Seed, one more thing... I forgot to thank you earlier for your wise words about man creating god in his own image. Thanks for joining me out here in left field with your a-- exposed to the wind. It gets pretty lonely out here on a religious holiday like this is. To admit that religions are cultural constructs of the societies that created them is risky business.

Once Romans killed Christians. Later, at various periods, Christians killed (or exiled, or enslaved) Africans, pagans, druids, witches (wise women healers), Jews, Muslims, heretics, Gypsies, gays, civil rights activists, etc. Is one group supposed to be better than another?

Also, Christians conned pagans into becoming Christian (and keeping their lives) by incorporating some pagan traditions into Christianity-"Christmas" trees, yule logs, "Easter" eggs, etc. Also, as we know, singing good music can create a spirit of oneness in the people singing, whether it's Girl Scouts, Christmas carolers, civil rights marchers, military recruits, sailors, patrons of a pub, or churchgoers. The feeling tends to set the beliefs promulgated-whether it's that it's good to kill "gooks", or that it's good to get drunk, or it's that ------------- religion is the truest.

I generally think that the only way that people are convinced to believe all this religion stuff is by brainwashing them when they're young. Funny thing-people learn there's no Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, tooth fairy, etc. They may even learn that "god" is not on our side in the "bad" war, or any other war-they're all bad. But most don't seem to realize that their religion isn't any "truer" than their neighbors'-or those of folks halfway around the world.

There are things embodied in this holiday that are worth celebrating: hope, innocence, kindness, generosity, brother/sisterhood, love, the notion that good people and ideas may start in humble surroundings, etc. There was an historical Jesus, a teacher of religious principles, etc. But all the stuff that got attached to him by his biographers, and theologians, just seems to be stuff that made him appear to be who they wanted him to appear to be.

Gee, am I a damp dishrag thrown on this holiday, or what!!! What a party pooper!!! I don't really want to rain on the parade of those who get a lot out of all this, only to speak up for those who have divergent views. I respect peoples' sincerely held beliefs, and hope they'll respect mine, and other peoples.

I hope you all are getting what you need out of this holiday, and are giving and receiving love from all those near and dear to you.

Yours,

Mary McCaffrey