In my posts, I frequently mention a few people by name. I am a little tired of writing who they are in parentheses next to them, so if you are wondering who someone is, here is the list:

Family and Friends:

Steve: My fiance, and a quite wonderful one at that.

Julieanne: My two-year old daughter. Cute as a button and very much loved.

Bob: A pseudonym for my ex husband.

Beth: I think this is the pseudonym I made up for my ex husband’s new wife. At any rate, it will be her pseudonym from now on!

Nathan: My 20-year old brother and fellow atheist. We are the only two of our kind in our entire family–immediate and extended.

I frequently mention my parents and brothers as well, but I just refer to them as that.

If anyone else pops up, I will add them to the list.

Famous People and Their Ideas in Conservative World That I Mention:

James Dobson- founder and former President of Focus on the Family.

Bill Gothard- extremely right wing, Biblical literalist. Conducts seminars on how to live a godly life. He is a proponent of the quiverful movement, which encourages people to have as many children as they possibly can. Some people compare his organization to a cult, and with their quasi militia group,  Joel’s Army I tend to agree. (My parents actually visited the Alert Academy and loved it.)

Josh McDowell- former atheist and Christian apologist.

David Barton- His skewed historical research is almost single-handedly responsible for the “We are a Christian nation” dogma. His organization is WallBuilders. (Really?! I can hear it now, “Mr. Barton, tear down that wall!”)

Worldview Weekend- I attended several of these

Mind Games- I went to this camp once.

Ken Ham- Probably the biggest name in Creationism; founded the Creation Museum.

Church Speak:

Yesterday, for the first time, I learned not everyone grew up in church and knows what I’m talking about! Here is some of the meanings behind some of the Christian lingo I occasionally use.

to witness to someone- means to attempt to convert them.

ask Jesus into your heart- the process of conversion; usually a prayer

sin- the bad things we do

redemption- not receiving deserved punishment for sin

justified- God not condemning us; similar to a judge in a courtroom handing down a “Not Guilty” verdict.

If anyone has a better definition for any of these, let me know! I just made mine up based on my past experiences, so I am sure there are better ones.

If you are still confused about something, ask in the comments and I will add the term.