And I can’t see why so many Dopers apparently believe that religious people can’t be intelligent, rational, well-educated, and erudite, despite all the evidence there has been to the contrary.
(For example, “Jesuits believe that you can never learn too much.” —quoted by Alphagene, who boasts a Jesuit education, in this Staff Report)
Thanks—I guess I was about 13 when I read that one (I got turned onto the Straight Dope paperbacks as a kid) and I remember well how much I loved Cecil’s snark and sharp wit, even when I was just a kid here in Salt Lake.
I hate to say that Cecil’s columns don’t usually entertain me like they used to, although once in a while the old wit and wisdom comes shining thru. I still would enjoy splitting a six-pack of Olde Style with Cecil sometime, and we could talk about the lyrics to “Hotel California” and all the different things that MD’s find up people’s keesters…
Of course religious people can be intelligent as well. I have known many that fit that description. I’ve also known people who seemed very intelligent and were hard core racists as well.
It would just be cool for someone who espouses fighting ignorance to also not be someone who is into magical thinking.
Cecil has said, on several occasions, that he was raised Catholic. I’ve not discussed religion with him, per se, so I can’t say about his current practices, but they for sure ain’t Jewish.
Wow. Well, yeah, I am Jewish – was raised that way, and am still practicing (Conversative towards the liberal side.) However, I am not now, and never have been, Cecil. I handle his mail, but I work mostly with Ed because Cecil is… well, “not very sociable” is the polite term and he’s the Boss.