Now You See It, Now You Don't.

Was watching TLC just now, a channel I often flip to since its in the same general range as ESPN, FSW, MTV, VH1, and DISC. I spend the majority of my TV watching in that range, with the occasional dip into the lower channels (FOX NBC ABC and CBS for news or a popular series...). Anyway, there was a special on David Blaine, a street magician. If you ever get a chance to see this guy, I highly recommend it, he's possibly the best up close magician I've ever seen. Hundreds of card tricks, half of which I haven't the slightest idea where to begin describing how he did it. He even managed to levitate himself, although I'm sure that's more optical illusion based than pure skill. The card tricks were just unbelievable though, the guy is brilliant.

I don't believe in Magic, Ghosts, or just about everything having to do with the paranormal, but I'm not closed minded about it, I just don't have any physical evidence or personal experiences to tell me otherwise. I guess that's the same type of explanation I use for not believing in any type of religion, I find it much easier to believe in the scientific "puddle of goo" theory, than a supreme being snapping his fingers and creating the world as we know it. I read about the ancient Greeks, who thought that Apollo rode across the sky dragging the Sun in his chariot, having no idea that the Earth was actually rotating around it. I wonder if two thousand years into the future some teenage kid will be reading a history book about our culture, and sharing a giggle about any or all of the current world religions.

I know a lot of people, including many of those who read this, will disagree with me, and have their own opinions about where this universe came from, or whether or not they're in control of their own fate. I'm not trying to change anyone's mind, I think in the long run they'll make their own decisions regardless.

I think our generation has very different percentages than our parents though, the majority of children these days are allowed to make their own decisions about religion, instead of being brought up as something, and saying they're a certain religion before they've even reached an age where they know what they're talking about. The parents are a child's greatest influence, and in some cases that's a real shame.

I try to steer clear of controversial issues when it comes to conversations, rarely do people actually change their minds, regardless of how many arguments about abortion, capital punishment, affirmative action, or whatever else there is.

I know these are touchy subjects, but I feel to know me you have to know how I personally feel about them. I enjoy a good discussion, its only when it turns into an heated argument that I tend to change the subject/leave the room.