We might not all have family members of no less than five religious persuasions, but we all face difficulties relating to our kin at this time of year. Clashes can and will arise out of racial, political, and financial differences, just to scratch the surface. The challenge is to find the common ground that exists between yourself and these annual toasters we all call our families, wherever that may be, and by any means necessary. And if that means a few drinks before the clock hits noon, well, pass the 'special' eggnog...A thoroughly enjoyable read, and one that actually caused me to laugh out loud on more than one occasion, which is more than I can recall for some time. Thanks.

This whole piece is testament to the overbearing nature of identity poltiics. "Hi. I'm a half-Ugandan, half-Solomon Islander, Jewish convert to Rastafarianism who draws her beliefs from Buddhism and Sufism" "Oh, nice to meet, you I'm just a plain ol' human being." Not much room during the Holidays for my antiquated notions of egalitarianism and secular universalism when everyone is bent on being 'separate but equal' with their spiritual identity.

Despite her best efforts, the author also fails to convince me that Islam can play ball with the rest of us (i.e. her brief comments leave a lot of unanswered questions). Why can't this brother-in-law of hers listen to a gay Christian sermon without feeling uneasy or even disturbed? Could it *gasp* be religious-induced homophobia? Moreover, her sister has converted to Islam just because she married a Muslim? This is not a new phenomenon, but no matter how often I hear of one spouse converting to the other's religion (almost always the woman converting to the man's religion mind you) it makes me sick. It glosses over what should be profound doctrinally-based beliefs and makes conversion sound like changing one's clothing. It makes me wonder if this woman's sister has any comprehensive understanding of the Qur'an, Haadith, Sunnah, etc.?

I did like reading about the clash of the Muslim and the Scientologist, although again what sort of religions need to proselytise at a family get-together? The subtext of this meeting: "Crazy Cult Memeber A meet Crazy Cult Memeber B. Oh, I apologise Crazy Cult Member B...I'm not supposed to say 'crazy cult' in reference to your allegedly wonderful, misunderstood, peaceful, woman-and-gay-friendly religion. I forgot there are like a billion of you in the world and that within the rules of political correctness might and numbers make right no matter what your actual beliefs are. Too bad Crazy Cult Memeber A, but Tom Cruise’s sexiness just isn't enough to keep your beliefs from being publicly slammed. Now if we were afraid of you deep down...that would be a different story. Do you know how to fly a plane?"

Wow, was that a joke in poor taste or what? But that's the reaction your article elicited in me. And no I am NOT a Christian, Jew, pro-Iraq War, conservative, Republican, Fox-News watcher, etc. just a someone who forms her opinions based on people's actions and objective evidence rather than vague, anecdotal assurances that all is well. The Wilson family is far removed from the West Bank, Kashmir, Kosovo, Nigeria, southern Thailand, and various other locales where the Abrahamic ‘religions of peace’ spend their holiday season killing one another and any uppity non-Abrahamists who don’t find their paternalistic god and his holidays all that spiritually healthy. I just decided not to go to Christmas dinner tomorrow.

Eilonwy needs to get a sense of humor. America is, like it or not, a melting pot. Sometimes a mixture results in ambrosia and sometimes it doesn't. In any case, being together with family, however dysfunctional, is part of many holiday traditions.

How incredibly boring would it be if all our friends and all our relatives resembled the Cleaver family of "Leave It To Beaver?" Family can push our buttons better than anyone because they know where the buttons are and they've had plenty of time to practice. But it works both ways. Family will put up with you when no one else will.

Enjoy your family. Shake your head in disbelief at the stranger behavior. Recognize and cover your "buttons." Write in your diary--maybe it will become a novel or a movie. Revel in the diversity. Duck the flying barbs. Consider it all an adventure.

Thank you, Cintra, for a chance to enjoy your fascinating family.