I'm Spiritual, Dammit

Wednesdays with Weigel launches March 24th

2010-03-20T13:48:59Z

When I spoke at the Wilmette Theater in January with medium Therese Rowley, we had a sold out crowd. So now, I'm blessed to be asked back every month.

My first guest- Richard Roeper. (Some may not think of the columnist, author, and movie reviewer as "spiritual" but he did give me a great quote for my first book!) The topic of discussion? Everything from soup to nuts-- from being a guest on The Tonight Show, to scenes on the red carpet- to insights about his friendships with Roger Ebert.

So if you aren't busy Wednesday night- come on over to the Wilmette Theater. We'll be signing books, taking questions from the audience, and having some cocktails...

What more could you want on a weeknight, dammit?

Hey Starbucks- get your drive-thru in gear!

2010-03-18T14:24:33Z

Can you imagine a life without using a drive-thru? From dinner on the go- to coffee before work, most of us take advantage of this service without thinking twice. But the hard of hearing or others with communication problems usually skip it. Why? They are often harassed, just for pulling up to the "pay" window to place an order.

The current laws only require that drive-thru's post a sign that says people with disabilities will be helped if they pull forward. Problem is- once they drive up - the person at the window usually yells at them for skipping a step.

"What are you doing??!! You didn't answer me when I tried to take your order!!"

Can you imagine being deaf- and having some pimply faced kid give you attitude when all you're trying to do is get a hamburger? What if you had an infant sleeping in the back seat of the car? They'd get jostled awake by screams from an irrational teenager bitter about his day job. All because their Mommy tried to get her family dinner without having to park, and bring everyone inside.

So what do we do about it? I was talking to my friend Pat Hughes the other day- he's the President of Inclusion Solutions- which is on a mission: To make sure that nobody with disabilities faces discrimination. He's developed a system called "order assist" that will allow those inside the restaurant to know when someone needs assistance at the drive-thru. It's a buzzer that is placed where you take your order. So simple- yet only one chain is using them: Culver's.

So listen up Starbucks and McDonald's- you would make even MORE money if you put this little buzzer at your window...Right now- the only people that do it outside of Culver's are restaurants that have been sued. (I think it's a pretty sad state of affairs that a business will only try to assist the deaf when it's part of a lawsuit.)

We can all do our part. Watch and pass on this video. Let's get some awareness out there....and get our drive thru's up to par, dammit!

Give up control- and "allow"...

2010-03-15T14:52:50Z

I was talking to a friend yesterday who was having a rough day- computer troubles- work concerns- kid birthday parties stress.... basic life stuff. I too was worried about things. Mainly trying to get my son up for school. We haven't been able to get him ready for school lately without having to issue several "time-outs". (Some people talk about "the terrible two's- but for us, it's been "the terrible three's"!) And with the time change- I was sure he would be tired and confrontational.

As I plopped in to bed, I looked up at the ceiling before grabbing one of my 20 woo-woo books from my night stand and said, "What do I need to hear?"

I closed my eyes, reached for the pile and found myself holding a book called "Oneness". My literary agent Bill Gladstone gave it to me a couple of years ago and said, "this book will blow your mind." (He represents Eckhart Tolle, author of "The Power of Now " and "A New Earth" which is one of the highest selling books of all time....so he knows a "mind blower" when he reads it..)

I opened to a random page and a passage jumped out at me:

"Your very life is a testimony to change. And as you become consciously aware that the only thing that can be counted on is the realization that nothing can be counted on, you will shift from a mind-set of expectation, to one of allowance. You cannot control anything, now. You are in fact totally out of control..."

So I took several deep breaths, and started talking to myself.

"Thank you in advance for Britt being a little dream tomorrow when he wakes up. Thank you for the abundance that is coming. Thank you for everything falling into place. Thank you for helping me let go of the outcome. Thank you for helping me trust that I am where I'm supposed to be in every moment. Thank you!"

When I woke up this morning, I reluctantly stepped into my son's room.

"What time is it?" He asked.

"Time to go to school," I said.

"Awwwww," he groaned.

I quickly grabbed his Cookie Monster stuffed animal and started to wing it..

"Let's go eat breakfast," I said in my best Cookie voice. (which totally hurts the vocal chords when you're out of practice, by the way.)

"Okay!" He said. "Are you my friend?" He asked Cookie as he got dressed. "Of course," I said as Cookie.

This is the first morning in weeks we didn't have a battle. And I owe it all to a little blue monster.

