Originally Posted by Sean

I'm a Recovering Catholic and I believe in: God/Jah/Allah/Buddha/Mother-Earth/Jesus-Christ/Karma & Energy. I don't know which is right, if any, among those terms. This makes me think of a very recent event.

My sister called the other night to tell me that my fifteen year old niece is pregnant. I suggested abortion first and then she went off. I asked her why she wanted to ruin the rest of that girls life then suggested adoption. She continued getting more and more angry, cussing me out with every name you can imagine at least twice. I ended the conversation telling her I loved her and to have a good night but I was not going to let her take out her frustration on me. After all it is not I who has done a horrible job raising my niece.

My mother wasn't that happy with me either upon speaking to her about the situation, telling me as my sister did that "we don't believe in abortion." I told her the same thing I told me sister. The mom follows with the classic line, "well you wouldn't be here if I had gotten an abortion."

"You don't know that. I believe that I would be here. By saying that I wouldn't be here had you had an abortion that means you don't believe in the existence of a soul."

"What?" The mother was stumped for a second and then resorted to her Religion as an answer. "No, you wouldn't be here because you would have been killed when I would have had the abortion."

Knowing she believes in the whole "original sin" crap she fell right into my trap, all the while quite aware that I continue to study theology. I inquired as to her belief as well as baptism relinquishing that original sin. Then I pointed out how that was no different then those other nutty christians who are "born again." She still had no idea where I was going. I then inquired as to how one can be born with original sin and then further born again without ever first being born.

After all of this of course she still resorted to it all being her personal belief. As proud as I am of her at least owning up to that I feel as though she only does in order to avoid any further conversation since she has no actual answer; none of us do. Which is my point, we don't know. I don't know and you don't know.

However we can clone nearly every living organism yet we can not create on our own. We can split an atom but that is just moving energy. I've known old men growing up, who were in the Wars with my grandfather, that had phantom-limbs. I laughed as a child seeing one of those old farts reach for a glass with an arm that was not there. Point being, the energy of that arm never left him for the rest of his life. I actually do have a lot more to add to this but need to jump in the shower and get ready for my work day.