Regarding my "convenient assumption," yes, I am assuming that a major part of the divine charge of the Levites to "teach Jacob Your ordinances, and Israel Your law" is learning. A lot. Have you ever experienced what it is to follow the rigorous system of reaching a Halachic conclusion? It takes a tremendous amount of learning. If there is any regard for the legitimacy, and, frankly, the divinity of the Torah, your statement of "the religious hold the secular in bondage" seems out of order. Again, if you deny such legitimacy, then we are a missing a very much needed shared perspective in this conversation.

Yosef, no one has to bow down to you because of your studies. Every human being excels in learning in some sphere. You are not better than anyone else becauseof what you know.

All the information I used to respond to Mea was aquired by using google. I can use google, do you see that as sufficient reason to bow down to me? All I came to this conversation with was a feeling of necessity to defend the "Ultra-Orthodox petrie dish" which was getting unjustifiably bashed.

The record needs to be set straight. You can't pick certain parts of the Torah that fit your emotional sensibilities and completely turn your back on issues that as deeply rooted in the very same Torah. (Not to mention bashing ppl who try to keep those issue in stable in society!) Not once did claim to be better than anyone, and just like any human, I have my faults. But nothing I have said makes me "full of it."

I just read back my comments, and realized they seemed a bit abrasive. For that, I apologize.