Testigos de Jehovah (Jehovah’s Witnesses) got under my skin when I was a missionary. One of the things that bugged me most was the infantile delight they took in telling you that they knew what God’s name was.

None of them ever could explain *why* knowing that his real name was “Jehovah” mattered and mostly they seemed surprised that I asked. If I were an uncharitable man, all the evidence would have pointed to them caring about God’s real name only because, “nyah, nyah, I know something you don’t know.” (more…)

What is a freedom? Here’s one quick and dirty guide. (more…)

In a chapter called Knights and Squires, right after a chapter where Ishmael defended the dignity of whaling on the grounds that whale oil is used to anoint the kings of England, Melville has Ishmael praise democracy and equality. Ironic, no? (more…)

This johnny has a head for figures, what?

While Mormons are fighting the marriage wars, the cool Christians are fighting about physics and the multiverse. Hmm. Is it possible for a stick to have two short ends? (more…)

The answer is that it’s like being apostate and stupid. Wanted: a better class of Mormon progressive.  You know you’re out there.

If your family is having a hard time making ends meet, as mothers one thing we can do to help is to make hard choices and cut back even on things we really enjoy. Maybe its time to suck it up and off one of your kids. (more…)

Give smart Mormons their due, they do some interesting stuff sometimes. I never saw the zombie theme in Nephi’s commentary on Isaiah before.