Some say being religious improves your health. Others say it can make you fat, thus hurting your health.

One 2006 study found that Southern Baptists were the most likely of religious folks to be obese. Don't blame the southern cooking, though. The study found that that outlook on life is one culprit -- serious believers tend to see God's will defining their lives, and not personal choice. Perhaps groups that frown on smoking and drinking tend to go overboard when it comes to restricting food choices. And of course, there's the issue of eating at church functions. Doughnuts, coffee, potlucks, ice cream socials -- high-fat foods are part of the culture.

There's a flip side to this argument. Men who turn to religion, rather than food, for comfort tend to keep extra pounds off. And in some circles, health is the newest form of ministry. Some churches include in their missions goals for sports and fitness. Several churches in my city even have gymnasiums and offer fitness classes and athletic programs.

What's your belief. Does church make you fat? Fit? Or somewhere in between?

Source

Can you name all the 10 commandments? I sure can't, but seeing that I didn't grow up in a religious family, my only real exposure to them was the movie of the same name (and I fell asleep watching it.) Don't worry -- I do have a point here. Recent studies show that Americans are more proficient at naming the ingredients in a Big Mac and naming the members of the Brady Bunch better than they are at naming the 10 commandments.

Surprising? I don't think so. But even though I'm not a church-goer, this news is a bit disconcerting. Is this to say that we know fast food and TV better than we know basic morals and ethics? Or is it just a reflection of the fact the Religion isn't as big a institution in our society as it once was? What do you think?

Source

OK now.... I just saw an advertisement for a dating site that said "Boy friend season is coming up." Really? Are there really seasons for boyfriends and girlfriends now? Am I to think that mating seasons for humans have kicked in just like mating seasons for deer, geese, dogs in heat, and more wildlife. When exactly is that season because I feel left out of the loop?

Cyber dating and dating service memberships have hit in blossoming numbers. What can you really find out about someone through a computer? I mean really...how many lies are being told and how much of what is being typed in is really fact? It seems to me that it would be REALLY easy for untruths to be told when not sitting face to face with someone. When did we stop looking for actual places to meet people face to face like coffee shops, churches, acoustic music shows, the gym, etc. I feel like if I am going to be interested in dating someone that I will look for someone where I hang out or go to like places that are fun to me. Acoustic music venues, coffee shops, browsing downtown shopping stores, golf courses, the beach, church functions, and community social gatherings. More than likely that will be fun places for them too and that will be a common ground of interest for us to get to know each other better. To me there seems to be a lot of safety issues and privacy issues with trying to meet and date someone online and I have heard people talking about this in circles and these relationships never seem to last. I have even heard of people making plans to move in with each other or even getting married without ever meeting face to face. Maybe I am an old fashioned gal but I am still a believer in meeting and getting to know someone slowly. The time I did result in talking a lot to someone on the computer that I met in person once, only brought me heartache and pain. So I guess this old gal has learned from some good old fashioned experience. Love is not a quick find and found through a cold, non pulsing, blood carrying machine hooked up to cyber space. You can fall in love with the idea of that person but you will only know if that idea is a reality in person over time.