Let's bone up on our mythology (or, when is a rib, not a rib?)

Just about everyone who's had any exposure to Christianity knows the story of Adam and Eve.  You know the one, where God decides Adam needs a "helpmeet" to do all that work in the Garden of Eden.  Of course, making the female human late like this doesn't exactly fit into the entire narrative, where God's already made male and female critters of all kinds, but somehow neglected to do the same for humans.

Anyway, my point is I don't think the story has it right.  No, I'm not going to argue for any sort of literal interpretation, but merely a re-translation of an important bit of the tale.  Obviously, I don't believe this is a true story, but I think the translations have gotten something wrong, and probably have for centuries.  It's got to do with that "rib" that Eve was created from.  I don't think it was a rib at all.

Let me explain.

Let's Throw a Party! Raise Your Tea Glasses High in Celebration!

It's time for a celebration!  Yes, 150 years ago, South Carolina officially seceded from the United States, throwing into motion the events that led directly to the Civil War.  While some people might view this as a not-so-joyous occasion, others are jumping into it with abandon. 

The Confederate Heritage Trust and the Sons of Confederate Veterans organized the Secessionist Gala yesterday, where people gathered to celebrate the start of the bloodiest and most violent episode in American history. 

Have you been naughty or nice this year?

It's that time of year again -- figuring out if you've been good enough all year to deserve presents and love, or too naughty and all you'll get are rocks and coal.  But why is it that we threaten naughty children with those things?  Could there be something else that is forgotten in the history of the most well known versions of the holiday tales?

Why, yes!  There is something missing!  The Krampus!

It's one thing to be told you've been naughty and won't get any presents.  Imagine getting whipped and kidnapped from your house for punishment by this guy, instead!

Sleep tight, little ones!  Better be on your best behavior this week!

Have you heard the one about going to watch a fight and a hockey game broke out?

In this case, it wasn't a fight, but a charity donation -- an incredibly funny and happy one.  Watch as 23,000 stuffed animals descend upon the ice while the players, refs and coaches look on.  It took over 40 minutes to clear the ice!

@ Yahoo! Video

New Prayer study shows most Americans think God is involved in their lives

In a study that should be filed under the label "No Shit, Sherlock", a sociology graduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has found that most people think god is loving, powerful and caring presence that's always around.

Gee, it probably would have been cheaper, easier and faster to simply look at the religious demographics of the USA and realize that over 80% of the nation is religious.  Who would've thought that a majority of the population would believe in and pray to a god ?

The study's author, Shane Sharp, said "If they vented their anger to that abusive partner, the result was likely to be more violence, but they could be angry at God while praying, without fear of reprisal." 

What a surprise (again).  Getting angry and yelling at a violent, abusive partner might get them beaten.  But yelling at an imaginary friend doesn't.  Of course, for those who are not religious, Sharp said, the findings of the study may not apply unless they look to another "virtual" friend, such as a celebrity, in times of crises.  Gee, I wonder why?

Is it just me, or is it getting hot in here?

All that talk about the earth cooling over the last several years can now be put to rest.  NASA just released the latest data for November, and it makes the period from Dec 09 - Nov 10 the hottest ever recorded.  It's hotter than 1998, 2005, 2003 and every other year in the 130 year history of NASA's records.

The ice is getting thinner and less extensive over the poles. The glaciers are receding from the mountain ranges.  Methane is apparently leaking from the permafrost and shallow seabeds at a much higher rate.  Our CO2 emmisions continue to grow nearly unabated. 

But, of course, it can't be humans causing it all!  It must be the sun (or not).  Or El Nino (or not).  Or something else (or not). 

Who's Going To Defend the Pope Now?

The Catholics have spent years denying that the Pope and the Vatican knew about or covered up the sex abuse scandal that has rocked the church and put many diocese in financial terouble from legal judgements, hush money and bribes. Now Wikileaks comes alnog and confirms that the corruption and coverups reach the absolute highest levels. The Pope himself was more worried about the reputation of the church than the safety, health and well-being of its most vulnerable and innocent members.

Benedict refused to let investigators talk to Vatican oficials about the abuses taking place in Ireland. Apparently, it was more important to make sure the Catholics didn't get a bad reputation just as they were trying to sway the British Anglican community to convert to Catholicism. According to the Catholics, it seems, it's better to hide your dirty secrets and obstruct justice so you can grow your membership, and to hell with those poor, raped and sbused children.