Rights for homosexuals - just a smokescreen

If two consenting adults of either gender want to commit themselves into a lifetime partnership - more power to 'em. We should all receive the same CIVIL rights regardless of orientation. The government, however has NO CIVIL right to change not just the definition of marriage, but the CIVIL rights of those that the traditional term of marriage has defined. If we were just talking about a dictionary change, that would be one thing, but laws that were passed in states like MA, and trying to get passed in states like CA & FL are worded in such a (subtle) way that your CIVIL right to morally disagree with this new definition will be gone. If you did not agree to have your child (as early as kindergarten) taught about homosexuality, you could be arrested for a hate crime. If your church opens themselves for public worship, but your doctrine stated that marriage is between a man and a woman and ordained of God, and therefore could not marry a gay couple, that church could be sued, fined and shut down. If a doctor didn't feel morally right about inseminating for a gay couple, he/she could be fined and fired. These are not speculations, they have already happened in Massachusetts.
Believe it or not, there is a bigger problem. In CA. the majority of the voters wanted to keep the definition of marriage between one man and one woman. The CA supreme court in a 4-3 vote overturned the decision. The definition of marriage to include homosexuals is a smokescreen. It's about giving away our power. We (gay and straight alike) CANNOT allow 7 judges (who can be bought), to legislate from the bench. We CANNOT allow 7 judges to assume superiority over the voters and the ability to overturn a majority vote. Laws like Prop 8 in CA tells the judges that WE THE PEOPLE decide, not them.

EXPELLED!!!

Last night Dave and I saw the movie "Expelled! No intelligence allowed" It was a "Michael Moore" type documentary (meaning a little over the top), but conservative. We thought it was about education in general, but it's about how the American system of science education treats professors and other doctors of science, if they debate or even have questions about Darwinism. Many in the world's science community have questions about the COMPLETE validity of Darwin's theory of the origin of the species'. Most scientists agree that there is evolution within a species, it's just hard to swallow now that ALL species derived from ONE cell. And even if that were a possibility, how did that one cell come to be? NO one can answer that in a scientifically, quantifiable way. The leading Darwinists had all kinds of theories to the beginning of biological life, from "on the backs of crystals" to "a higher species from another galaxy (aliens?) had enough technological information to send a biological cell from their world into our primordial ooze." Several wacky theories, just absolutely no way could there be intelligent design. I don't know, doesn't the alien theory sound almost like God? Just don't call it God. The leading scientists or Darwinists rather, as they call themselves, are TOTALLY insistent that there is no God, that God is just a fairy tale or myth (yet they have no problem with life being created by aliens or crystals?). They cannot accept that anyone that might consider just the possibility of intelligent design as an alternate theory is nothing more than a fundamentalist wacko with a right wing political agenda - they certainly cannot be considered real scientists. So legitimate professors and doctors of science that have questions about Darwinism or want to even discuss the possibility of intelligent design along WITH Darwinism, get at the very least, their funding cut, but more often that not, fired and blackballed from the university system. Isn't that what science is supposed to be? To question the validity of theories and standard thought? The very religious absolutism that the scientific establishment seems to be so afraid of, is exactly what they are embracing. There is only one way to believe, and if you don't agree, you don't have the freedom to express it within this community - Welcome to the tyranny of American intellectualism.

And now, for something completely different!

My last two blogs are a little angry/whiny. Sorry about that. I'd like to mention something that makes me HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY! I LOVE to conduct music, particularly hymnal or sacred music. If I could conduct the "Hallelujah Chorus" with the Tabernacle Choir, the rest of my "bucket list" would be irrelevant. This past Saturday I put together a music workshop for my Stake. It's the first one they've ever had, so about 10 people showed up, but I didn't care. We had an organ class, choral conducting, and basic congregational conducting. I taught the basic congregational conducting class and I loved it. Two of my favorite things together - conducting and teaching - it makes me happy just thinking about it. Most people in the church conduct improperly. We just think if we know a beat pattern that's enough. Actually it is enough, but it is fun to do it right. Give me a good prep beat and strong ictus baby, and I'm yours!