And letting go....

God loves sinners- even Tiger Woods

2010-03-12T15:10:13Z

A comment from a reader-

Dear Jen,

i agree that only God has the right to judge a woman who is an exotic
dancer. And He loves her just as He loves me or you. However, the fact
still stands that she is causing other people-her brothers in Christ-to
sin. When the 10 Commandments say not to commit adultery, He also means
lust (Matthew 5:28). Disobeying one of the 10 Commandments is sinning.
Is it better to cause one of your brothers to sin than to commit a sin
yourself? I believe it's worse to knowingly cause someone else to
stumble.

Brittany

Dear Brittany-

Here' the thing that you need to wrap your head around.... Nobody CAUSES someone else to do anything. We all have free will. Just because some chick is shaking her booty in front of you, does not mean you have to reach out and sample the merchandise. You have a choice in life. To blame others for your actions is not only lazy, it's irresponsible.

I recently was out with a friend who told me that a man "made" her feel so guilty. He was crabby and anxious and wanted her to hurry. So his attitude ruined her afternoon.

"He was such a jerk. He made me feel awful," she said.

"Did you do anything to this man?" I asked.

"No" she said.

"You didn't say anything mean or harm him in any way?" I asked.

"I'd never met him before in my life," she said.

"Then you CHOSE to feel guilty. He was just being a jerk and you decided to let it make you feel bad. Don't take it on. You have a choice. Choose to do what is best for you..."

So back to your comments in regards to my blog about the exotic dancer. I get that you are a big Christ fan. So am I. But you are like those other Christians who sit back and cross your arms wagging your finger judging the world. Stop it. That doesn't help. Nobody can "cause someone else to stumble." Only we can choose our actions. Tiger wasn't forced to sleep with 13 different women he didn't marry. He chose to do so. (Again and again and again...)

Blaming the dancer is the lazy way out of taking responsibility for your choices. We see this all the time with the religious crowd. 'The Devil made me do it,' or 'I was forced into a life of sin..' Don't drag the Devil into this. He didn't do anything here either. (I've already written about how there is no hell- and that the Devil was just another image conjured up by the Catholic church to get everyone to go to mass.. Nothing like a large dose of fear and guilt to get you out of the house..)

So don't blame someone's indiscretions on the ladies with nice tits and let's try to love our "brothers"- faults and all, shall we?

And have a great day, dammit!

Jen

Addicted to psychics? Get a grip!

2010-03-04T21:52:24Z

A letter from a reader...

Dear Jen:

I am wondering if you can recommend some psychics for me? I have been using them for years, and I haven't had much luck with my "usual suspects", as they say. Could you tell me- out of all the people you've interviewed- who is worth calling or visiting? I am really looking for some advice in my career and love life.

Thanks-

Lost in Westmont

Dear Lost in Westmont-

I really can't stand people like you. Maybe because you remind me of me 10 years ago. If you are depending on a psychic to dictate your every move, you need a shrink and not a psychic.

Yes this may sound like a contradiction because I interviewed several intuitives and mediums. I was depressed when my Dad died 10 years ago and wanted to talk to him- so I went on a quest and wrote about it. (We all grieve differently, right?)

What I can tell you is this; even the psychics don't want to hear from you every week. They really don't. I remember one psychic telling me about some clients who'd become obsessed with her counsel. "It can do more harm than good if you need to call a psychic for everything. I love to help people, but some people forget to think for themselves," she said. "It's kind of sad."

Kind of???!!

Here's the thing- we all have intuition. Every single one of us. The only way it gets stronger is to use it more often- it's like building a muscle. If you have someone else doing your intuitive thinking for you, you're not only lazy, your stupid. (Stupid because that's money you could spend on other things.) It's like going to the gym and asking the hot trainer to lift all the weights for you. (This is way more fun to watch of course, but again- you're not going to get any stronger by having them do all the reps, people...)

I'm saying this because I lived it. When I was in my grief period over my Dad's passing- I interviewed a ton of psychics. Some told me things that did actually happen. Many of them did not. I met a couple of mediums that knew things I can't explain. Others were total misfires. (If you're curious, read my book- cuz I'm not going into it here....)

What I also know now after living through this journey is that if I just get quiet and listen inside, I will be given the answer I'm seeking. Whether it's through an instinct, or a call from a friend- somehow clarity always shows up. You have to open your mind to the possibility that the answer is inside you. Not in an 800 number.

