Leo, I'm sorry. I deleted your post by mistake when trying to quote from it.
My moderator powers fell into a vat of dumbassism.
Please repost your thoughts if you please.

Leo had asked if anyone could join.

What what what...

It was done by mistake sir, I assure you. Where can I mail the check?

Hey, Larry! What'r you, being a Smartass?

Well, first I was being a dumbass, and THEN I was being a smartass. It's best to do it in that order anyway.

ahhh, but does it come with the requisite amount of guilt???


Now, anyone with a good appetite can join!

And as for me, yes it IS really about the food... how else to pick a religion?
What's wrong with that?
How do you pick a president? How does a kid pick which college to go to?? How do you pick yer nose??? I
t's what feels right to you!!


and latkes are a whole subject unto themselves.
Yes, traditional are Potato Latke (pancakes - fried in peanut oil works best). Served with homemade applesauce, or Sour Cream, or (my fav) a combination of BOTH!
Luckily, we restrict the cooking and eating of latkes to just 2 holidays a year, cause my arteries and my weight would be significantly inflated if indulged on a weekly/daily basis... But I'd sacrifice myself gladly for my latkes!... errrr... i mean my religion...

also - "jewish" rye bread - simply made without dairy...
not being able to eat pigs feet, ham or catfish - well, if you're gonna follow any rules, you try to follow the big ones. Kosher is a biggie... but it's a tough one for many less than orthodox folks (like me!).
So... I know the rules, and I know when I'm breakin' 'em... but believe me, i never broke 'em with pigs feet! And fried catfish doesn't turn me on as much as a plate of grits does... Ham? I plead the 5th...

Getting back to being (almost) serious.

I've seen (and used) the word "traditions" here in this disscussion perhaps substituting for "religions".
In large part, that's a very accurate thing to do.
Most people come to a religion
via tradition, not by a personal choice. There are exceptions of course.
I't's more common to hear " I was raised XYZ" than it is to hear " I chose XYZ". Being born into a tradition can of course be a good thing, but it is also true that many are born into traditional conflicts that began years or even generations before they were born. This simple fact alone shows the importance of understanding were are "One World" and need to understand other views and traditions.Not agree with them, not join them, but just try to understand them. Ya with me Jim? Not to rehash what we went through before,just trying to put it in a perhaps a new light.

While we are on the subject of semantics, I've come to prefer the word "heritage" over the word "race" when used to describe people of different backgrounds. There is only one "race" is both scientific and moral terms, the human race. The word "race" used to describe humans of various backgrounds is a social concept that should be extinct.


LEO! CHILL DUDE ! I'm sorry!!!!!!!! I've sent you a fresh supply of electrons to replace the ones of yours I deleted by mistake!

Our you kidding? Southern Baptists go to hell for dancing!

yeah, but did their mothers nag them about washin' behind their ears, and wearin' clean undies so they'd be presentable IN CASE they should happen to dance and be whisked off to Hell??

guilt guilt guilt...

No, it was about the possibility of getting hit by a car and ending up in the emergency room.

Leo, breath deep, it will all be alright!!!! Just say over and over It is only a lifetime. Itis only a lifetime.. It is only a lifetime... It is only a lifetime (close your eyes and relax) It is only a lifetime.. It is only a lifetime..

Wanna borrow my ruby slippers?