All the attempts to explain with myth and story how the universe began can never measure up to the actual explosion that started it all. The explosion that we know about, that is. We don't know what was before the start of our universe or what will be after our universe.

Trying to deny science because it doesn't fit our little beliefs is the easy way out. I think that religion is a glorious attempt to explain the world, but hiding from facts because they don't fit with our religion is sad. A truly spiritual act is to be willing to give up our beliefs when we find out that the facts don't fit. It's like continuing to hate someone even though you know that your reasons for hating them were false, but you've made your hate such an integral part of your life you would rather hate than face facts. This, of course, is bigotry.

I hated giving up religion but it no longer fit with the facts I knew. I still haven't given up spirituality and even enjoy going to church once in a while. I would like to be a part of a church but am still afraid of being sucked back in because of wanting to belong. Spirituality and ritual and belonging are things that are part of us but the trick is where to get them without the baggage that too many religions and churches have picked up along the way.

Today was a beautiful day that makes the idea of a massive explosion unbelievable. We finally have cooler weather, in the 70s and 80s, and the sky was a bright, clear blue. I walked up the the bookstore and the mall and loved that I didn't get too hot. It was just perfect tshirt weather. The mall was jammed. I guess people aren't waiting for Thanksgiving to start their Christmas shopping. I picked up some coffee and had to wait longer than usual, which is ok since I enjoy just smelling all the coffees.