So now back to your question. I do think there are some genuine people out there with a skill that I can't explain- (and I'm a JOURNALIST who was a skeptic to begin with, okay?) Those that I feel are worth your time would be Denise Guzzardo out of Rockford, Martie Hughes from Lilydale, and Therese Rowley from Chicago. All of them I interviewed for my first book. None of them work for psychic hotlines. They are all unique, genuinely good people- and they are NOT out to rip you off.

But even they will tell you that the answers you're looking for lie within you. If you DO call them- do it because you are curious, and not because you can't leave the house without it.

So take a deep breath, and go for a walk. You just might get some answers. (If anything, you'll get some fresh air.)

And if I find out that you start calling these people once a week in hopes that they solve all of your problems, I'm going to come after you and slap you silly, dammit!

Jen

Can clearing energy help sell a house?

2010-02-22T14:44:26Z

A letter from a reader-

Dear Jen-

I have had my house on the market for two years, and despite dropping the price WAY below it's worth, removing all clutter, re-painting the rooms per my realtor's request, and changing realtors several times, we are still unable to sell. One of my friends suggested I contact a medium to "clear the energy" of my house, but I don't even know what that means. I know you have interviewed a lot of mediums and psychics. Do you have any recommendations?

Sincerely-

Desperate on the Northshore

Dear Desperate on the Northsore,

I do believe that homes take on the energy of their owners. Ever go over to a total crab- asses house, and you just want to leave immediately? Or how about arriving at a dinner party and you can sense the hosts just had a fight? Often, a buyer will pick up on lingering energy in a house the moment they walk through the front door.

One of the mediums I interviewed in my first book said homes won't sell because sometimes the owners are tied to a period in their life when their career was going well, or when their marriage thrived. Now they are out of work, or getting divorced, and letting go of that home would mean letting go of all those positive memories. They are in denial that things have changed, and subconsciously, they are sabotaging the sale of their own house. They also might be so mad that they are getting divorced or that they lost their job, that they don't want anyone else to take what they feel is theirs. Their anger or resentment, the mediums say, is blocking the sale.

Then of course there are homes with actual ghosts. One businessman had a house where the spirits were literally throwing glasses across the room. He didn't believe in ANY of this woo-woo stuff- yet he still called a medium who claimed she talked those spirits "into the light". His house sold in 2 weeks.

"I don't know what she did- but the hauntings stopped," he said. "That's all that matters.."

When I bought my house- it was a foreclosure that had been abandoned for 6 months. You could feel the whole place was just filled with sadness. I called a woman I know who cleared spaces- and she came over with her kit. It was pretty harmless- some sea salt, sage, and white candles. She spent several hours walking through the rooms doing her thing.

The only real down side was our house smelled like sage for about 3 days- (which is incredibly similar to pot, fyi- so if you have an aversion to weed, don't do this...) But I did feel like the home was less depressed- as strange as this may sound.

So if you've already spent tons of money on painting, planting statues of saints in your yard, and God knows what else, I say give an energy clearer a try. What do you have to lose? (Other than that second mortgage payment that's weighing you down??)

And let me know what happens so I can tell the other readers.

Best-

Jen

If you THINK about getting some- you just might!

2010-02-12T22:13:03Z

Did you know that just THINKING about someone you really dig can actually cause them to have a physical reaction? This isn't my "woo-woo" stuff talking either, there's actual research behind it.

At the Institute of Noetic Sciences, a study was done on 36 couples. Some had been married for decades, and others for just months. One person from each couple was isolated in a separate room with no ability to see or talk to their partner. Those in isolation were then hooked up to various monitors- measuring everything from brain scans to sweat glands. (They only measured the unconscious nervous system, which one does not control.)

The other partner was then taken to a room and asked to think "up close and personal" thoughts in ten second bursts for thirty minutes. The goal was to see if the "receiver" would have a reaction when the "sender" thought those loving feelings.

Results showed that within 2 seconds of the "sender" going into lust mode, the "receiver" had a noticeable reaction. From an increase of blood flow, to major brain wave activity, every single one of them responded. Chances of this happening were 135,000 to 1,

I read about this in the book Fingerprints of God- The Search for the Science of Spirituality. It was written by a reporter for National Public Radio named Barbara Bradley Hagerty. I've always believed our thoughts have power- but this shows they can have a physical reaction on someone else. (And the "hubba-hubba" kind, too!)

So this Valentine's Day, pull a Jedi mind trick on your honey and get that blood pumping.

