tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.comments2020-01-13T01:33:56.879-08:00Never an Original ThoughtJameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09114333829118818988noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-43691109259912820182011-08-18T17:42:23.817-07:002011-08-18T17:42:23.817-07:00Last summer I read GEB. this summer I have read Th...Last summer I read GEB. this summer I have read The greatest show on earth, The Jesus mysteries and I'm currently reading Hawking's Grand Design.<br /><br />Hofstadter tries to write about systems and they work like universes. WHen you are in your universe you have to follow it's rules. A system cannot explain itself and if you let information outside leak into the system chaos. <br /><br />Dawkins focuses on evolution and I'd guess he doesn't look for the originas of the soul like Hofstadter. He is convinced there is no god and that if there was one it won't matter since she will not interfere with what he has started.<br /><br />Jesus Mysteries looks at the origins or Christianity. Most importantly Jesus is not his only name and he is not a historical figure but a a mere mythological god used for getting nonbelivers into the next pahse where the real meanings behind the stories gets unravelled. Great thinkers and early scientists were a part of these so you might find math and symbolics in the bible because of that. <br /><br />For the Grand Design I belive Hawking doesn't care about the origin of species nor if there is a god as long as they both don't mess with his quantum physics..<br /><br />So what if the science fiction film Matrix was true? According to Hofstadter we wouldn't know this and I belive all of the above books along with your blog would have looked the same (or different, but similar). <br /><br />Back to Dawkins I think he point out the fact that looknig for some things like why might not be useful for him since he things there might not be a why in the same sense there is no why to some thing I do out of boredom or interest that serves to deliberate purpose other than to my own amusement.Sylwesterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15431467552415356502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-73581957133451579332011-06-13T14:27:58.151-07:002011-06-13T14:27:58.151-07:00Love it! I've used your picture and linked to...Love it! I've used your picture and linked to your blog from mine. <br /><br />See http://www.commongroundgroup.net/2011/06/12/the-validity-of-religion-and-belief-in-the-age-of-science-11-evolution-direction-and-the-siren-call-of-theology/Stephen Fribergnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-73688593147701859802010-09-22T02:32:49.960-07:002010-09-22T02:32:49.960-07:00I disagree, the question what is the meaning of li...I disagree, the question what is the meaning of life has no answer. It is an interesting question to think about, but it is as pointless as "why are unicorms hollow" simply because there is no need for life to have a meaning.Andrewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-52002347051126320542010-08-12T08:04:56.992-07:002010-08-12T08:04:56.992-07:00Here is my response to Bill Easum...
I apologize ...Here is my response to Bill Easum...<br /><br />I apologize if I misunderstood your post. Every so often, I hear of a congregation who cancels Lord’s Day worship to do good works (evangelism and compassion) in the community. Although I understand why they do it and I applaud the actual work accomplished, I think we are missing something. Worship is one of the few times in the week that we actually humble ourselves before God. Encouraging the youth leader to equip the youth for their time away from the body makes sense. However, this ignores the fact that worship is the primary opportunity for spiritual formation in most congregations. If I had my choice, I prefer not to lose that.<br /><br />Finally, I absolutely appreciate developing measurable goals and seeking tangible results for churches. However, I remember congregations in the early 20th Century who were smitten with the social gospel movement. They made huge impacts on their communities, but they failed to pass on the faith to the next generations. Congregational leaders always need to be discerning as they seek to love God and love neighbor. Actually, the best of the “missional” movement enhances the works of worship. I know that I’m treading on familiar paths, but thank you for letting me think through this with you. You have much more experience that I do, and I’m learning a bunch from your blog. Thank you for writing it, and thank you for your service to the Church.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-8743385622570237492010-08-01T22:02:00.976-07:002010-08-01T22:02:00.976-07:00Not sure if you saw my response to Mark Tooley. C...Not sure if you saw my response to Mark Tooley. Check it out at my blog "Groans From Within." http://groansfromwithin.com/2010/07/21/dear-critics-of-my-sojo-july-4th-article-an-open-letter-to-mark-tooley-and-others/<br /><br />Blessings!Kurt Willemshttp://groansfromwithin.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-26625936651766337902010-07-20T03:43:42.005-07:002010-07-20T03:43:42.005-07:00I appreciate that you have taken the time to refle...I appreciate that you have taken the time to reflect on what Mr. Beck has to say. Most folks either love or revile him without taking the time to get by the his antics which are certainly in place to increase viewer ratings. I admit I fall more on the revile side when it comes to Mr. Beck as I often find what he has to say as overly simplistic, misinformed, and as you have noted not particularly Christian.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-62932334489719996462009-12-15T06:56:52.474-08:002009-12-15T06:56:52.474-08:00How to Change a Man
