NPR was doing a segment this morning on a very large Christian movement to have the new movie, The Golden Compass, boycotted. Of the three Pullman (a professed rejector of organized religion and atheist), this one (based on Northern Lights) has the least occurence of "anti-religion" themes - the last having the most. He is seen as being anti-Christian and anti-Catholic, but if you're familiar with him, he is much more anti-religion in the most general sense.

People are trying to stop their children from seeing this movie, out of fear that interest in the movie will generate interest in the books and *gasp* expose their children to themes of anti-religion.

I really don't understand this.

Why would someone be afraid that their child might learn that there's such a thing as atheism or agnosticism?

Why does the Harry Potter series terrify parents? Is it horrible if children know that there's a fantasy world of magic, or IF they can make the more cognitive connections, that witchcraft is out there?

As an atheist, I would not prevent my child from reading books which presented religion or a diety as a good thing, or books that presented atheism as a bad thing, or books that taught about ideas outside of whatever. If my child wanted to go to church, I would not prevent it. If they wanted to read the bible, I would buy them one. I would hope that my child understands there are different things that are right for different people, and eventually gathers the information needed to make the decision that is right for them... whether it aligns with my personal beliefs is irrelevant. What's right for me isn't right for everyone, and everyone includes my own family.

Elenation, my sincere apologies. I got your posts mixed up with Realtorhonda's and thought it was you that made the "angry" comments and demands for explanations. I should have paid attention to the "change" in tone and gone back to check. Sorry about that.

Elenation, my sincere apologies. I got your posts mixed up with Realtorhonda's and thought it was you that made the "angry" comments and demands for explanations. I should have paid attention to the "change" in tone and gone back to check. Sorry about that.

No problem at all Fanny! I know you are very firm about your views but polite at the same time that's why I was puzzled:blush: Keep up the good debate!

God is a good God.

To Which god do you refer??

Is this where I can stick in my "God is a god, but all gods are not God, capital-G versus lower-case-g" speech?

Is this where I can stick in my "God is a god, but all gods are not God, capital-G versus lower-case-g" speech?

You better refer to my God with capital "G" now...:teeth_smile:

Hey, I haven't seen your progress in a while, you are doing so good!!!! 13 pounds to goal! Congratulations! the TT and BL appointments need to be made with a quickness! Congrats!:biggrin:

You better refer to my God with capital "G" now...:teeth_smile:

Hey, I haven't seen your progress in a while, you are doing so good!!!! 13 pounds to goal! Congratulations! the TT and BL appointments need to be made with a quickness! Congrats!:biggrin:

Yep, my first goal is to weigh 140 pounds (longterm goal is 125, though), and I promised myself that I'd make appointments the first day I see 140 on my scale. I'm almost psyching myself out of it, though, worrying about finances. I need to make up my mind soon, though, 'cause if I want to have surgery in August, I need to call and schedule a date within the next few weeks. Otherwise, it's gonna have to wait until December, due to work and stuff.

Yep, my first goal is to weigh 140 pounds (longterm goal is 125, though), and I promised myself that I'd make appointments the first day I see 140 on my scale. I'm almost psyching myself out of it, though, worrying about finances. I need to make up my mind soon, though, 'cause if I want to have surgery in August, I need to call and schedule a date within the next few weeks. Otherwise, it's gonna have to wait until December, due to work and stuff.

Well, you deserve this and remember that 13 pounds away from goal is not much, so you may want to make the appointment soon because sometimes they may not have appointments right away, you know depending on what doctor you are seeing, some are really busy, so I would get on it! and I understand about the financial part, but go to the appointment, after the exam, they'll tell you how much is going to be and then you decide if you can do it in August or wait for December, but I would still go to the appointment, man, that is so cool, I'm not at goal, but if I was, I would LOVE to get me some TT.... I have two kids, teenagers and some thousands of dollars in debt :teeth_smile: and that's not counting what's coming when they go out to college, so I probably couldn't do it, but you are young and single, so GO FOR IT! plus you've earned it!

I am under goal and I would love to donate my spare skin to someone needy. I could repave about five normal sized individuals, I am sure.

I am under goal and I would love to donate my spare skin to someone needy. I could repave about five normal sized individuals, I am sure.

