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I've decided to read The Bible.

I never had much of a religious upbringing. Both of my parents were sort of force- fed religion when they were growing up and, I think, were pretty hesitant with me. The countless Catholic school horror stories I've heard from my mom could fill the entire "C" encyclopedia and just knowing my very, very Orthodox Jewish grandmother is enough to pity them both. They aren't really anti-religion, I would say. Just pro-"make-your-own-decisions-about-God." So, they never really told me much.

My dad supported me in my endeavors to attend Sunday school at my best friend's church for a year or so when I was in elementary school, after which he would whisper yell to me in the background while I was talking to my grandma, "don't tell her we went to church." My dad knows a lot about religion and the bible and such and I've always enjoyed what he tells me. Yet, I've always felt like I was missing out on something. It's not that I feel immoral or empty, because I don't. But there's all this religious hubbub that I just can't relate to. I've always sort of had this desire to know about religion. Not because I really buy into most of it, but I'm more fascinated by the history of it all and the absurdity with which people eat up gospel like it's air and water.

Anyway, a few weeks ago I was watching Disney's The Prince of Egypt with the kids that I babysit for at a local church every other Sunday and my religious desires became re-ignited. I decided that I wanted to read The Bible--an ambitious endeavor for even the most fervent, but one, nonetheless, that I think I am willing to take on. I told my Dad and Mom and they were really supportive. My mom actually said that she's been wanting to read it too.

I wanted my dad to help me pick out a good one to read. I knew that I wasn't going to get through anything that's complicated and in verse, but I also din't want the translation to be so screwy that the meaning's been sucked right out of the pages.

We went to the bookstore and asked the guy where the Bibles were. Well, my dad asked. And, in asking the innocent salesclerk, he suggested that perhaps the Bibles happened to be in the religious fiction section of the store. My dad has a very strange sense of humor. The guy didn't know how to respond, so I piped up: "uh, that was supposed to be a joke."

I found myself a nice book and started it last night. I'm beginning with the New Testament cause my dad told me that the Old Testament is really depressing. But, I want to get to that next--it's the story of Moses that really fascinates me the most. Last night I read about the birth of Jesus. I'm only on chapter 5, but I think it's going well. I'm very aware that this could be a lifelong thing. I mean, it is The Bible and all. It's neat though. Definitely a good story--with interesting historical context--and one that I think is good to know.