Life Partners Unite!

I'm pleased to announce that David Jones - the one, the only - has begun his own blog. Please comment, using profanity if possible, here: Identical Genitals.

In a related note, Dave recently passed off to me his most recent read, titled God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. It is written by the outspoken atheist (and guest on my favorite show, Real Time with Bill Maher). Not only are his sentences incredibly dense and rife with literary and historical references, which I love, but he has given voice to feelings I've had my whole life.

I was raised an Episcopalian, but I attended church more often on my own as a college student. I even helped found the Episcopal Student Group at Brown when I was a senior. Despite my weekly presence at mass (a reflection of a need to fit in and my throw-myself-into-whatever-I'm-doing attitude more than my religious devotion), I never believed in the Biblical stories. Nor did I have an easy time reconciling evil and sadness with God's supposed omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, and goodness. Anyway, if you've ever questioned your religious beliefs, as we all have, I would recommend this book. More on this subject, and how it related to running, later...