last night in bed after (SURPRISE) he discovered the dog curled up on my side of the bed.

"Don't worry honey. You know I love you more than the dog."

"Uh huh."

"I do. If you fart, you get to stay in the bed but if she does - she's OUT!"

That folks is the definition of love.

Are you absolutely sure that you know what you believe? And are you 100% sure that beliefs that differ from yours are always wrong?

I'm not. So when I was casually reading the Pew Forum's newly released US Religious Landscape Survey, I wasn't shocked by the conclusion made that Americans are mostly non-dogmatic when it comes to their faith. (By "casually" I mean skipping around the 276 pages and then jumping on google to read other people's thoughts on the survey... although I did go back and read it more thoroughly - because seriously this is some fascinating and interesting ****.) (Please insert your own swear word in honor and memory of George Carlin ... I'm sorry if I offend you - but you should know how I feel about censorship.) 

I guess because I grew up in a fairly strict/legalistic Christian circle, the idea of "tolerance" and people who embrace more than one way of believing seems a bit foreign. But yet, as I've walked through life as an adult, I find myself running into more people whose beliefs I can't quite bring myself to disagree with. Maybe its that I'm not a Biblical scholar - but I do love to read. And I've found lots of evidence that supports pretty much any take on scripture any one can find.

Okay okay, don't label me a heretic just yet (though I can't disprove the moniker...). I'm not advocating a washed out version of "Everything is Relative Christianity." I just figure you should know that every few years I find myself wandering down the path of "what do I really believe" and that, upon entering the room of that discussion, I've never walked out the same. I always leave changed. My beliefs are fluid, evolving. I learn more as I grow and meet people and discourse and argue and, very occasionally, am silent.

So - what do you think? How important is dogma? Where should the "Christian" fall when it comes to tolerance. How open minded can one be before their brains fall right out? Did you make it past page 3 of the survey? Is there a sort of relief in admitting that we really don't have all the answers? What do you think? Comment away.

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While driving through the local wildlife refuge...

 "Hey Mom! Look! That bear is giving that other bear a piggy back ride."

Gulp.

"Why yes. Yes son he is."