As a general rule I avoid talking religion, especially with friends. It always seems to lead to senseless arguments where no one changes their minds, no enlightenment occurs and feelings get hurt. My sum knowledge of Mormonism comes from the Southpark episode "All About Mormons," season 7 episode 12. I very much like the ending when the kids (whose name is 'Glen', not uncoincidentally I'm sure) says, "Maybe us Mormons do believe in crazy stories that make absolutely no sense and maybe Joseph Smith did make it all up, but I have a great life and a great family and I have the Book of Mormon to thank for that. The truth is, I don't care if Joseph Smith did make it all up, because what the church teaches now is loving your family, being nice and helping people. And even if people in this town might think that's stupid, I still choose to believe in it." (He then finishes with: "All I wanted to do was be your friend, Stan, but you wanted to be so high and mighty that you couldn't look past my religion and just be my friend back. You've got a lot of growing up to do, buddy. Suck my balls." Classic!) I found Glen's words resonated well with my feelings about religion. If you get something out of it and it's makes your life better, then stick with it. If instead it makes you bitter and fearful and dislike others, then you should shop around for another set of beliefs. There's plenty out there, you don't need to stick with what you're handed. My problem with many religious people is that I feel I get judged as soon as they discover I'm an athiest. I become less in their eyes or the object of a salvation effort, and friendships can become very difficult. It makes me sad that religion divides me from others so. I should add that I've never felt that way around you Steve. I'm also quite proud to learn you've become a bishop. That's awesome. And I like the idea that I have a good friend who's a bishop. I guess I don't have a question for this 'Ask a Mormon' session, but I'd love to get your reaction to the Southpark episode I cited above. Maybe we can yammer about it at the next Infinity conference.