then never, ever use the answer for anything.

But in response, she just told me I was too serious. :)

That, or you're being a firestarter (which you seem to do here too). :)

Did you just call me a troll?

It's not your sole purpose, so I wouldn't call you a troll.

It's not the religious people that are illogical, it's grandmothers.

I'm not casting any aspersions here but when coworkers tell me about their pregnant wife that's all I can think of to say. Maybe subconsciously I'm marking the date to start avoiding them. That's when the baby stories and pictures start.;)

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Maybe the grandmothers in question subscribe to a religion where God isn't omniscient.

And lo, Mike finally enters the fray
 

Sorry, been busy for the last few days. Damn shame, this has been a pretty juicy topic.

I personally walk the Roman Catholic path, as any good Irish boy from Queens is wont to do. Now, despite the efforts of the Plum soccer moms to deny me my education in my chosen faith, I have succeeded in learning one thing or another - namely, purgatory.

When I first heard of purgatory, I figured it was a dogmatic cop-out, and dismissed it from my mind. But after reading up and learning, I'm thinking that it's probably the core solution here. To infer from Matthew and Revelations, only those of a perfect soul can stand there and see God without turning into metaphysical goo. As follows, since no one is perfect, one spends some time to dust off the lint before stepping into the club.

Now, of course, the Catechism has this as a Catholic-only thing, all non Catholics will be subject to one circle of Hell or another, etc. etc., but to look past that, it gives one the impression that so long as you fly right, whatever minor things you pick up will be taken care of later no matter what you believe.

Do I believe that Jesus is the qualifier for the club, yeah. But it's like a classy restaurant - If you show up without a jacket and tie but look nice, clean, etc., they'll spot you one at the door. You just have to wait around for a bit.

Re: "thou shalt not kill"
 

Hi Joy,

You give a rare perspective to Christianity in these three sentences. When I read the first sentence I thought, "what decision do I make in sending other people there *unprepared* because I didn't live in obvious relationship with God and didn't speak to them about God?"

I don't mean to try to motivate myself by guilt, but not sure how I can escape guilt if I just avoid the responsibility and opportunity to participate in God's working. And it isn't guilt I feel so much as the importance of the opportunity. I think your last two sentences are important in that our transformation is best accomplished, and best revealed to others, in the unfairnesses and oppositions of life and how we face and endure them.

Anyway, I enjoyed your very thoughtful posts and wanted to let you know you got me thinking.

Re: And lo, Mike finally enters the fray
 

Great explanation of purgatory. It seems to me you've nicely summed up the relatively minor difference between Roman Catholicism and Protestants with this example.

For both Roman Catholic and Protestant, Jesus' death for us is critical to salvation and heaven. For the Roman Catholic, His death provides us opportunity to enter purgatory to be cleansed from minor unconfessed sins and thereby be made ready for heaven. For the protestant, Jesus' death on the cross makes us ready for heaven, not just ready for purgatory.

Protestants think of Jesus as having cleansed us of the penalty for all sin in His death for us; taking care of both hell and purgatory; removing the dirt and grime of sin as well as the lint and dust.

Yeah, my mother was originally Scots Presby before converting when she married my father, and she still has that core of confident faith about how things will turn out. I, however, can't even make plans for an afternoon next week without worrying what might happen to derail them.

The fact that Abraham didn't end killing his son does not make the story any less ridiculous.

All that would make the story MORE ridiculous would be if God actually said, "Just kidding!" or "You're on candid camera!"