...of reading something ridiculous into a JOKE.

Only someone actually looking for things to be offended by would think that referred to sex or prostitution. I looked at the picture and laughed, because it's obviously a reference to being spoiled by having lots of pretty things, brought by Santa. It's a play on the avarice of Christmas, not an admission of sluttiness. Except for those who want it to be, of course. When I was 15, I bought a cute yellow bikini that had a picture of Big Ben on the back of the panties, with the words "London Swings!" embroidered above it. Does that mean I was claiming I had engaged in group sex with a bunch of Cockneys?

Isn't reading sluttiness into someone's intentions the kind of thing Broadsheet usually derides? How come it's okay for you then?

*eyeroll* Grow up, already.

As a religious idea, there's no reason not to consider it. The idea of brotherhood between Jesus and Lucifer is just another way to interpret what is, after all, an endlessly interpretable book. It has some advantages, too, in bringing the idea of Lucifer closer to humanity by giving his relationship to Jesus a contextual standing. It certainly gives the whole Temptation scenario a new slant - think of the backstory! (Could make an interesting movie version, come to think of it.)

The only reason it could be called ridiculous is that it's different from the way most people think about the issue. In other words, it's all a matter of opinion. Just like anything else about religion.

Oh, and by the way, if you take the scriptures themselves as evidence, Lucifer is not Satan. Lucifer was the fallen angel, and Satan was the guy God had his debates with. Different dude. "Satan", in fact, isn't a name at all. It's a title. The Hebrew word sheitan refers to an adversary in a debate. In other words, he's the guy arguing with you, whoever that happens to be. That's why the first time the "name" shows up is during an argument: God is having a debate and the other guy is the sheitan, the one taking up the other side. It's only the later Christian tendency towards conflation for the sake of dogmatic convenience that turned them into one person. (See Mary Magdalene for another example.)

So every time I hear a Christian call Jesus "the son of God", I'm hallucinating then? Good to know.

Wow, that's impressive. I mean it. I didn't think anyone could cram that much delusional crap into just a few sentences.

Bravo, dude. You are one genius bullshit artist.

Sing it, bro. I switched from buying new music to used CD's and DVD's out of financial necessity, but all this short-sighted viciousness from both the music and movie industry cemented my determination to buy new only in the very rare cases that something I want will sell out to collectors and not be around used for years. There is no way I'm going to subsidize that kind of abysmal stupidity.

This is a great idea, and I'm very glad to hear that it is getting such varied and distinguished support. I can think of no more urgent subject for a debate (a presidential debate on ONE subject, HUZZAH!) than the role of science in our country today. Here's hoping it will happen, on one condition:

That the moderator and/or panel be composed ONLY of experts in the various scientific fields. None of this moderation by the likes of Wolf Blitzer. No egomaniacal, ratings-hungry infotainer. Someone who is truly conversant with science and can speak intelligently in his/her own right on the subject. Only then can we be assured that the event will not devolve into sloganeering and pandering to the anti-intellectual minority, who tend to get the lion's share of the attention mainly because they know how to scream better than anyone else.

Let it be an evening for serious examination of our future in this important aspect, and not be derailed by nonsensical punditry. I think we've all had enough of that, thank you.

Christ, P, will you please STFU about the weed already? I mean geez, you're even putting me off. You're turning into a sterling example of Please stay off my side, 'cause you're making my side look bad.

Not everything in the world has to do with marijuana. Get a life already.

No excuses. Haul them before a court, prosecute them for murder, life imprisonment or the death penalty. That they were playing soldier at the time makes no difference - murder is murder. The Iraqi government can't do anything because of the agreemnt? OK. Wait til they come home. Then slap the cuffs on them.

If we allow Americans to run around the world shitting on this country's name like this, we can kiss any shred of reputation we have left goodbye. When our citizen become criminals, they should be punished, no matter where the offense took place. Were they still Americans when they committed their crimes? Then suck it up and take it. Just like all those dead Iraqis and their families had to do.

No free lunch.

Carol, why do you assume that guy on the message board was bashing? The quote sounds to me like he was explaining what he viewed as the mental process of HR department employees, not his own. What, people can't talk about other's ideas without being accused of espousing those ideas themselves? That's exactly the kind of PC nonsense that keeps a lot of social issues from being discussed in public: acknowledge some people think this way and OMG UR PREJUDISSED!!!11!!

Try not to jump to Conclusions quite so eagerly next time. 'Cause it's a long, wet swim back from that island.