The Rant

Joseph Campbell suggests that people get into trouble when they take symbols that are meant to be understood as metaphers literally.  They confuse the literal denotation of a symbol (like the Eucharist) for its possible metaphorical meanings.    Christmas might be understood as the birth of divine in a human heart that transcends a mere physical understanding of life. Or it can be understand as an alleged literal birthing a god man two thousand years ago, with doubtful meaning or application to people of today. 

Perhaps because it is well know that the people of Berkely are known to worship the California Bears football team, except when it falls apart mid-season. 

Bob: Can you think of any reason a judge in Sudan would hold that a Teddy Bear was a western religious icon?