Birth control is more than just a religious issue, so say the VEGANS

Now this started to get me thinking. People have more reasons than religion for being against birth control methods. Those wacky vegans! You may not agree with them at all, but they have their reasons for the things that they do. They really love animals and don't believe in animal testing or animal products being injested or worn - and that includes condoms and birth control.

Since they are against animal testing, they aren't going to be into many of the birth control methods that others might accept. But did you know they have an issue with condoms?? Apparently, some condoms are made with a milk protein called casein. And vegans are against that.

It's interesting because it's one more chip in the debate about birth control and acceptable methods. Read more on on About.com Vegan condoms?

Thanks for reading! Please leave a comment! (Thanks also for lurking. I don't allow anonymous comments. SavvySingleChristian@yahoo.com)

Birth control debate rages on

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you know that there's been a debate about birth control being a part of healt care plans. And the Catholic church has a problem with providing birth control through heath care plans as do their hospitals. What is a real moral and ethical dilemma for Catholic Church leadership is not being protrayed with the care and concern.

There is a real question for some other kinds of organizations which are Catholic-run, such as hospitals which do not qualify as religious organizations.

I sent this letter to someone about it. I'm not sure he will get it. Tell me if you think it sounds logical:

Mom weighs in on men's table manners - "It's a man thing"

I told my mom about my concern that here is this otherwise great professional man I am going out with who eats like a pig. And then she said, "It's a man thing."
Huh? Oh? Just a man thing? Yes, it's just a man thing. "But I know some men who are really good abut this."

Oh no! He’s a slow bro! What’s a girl to do?

You’ve all seen them at church - those guys who no one can figure out why they are single. They have good jobs. They have social skills. They plan events. But they don’t date. At all.

How to avoid the "nice guy" trap

I've heard many complaints from so-called "nice guys." One alleged nice guy said he didn't start getting attention from women until he started acting like a jerk (Astro). Well, I dumped him because he was a jerk and I don't date jerks.    He still thinks he's a nice guy, but in truth he wasn't.

Just because a guy has been nice to the women who he has liked and haven't liked him back doesn't mean a guy is actually a nice guy. Just because a girl says a guys is really nice but she doesn't like him like that still doesn't mean he's actually a nice guy.  Some alleged nice guys sound sound bitter and angry - those aren't true "nice guy" qualities.

But if you really are a nice guy, this advice will help you avoid the "nice guy" traps...

Hey Boundless - stop defrauding us about dating

You knew it had to happen occasionally.  Boundless is so busy pushing their idea of "Biblical Dating" that they have taken a scripture out of context, changed its meaning, and used it to support their ideals whether it actually fits or not.

Marriage is not a group activity, why spending time alone is wise before you tie the knot

So-called "Biblical Dating" or "Courtship" models of premarital relationships are intended to maintain the sexual purity of a couple. If you aren't familiar with it, the general idea is:

The Art of Obvious Advertising

Since Americans seems obsessed with reality shows, the answer has become what else but MORE REALITY SHOWS!

Some of the more annoying entries for me have been "The Revolution" and Live Big with Allie Vincent.

Boundless - Take responsibilty for your dating life, the third option

As a thinking urbanite, I find quite a bit of Boundless's articles to be frustrating. And so it goes for Biblical Dating: An Introduction by Scott Croft.

The way the article is written makes it seem that there is nothing in between so-called "Biblical Dating" and "Modern Dating." Boundless tries to make it seem that focusing on courtship under the careful supervision of Mom, Dad, and pastoral staff is the only way to fly. There is alot of ground in between the two.

Bachelorette Shawntel Newton discusses faith, dating, and why grief is good

Shawntel Newton became my favorite bachelorette immediately. Her quirky career choice of being a funeral director and mortician meant that finding love with bachelor Brad might be a challenge. Lying on an enbalming table proved to be too much for Brad and Shawntel was eliminated at the rose ceremony. I suspected that they kept her around purely for casting reasons. That still has to be the most memorable hometown date ever seen on ABC's The Bachelor.

It was a delight to see her again making a bid to steal the heart of Bachelor Ben on Monday evening's The Bachelor. I certainly hope that Ben will be able to see how catty all of these women are and not pick any of them. They were horribly mean to Shawntel. If I had been on that show, I certainly would have welcomed her. I would have wanted to have her in the house with me to hang out with. The likelihood of people actually finding real, lasting love is very low anyway, why not share???

In this article on www.TheOliveTee.com, Shawntel dishes about her deep faith in Christ. I love hearing about how she feels that being a funeral director in the family business is a ministry. I'm certain you will agree that she is a beauty both inside and out.

