quick story

Just a quick little post here.
I have family that is about to embark on a new journey in a new apartment/house (it looks wonderful!). It got me to thinking how much I don't like the space I currently live in (A small one bedroom apartment).
I can put up with a lot of things, but the main thing that bothers me is the noise from thin walls. I have pretty much solved my squirrel problem by buying my own trap, and learning how to lure them in (caught 2 so far), and am expecting a spring visit, but we'll see.
So I hopped onto craigslist the other day and found what looked like a nice place for a pretty good increase in rent. I could prob do it without much of a sacrifice.
I sent an email to my other family member and asked for advice and opinion.
She responded by saying (paraphrasing) I should pray to God for guidance...
My response...
Are you kidding me? Even He Himself couldn't rent a room at the Inn and ended up in a cave/barn/manger!
Gosh... I sure do hope the "Big Guy" has a sense of humor. :)

We're all aliens?

So, a few days ago there was an amazing story on yahoo news about how some scientists got together and performed some tests on a meteorite. They discovered that this meteorite contained the building blocks of life! Some molecules of uracil and xanthine which are present in our DNA and RNA! So, this story has been in the back of my mind the past few days...
1) WHY have I not heard this story mentioned in any other news outlets?
2) This really lends to some concrete evidence that life on this planet may have come from somewhere out there.
3) have WE unwittingly started the life process on either the moon or Mars? ie: We've sent men, and machines to the moon, and just machines to Mars - isn't it possible (probable?) that some tiny cells of bacteria may have survived that trip through space and is now multiplying on the moon or mars right now as we speak?
4) IF this theory is true then (that life originated from another planet), how does this hurt or help the story of creation in the Bible? Can it be justified to fit?
5) IF there is in fact life on other planets, and IF they some day decide to visit this little blue and green swamp of a planet, chances are they are or will be more intelligent than us.
This point number 5 has really been sticking in my head. What would that mean? No really, take a few minutes and think how you would react if you learned that an alien has in fact landed on this planet and is friendly, and is WAY smarter that all of us put together...
Lets say that whoever (or whatever) this life form is that arrives here is lets say 5x smarter than Einstein... How would that make us feel as a species? How many would embrace that we're still relatively stupid now compared to another species? How many would be afraid of the new species then if it were smarter and call it say an "elitist"? What if, before leaving for his or her own planet, it decides to give us the answer to zero-point energy, so that ALL energy is free on this planet - what would that mean? Would we live in a utopia at that point, or will there always be something to fight over?

Just some thoughts bouncing around inside of this ol' noggin.
What do you think?

Blue today

So I have to admit, I'm a little down in the dumps today over the defeat of Obama in the PA Primary. I'm trying not to let it get me down, but I had my fingers crossed that he would have pulled a win out. Listening to all the political pundits put each of their spin on it is enough to make your head spin. I'm hopeful that Obama is still in the lead over Hilary, and that he'll be able to maintain that lead. But I'm not encouraged by my own past record of never picking the guy that wins. I might just go to the George Castanza model if Hilary wins the nomination, and I'll vote for McCain.
So, in related news...
I learned a few days ago, that a good friend of mine has almost the complete opposite political beliefs as I do. I'm stunned because I always thought we had similar outlooks on life. But here's the thing that's been bugging me... He's a conservative Christian too... I can't seem to get my head around the idea of these Conservative Christians and how they justify their political beliefs with the teachings of Jesus? I don't mean that as a slam, I just don't understand.
I was hoping I might be able to pick my friends mind since I don't know any other Republicans, but I also don't want to jeopordise our friendship by getting into arguments/debates about politics all the time.
I was going to email him about a topic like torture. I went online (I think it was on wikipedia) and saw a statistic that 66% of Republicans support Torture. This blew my mind.
If any republican's out there find this post, please post in the comments if you're willing to discuss this with me.
So I've been thinking of a question lately (probably not an original thought)...
If Jesus were alive today (you know what I mean), do you think he'd be a Republican or a Democrat?
Anyone willing to touch that loaded question with a ten foot pole? :)

Well, I'll close with a half-hearted cheer - Go Obama :)

no hope...

