It’s late, and I’ve still got lots of reading to do, so I’m just going to post a couple of links tonight (but they are worthy links!):

Rolling Stone has an expos?© on the Church of Scientology.

NBC and CBS refused to run a commercial for the United Church of Christ because it was too controversial (it opens with two bouncers turning away a gay couple from a church). The controversial message? “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.”

I’ve decided to observe Lent. Mormons aren’t really big on Lent, but I’m funny that way. I like the focus on examing one’s inner life during this period. I’m doing this haphazardly, reading blogs and getting info from pages like the American Catholic’s Lent FAQ.

I’m following the three pillars of Lent (Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving) by opening each day with contemplative meditation, abstaining from meat (except fish on Fridays) and Diet Pepsi (the real sacrifice), and making good on my commitment to give away a percentage of my paycheck each month to carefully selected charities. I’m also reading through a Catholic meditation on the stations of the Cross (connected to the Lent season). Finally, I plan to go to a Good Friday and possibly an Easter service at a high liturgical church to close Lent and add a station to my pilgrimage.

Oh, and Jana refused to let me give up sex for Lent. I’m relieved–not sure I could’ve managed that one.