I'm going to give you a very special spoiler. Shawntel moved on very well from Ben's rejection. She finished a book and found love! Plus, she is also the model for the Olivetee T-shirt line. Please have a read about this very special woman of God

Exclusive Interview with Shawntel Newton - Jesus and The Bachelor

Thanks for reading! Please leave a comment! (Thanks also for lurking. I don't allow anonymous comments. SavvySingleChristian@yahoo.com)

A boyfriend or girlfriend for the holidays

Some of you are, no doubt, still recovering from the holiday stress. Certainly more than a few of you found yourselves at the dinner table thinking, "Where is my significant other? When will I meet this person? When will those annoying questions stop????" You have been asking yourself these same questions, but when mom, grandma, uncles, aunts, and various other family members ask, "How about YOU??? Are you dating anyone yet?" *SHUDDER*

Well, I don't mean to stress you out any more than you already have been, but when you have been single for a significant period of time and you join your life with another person who has been single a significant period of time, it may not be as smooth as you think...

Relevant "You Never Marry the Right Person" by Timothy Keller

Finally, an article in Relevant that makes sense. Pastor Timothy Keller heads up a very large congregation of mostly single people in New York. Apparently, New Yorkers are the pickiest people in the world when it comes to dating. I was there for 2 years and had a succession of dates with some very picky people. But, in truth, there are picky people everywhere.

Atheist seeks recognition to organize?

I don't agree with someone being subjected to being ridiculed for their lack of faith. But I find it distressing that this young atheist responded "no" when asked if he felt his life has a lasting purpose.

Dear Atheists in Santa Monica...

Atheists in Santa Monica, CA decided to protest the use of public space for religious displays. Atheists entered the lottery for spaces and filled the spaces with NOTHING.

Do holiday displays get you all riled up? Honestly, I find the over-commercialization of the holiday to be quite irritating. I mean, people camp put for days to get ridiculous door-buster specials.

Here's the rub: the Constitution doesn't guarantee freedom from any mention of religion. The public pay taxes and the public sometimes happen to be Christians.

I really don't see how a few nativity scenes and a Hannukah display force you to practice religion or establish anything other than religion exists. And a few empty spaces won't stop me from practicing mine.

High stress mess

I don't know about you guys, but I have a hard time keeping things neat when I get stressed out. Right now I have piles of papers that I must organize, unfinished projects, and laundry on my bed. Yet, here I am, writing another note about it. I'm hoping that writing it down will help remind me to dig in to it. But then, maybe, sometimes it's ok to let the mess be for a bit and rest. Sometimes other things really are a priority. Hopefully you won't see me on Hoarders! I think over the holidays, I will try to get all of this crazy stuff done which has been waiting for me. I haven't watched Hoarders in awhile, maybe that will inspire me to get some things done...

Thanks for reading! Please leave a comment! (Thanks also for lurking. I don't allow anonymous comments. SavvySingleChristian@yahoo.com)

Do you wear the pants in the relationship?

Sometimes I think I have the most ridiculous friends. Thanks to Facebook, my friends have finally caught on to the fact that I have a real boyfriend. Well, for awhile there was something of a joke. At a recent Christmas party one of my friends asked,

Friend: So, tell me. Do you wear the pants in the relationship?
Savvy: Whaaaaaat? No.
Friend: Are you sure.
Savvy: OMG. Yes, I'm sure. What a weird question.
Friend: Well, it's just that you're really outspoken.
Savvy: So? My boyfriend likes that about me.
Friend: Yeah, but do tell him what to do, and stuff?
Savvy: This may come as a shock to you, but no.

I'm mystified by my reputation

Why women play with their hair

It's out there.  The recent investment bankers letter for a second date posted to Reddit even referred to the myth.  You've been told that a woman playing with her hair is a sign of flirting. It's happened to me. I was on a date with a man and I was playing with my hair.

He: I've heard that a woman playing with her hair is a sign of flirting.
Me: Umm. Oh. I've never heard that before.

Reaction? Immediately stopped playing with hair.

Note to self- do not play with hair on dates with men I haven't met.

Sometimes relationships can suck for stupid reasons

So, I have a boyfriend. At least it seems like i have a boyfriend some of the time. He went away for Thanksgiving and came back on Sunday. We have only talked on the phone for 7 minutes this week.

The Pickup Artists from Simple Pickups

Are they cool or are they cads? "I've always dreamt of helping people. We're less than average guys."

Well, they've done it all. They have dressed as Super Mario, the Tooth Fairy, and the Statue of Liberty and still scored numbers. They have picked up on girls as they sat in wheelchairs. For what? To show that anyone can pick up girls.

How does it work? check out this full article from ABC's Nightline. And this video.

Health Concerns - living life unsalted

Hey everyone,
I don't know how you feel about doctors, but lately my opinion has changed. Basically, I don't want to see a doctor unless I'm dying. I sincerely believe that we need less doctoring and more prevention.