by Timothy McAuliffe
After God...How to Change a Man<br />by Timothy McAuliffe<br />After God created all the earth all the<br />elements started to fight and argue.<br />The sun would say he was strongest the wind<br />would then argue that he was strongest.<br />The wind then suggested a challenge.<br />The wind seeing a man walking said who ever<br />could get that man to take off his coat<br />would be the strongest.<br />The sun said I would take that challenge.<br />The wind went first and tried to blow the<br />coat off the man.<br />The man held his coat tightly and ran to a<br />building. The wind was blown out.<br />The sun said now watch me.<br />The man came outside the sun beamed warmth<br />on the man. The man then took off his coat<br />placed it on the ground under a tree and<br />took a nap.<br />Now we see it doesn't take a lot of wind to<br />change a man just some warmth.<br />Posted by TIM MCAULIFFE <br />I like your story.Thank youTIM MCAULIFFEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09595369142231586461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-76170101182896846122009-11-03T13:46:40.308-08:002009-11-03T13:46:40.308-08:00You seem to find meaningless that all those philos...You seem to find meaningless that all those philosophers and scientists would disagree on the "why" question but this is exactly the problem: interpretation, own thoughts and personal belief, which clue is exactly the fact that every person has its own personal feeling and answer about it.<br />This, as the belief for god, proves it wrong. There's not one idea, shared by everyone, but everyone has its own idea. You could be honest and follow the rational path, truly, to agree that if god would be there, its essence would be shared by anybody, by construction, and it's clearly not.<br />God is a personal view, taken as an easy answer to meaningful questions.Ruihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11585940859761661480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-85210128590662284802009-04-01T17:38:00.000-07:002009-04-01T17:38:00.000-07:00You claim Dawkins is begging the question? I cert...You claim Dawkins is begging the question? I certainly don't see where in the transcript you've provided. I take it you believe his conclusion is that "God should be excised from human thought." I see nothing in the dialogue that is a reformulation of this.<BR/><BR/>If you'd be so kind as to point it out I'd me much obliged.<BR/><BR/>If this is not the conclusion you take him to be supporting, then please tell me what the conclusion and indicate where he uses it as a premise.<BR/><BR/>Else, I really think it intellectually unfruitful to falsely accuse arguments of fallacies they don't commit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-71555439610934359972008-09-07T17:52:00.000-07:002008-09-07T17:52:00.000-07:00I don't think you guys get the point of what he's ...I don't think you guys get the point of what he's saying, which I really find quite sad. I don't know how theology will ever be weeded out when the general populace are not good at critical thinking. <BR/><BR/>His point is that there is no purpose to life. It may not be a reality that you want to deal with. Most religious types are weak in spirit when it comes to accepting the nature of the world, that's why they are drawn to it in the first place. You are here because you replicate, if you didn't your bloodline would cease to exist. This is true of both organisms AND culture. There is no purpose to it, no reason, just heredity, mutation and selection. It only requires these three rules and order emerges from chaos. So sad that people are to stuck in their ways to accept the truth. There is not God, there is no purpose, deal with it.<BR/><BR/>P.S. I hope you don't moderate this comment, though given religions past I certainly expect it.Brett Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09369353796996392604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-45957724190491305042008-08-23T19:48:00.000-07:002008-08-23T19:48:00.000-07:00Thanks for the funny James. I love it. Julianna ...Thanks for the funny James. I love it. <BR/><BR/>Julianna (she's 6 now) has really gotten into reading the Sunday comics as well as Jan's old cartoon compilations. Despite her love for cats she has no love for Garfield. However, she has developed a love for Calvin and Hobbes - she insists it's pronounced "hobbies" and gets mad when we pronouce it any other way.<BR/><BR/>Bill CAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-59960358625776697912007-12-03T11:13:00.000-08:002007-12-03T11:13:00.000-08:00he was astounding.he was astounding.