I found this post over on boingboing... you either have to laugh at this story or cry.
"Priests brawl at Jesus' birthplace" Link to timesonline.co.uk

Christian guy vs Mormon guys

Christian Guy Totally Owns Mormons - Watch more free videos

I stumbled upon this video today.
Interesting stuff, but I found both of their tactics to "discuss" a little antagonistic, but there seems to be some truth laid out here.
I once got in a bit of a debate with some Jehovah's Witness that went something similar to this. Though I admittedly did not know my scripture like this gentleman does.
Here's the link to the video on Break.com (note, break.com is kinda like youtube, in that you never know what is going to pop up in the links around this video.) I've never tried embedding video in my blog from break.com before so we'll see if the code works or not.

religion vs atheism

I stumbled upon this video link last week sometime and have been trying to find the time and right mindset to watch it since. Well, tonight I was able to (although I was interrupted by the daily show, but that's beside the point).
In this corner... weighing in at 165lbs dressed in a dapper brown suit jacket with graying hair, standing up for all atheists everywhere is Richard Dawkins! [crowd applause]
And in this corner... with a nice politician haircut and his holy baige suit jacket, standing in for all God fearin folks is Alister McGrath! [Crowd applause]
Leetsss get readddyyy to Rummblblleeeee...
Ok, no really this is some heavy duty stuff being debated here by two heavy weights. I've never actually read anything by Richard Dawkins, but I've seen him talk a few times on both the internet and tv. I don't agree with a lot of what he says, but intellectually I respect his viewpoints and do occasionally find some of his questions and points valid.
As to this Alister McGrath... I'm afraid to admit, I've never heard of him (sorry Al). The brief introduction to the video says that he is a Professor of Historical Theology at Oxford University, so I'm guessing he knows a thing or two about a thing or two.
It's a bit strange watching this video because it's obvious that it is being filmed on a low budget with what I assume will be edited together for a more compact piece later. (why they didn't spring for two cameramen is beyond me).
It's also FANTASTIC to see a debate on religion held with such civility! I'm so used to reading religious debates online and 99.99% of the time it spirals out of control into name calling on either one or both sides.
I don't think anything was solved here, Richard I'm sure is still an atheist, and Alister is still probably going to go to church this Sunday, but it's good to see a debate like this.
Wouldn't it be great if there were a show on TV that covered this sort of stuff on a regular basis? It wouldn't have to be on nightly, but at least once a month to show two well educated people sitting down (or in this case standing for over an hour!?) and just having a civil discussion/debate? The world needs more of this.
So for those of you with a touch of A.D.D. (I think we all have that), this video comes in at about 1 hour and 10 minutes, but it's really interesting. I highly encourage you to set aside this time, grab a cup of tea, and sit back a listen to this debate.
I won't embed the video, simply click here to go to the open culture website and watch it there. Good stuff.
PS> I couldn't help to giggle to myself as I just pictured both of these guys snapping and just start swinging at each other. Thus the boxing introduction :)

Tech Tags: richard+dawkins alister+McGrath Religion God Atheism debate

Christopher Hitchens...

These two images won't make any sense to you unless you watched the youtube video I posted a few days ago, or I guess if you are familiar with Hitchen's work maybe.
I was watching the video (which is long, did I mention that?) and found myself staring at his unmoving figure for minutes on end. The colors of his face and light suit against the dark black background started playing tricks on my eyes. Then at one point, his hairline faded into the background, and this was what I saw! :) I just thought it too ironic not to take a little liberty with photoshop :) No Offense meant Chris.

unbelievable...

I really don't like this person. You know how there are certain people that just rub ya the wrong way? She's one of them. What I can't fathom is how she has turned her name, and thoughts and writing into something people pay attention to, much less purchase.

So, if you let her talk long enough, eventually she usually ends up with her foot in her mouth. A Skinny foot, but a foot none-the-less. Read this transcript from her recent appearance on CNBC's show called "the big idea".

Tech Tags: ann+coulter cnbc donny+deutsch jewish christian religion

people good...

So after my earlier rant today regarding people and how they can inconvenience your life, or simply just "not make any sense", I had a run in today with a guy who taught me something.

I've always wanted to wear a silver bracelet that was just a little bigger than my wrist. It would mean cutting the bracelet and welding/solder/brazing it together so it was attached to my wrist. I've always refrained from doing this, because I also have a mental image of what would happen if the bracelet ever got caught on something and didn't want it to pull my hand off!

