Sorry, but this is kind of a stretch.

I never know what to think about these things. I don't want to be a hypocrite. I don't want anyone ridiculing me for what I believe/don't believe, so I have to refrain from doing that myself, right? It's only fair.

My basic belief is hey - whatever brings you peace. Whatever makes you feel right and safe and hopeful in this world, whatever makes you want to try to be a good person and be good to other people - that's cool with me. You want to pray? Fine. You want to chant? All right. You want to cast spells for the summer solstice in the middle of the forest? Sounds neat. Just don't push your shit on me, and don't tell me I'm going to hell because I don't do what you do. And don't tell me you know ANYTHING for sure, because no one KNOWS anything. No, seriously - NO ONE KNOWS. It's called "faith" for a reason, bub. You believe or you don't believe, but you can't prove anything. THAT is the only thing anyone knows for sure. And that's the way I like it, personally.

So what do I think when I hear about people seeing the Virgin Mary or Jesus on a piece of toast or a tortilla or a crack in the sidewalk? All right. I'll admit it - I find it weird and silly, and my first thought is PUH-lease.

But then, I also find it strangely touching. Just when I think the world is all too full of cynicism and apathy, here are these people who want to believe in something so badly that they flock to the underside of an overpass, see a miracle in a water stain, and pray. In a way, it's sort of comforting.