It might even help you get lucky, dammit!

Jesus likes dancing

2010-02-10T14:03:21Z

My last post about God loving everyone, even exotic dancers- generated this response from someone with the name "Heisthelight"...

Jesus told the prostitute "Go and sin no more". He does love all people. The guilty feelings are the conviction upon one's heart by the Holy Spirit when they sin. Those who think this lifestyle is OK according to God are completely wrong. Sin and Jesus can not live side by side in a persons heart. Deliberate repeated sin means you need to get right with the Lord.

Dear- "Heisthelight"-

Where does it say in the Bible that dancing is a sin? Didn't you see "Footloose" with Kevin Bacon? If you did, you might remember where he goes to the town hall meeting, Bible in hand, and throws out quotes such as- "And they danced.."

See- you are judging this woman because she is an exotic dancer. If you read my full post, she says she doesn't drink, do drugs, sleep around- all the things you super religious folks find to be "sins". God blessed her with a cute fanny and some nice boobs, so she is using that to put food on her table, not to sin.

And here's another thing to remember- and please pass this on to your other Bible loving friends: That book you hold and read- well, it wasn't written down- or actually chiseled onto templates- until at least 80 years after Jesus died. (Some scholars say 100 actually..) If you really think that every single phrase and word that we read today was an exact quote from Jesus himself, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you. I have no doubts that Jesus was an amazing dude, but you see how stories get translated in today's news- CNN and Fox can report the same event- with two very different versions. (Imagine how things worked before email?!)

A Roman Catholic Priest told me- "God does not judge. Only man judges. Those parts of the Bible were added later to put fear into man so they wouldn't stop going to church."

So- considering you are a big Jesus fan- how about spreading the love to others rather than pointing fingers? Just for a day, try not to "frown down" at people who are different than you. Remove "I'm right and they are wrong" from your head. This is tough- because I tried it for a month, and barely lasted a day... But when it DID actually stick, I found it to be quite free-ing.

And do yourself a favor and go dancing this weekend. With or without a stripper pole- you just might enjoy yourself. And that's not a sin, dammit!

God loves you- even if you're a stripper

2010-02-04T22:33:02Z

An email to share from a reader...

"Dear Jen-

I wanted to ask you a question about judgment. I was raised Catholic, and feel guilty about everything. I am a single mom and because of this tough economy, I have had to resort to getting a second job dancing for a strip club. Does that mean I'm going to hell?

...I never expected to be a dancer. The father of my son left me and my family doesn't talk to me because I got pregnant before I was married. I was blessed with a nice figure, and someone suggested I dance because the money is good.

Now I put food on the table, but every single day- I feel like God is frowning on my choices. I don't drink. I don't do drugs. I don't sleep around. Yet because I happen to walk around in a g-string for a paycheck, I am worried I'll burn in hell.

I know you interviewed a lot of guru's- and to be honest- I don't have the energy to read when I get home. It's kind of amazing that I even read YOUR book, but it didn't feel like a book- because I laughed a lot. Anyways, thanks for taking the time to answer this if you can. I really appreciate it.

Signed-

'Dancing in the burbs'

Dear 'Dancing in the burbs',

I am sorry you have such guilt for your choices. I know after several interviews with not only gurus but Catholic priests, that man judges a lot more than God. You sound like a dedicated mom with some annoying family members who are lost in a system of punishment and repetition. Wouldn't it be amazing If they took a minute to feel your love, rather than point a finger from the front pew of church? I believe we all do the best we can in every moment. And that God loves you....even if you're dangling from a stripper pole.

Keep in touch!

Jen

Positive attitude a good reminder during winter blues

2010-01-26T14:43:53Z

It's January in Chicago. Ick. It's cold, and snowing and most of us have broken our resolutions. Lots of people get depressed, or feel down. So what could possibly motivate us to feel better? How about choosing to be happy?

I was at the gym yesterday, and the list of "to-do's" started rolling through my mind. The more I thought about this list, the worse I started to feel.

This day sucks.

I looked up and saw the woman who was cleaning the bathrooms. I immediately started feeling sorry for her, like she needed my pity or something.

At least I'm not cleaning toilets.

Before I knew it, another lady came up to the woman who was cleaning and started talking to her.

"How are you today?" She asked the cleaning lady who was now scrubbing the shower floor.

She put down her scrub brush, smiled and said, "I'm glorious."

Glorious? Who says 'glorious'?