Well, over the years, I've noticed that many of the guys who work at the gas stations in this area often wear silver bracelets. They don't seem to be anything fancy about them, just some grooves, or something simple, but I always notice them. I've wanted to ask them about the bracelet and where they got them, but never felt comfortable in doing so.
Well, over the past couple months I've been going to a new gas station because they almost always have the cheapest price on gas. I've noticed that two of the guys that work there are usually pretty nice. They say thank you, they call me sir, etc... One's a younger guy, and one's an older guy. The older guy has a silver bracelet and the turban also. So this evening on the way home I stopped in to get some gas. The older guy wasn't waiting on me, but he wandered over while counting some money and asked me how I was doing. (At least I think that's what he said, he has a very thick accent). I guess I had a look of puzzlement on my face because he asked me again and gave me a "thumbs up" signal. I smiled, and said, I'm doing well thanks.
So this was my chance to ask him.
I said, I liked his bracelet...
He smiled and said (I'm paraphrasing due to his accent), thanks and said it's "sick".
Sick? He repeated it again, then I remembered hearing about a religious sect called the Sikh. I nodded to say "ah, Sikh" to let him know I understood.
I said, I've noticed a lot of "you guys" wear them? (not trying to sound "racist" but it still came out sounding that way - to me anyway).
He smiled again, and said it's a religious thing.
Ah, so that was what he was saying "sikh". Then he started to point to his turban. This too, is religious, then he said "sing".
I got confused again, and thought maybe now he wasn't saying "sikh" but rather "sing". He then said that the leader of India also wears a turban and his name was Singh!
Ah, I said, still not 100% sure I was understanding him.
There was an awkward silence, then I realized, He said it was a religious thing to wear his bracelet but he didn't explain, so I asked "So, the bracelet, Why do you wear it? Is it like the cross for a Christain?" - He was very happy to explain to me...
He said it's a reminder to "not cheat". He said as one reaches out to accept money from someone, they look down and see the bracelet, and it's a reminder to pull your hand back and not cheat someone.
I thought that was pretty cool. I thanked him. Then he said, if he goes back to India, he will get me a bracelet :) (I'm pretty sure he was kidding :)
So I drove away with some new knowledge. I got home tonight and confirmed what I thought he was saying "Sikh" and "Singh". I didn't think to ask if the bracelet had a name or not.
I'm glad I spoke up, and I'm glad I met a nice Sikh to explain it to me.
Thanks to wikipedia the bracelet is called a "kara".

UPDATE: I've thought about this some more... I will look at these guys that pump gas in a different light now. I had always held a "grudge" or maybe it was a bit of prejudice that they wore those turbans. I thought "if you are going to come to a new country, you should try to fit in better" - but now, I know it's a religious expression. These guys are basically like a nun or priest pumping gas. And where else but America should someone be made to feel comfortable due to their religious beliefs. So, I'll make a conscious effort to remember that in the future, and not so judgmental in my thinking.

Tech Tags: singh sikh kara turban religion people

Thou Shalt live like...

Wow, this post popped up and caught my attention.
I remember hearing this guy interviewed on the radio once on his feat of reading the entire set of encyclopedias! He is both really smart, funny, and probably a bit crazy. So his latest adventure? He chose to live according to "ALL" the laws in the Bible. I put the "All" in quotes because he apparently had a hard time with his wife over the "head of the household" rules. That strikes me kinda funny... I'm all for women's rights and all, but there is something funny about this... A man comes home from the office with this new idea to live according to the Word of GOD, and tells his wife about who proceeds to say "Not in MY house your not!" :)
What's even more interesting to me is that the guy is a self proclaimed agnostic too.
I read the comments over on Kevin Kelly's blog - his insights are very interesting also. Kevin is a really neat person too. I have several of his websites bookmarked and his name always pops up where I least expect it. I read his "Cool tools" almost daily (though it amazes me he has so much STUFF that he can post on an almost daily basis!).
So go to Kevin's blog post first, then if you are still interested go to the newsweek article here, then if your STILL intersted, go buy A. J. Jacob's book.

Update to "All Hail who"

Quick update to my "all hail who" post...
I brought my camera to work with me yesterday (Wed) to snap a photo of the offending graffiti on the "hail Mary full of grace" billboard. It looks like I was too late. On Tuesday, the graffiti was still there. By Wed morning there was a new billboard in its place. (It was one of those printed vinyl sheets).
So... I'll be interested to see if the vandal/Jesus promoter comes back again to leave a mark.
I've been thinking of this still and came up with a new thought... I was questioning wether or not it would be considered "moral" to break a law (such as graffiti) to change a message about God or religion. Then it hit me... that's the root of many problems in this world isn't it. Including war. The fact that there are different religions and beliefs, changes what people deem "moral". I'm sure this person who spray painted on the poster felt "morally justified" to do this. I'm sure the people who paid for the billboard were "morally outraged" that someone would deface their religious icon like this. Taking it one step further, if these two people met in person, I'm sure name calling would probably ensue, then a fist fights, then... well you get the idea. So, I've come to realize that this idea of "God's law" (whichever God you chose) being more "important" than "Man's law" can be a real problem.
I'm going to struggle to think about this more, so my opinions may change :)

Hail Who?

