Jerry,

I appreciated you putting some words around what "intellectual" means to you. I fear that it, like the word "Christian" has gathered negative connotations for many people. What you call an "intellectual" I refer to simply as a thinking person. I noticed, some years ago (being a thinking person), that some folks think about things & ideas outside of the realm of their daily lives (what's for dinner, what will I do for fun tonight, etc.) & some don't seem to. I'm conscious that that change, for me, came during my growing-up years, as a needed response to dealing with painful relationship issues, ie. I needed to think to be able to deal with my life. And, yes, Jerry, I heartily agree that that kind of intellect or maturity has little to do with education.

best,

bbc