"Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the universe exists, why we exist," Hawking writes.

There must be a way of promoting human values without involving religion, based on common sense, experience and recent scientific findings.

If you have a particular faith or religion, that is good. But you can survive without it.

 Today was my frist soccer practice for my second season. I like my team, and hopefully we will win a ...

This is a good, thought provoking article on the evolutionary purpose of religion as a means to control individual behavior for the benefit of a group.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129528196

21 Days At NMMI Is Over!!
 
Hey guys! Yesterday was the last day of RAT (Recruit At Training) week! I spent my day watching movies and ordered a Dominos pizza with my friends. I am having a great time... Studying, raquetball, working out, marching, marching, and more marching; that is what consisted of my 21 days at NMMI. I have a feeling it is going to be a tad bit easier from here on out. I received all my mail four days ago, and yes I have read them all. I appreciate how much you guys care for me. I was so happy when I went through them. I will be calling everyone in the next day or two to talk to them about how my time has been. I will also be sending pictures of whats going on here in NM to to dad and he will post them on here. See you guys later, hope to see and talk to you soon!

Joshua called me today around 2 pm and we had a great conversation.  I asked him if he is still happy that he went to NMMI and he said that is that he is happy there.  Just that one piece of information made me extremely proud especially considering that today marks the last day of his three week RAT training.  It sounds like he is taking the cadet life very seriously and because of that the higher ranking cadets haven't given him too hard of time.  Joshua said that he is studying hard, but was having trouble in his English class due to what he describes as an overzealous teacher who is assigning a massive amount of homework weekly.  Because of this Joshua took the initiative to get into another English class.....  Sounds like a smart move.  He says that he has been playing a lot of racquetball, basketball and has been working out with weights, but dropped football because it was not holding his interest and was consuming all of his time.  I definitely support this move since his main focus needs to be on his grades.  Joshua will be calling us back tonight so we'll be able to talk more.  He had to hangup because he had to go to his next class..... Awesome.....  Thanks to everyone that has sent him letters and spending money... Tomorrow he will be set loose on the town of Roswell as a reward for successfully completing RAT week without running back home.

Angie and I are going to Roswell to see Joshua next weekend just to check in and let him know that we have not forgotten him......

I packaged and shipped Joshua's phone, iPod touch, headphones, and associated chargers to him today.  The package is guaranteed to arrived by 5 pm (that's 1700 to him) this Friday, August 27.  That will be Day 22, so  I hope he calls and texts all of us as soon as possible!    

Classes started for him on August 17.  We still don't know what his schedule is like or what classes he's taking.  I have so many questions!