I'm going to start this post with an apology.
I'm sorry.
That is directed to anyone who might be offended by what I'm about to say.

A few weeks ago, on my way to work, I came up to a traffic signal (that over the years of driving the same route to work, I've learned that it's almost always red due to the timing). I glanced over at a billboard (actually you can't miss it), and much to my surprise I see the "Mother Mary" looking at me! No, it wasn't some weird trick of the rain water, or a reflection that made what "looked" like Mary, it was an actual billboard with Mary on it. She was pulling her shawl open (which at first I thought was her shirt!) to reveal a giant heart in the middle of her chest with some sort of crown and light emanating from it. Yes, I've seen this image a hundred times before (though I still don't know what the story is behind it - why is there a severed heart on the outside of her? Kinda gross). Then, in BIG letters it says "HAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE" - in little small print at the bottom, it says something like "brought to you by God".
Well, everyday I drive past and look at this thing. All sorts of thoughts run through my head, such as: Why? Why did someone put this billboard up? Did they think that they might be offending other people? Did they care? It's not an advertisement for a church, so who benefits for this? God? Does God have his own Advertising Agency? etc...
In addition to these thoughts, I also got a little creeped out by the image. Mary does not look happy at all! I started to ponder the words too "HAIL MARY" - doesn't it say in the Bible, there shall be no god before me? If you "Hail" something is that the same as offering worship? I realize this is probably a Catholic thing. They seem to put a huge emphasis on her role. (I don't really agree with that, but I'm also not familiar with the catholics view on this).
ANYWAY - boy, I really rambled on there didn't I. But these have been my thoughts on all this.
The main reason I decided to post about it today, is because I looked over this morning and much to my surprise the message had changed! Someone (no it wasn't me!) spraypainted "Jesus" above the word Mary! And at the bottom where it said "Message brought to you by God" They painted "Why".
I know... what they did was wrong. If it were my Billboard, I'd be pretty upset. At the same time I think it's pretty funny and I totally agreed with the message of the "rogue Christian". Talk about a "moral dilemma" - Is it right to break the law in order to get the word of God out? I also wish that someone might go back later tonight and add a few more deities so that others are not left out... "Hail Buddah" "Hail Allah" "Hail Discordia" :)
I tend to think, this sort of thing is something maybe even Jesus himself would have done in his day. He was a bit of a trouble maker.
I'm going to try and get a photo of this before they either remove the billboard or paint over the graffiti.
(PS> the image above is one similar to the one on the billboard, its not the actual image).

religion God Mary Jesus graffiti billboard

Questions your pastor will hate...

I found this link this morning via reddit... some interesting questions posed (and a few interesting comments, I suspect the comments list will get much longer when the folks from reddit start posting. It's also interesting to me the "tone" in the comments. The author of these "Dennis Diehl" says he's a former pastor... I can see why :)
I think some of Dennis' questions were answered by "johnrohan" in the comments, but I don't like john's "tone" or attitude.
It's questions like these that always bother me as well. I see the Bible as a great logic puzzle, and at this point in time, I can't figure it out. I also admit that I've read very little of the Bible, so maybe if I read more I would have more answers. But I find it such a chore to plod through all the repetitious verses. I also get very frustrated while reading the Bible, because I always come up with these types of questions as I'm reading it. So then I get mad at myself for being frustrated, and then usually just stop reading. A confusing and frustrating loop for me.
The link is here.
Oh, and I also think it odd that this post made it to the top page of Reddit. Usually Reddit is a techy site, or politics, not so much about religion. Hmm, that would be pretty cool if there were a reddit type page dedicated to religious topics only.

Tech Tags: religion questions Dennis+Diehl Bible

What if Jesus came back today?

I found this news item via disinfo.com. I had heard of him one time before on the internet somewhere (probably boingboing). At first, I dismissed the news story as yet another loony who has a God complex. It's not like we haven't seen them before (Koresh, Jones, etc...) But, then it hit me... what if Jesus did come back today? With the internet full of crazy stories, I would probably assume the same thing. What if Jesus did come back, would he really have had a problem with Heroin? Would he have a criminal record that included jail time? I doubt it, but he was a bit of a trouble maker. Then, what troubles me more about this story... that "Dr. Jose" has his followers tattoo themselves with 666. Could Dr. Jose be the anti-christ that is talked about in Revelation? Or is he yet another loon who has figured out a way to scam a bunch of people out of their hard earned money. I guess time will tell.

Tech Tags: Jesus 666 Jose Revelation