Meredith, isn't it amazing how others like to meddle in our attempts to reconcile where we're at and what we think? As if that reconciling isn't challenging enough all on its own! I'm really sorry (but not surprised) that has been your experience with the church. You're absolutely right, though, about this model we're talking about being very much like our experience as children: "A little bit at a time, we learn more about ourselves and our faith." That just feels so right, to me.

Elaine, you mention the close-mindedness of many Christians, which is a really significant part of this problem. And I think that close-mindedness is rooted in fear, as it so often is. Maybe we need to face our fears together. Maybe we need to sit down and ask "What exactly are we so afraid of? What's the worst that could happen?" As a cancer survivor, you know the importance of that exercise better than most people. And isn't the result of facing our fears, even in theory if not reality, an enormous sense of freedom?

Rebecca, I always love getting your wise, in-touch Gen-Y input and perspective. It helps me take the things I'm thinking about now, in relation to me, and spin them out a decade or two into the future, for the generations a step behind me. Fascinating to think about, indeed.

Matt, thanks so much for reading, and for letting me know what you think. I love that through blogs and a variety of other interactions, we can all help provide some fresh air and ideas for one another.