I know it's dangerous to talk about religion. But it's been on my mind lately. Part of the reason I haven't posted anything in a week is that I've been travelling, but part of the reason I was travelling is that it's Passover and I went down to my sister's. I love going down there and seeing the younger 2 of the 4 Fabulous Nephews (and this year we had a special pre-Seder guest appearance by yet a third of the 4FN, my mouthpiece; he went to a different Seder, and if you want to hear what he thought of his, click on the link above). But Passover is not my favorite holiday: too much blood and retribution. And in the middle, a completely unaccountable line about how "God hardened Pharoah's heart." Why? This has always bothered me. On the other hand, there's a part I do like. The Egyptians finally told the Israelites they could leave (Pharoah's heart got un-hardened) but then they changed their minds (re-hardened, I guess) and chased them to the Red Sea. The sea parted for the slaves to leave, then closed over the Egyptians chasing them. Then comes the part I like. The angels started to sing and rejoice because God had made a miracle that saved the Israelites, and God silenced them. He said, "I had to do that because the Egyptians weren't going to let the slaves leave. But the Egyptians are my creatures also. They're dying, and you rejoice?" The angels were ashamed of themselves.