42 Years, 42 Things

Well, I believe in the soul, the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days. - Crash Davis, Bull Durham

Here's what I believe:

1. I believe all religions essentially worship the same God, only in different manners
2. I believe eating chocolate makes you feel better
3. I believe having pets adds to a family
4. I believe holding a newborn is life affirming
5. I believe human beings are capable of great things
6. I believe there is life on other planets
7. I believe in dancing in the kitchen
8. I believe in education
9. I believe in girlfriends who share the unvarnished truth
10. I believe in good manners
11. I believe in hard work getting you to where you want to be
12. I believe in having a life plan
13. I believe in healthy past times
14. I believe in Kevin Bacon
15. I believe in making popcorn and watching The Wizard of Oz
16. I believe in mother's intuition
17. I believe in multiple orgasms
18. I believe in safe sex
19. I believe in separation of church and state
20. I believe in singing loudly in the car
21. I believe in tea in the morning and wine in the evening
22. I believe in using proper grammar and spelling at all times
23. I believe it really pisses God off when wars are waged in His name
24. I believe it's a choice to grow closer or to grow apart
25. I believe mental illness is a physical illness
26. I believe not all babies are beautiful
27. I believe people in the public eye have a responsibility to behave better
28. I believe political correctness has gotten way out of hand
29. I believe professional athletes are paid way too much
30. I believe reality TV is the lowest common denominator
31. I believe Rome is burning and we need to find the fire extinguisher
32. I believe sometimes people need a leg up, not a free hand
33. I believe -strongly - in personal responsibility
34. I believe that consenting adults have the right to marry whomever they choose
35. I believe that the equality of women and men is a basic human right, regardless of religion
36. I believe the Earth is warming
37. I believe humans are largely but not entirely responsible for it
38. I believe in respecting the position if not the person
39. I believe the Muslim woman who rang me up at Target is just trying to make a living, like everyone else
40. I believe the sound of my sons' laughter heals my heart
41. I believe we are largely a nation of hypochondriacs
42. I believe that in the end, we all do what's best for ourselves 

What do you believe?