The Times They Are a-Changin’

In case you missed it, Yahoo! News reported earlier this week that, “for the first time in its history, the United States does not have a Protestant majority.” The report (released Tuesday from Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life) breaks it down this way:

 

How to Engage a Science Guy (or Gal)

A few weeks ago, Bill Nye the Science Guy jumped into the science-and-faith conversation with the claim that “creationism is not appropriate for children.” He claims that by denying evolution, “your worldview just becomes crazy, untenable.”

Creationists across the spectrum might promptly disagree with Nye, but it’s helpful to first clarify Nye’s interpretation of creationism.

 

Science, Faith, Reason, Sporks

In the opening scenes of Disney and Pixar’s Wall–E, the titular robot returns home from a full day of garbage cleanup with a little pile of treasures to add to his extensive collection. Carefully, Wall-E puts each item in its place, but a spork stumps him. Does it go with the spoons or with the forks?

Like Wall-E, many of us like to fit things, people, and ideas into neatly structured categories.

 

What Was the Christmas Star?

A couple of weeks ago Take Two discussed 5 common myths about Christmas. Last week, we looked at the significance of the wise men. This week, we glimpse at another key “figure” in the Christmas story—the star of Bethlehem.

 

Top 5 Reasons

In precisely one week Maureen and I will take the public bus of the skies to San Jose, CA. Our destination: A writers’ conference in Mount Hermon. In preparation for this (or any) trip, I must create what’s known as The List—an inventory of each day’s attire and complementing accessories to pack. (It’s a shameful habit, I know.)

Rather than suffer through my list, you might prefer one from astrophysicist Jeff Zweerink. Here Jeff shares his top 5 reasons to believe.

 

A Message from a Skeptic

Call me a skeptic. A nonbeliever. Even a hater. But in a perfect world—a world that suits my preferences, I should say—it doesn’t exist.

What is “It,” you ask? The Star Wars prequels, of course.

 

Dating Methods That Work

In case you haven’t heard, ABC’s The Bachelor is back. This season Brad Womack returns to endure once again the attempts of a couple dozen women to flirt, flaunt, and fight for his affection. (To me, the show plays out like a stale romance novel, but people enjoy it enough to stomach fifteen—yes, fifteen—seasons of it.)

What’s curious about the whole premise (finding “the one”) is that it seems hindered by the process (simultaneously dating many).

 

A Take Two Christmas

O Christmas Tree!

Used in both secular and religious festivities, Christmas trees have become a ubiquitous holiday symbol. (The modern Christmas tree originated in sixteenth-century Germany.) It’s my favorite holiday decoration. Yet, as I put the finishing touches of tinsel on our aromatic evergreen, I said to my husband, Darren, “Have you ever thought about how weird this tradition is? We bring a 6-foot tree into the house and hang shiny objects on it. Why?”

 

Fearless Faith

Sir Isaac Newton sitting beneath the apple tree where he was inspired to formulate his theory of gravitation.

It rained on Wednesday—I could tell because I spotted at least five cars stopped along the freeway (and one right in the middle lane). Rain does something to Southern California drivers—it messes with our heads and puts us in a muddle.

 

Checking out the Menu

Peanut butter and jelly. Cookies and milk. Chocolate and just about anything. When you consider all the great food combinations of the world, perhaps the last grouping that comes to mind is chicken and waffles. But if you’ve tasted the two together, you understand why there’s always a wait outside of Roscoe’s.