I recently read here that 20% of Catholic and Protestant marriages end in divorce within the first 5 year. The stats for Jewish marriages is 40%.
Looking further at this site I found that the number one reason say they got a divorce is because "She was unfaithful". The last was because, "I was unfaithful".
I have to ask...what are the stats for non-believers?
Does it make a difference? Are the numbers comparable?
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
In the beginning...
Last week my son came over for a drink and some conversation. We usually have deep conversations about life, politics or religion. We are of about the same persuasion however we do not always agree; which keeps it interesting. Often we recommend books to each other and exchange ideas about those we read.
Some time ago he recommended Karen Armstrong's work. He brought it up again and this time I heeded the call. Off to the library for new supply of reading material.
I completed the first of the three books I obtained: In the beginning. In all fairness I think I did read this months ago but I certainly did not get out of it what I did this time. I am following up with A Short History of Myth by the same author.
I remember a book club discussion of Joseph Campbell's Hero of a Thousand Faces which was my first exposure to the idea that the christian story was not original. The book of Genesis, as interpreted by Karen Armstrong gives me a new look at those stories and the impact they have had on civilization.
Some time ago he recommended Karen Armstrong's work. He brought it up again and this time I heeded the call. Off to the library for new supply of reading material.
I completed the first of the three books I obtained: In the beginning. In all fairness I think I did read this months ago but I certainly did not get out of it what I did this time. I am following up with A Short History of Myth by the same author.
I remember a book club discussion of Joseph Campbell's Hero of a Thousand Faces which was my first exposure to the idea that the christian story was not original. The book of Genesis, as interpreted by Karen Armstrong gives me a new look at those stories and the impact they have had on civilization.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Holy Days
Holidays are for family.
We've heard it all our lives but what happens when the "holy" in holiday becomes overwhelming?
My family is diverse. We have several ethnic groups represented along with differing religions, Mormon being the newcomer to the family. One of my daughters is "born again christian", and whatever that entails. Another of my children is a recovering alcoholic so AA is the religion of choice. One of my children has enough sense to be agnostic. My grandchildren are nothing I can put a handle on, some worship the dollar and others themselves and I...am an atheist.
Imagine this crowd at a holiday dinner. Do we say grace before the meal, after the meal or not at all? I didn't get into the discussion but we did it all. Before and after, I still don't understand why god needs to hear it twice, or why anyone but god has to hear it at all, for that matter.
Oh, do I sound bitter? I am in the sense that when I go out with my religious children for dinner in a restaurant I have to listen to them pray. Why? Do they not consider that they invited me, knowing how I feel and that I might not want to make a spectacle of myself in public?
Why does anyone pray in public? I read something about prayer being private here.
First time maybe, but it seems the bible agrees with me.
We've heard it all our lives but what happens when the "holy" in holiday becomes overwhelming?
My family is diverse. We have several ethnic groups represented along with differing religions, Mormon being the newcomer to the family. One of my daughters is "born again christian", and whatever that entails. Another of my children is a recovering alcoholic so AA is the religion of choice. One of my children has enough sense to be agnostic. My grandchildren are nothing I can put a handle on, some worship the dollar and others themselves and I...am an atheist.
Imagine this crowd at a holiday dinner. Do we say grace before the meal, after the meal or not at all? I didn't get into the discussion but we did it all. Before and after, I still don't understand why god needs to hear it twice, or why anyone but god has to hear it at all, for that matter.
Oh, do I sound bitter? I am in the sense that when I go out with my religious children for dinner in a restaurant I have to listen to them pray. Why? Do they not consider that they invited me, knowing how I feel and that I might not want to make a spectacle of myself in public?
Why does anyone pray in public? I read something about prayer being private here.
First time maybe, but it seems the bible agrees with me.
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