Hmmm, maybe I just have thing about being in front of people. Singing, conducting, teaching, public speaking, acting. Of course, singing, I don't care if anyone hears me or not, I just love to do it anyway. But the other stuff makes me wonder if I'm a little desperate for attention - you know, 6th in a family of 8 kids and all. Or maybe, these things are my gifts and it makes me happy to use them. I choose the latter (even if the former hypotheses is a little true too ;).

Time is free, yet priceless

My sister Liz and I were talking about our unrealized business ideas and ended up questioning ourselves as to the need for us to have said businesses. Is it really necessary for us to immediately give up our free time the second our last child enters school ? (my last child is now in Jr. High - so clearly it's a moot point for me). My husband noticed that this past week I've been the happiest he's seen me in a while (his perception that I must be happy is I initiate... intimacy). What's funny is that I was feeling guilty about the fact that I did as little as possible in the things I have to do; I ended up reading a 450 page book ("Mr. Darcy takes a wife" - hence my need for initiating things), played the piano for an hour and a half, and watched all my tivo'ed shows. OF COURSE I was happy! I feel like I should be helping with our income now, does that mean I am required to - when I don't HAVE to? It's not that I still don't contribute to our family, I still drive all over the place, make food, launder STINKY hockey, lacrosse, basketball stuff, have a Stake calling, 3 ward callings incl. ward camp director, etc. It's not like I do nothing all day - EVERY day. Is it wrong to enjoy my new (okay, 6 year) freedom? The thing is, I haven't allowed myself to enjoy it, because of the guilt. Maybe I just haven't found the right thing yet. Honestly, though - commit my time to another boss, when I finally have a little relief from the "bosses" I already have? Actually, I feel it is my obligation to enjoy my free time as much as possible for those that can't :). I am so done with guilt for no reason. I am resolved to own my time and enjoy it no matter what others feel I should be doing. When I'm ready to fill my days with more responsibility, I will - on MY TIME!

pms - ya THINK?

You know you're premenstrual when you wake up pissed and you want nothing more than to down a can of Betty Crocker dark chocolate fudge frosting out of the can. What is with the intense desire for chocolate, sugar and to make sure the people you love know that they're idiots? Not that it's a totally bad thing. My 18 year old, who is sooo over high school and thinks he can go to class when he chooses, was as usual, sleeping in. I merely told him what I thought of that - true, a little firmer than usual - he was out the door 10 min. later. He could use a little more pms in his life! I'm reminded of the comedienne that fights with her son and he shouts back "I didn't ask to be born, why did you even have me?" She responds with "Well, we didn't think it would be YOU! We thought we'd get someone with a job! It's my own fault, all growing up I told him - ""Don't get smart." Sheesh, I better drink some herb tea, rent a really funny movie and get a message before I do some damage.

For Good

I have had just had a completely transcendent experience! Yesterday Dave and I went and finally saw WICKED! I have waited for years to see this show. It was definitely worth the wait. I would see it again tomorrow if I could. The women that played Glinda (Katie Rose Clark) and Elpheba (Carmen Cusack) were seriously amazing. If you ever have the chance to see this wonderful musical - GO! GO! GO!
About a month ago we saw The Drowsy Chaperon and we enjoyed it very much, but seeing Wicked was like being little and seeing your first musical and knowing that you wanted to do that too. It made me almost sick with wanting to be on stage again. I can't wait to get the music and sing it just for fun!

Killing time

I'm just sitting here in Panera waiting for school to get out to pick up my son Steven. I came here earlier to start my online student development class from BYU. I am finishing my last 5 semesters with them to get what they call a Bachelor of General Studies. They plug in all my previous classes to their required credits, then I take classes to finish the remainder of my credits. The emphasis I am choosing in Family Life. My hope is to finish by next summer. Next fall I am hoping to start a Masters in Social Work and in 4 years, finishing clinical work and taking my boards to have a Ph.d in Psychotherapy and work for family services for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'll always have work! I spoke to a guy on Sunday who worked for Familiy services and he said that the church will hire you part time as an associate counselor while you are getting your Masters and track your time for you. You have to log in a year's worth of clinical time before your boards, so if I get in on that, I'll finish a year earlier and can get hired easier. That's the plan anyway - barring disease or death - well death anyway - the airhead of the familiy will be a doctor. Ironic!