The thing is, she really meant it too. Her answer was not only surprising, it was a great reality check. We think we have problems with our spouses, or our kids, or our bills- and here is a woman who is cleaning up crap and hair balls for a living and she's "glorious".

So as you go through your day, think of that woman in the gym bathroom. We might have 20 degree temperatures outside, but things can always be worse. And we can also choose to make ourselves smile with the right perspective, dammit!

"Avatar" is spiritual, dammit!

2010-01-20T00:56:51Z

We've all heard the debate- people with too much spare time are trying to find faults with the theme of Avatar. So I had to check it out for myself and see what all the hype was about.

First off- it's basically a re-make of "Dances with Wolves"- only the Indians have been replaced by blue, monkey-ish creatures. The lead guy starts off loving his country and his cause, then finds himself liking the people he's supposed to betray. So just know this going in- the plot line has been done.

Personally, I thought the movie was about 30 minutes too long. In a typical "James Cameron" way- the bad guy won't die and his demise is drawn out in a ridiculous battle of chaotic proportions. But make no bones about it- Avatar is a beautiful spectacle. I saw it in 3-D and literally felt like I was flying a few times. The "take-away" for me was that we should respect all life, live off the land, and believe everything is connected. Very "woo-woo". Hardly "anti-Bush".

So why is Fox news having round table debates about this movie being so unpatriotic? Did they do this when Rambo came out? I mean, Sylvester Stallone tried to KILL everyone in his path. He was a military guy who turns on his own. Where's the outrage? Start the picket lines, Hannity! (Oh yeah- we didn't have Fox News when that flick hit theaters...)

There's even a line in Avatar when "Alien" Jake is praying to a big glowing tree for victory in an upcoming battle with the humans, and his blue girlfriend comes up and says something like, "The Great Mother does not choose sides. Only the balance of life." The way the media portrays these creatures, I was expecting something along the lines of, "Let's kill those dumb human bastards and wipe our asses with their carcass..." Not the case.

There is one tragedy in all of this, however. James Cameron really needs to cut his hair. Has he gotten so "woo-woo" that he thinks that shaggy grey mop looks hip? It doesn't James. If anything, if gives those media folks more ammo to say you are trying to cause trouble. So do us all a favor and head to the barber, okay?

And everyone else- go see Avatar on the big screen- in 3D if you can. Even though it's too long, and somewhat predictable- it's a major accomplishment. And it's made a billion dollars or something- so all those dollars signs can't be wrong, can they?

Dear Abby meets "I'm Spiritual Dammit.."

2010-01-14T05:58:05Z

I got a note tonight on facebook from a reader who wanted to know "Where can a good girl find a guy who won't take her for granted?" I've never been asked about relationships advice- but I do know from interviewing lots of spiritual guru's that when you're LOOKING for love- something is missing inside.

Just like those who eat too many sweets, drink too much, or do drugs- the NEED for a relationship is just filling a void. So the question becomes- "why can't YOU just be enough...?"

Believe me- this is tough to address. When I was in high school- I was very needy. I thought that having a boyfriend would complete me. My parent's were divorced and had re-married and I thought boys could help me escape.

But since I've grown up, gotten married, had a child, and buried three close loved ones, I have switched my priorities. If you are sitting in the New Year wanting a man- than you are missing some sort of spiritual fulfillment. The bottom line, according to ALL the guru's I have interviewed over the years- YOU ARE ENOUGH. No guy- no job- no kid- no work title- NOTHING will make you feel whole until you feel whole just being you.

So remember this as you doze off to sleep tonight. You only need you. Your kids, your spouse, your grandma- they will all survive without you and you without them. And all will be well in the world...

Positive Energy even works at O'Hare

2010-01-08T14:54:35Z

So yesterday- the storm hit. And of course, I was supposed to fly out of O'Hare as the snow started to fall.

"You should cancel your trip," my mother warned. "You'll be stuck there all day."

"No I won't," I said. "I've been thanking the Universe in advance for a perfect travel day since Wednesday."

Thanking the Universe is one of my little "woo-woo" tricks. If you feel and think that you already have everything that you need- the Universe will deliver. It's like the power of positive thinking. I started doing this with parking spaces about 7 years ago after I first read Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch. He says that if you say you want or need then you will create more want and need. But if you thank the Universe in advance, you will get better results.

"Thank you in advance for the parking space right where I need it," I would say.

