By Beauty Damned

I'll Be the First to Wish Myself...

A HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Today I turn 27 years old. I have well surpassed the halfway-to-fifty mark and I've never felt better or more ready to evolve further in my life's endeavors. I am really excited about this next year of my life. I plan to get a lot done and make giant leaps towards the future that I dream of having. That's not to discount the present. The present is excellent. And growing and taking on challenges is even better.

Speaking of evolution, I've been watching Jon Stewart's "Evolution Schmevolution Special Report" all week and I have to say that THAT is some quality television. I've been a fan of Jon Stewart since he hosted Talk Soup, but today he is one of the few people on television who is unafraid to point out the lies, contradictions, fumbling, bumbling, hypocritical, painfully ironic... crrrrap that goes on in today's world affairs, in the media, and always, from politicians. I think I can honestly say that show has been one of the greatest comforts to me over the past couple of years. When I'm feeling serious and bent out of shape about everything that's happened since Bush took office, and I'm brooding, taking a break to watch Jon Stewart can make all the difference. He puts the sass back in my step and makes me laugh about things that otherwise make me angry. You can watch clips from the latest shows here. Trust me, it's worth your time, and if nothing else, you will most likely laugh your ass off. Unless you have no sense of humor, and then, well, you're shit out of luck.

So...Evolution Schmevolution...

I don't have any problem with "intelligent design" being taught and explored in classrooms and I think it's very important that children learn enough about an array of different religions as they're growing up that they don't discriminate against others for their spiritual leanings. You have to be educated about religion if you ever plan to have a conversation about it or choose to be a part of one. (Though I guess if you get educated about religion, it's likely you'll end up not wanting to be a part of one...) I grew up in a very religious Buddhist home, but my parents weren't the least bit concerned if I went to a Kingdom Hall meeting with the Jehovah's Witnesses across the street (I can't say they were as open about our religion). I've attended religious Jewish celebrations. My mom even encouraged me to read the bible when I was home schooling because she thought it would interest and educate me. I've gone to mass with my catholic relatives in Arizona and Mexico. (I loved mass in Mexico, but I do have to admit that it was all about the tacos and the churros afterwards.) I have definitely been exposed to enough Christianity to have a grasp on the concepts behind it. I even went to a couple Amway meetings when I was younger. That's a religion, right? Or a cult...?

The thing I have a problem with is introducing intelligent design into a scientific setting, and the teaching of only one theory: Christianity. Which - and let's not fool ourselves here with politically correct phrases like "intelligent design" - is the goal that is being sought. The fact is, I'm sure many schools in really rural areas are already teaching the God-as-Creator theory, because it's not even questioned. These people laugh at the theory of evolution and call it lies. Nothing is ever going to change their minds. Obviously, no one is going to be able to force those communities to stop teaching creationism as a substitute for science. They simply won't have it. All we can do is try to stop it from spreading to other schools where it's not currently being taught "alongside" or, as some would prefer it, instead of science.

I'm all for introducing religious courses in schools, but not at the level where it is replacing science. Unfortunately, religious theories and sensibilities are almost totally incompatible with science in the first place, which is why they should be kept two COMPLETELY different subjects, explored in different contexts. Trying to put the two together is like puttin socks on roosters feet.

I for one, am seriously considering a conversion to this religion, since none of the others out there make a whole lot more sense when it comes to the theory of creation. Maybe my 27th year will be the one where I am finally touched by his noodly appendage. I sure hope so.