I watched a movie on Sunday called State of Grace. It's a Richard Deutcher film and I LOVED it! I can imagine it was quite controversial when it came out in the west. It's portrayal of the need and possibility of atonement is one of the most powerful I've seen - a little extreme maybe, but powerful nonetheless.

Watched a Tivo'ed Oprah with Doc. Oz. Love Him! I think he's a little delusional sometimes, however. He says that if you have sex 2-3 x a week, you'll live something like 10 years longer. Sorry, but I only have time and energy to live 3 years longer. I'll just eat more blueberries and brocolli.

Everything old is new again

My sister Liz has been harassing me to blog again. I guess only one blog is missing the point. I have something to finally rant about. I actually wanted to write in December about the whole happy holidays - merry christmas thing, but as a musician, December is my crazy season. All I wanted to say about that however is Christians need to seriously lighten up. I LOVE saying "Happy Holidays" just as much as "Merry Christmas"! I love living in a place where Channukah, Ramadan, Christmas and Kwanzaa are all going on and everyone is in such a good place. I really don't think the Savior of the world is getting His feelings hurt by people recognizing and respecting other's religious celebrations instead of only focusing on His birth. Anyway, there was more to say about that last December, but now I have something new.

Friends in my faith are dropping like flies and it's seriously bumming me out! Now, I wouldn't mind so much if I felt like it was because of a sincere soul searching, studious, thoughtful, spiritual need. I'm finding it's more about wanting to come across as "ENLIGHTENED" and "PROGRESSIVE". Many feel that the church of their upbringing is just too old fashioned and naive. The doctrines of the church are based on fear, control, and an outdated cultural puritainism. The thing is, if you don't want to be part of a community of faith, fine, just say so. You are to be respected and loved no matter what you choose to do or not do with your spiritual life. However,every argument about the reasons for their leaving, their need to be enlightened, to have their eyes really opened to truth, to not be shackled by old, outdated philosophies - I can find in very OLD books, histories, and scriptures. There is nothing enlightened about leaving your faith for something easier. There is nothing new about seeing religion, and those who choose to live it, as foolish. There is certainly nothing progressive about limiting your eternal progress to satisfy your vanity by listening to the philosophies of mere men. And NOTHING, frankly, is more old fashioned than making righteousness look boring and unpopular. Okay, here's what kills me. I have friends that have gone to great lengths and great EXPENSE to learn these NEW philosophies. One friend in particular is going to training meetings to learn about the power within her to make her dreams come true. She's learning that it's all about love. No judgements, everyone has a right to their own truth. Now on paper, this is admirable and worthy. The problem is, she leaves her 5 kids at home with a nanny for four days once a month for 2-3 months, then weekends for 6 weeks, then other miscellaneous maintenance days. She won't tell me how much it costs, but it ain't free. And she flies to another state to do this! Oh, but she feels SOOO HAPPY!!!!! I think she has mistaken temporary relief for happiness. She no longer feels "bound" by the restraints of organized religion (read duty, honor, service). Look, living a faithful life is not always pretty. It is hard to deal with people that you wouldn't normally deal with. It's not always FUN to sacrifice your time and pride for the benefit of others. I just have to look at my parents and many other people who have made a lifetime commitment of faith. They have shown the rewards of "finding themselves" the right way. "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it" (Matt 10:39). These people have discovered that making a conscious choice to serve and love people - even when it didn't make them "happy" for the moment - has given them true personal power, peace, and purpose. They partake of the REAL happy, it's called joy because it lasts. It turns out that "old fashioned" honor, duty, work, service and love are ideas that are truly "progressive" because they are timeless, true and the will ALWAYS work! Best of all - you can learn and test out these principles for FREE!!!