Sunday in Outer Blogness: Back in the U.S.A. Edition!

Hi folks — I just arrived in Minnesota yesterday (to visit these folks, among others), and am still fighting the jet-lag. Fortunately, the trip went a lot more smoothly than that one time, so I’m up and ready to give you this week’s highlights from Outer Blogness!

First off, the lovely Sabayon is planning to get a “Daughter of Perdition” tattoo! Unfortunately, she totally rejected my suggestion that she get herself some butt-antlers. All of you ink-lovers can perhaps give her some more useful advice.

There were a number of interesting philosophical discussions this week. I especially liked Hypatia’s story of coming out as a non-believer to her TBM brother (and following up with a friendly discussion of logical fallacies). Andrew S. (+ Seth R.) makes an interesting point that the question of God’s existence is a separate (and less useful) question than the question of God’s relevance. The folks at Unscrewing the Inscrutable ask what is an “avowed atheist” anyway? (though, unfortunately, the discussion degenerates into the usual debate over whether atheism is a religion). And xJane writes about the importance of acknowledging death in death.

In religious philosophy, Kullervo has been writing a series on finding Pagan values. Christopher Smith interviewed a pastor from Provo on reconciliation between evangelicals and Mormons. MoHoHawaii tells the story of recognizing “an outpouring of the spirit” as being the same at a Hindu temple as at in an LDS service, and wonders about the implications for “truth.”

Now for lifestyles! Agnostic Mom’s kids have taken up making prayer jokes after spending time visiting the extended family. (I wonder if the same will happen to my kids here…) Trey’s daughter recommends drinking tea to save the world. Sideon has been enjoying a feast of fiction. Emily is contemplating the human ass. And Chino is following the money.

And let’s close with an LDS puzzle! Jonathan has found a clue that Mr. Deity was Mormon in a former life! I don’t see it, do you?