Snort! :biggrin: Green you are a hoot! I don't even want to think how many I could repave if I get to goal..... I'll just shut up...:teeth_smile:

Well, you deserve this and remember that 13 pounds away from goal is not much, so you may want to make the appointment soon because sometimes they may not have appointments right away, you know depending on what doctor you are seeing, some are really busy, so I would get on it! and I understand about the financial part, but go to the appointment, after the exam, they'll tell you how much is going to be and then you decide if you can do it in August or wait for December, but I would still go to the appointment, man, that is so cool, I'm not at goal, but if I was, I would LOVE to get me some TT.... I have two kids, teenagers and some thousands of dollars in debt :biggrin: and that's not counting what's coming when they go out to college, so I probably couldn't do it, but you are young and single, so GO FOR IT! plus you've earned it!

Oh, I've already gone on consultations, lol. :biggrin2: I went to three different surgeons and found one that clicked really well. I love her, I'm just not thrilled with spending almost $13,000 (but it won't be any cheaper with anyone else, so I'll probably bite the bullet and do it). The way I'm going to look at it, I think, is that I could have finished grad school with that much or more of loan debt, but didn't, so it all rounds out in the end.

Oh, I've already gone on consultations, lol. :biggrin2: I went to three different surgeons and found one that clicked really well. I love her, I'm just not thrilled with spending almost $13,000 (but it won't be any cheaper with anyone else, so I'll probably bite the bullet and do it). The way I'm going to look at it, I think, is that I could have finished grad school with that much or more of loan debt, but didn't, so it all rounds out in the end.

Oh well, GOOD! I didn't know you already went for your first consult! you are on your way! yeah, I don't think you will find anything cheaper, that sounds reasonable to me as well... your thinking about finishing grad school with that much debt and more is very true, plus this is money that you are spending on yourself, I mean your own body, and heck we have to live with our bodies for the rest of our lives, that alone is more than sufficient reason to do it if you can, so don't ever regret it, everytime you look in the mirror after you do it, you will realized it was so worth it. oh I'd be so excited if I was you, can't remember the last time I saw myself with a flat belly....:biggrin: or perky bobbies of course..

Oh well, GOOD! I didn't know you already went for your first consult! you are on your way! yeah, I don't think you will find anything cheaper, that sounds reasonable to me as well... your thinking about finishing grad school with that much debt and more is very true, plus this is money that you are spending on yourself, I mean your own body, and heck we have to live with our bodies for the rest of our lives, that alone is more than sufficient reason to do it if you can, so don't ever regret it, everytime you look in the mirror after you do it, you will realized it was so worth it. oh I'd be so excited if I was you, can't remember the last time I saw myself with a flat belly....:rolleyes2: or perky bobbies of course..

Lol, I don't think I've EVER had perky boobs or a flat belly, so I'm REALLY looking forward to it.

Lol, I don't think I've EVER had perky boobs or a flat belly, so I'm REALLY looking forward to it.

LOL!, once upon a time...in the stone age.... I had a "pretty" flat tummy.... only temporary...I was never a stick skinny, but normal weight when I was between 15-18 years old... I was a fat child, then went on a extreme diet and exercise (Big shock right!) and lost a lot of weight and got a little toned and was ok until I got married at 18.... then I started gaining again.... so I had that short period of time in my life when I remember having a decently flat belly and I had perky boobs, I remember I didn't have to wear a bra and looked ok, but I was a B cup though.... at 18 I started gaining weight again, the perky boobs became bigger and bigger, I suppose because the rest of my body was getting bigger.... and the little perky rascals started heading south with a vengeance... and the rest is history.... I'm 45 now.... that should give you a mental picture.... sorry, I know it's a horror mental picture....:thumbup: if I could ever have a flat tummy and perky boobs again I sure would be jumping up and down for joy.... please keep me updated and let me how everything goes, I wish you nothing but the best!

Edited June 13, 200818 yr by ELENATION

LOL!, once upon a time...in the stone age.... I had a "pretty" flat tummy.... only temporary...I was never a stick skinny, but normal weight when I was between 15-18 years old... I was a fat child, then went on a extreme diet and exercise (Big shock right!) and lost a lot of weight and got a little toned and was ok until I got married at 18.... then I started gaining again.... so I had that short period of time in my life when I remember having a decently flat belly and I had perky boobs, I remember I didn't have to wear a bra and looked ok, but I was a B cup though.... at 18 I started gaining weight again, the perky boobs became bigger and bigger, I suppose because the rest of my body was getting bigger.... and the little perky rascals started heading south with a vengeance... and the rest is history.... I'm 45 now.... that should give you a mental picture.... sorry, I know it's a horror mental picture.... if I could ever have a flat tummy and perky boobs again I sure would be jumping up and down for joy.... please keep me updated and let me how everything goes, I wish you nothing but the best!

I'll definitely keep everyone updated! If I decide to go ahead and do it, I'll probably start a thread over in the plastic surgery forum with before/after shots.