On another blog I was a contributor to, one writer, The de-Convert, posted some troubling examples of what Jesus thinks about family values.

All that I am really sure of is that some Creative Force, with some intelligent intent began with the creation of our Universe. Now that I have said this, I even wonder if I am stuck in "time talk", and this universe was always there, "unfolding as it should". However, the idea that it moves towards a higher level of complexity over time has also stuck with me, indicating some kind of "intent" or "direction" within a time frame context. So this becomes my Creative God.

My question should really be this: is Richard Dawkins' staunch promotion of evolution = atheism defeating the cause to promote scientific literacy in the United States and other countries that reject evolutionary theory?

April 13, 2003.

Why are we born so far from home? Why is it so hard to travel on that narrow path and enter that tiny gate?… Sometimes the path is covered by so much debris that it is impossible to decipher where we are to go. I just want to see a little bit of the road. Why do my feet lead me down another path? Have I turned away the light beneath my feet? Am I looking too far ahead rather than the imminent path?… Deliver me from my own shadows… Open my eyes…

April 30, 2003.

God I Feel Happy! Social Capital, Religion and Well-Being

Does religion really make you happy?

One of my friends refers to himself as an “Irreligious Follower of Jesus,” another writes on her Facebook profile that “I’m in love with Jesus, its [sic] a relationship NOT religion.” Dan Kimball wrote a book called “They Like Jesus but Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations.” A commenter on another blog wrote:

Hello WonderCafe friends -

I'm trying to get a biweekly or monthly group together to meet for drinks, and discuss all those things that make us *wonder*.

If you are in the Vancouver area and are interested in attending on a regular basis, contact me or comment on this post with the general area you live in (Fraser Valley, Surrey, West Van, etc.), and what day/time period works best for you. I'm currently thinking of an "after church/before dinner" sort of group on Sundays (2pm - 5pm?) or maybe a random evening like Thursdays (7pm-10pm?).

I'd like to communicate further that it is not just the claims of religion which I do not accept, but all supernatural claims.  Richard Dawkins has made a two-part film called "The Enemies of Reason" which can be viewed on-line.  Here's part one:

http://video.google.ca/videosearch?q=the+enemies+of+reason&hl=en&emb=0&aq=0&oq=the+enemies#

(Part two should be listed there somewhere).