Articles written by Amanda Demers - Page 2

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About me - Amanda Demers

Here I am! I've lived in Texas for 8 years but am a native New Englander (of mainly Irish/Scottish extraction). I'm the co-owner of an online retail business, part-time merchandiser, and serve as a lay Eucharistic minister in my Episcopal parish.
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Food & Drink > Fast Food Do you prefer fast food or home cooking?: 32 of 124
Fast food has its uses, but home-cooked meals are the best, for me. In the long run, it's easier and less expensive to eat at home most of the time than to live on take-out food. Fast food can be helpful if you have a job where lunch breaks are short, the boss is a stickler, and you don't have time to put a lunch together be... More..
Entertainment > Movie Analysis Movie analysis: Why movies like "Passion" and "Da Vinci Code" get people riled up: 12 of 42
Religious-themed movies (or at least some of them) tend to get people riled up because they concern one of those "don't touch!" topics. Religion and politics have a tendency to hit peoples' sore spots like nothing else can. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a person of faith or an atheist/agnostic/secular humanist,... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Catholicism Baptism: Types and elements: 2 of 7
Baptism is, sadly, one of the most divisive issues in the Church when it should unite us. Although baptism is what joins all of us to the Church as a whole, many see it as simply a requirement for joining a denomination or local congregation. What makes a valid baptism? Water (from a purely scriptural standpoint, the amount ... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Easter Should we celebrate Easter: 2 of 7
Easter should be celebrated by all means if we know what it is we're really supposed to be celebrating. For over a billion people, the festival known as Easter celebrates the event that brought us life and salvation: the resurrection of Jesus. Many Christians would place this holiday above Christmas in importance. Like Chris... More..
Sciences > Atmosphere & Weather Which are deadlier: Hurricanes or tornadoes?: 7 of 24
I grew up in New England, about 30 miles from the Atlantic coast. In my time, I've weathered a few hurricanes (including ones that could have spawned tornadic activity), as well as T.S. Allison while living in Houston. For the larger part of the last eight years, I've lived in Texas' Permian Basin, which is quite a hotbed fo... More..
Entertainment > Movies (Other) Harry Potter: Should parents allow their kids to watch it: 10 of 34
I believe the answer to this is best answered by the age of the kids involved and their emotional maturity level. Some younger kids aren't the least bit bothered by what goes on in a PG-13 movie, others are frightened easily. It's probably best for parents to view movies first before allowing their children to see them. That... More..
Society & Lifestyle > Social Values & Norms The sensitive nation: Being offended is every American's right: 3 of 10
It seems as though people, especially here in the states, get offended more and more easily. While there are things said and done that are genuinely offensive, many people use being offended as a handy weapon to squelch anyone who dares disagree with them. While the term "politically correct" is most often used by conservati... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Doctrine & Issues Do the Ten Commandments matter?: 9 of 26
Do we really keep the Ten Commandments today? This is a worthy question. 1. "You shall have no other gods but Me" This is not limited to worshipping the gods of other faiths. Do we place other things in our lives before our duties to God, such as money, work, politics, etc.? Do we obey and trust God, or our own emotions, mor... More..
Relationships & Family > Gay & Lesbian Issues Should gays and lesbians be allowed civil unions but not marriage?: 11 of 29
Yes, I believe that gays and lesbians should be allowed civil unions. This would allow for same-sex couples (as well as opposite-sex couples who can't enter into legal marriage for whatever reason) to have most of the legal protections that married couples have. I believe that the laws of most states unjustly take rights awa... More..
Religion & Spirituality > New Age Concepts New age belief and Christianity: 11 of 26
Once again, the clash between Christianity and New Age teachings has become a subject of debate. It's probably due to the surge of interest generated by The Secret, The Celestine Prophecy movie, and the book and movie versions of the DaVinci Code. I'm speaking from a Christian perspective, but as one who has previously been ... More..