Immaculate

[uncronopio]

immaculate |iˈmakyəlit| adjective (esp. of a person or their clothes) perfectly clean, neat, or tidy : an immaculate white suit.
* free from flaws or mistakes; perfect : an immaculate safety record.
* Theology (in the Roman Catholic Church) free from sin.
* Botany & Zoology uniformly colored without spots or other marks.

ORIGIN late Middle English (in the sense [free from moral stain] ): from Latin immaculatus, from in- ‘not’ + maculatus ‘stained’ (from macula ‘spot’ ).

When I think of this word, the first thing that comes to mind is immaculate conception (well, twelve years of Catholic schooling). Then I think of strange religious beliefs, and of religious tolerance. And now, of Julia Sweeney's 'Letting Go of God' presentation at TEDTalks.

If you have some time, please have a look at Sir Ken Robinson's talk (great example of a naked presentation) or -- for that matter -- most presentations from June 27, 2006.

[Perry]

Very good presentations. Thanks for the links.