It sounds as if the whole "chosen" thing is straight from the bible. I don't have time or desire to research it at this moment, but if you run across any other possible origins for the idea, I'm interested. Your mom, as far as I can tell, takes her understanding from the bible and from her church which interprets it for her? As you can guess, I have no interest in hearing your mom out about it right now. Maybe sometime when I have nothing else to keep me busy. =-]