birthday

I am 25 as of 1/11/10. Even though I had to work it was a great day. Rachel made it special and my parents and brothers hosted a fantastic pork-chop meal at their house. I also got a little walkin-around money from my parents. Rachel got me a digital photo frame that is battery or USB powered. It's got a 3.5" screen that is perfect for my desk or my pocket. She keeps hinting that she's getting me something else, but that is going to be a total surprise.

I haven't had any deep-thought pondering sessions lately so I don't have any particular subject to rant about. haha.. 'deep thought' makes me think of HitchHiker's Guide.

42

Great... now I have to read that entire series for the 10th time. I'm thinking about starting 'discworld.' I hear that Pratchett is satirical like Douglas Adams is. I find it odd that many of my favorite writers identify themselves as believing things that I don't believe.

Orson Scott Card is very much Church of LDS, and Douglas Adams is famously atheistic. I probably enjoy reading their work for the same reason I, a non-democrat enjoy listening to NPR. I don't want to listen to someone saying stuff that I will always agree with. Here's a question:

Should we only listen to ideas we agree with?

I say no. That kind of lifestyle only encourages you to become entrenched in your own opinion because you feel like you're part of a social order that is united in agreement with you. I am occasionally offended by some of the left-wing media that I listen to. I often hear things that I disagree with vehemently, but I don't feel the need to frown and let everyone hear about my disagreement. I believe what I believe regardless of how often I state my disapproval of the things I don't agree with.

However,

There ARE things I believe in that, in my opinion will end up eventually affecting everyone. In case of disagreement in these areas I will attempt to (tactfully) express my disagreement and make my own beliefs known. I do this, not to further solidify my own opinions or beliefs, but to introduce them to an idea that I would like them to reconsider for their own benefit.

If it's not obvious yet, I'm talking about the existence of God, His Son, His Spirit, and our own future where They are concerned (which is to say, in every part of our lives.)

In a case where someone doesn't think any of that is true I will try, given the right circumstances, to tactfully present my own belief as Truth. I'm not an oppressive person, but I think that everyone should be seriously challenged by this idea.

So, I will continue to listen to people with whom (or who?) I disagree. I will do so while trying not to express my own disagreements....

Unless I really care alot..

Or unless I'm just feeling a little smarmy...

Or unless I just want to be a jerk :-)

p.s. why do i never take myself very seriously?