Orthodixie

Parents do not have a right to control when, where, and how their children are taught about sex. So rules the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

H/T: Deacon Raphael

This all stems from parental outrage over a survey given to 1st, 3rd, and 5th graders. Hello! Here’s a sample:

Kids ages 7 through 10 were asked, for example, to rate the following activities according to how often they experienced the thought or emotion:

“Touching my private parts too much.”

“Thinking about having sex.”

“Thinking about touching other people’s private parts.”

“Thinking about sex when I don’t want to.”

“Washing myself because I feel dirty on the inside.”

“Not trusting people because they might want sex.”

“Getting scared or upset when I think about sex.”

“Having sex feelings in my body.”

“Can’t stop thinking about sex.”

“Getting upset when people talk about sex.”

(Uh oh. At the time of this posting there’s an unfortunate typo in the penultimate paragraph of the first page.)

But, here’s the S T O R Y.

THE Vatican has issued a stout defence of Charles Darwin, voicing strong criticism of Christian fundamentalists who reject his theory of evolution and interpret the biblical account of creation literally.

Cardinal Paul Poupard, head of the Pontifical Council for Culture, said the Genesis description of how God created the universe and Darwin’s theory of evolution were “perfectly compatible” if the Bible were read correctly.

His statements were interpreted in Italy as a rejection of the “intelligent design” view, which says the universe is so complex that some higher being must have designed every detail.

H/T: News Forum

The ruins of the church include a mosaic tile floor with inscriptions in ancient Greek containing a reference to “The God Jesus Christ” and could shed light on early Christian practices.

Thanks to James.

(Other than calling it the Book of Spells the Book of Revelations, it’s a good read.)

Also, OrthodoxyToday.

Our first camping trip in Texas was wonderful! I would say it was “cool,” but that would be an imprecise term 🙂

Here’s a few pics:

Unlike Western North Carolina, we were the only vehicle on the road with a canoe atop. But when camping, don’t leave home without it. (That’s me, Basil, and Mary Catherine inspecting the rock.)

Roots anyone? Fabu!

We pretended this rock was the iceberg and we were the Titanic. Our story had a happier ending.

Fall colors, Texas style. Guadalupe River State Park is about 30 miles north of San Antonio.

My two favorite daughters. Note: When levitating, use tree.

Post-Halloween shopping added a new member to our family. This is Ben, Basil’s brother.

The trip home. Seven reads to three. Life don’t get no better.

🙂

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.

by William Cowper
Stolen from The Writer’s Almanac.