Now, I do think when it comes to how and when we expose the geeks in training to things, that those of us who are older (I have no children of my own, but am a proud uncle to two kids who I spoil every chance I get) do have a responsiblity. And as much as I want to let me nephew (who is four) join me in watching some classic Star Trek, I also know he's not really at a point where he's ready. He thinks he is because he picks up the DVD cases every time he comes over (which only shows that he is a genius). That said, there is gonna be some stuff in there not really appopriate for him yet. I might know the Gorn is a cheesy, rubber suit monster but to the four-year-old brain it could be the scariest thing EVER and I know that if he woke-up in the night with nightmares of a big green scary lizard, Uncle Michael would be the one called to come deal with it. LOL

That said, I would never tell kids to defy their parents. I've had good friends whose kids wanted to read Harry Potter but they would't allow it. The kids found I'd read them (my thought is I'm old enough to corrupt my mind however I want...LOL) and asked me to tell them it was OK. I told them that it wasn't my decision and they should do what mom and dad said. I did take a chance to talk to the parents, tell them I'd read them and point out that as much as they forbid the reading, kids are wily and they'd find a way. So, if they really did disagree, here's a chance for you. Read them together. Be open to discuss why there are some things that go against what you believe. Use it as a moment to build your relationship with the kids.

I just hope if I am ever blessed to be a parental unit someday, I recall my own wisdom. LOL

Nah, you're not the only one. I really like the Firefly universe but that's about the only Whedon vehicle that ever really did it for me. Nothing against it; just not my bag.

What ticks me off more than anything else is people who supposedly have issue with geek stuff that just take the word of rags like "Focus on the Family" without doing any research themselves.

My favourite example is churchy folk who balk at Harry Potter because it has "witches, monsters, and magic." My typical response to that is, "You mean like in the Narnia books?"

Very true... I don't like Harry Potter but it has nothing to do with the Christian response. I have friends that hold that opinion about Potter and go on to love the Lord of the Rings movies. When I ask why their opinions against HP don't also affect their oppinion of LOTR they can't tell me why. Me, I'm just not a magic or fantasy fan. I'm more sci-fi techno guy.

The thing is--at least you took the time to read a Harry Potter book or two and to form your own opinion.

You decided to not like it because it didn't appeal to you, not because someone told you it was evil, bad, etc.

I guess I'm just careful about who and what I give authority in my life. I do look for guidance in things--for example, if I am going to take my niece and nephew to a movie or let them watch something with me on DVD, I will check out a few Christian-oriented sites that will give me more information on what's in the film before I take them.

Of course, I'm one of those crazy Christians who thinks that God gave us the brains to use to figure out stuff that is good and bad for us.

Very true, not all Christians are the same. Some are strong when it comes to some issues and weak in others. It is the weak Christians that try to impose rules to protect their weaknessess on all Christians that just suck the fun out of life.

Or you have a church organization that wants to control their membership.

I found the line on last week's Lost saying "Don't use Jesus Christ as a weapon" very relevant on many levels.

So often, we have people who use Jesus as a weapon to judge others or look down on them, instead of just lovin' 'em like we're called to do.

I can't say I don't do it, but I am trying to be better....

Me (geek) and Christian gals (even geeky ones) don't mix.

Yah, I just said that.

I seek understanding in all areas of my life. Here is my arguement against being christian:

I can not tell you of one Christian who has ever looked at their life and said, "well damn, this Jesus guy died (because he told everyone that we should be nice to one another. And by the way he was the son of god.) so that my transgressions could be forgiven by an all knowing, all powerful (given these 2 facts about god, he knew I would type this now, why I would type it and what would be the fall out.) being with infinite compassion for man(angels are a different story)."

Either he wants his followers to beg for forgiveness or he wants them to realize that he is there and wants them to be happy and that he understands that they will screw up along the way and that he understands this and will not toss their asses in a giant lake of burning fire to suffer eternally because humans are very prone to screwing up, often, and in a big way.

I am not a Christian, I tried converting for a christian geeky girl. I am firm in certain christian ways such as most of the 10 commandments that keep civilization from collapsing. But Shakespeare said it best when he said "Nothing is neither good nor evil, but in thinking makes it so."

I know I'm gonna get flamed on this one. I am not saying by any means that Christians are wrong in their beliefs. Some of my best friends during my life have been Christian, but we can not see eye to eye in the capacity of faith.

Huh. I'm not Christian either, but I've been married to one for five years. I don't know whether I should go up there and tell him "You're doing it wrong!" or just be happy I got a reasonable person.

I think that maybe you're using "Christian" as some sort of shorthand for "THINKS THIS WAY," when that's not the case. My husband would be thrilled if I converted, yeah, but he thinks the best example is a good example, and what I believe is what I believe. And that's cool- we have the same mindset- I kinda hope someday he thinks that Jesus the person is not needed for a relationship with the divine. (That's about as far as I'm willing to go here, PM me if you want boring religious details.) It's actually not a major point of contention or even a minor one.

I'm not flaming you by any stretch of the imagination. I'm just pointing out that "Christian" is no more a guarantee of a certain mindset than 'Geek" means I live in a basement with bad skin and eat nothing but Cheetos*. One can mean the other, but it really doesn't, most of the time.

Now if you'll excuse me, there's sme chickens I need to bite the heads off of- old school geek all da way...

*I also enjoy ramen noodles, Jones soda, and dang... this is not helping.

I for one am a Christian and I do want to say no one should ever convert to Christianity because a relationship with a person is dependent on it. Converting because you like a girl or guy really just undermines your relationship with God and could undermine your relationship with that person if things don't go right. Your Christianity becomes based on your relationship with a loved one and not on God. I think it is great when a person comes to God but it has to be for the right reasons. So to Carl and to Shay, don't do it for the wrong reason. Don't do it for a spouse or a loved one, but do it for yourself when and if you ever feel the call. And if you don't, that is your choice. I have said it before, I do my best not to treat non Christians different then Christians (And I rant against Christians that do on my podcast). I actually have more geeky fun with the non Christian crowd. But I hope to be a geek missionary to the Christians!

I won't choose to dwell on religion too much here in an open forum, but just wanted to add my two cents... Choosing a faith to believe and confide in is a very personal decision and one which your morals and beliefs should reflect. That been said, I also am not Christian and choose to follow my own path of principles based on how I see the world. I truly believe that there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to religion, but that having a faith in general (be it personal, religious, spaghetti monster, etc) is key to anyone's being.

Anyway, live your life as you will and follow only with those who make you happy. You only get one go around at it!