After hundreds of rock star parking spaces in a row, I started expanding my thankfulness. Everything from employment to dinner parties going off without a hitch. And it was actually working.

So when the news started getting everyone in a panic about the storm of the century this week, I started talking to the sky.

"Thank you in advance Universe for a travel day of ease. Thank you for getting me to Boston without any issues so I can make my meetings," I said.

Thursday morning arrived and I turned on the news.

"Traffic is at a standstill," Susan Carlson said. "We're experiencing higher than normal travel times."

Thank you in advance for the traffic being okay for me today.

I got in the car, and started to drive. Coming from the north, I was amazed that there was no traffic on the Tri-State. I arrived without any issues or major delays.

Next step: Security. I looked around. Several news crews were on the scene. But there wasn't that much of a crowd at all. Maybe later it would develop, but at 9am on Thursday morning, everything was great.

Thank you in advance for my flight taking off.

I looked at the screen to check on my flight. The two flights before mine were cancelled. "ON TIME," read the status for mine.

I get to the gate.

"We're about to board," the woman said at the podium.

I looked down at my blackberry before getting on the plane.

"You will never make it out today," one text said. "Have fun sleeping at the airport," said another.

Thank you in advance for my flight taking off without any issues.

Despite a little de-icing on the runway, my plane took off without any problems. I arrived in Boston with plenty of time to make my meeting. All was good in the world.

"I can't believe you made it out," my one friend gasped. "That is WILD."

Not wild. Just positive thinking, dammit!

Three words for Brit Hume: Shut your yap!

2010-01-06T18:39:51Z

Incase you missed it- the Fox News analyst Brit Hume has put his uptight nose where it doesn't belong. This time- he's telling Tiger Woods to embrace Christianity.

Oh Jesus!!!

When talking about Tiger's Buddhist faith, Brit said, "I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith- and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world."

Ok- this is where I need to unload. Mr. Hume- you OBVIOUSLY have no knowledge of the Buddhist faith at all- so it's best to shut up when you are completely ignorant about a subject.

But since you and your staff at Fox didn't bother to do any actual journalistic research before you opened your mouth, I will enlighten you. The way of the Buddhist is to STAY PRESENT AND BE LOVE. That's it. No judgments, no reactions, just BE LOVE. To quote the Buddha Dharma Education Association website, a Buddhist's philosophy is to 1. Lead a moral life. 2. Be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and 3. Develop wisdom and understanding.

So tell me this Brit- how does that not help Tiger? How is Jesus a better fit? But even more importantly- why is it ANY OF YOUR BUSINESS??!!

So- as you can tell, my "no judgment" challenge is now over and I can go back to making fun of people who say stupid things.

And God help Brit when he learns that the prophet Muhammad was actually a very peaceful guy too. So much so that there's an entire book written about the similarities between Muhammad and Jesus. Here's one of Muhammad's quotes: "All human creatures are God's children, and those dearest to God are the ones who treat His children kindly."

Sounds a lot like Christ or Buddha to me. But we won't be hearing that on Fox News, dammit!

Jesus drove a Cadillac!

2009-12-29T21:20:41Z

What if Jesus was a rich dude? Seriously, I'm not just throwing out a hypothetical scenario to upset the Christian community, there are a slew of folks who think this is actually the case. Thanks to a recent story from CNN, one pastor says there are enough clues in the bible to prove it.

According to Reverend C. Thomas Anderson, who is the senior pastor of the Living World Bible Church in Mesa Arizona, Jesus had to be well off to be given such gifts as gold, frankincense and myrrh.

"Mary and Joseph took a Cadillac to get to Bethlehem because the finest transportation in their day was a donkey," Anderson said. "Poor people ate their donkey. Only the wealthy used it as transportation."

I'm not a big bible reader, but wasn't Jesus all about feeding and healing the poor? Was he only doing this because he was so rich he just wanted to give back? (Kinda like Bill Gates when he donates a million bucks before the year ends so he can get a tax break?)

The Reverend also says that in the Bible, the Roman soldiers gambled for Jesus' underwear at the crucifixion.

"I don't know anybody-- even Pamela Anderson-- that would have people gambling for his underwear," Anderson says in the article. "That was some fine stuff he wore."

I know I'm trying not to judge in December, but I have to disagree with this Reverend Anderson on this point- I mean, Pamela Anderson's underwear would TOTALLY be a hot commodity.

And if we'd had the internet when Jesus was around- his undergarments would have been sold on e-bay.

Along with his fancy donkey, dammit!