My brother-in-law came to visit last weekend. As science geeks, we tried to see a shuttle launch while he was here (the launch was canceled 11 minutes before liftoff because of weather – ugh!). On the way to watch the launch we stopped by Deseret Citrus and Cattle Ranch to…
Dan to religious closet-case: change your religion
Dan Savage devoted this week’s column to gay people with religious issues. So, as with cheating and partner-letting-self-go, let’s decide whether Dan got it right! Here’s an excerpt from the question: Religion has been for me a source of strength in my times of weakness, a rock in the times…
NZ man almost kills daughter for not attending church
I was saddened last week to see this story about a New Zealand man who hit his daughter in the head with a lump of concrete when she refused to go to the mormon church with him. Now, I think this man is an abuser, and would be an abuser…
Sunday in Outer Blogness: Freedom and Sunstone Edition!
The big news this week is on freedom and private vs. public space: Apparently Salt Lake City sold part of Main Street to the CoJCoL-dS, and now we’re learning what that means. A a gay couple was detained by security and handcuffed for a kiss on the cheek on church…
Motivations for altruism
Why act ethically if not out of (self-interested) thoughts of your own eternal reward? According to the LDS-Freemen (hat tip TBBB), you wouldn’t: Is it okay for me to admit that the reason I have faith and hope in an afterlife is because I am interested in myself? Is that…
Helping a Boy Recover from His Burn Wounds
Some of you might have noticed on Facebook that Jana Bouck Remy from Pilgrim Steps has raised money for HandReach, which is an excellent charity that helps Chinese children to recover from burn injuries. Jana and her friends raised enough money to pay for a girl’s prosthetic. The Main Street…
Niblets!
It’s time for the annual “Bloggernacle Niblet Awards” — and this time some of our regulars here at Main Street Plaza have been nominated!! So please go vote! 😀 Andrew S. (of Irrestible (Dis)Grace, among other blogs), is up for a number of them — including competing for the only…
Sunday in Outer Blogness: America Edition!
I hope those of you who are American had a lovely holiday yesterday. My kids and I had fun joining in the pyrotechnic celebration with the rest of the family, as you can see from the photos my sister posted. And — true to blogging form — the other folks…
Prophet v. Pope
My Mormon mother-in-law is staying with us for a week to help with newborn care. My wife, mother-in-law, and I decided to watch Angels and Demons last night while the baby slept. After it was over, my wife said, “I don’t understand why Catholics revere the Pope so much.” I…
How Mormon values gave me courage to leave
I have thought of my “exit” story as boring. Boring, but different. Rather than a narrative of the Once-Happy-TBM who unwittingly came across a troublesome theological or historical issue and lamented as it gobbled a once easy faith, my story has from early on featured something amiss…but what I’ve thought…