I studied logic in college and then tutored in the subject. I enjoyed learning about the different kinds of arguments and fallacies. It's amazing how many politicians use straw man arguments yet seem to get away with it almost every time.

I enjoyed my physical anthropology class and had a good time in the threads of discussions on evolution. It was interesting to read comments by students who were for the first time able to verbalize their confrontation with critical thinking about their own religion. It was as if it were the second debunking of Santa for some. Others seemed glad to finally get the details and full explanation. Yet a few totally rejected it and wrote as if they hadn't read the textbook at all.

I studied some of the dialogue between Socrates and Euthyphro and I imagined Euthyphro as a kind of blindly patriotic American who would never question the actions of his government.

I've done some reading by William James on pragmatism and I can see how people justify their beliefs in supernatural events and beings. They reason that if they succeed while believing it, then their beliefs must be true. Yes, but only pragmatically true. Truth is not necessarily "that which works" but rather truth is "truth". Does knowing *truth* lead to the best way to live one's life or should we just find a good *myth* to live by and be satisfied that it supplies us with all the positive euphemistic confidence to handle any and all situations in life with serenity.

I've never spoken in tongues and when I've seen people doing it I feel like laughing at them, and I do. I think I'd rather enjoy my own laughter than have the feeling that I want to speak in tongues. So "speaking in tongues" is one variety of religious experience that I am satisfied to enjoy from the outside looking in.

I'm glad to be here.