Why Random Thoughts?  I got the idea from another blog by a minister who calls his version "Sunday brain dump".  This is where I put small stories not long enough to be a complete post.

A funny youtube video.  A parody of those Chia Pet ads.

This week, actually on Dec 5th, bars all over the country are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition.  That made me wonder: what did churches do for wine during prohibition?  I know some use water rather than wine, but others insist wine must be used for communion.


In Religion:

Palestians from Gaza will not be able to make the trip to Mecca this year due to two apparent and conflicting governments operating in the area.  The government accepted and backed by the west, submitted a list of candidates, but so did Hamas.  The Saudi government denied visas to those on the Hamas list.

Conservative branches of the Episcopal church formed their own denomination this week.   It makes you wonder, how can these Christians (?) be promoting the teachings of Jesus that included peace and tolerance, and they can't even get along with each other.

A Massachusetts court ruled this week that a Rastafarian  could file a religious discrimination suit against Jiffy Lube who fired him for refusing to cut his hair or beard to comply with company grooming standards. 

Many Christians are angry over an atheist group running ads on Washington DC busses and in subway stations that read:
"Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake."
Of course, they have a right to express their opinion but what is angering many is the decision to run the ads during the Christmas season.  At first, I thought Christians should protest the ads, but I have changed my mind.  I think the protests would just bring more free publicity to the group.

Photo of the week:  Nova rarely gets on my bed while I'm in it, but as soon as I get up, it's fair game.