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-28117944015498248252007-11-13T14:59:00.000-08:002007-11-13T14:59:00.000-08:00Howard Dean is just trying to win back those who m...Howard Dean is just trying to win back those who might support Joe Liebermann. It's nothing to do with religion of any kind - just pure politicking.Stushiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10693178228505134028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-41219158263667335912007-08-16T10:32:00.000-07:002007-08-16T10:32:00.000-07:00Irony is such a wonderful thing.Irony is such a wonderful thing.Benjamin P. Glaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02728290792232181473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-57544703226862306942007-06-19T12:51:00.000-07:002007-06-19T12:51:00.000-07:00I agree...a United Democratic Nations will not pre...I agree...a United Democratic Nations will not preclude evil in the world. But I do see it as the single most concrete action we could take to prevent the Darfur's of the world.<BR/><BR/>gary<BR/><A HREF="http://www.UnitedDemocraticNations.org" REL="nofollow">www.UnitedDemocraticNations.org</A>garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04374703663229753578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-15879341489812932552007-06-19T06:23:00.000-07:002007-06-19T06:23:00.000-07:00I support reforming the United Nations. In princi...I support reforming the United Nations. In principle, I even support the development of a United Nations of democratic countries. Well-structured and supported such an organization could go a long way to promote security and human rights. However, the existence of such an organization will not preclude the problem of sin. <BR/><BR/>The crisis in Darfur should be blamed primarily on the perpetrators of genocide, and secondarily on good people who lacked the will to do anything. Another institution will not generate the moral fortitude necessary for the hard work ahead. <BR/><BR/>I wish you success in your endeavor.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09114333829118818988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-16113684719974208832007-06-18T21:38:00.000-07:002007-06-18T21:38:00.000-07:00> The problem in Darfur is sin.I would disagree. ...> The problem in Darfur is sin.<BR/><BR/>I would disagree. Darfur is s symptom of a dysfunctional United Nations. That's the problem. And here's the solution:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.UnitedDemocraticNations.org" REL="nofollow">www.UnitedDemocraticNations.org</A><BR/><BR/>Until the UN is overhauled, there will be many Darfurs to come.<BR/><BR/>garygaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04374703663229753578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-12651599067394304512007-05-14T15:57:00.000-07:002007-05-14T15:57:00.000-07:00I love this - now if someone could put together a ...I love this - now if someone could put together a Calvin & Hobbes with the real Calvin & Hobbes...Stushiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10693178228505134028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-45270825382700510112007-03-31T09:35:00.000-07:002007-03-31T09:35:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09114333829118818988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-53086712071130611262007-03-31T09:34:00.000-07:002007-03-31T09:34:00.000-07:00He is risen indeed!He is risen indeed!Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09114333829118818988noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-49044693415818573662007-03-30T09:47:00.000-07:002007-03-30T09:47:00.000-07:00Amen, James. I wrote something similar in a blog t...Amen, James. I wrote something similar in a blog two days ago called "Easter Schmeester." I think I'll run it for this Sunday's presby blog devotional.<BR/><BR/>Christ is Risen!Stushiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10693178228505134028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-10840914713410937542007-01-30T02:19:00.000-08:002007-01-30T02:19:00.000-08:00Hi James,
That is a good article. I am not exper...Hi James,<br /><br />That is a good article. I am not expert on Dawkins, but I saw him on Charlie Rose of PBS and Dawkins basically indicated that religious people were not educated. Dawkins seemingly trusts in scientific empiricism at the expense of philosophical theology and therefore fails to see that science does not answer issues such as first cause and the meaning of life. A more reasonable approach would be to pursue truth both scientifically and philosophically.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />RussDr. Russell Norman Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06703130625190233670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-6585635139994383632007-01-08T08:37:00.000-08:002007-01-08T08:37:00.000-08:00Short layover? It was a LOOOONG layover.Short layover? It was a LOOOONG layover.Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00441993922691549909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-57832401110678606932006-12-30T11:58:00.000-08:002006-12-30T11:58:00.000-08:00Excellent commentary, James. Well parsed.Excellent commentary, James. Well parsed.Stushiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10693178228505134028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11362488.post-1161913217862487612006-10-26T18:40:00.000-07:002006-10-26T18:40:00.000-07:00Not to make you two jealous or anything, but the M...Not to make you two jealous or anything, but the MUSICAL version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "Spamalot", is coming to Houston this summer and we have tickets already!<BR/>~doing the happy dance~Jody Harringtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08031378214797420014noreply@blogger.com