Prompted by our sermon series at church and a Nooma video that I just watched, I was just thinking on my way home tonight...
An Atheist might argue that Christianity is a hypocritical faith. Christians have committed atrocities throughout history, while preaching the Word of God and his message of peace.
The funny part is that by admitting that any kind of atrocity exists throughout history, the athiest - in this case - is admitting that right and wrong exists. Right and wrong can only exist within a system of absolute truth. Absolute truth can only exist through an intelligent creator.
I'm just saying....
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Is it hot in here?
Here is an interesting article from the BBC.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8299079.stm
This article kind of pulls a lot of the information that many scientists have been saying for years. When predictions don't come true, it kind of makes you examine the information and assumptions behind the predictions. Seems like I remember someone calling Global Warming "settled science".
I am not in a position to scientifically prove or disprove global warming, but it is clearly not settled science. When an entire countries economy is being affected by the theory of man-made global warming, the results could be disastrous. Let's control what we can control. We can control the waste of government spending, if we begin to control the people who supposedly represent us.
This article does prove one thing; we run to the "science" that supports our world view. Same facts, different interpretations.
I could go on......I need to think about this for a while.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8299079.stm
This article kind of pulls a lot of the information that many scientists have been saying for years. When predictions don't come true, it kind of makes you examine the information and assumptions behind the predictions. Seems like I remember someone calling Global Warming "settled science".
I am not in a position to scientifically prove or disprove global warming, but it is clearly not settled science. When an entire countries economy is being affected by the theory of man-made global warming, the results could be disastrous. Let's control what we can control. We can control the waste of government spending, if we begin to control the people who supposedly represent us.
This article does prove one thing; we run to the "science" that supports our world view. Same facts, different interpretations.
I could go on......I need to think about this for a while.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Civility 110 - Rules 11-20
11: Shift not yourself in the Sight of others nor Gnaw your nails.
12: Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs roll not the Eyes lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by approaching too near him when you Speak.
13: Kill no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight of Others, if you See any filth or thick Spittle put your foot Dexterously upon it if it be upon the Cloths of your Companions, Put it off privately, and if it be upon your own Cloths return Thanks to him who puts it off.
14: Turn not your Back to others especially in Speaking, Jog not the Table or Desk on which Another reads or writes, lean not upon any one.
15: Keep your Nails clean and Short, also your Hands and Teeth Clean yet without Showing any great Concern for them.
16: Do not Puff up the Cheeks, Loll not out the tongue rub the Hands, or beard, thrust out the lips, or bite them or keep the Lips too open or too Close.
17: Be no Flatterer, neither Play with any that delights not to be Play'd Withal.
18: Read no Letters, Books, or Papers in Company but when there is a Necessity for the doing of it you must ask leave: come not near the Books or Writings of Another so as to read them unless desired or give your opinion of them unasked also look not nigh when another is writing a Letter.
19: Let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave.
20: The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.
12: Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs roll not the Eyes lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by approaching too near him when you Speak.
13: Kill no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight of Others, if you See any filth or thick Spittle put your foot Dexterously upon it if it be upon the Cloths of your Companions, Put it off privately, and if it be upon your own Cloths return Thanks to him who puts it off.
14: Turn not your Back to others especially in Speaking, Jog not the Table or Desk on which Another reads or writes, lean not upon any one.
15: Keep your Nails clean and Short, also your Hands and Teeth Clean yet without Showing any great Concern for them.
16: Do not Puff up the Cheeks, Loll not out the tongue rub the Hands, or beard, thrust out the lips, or bite them or keep the Lips too open or too Close.
17: Be no Flatterer, neither Play with any that delights not to be Play'd Withal.
18: Read no Letters, Books, or Papers in Company but when there is a Necessity for the doing of it you must ask leave: come not near the Books or Writings of Another so as to read them unless desired or give your opinion of them unasked also look not nigh when another is writing a Letter.
19: Let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave.
20: The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Civility 110 - Rule 10
"When you Sit down, Keep your Feet firm and Even, without putting one on the other or Crossing them."
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Civility 110 - Rule 9
"Spit not in the Fire, nor Stoop low before it neither Put your Hands into the Flames to warm them, nor Set your Feet upon the Fire especially if there be meat before it."
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
The example of the Founders
"You mention quite a bit how the founding fathers were giving these rights of life, liberty, and right to private property for EVERY person. Even when they wrote it they had slaves and women couldn't own anything so how can we follow their Ideals when they didn't do it themselves?" - Rogue Commenter
Yes, many of the founders had slaves; and women had minimal rights if any compared to their male counterparts. The answer to this question, in my opinion, lies in looking at the culture of the times and seeing how the work of the founders led to the freedoms that we enjoy today.
The early Americans had lived in a monarchy before the emancipation of the states. Most people were used to this structure of society, and felt comforted by it. Freedom scared many, as it did not George Washington was so popular that many saw him as a king, some even demanded that he become the king of America. He had already seen where this system of government had led, and understood why it failed.
During these times, slavery was the norm. The limited rights of women were the norm. Regardless of whether it was right or wrong, everyone was accustomed to this structure and had no grounds to question it. It definitely wasn't going to be changed quickly.
As our country was founded, however, something changed. Our founders agreed that a law existed, that granted rights to men that could not be taken away. Our founders recognized that there was an absolute truth. This absolute truth is what guides the foundation of our law: Life, Liberty and the right to Private Property. It is this absolute truth, that liberal progressives today fail to recognize.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - excerpt from the Declaration of Independence
Unalienable rights is the key phrase here. This means that we all have rights that cannot be given or taken by other men. This is the foundation of the republic that we live in.
The perfectly discerning person of the day, might recognize that women and slaves immediately deserved the same rights as others enjoyed. The culture had to catch up with the law. The new structure was drastically different from the laws people had previously lived under. People were now responsible for their own well-being, their own failures and their own success. All these changes by simply re-inforcing a few basic principles...unalienable rights.
In short, although our founders may not have the perfect example, they are responsible for creating a system that freed the slaves and allowed women the same rights as men.
Looking forward, it is plain to me that the liberal progressive segment of our culture does not see the founding of our country the same way. They lead with their emotion, rather than their intellect. The free-market capitalist system that we live in today, under our constitution, has created the greatest and most successfully country in history. I believe it is no accident that the world has taken so many technological and scientific advancements under this system of freedom. Only through freedom can people truly find the best solution to the challenges that face all of us. Is it perfect? NO. I do believe it's as close as we'll ever get, because it allows us to address the imperfections in a way that suits US, not those in control at the top.
The system is designed to limit power at the top. As our country ages, almost every administration and wave of congressman have increased the size of government; which continues to put all our eggs in one basket, not necessarily increasing the problems we face, but limiting out ability to deal with those problems.
More government has never ended with prosperity, only ruin. Our founders knew this; that is why we should look at their lives, understand what caused them to create this great system, and seek to preserve what they founded.
Yes, many of the founders had slaves; and women had minimal rights if any compared to their male counterparts. The answer to this question, in my opinion, lies in looking at the culture of the times and seeing how the work of the founders led to the freedoms that we enjoy today.
The early Americans had lived in a monarchy before the emancipation of the states. Most people were used to this structure of society, and felt comforted by it. Freedom scared many, as it did not George Washington was so popular that many saw him as a king, some even demanded that he become the king of America. He had already seen where this system of government had led, and understood why it failed.
During these times, slavery was the norm. The limited rights of women were the norm. Regardless of whether it was right or wrong, everyone was accustomed to this structure and had no grounds to question it. It definitely wasn't going to be changed quickly.
As our country was founded, however, something changed. Our founders agreed that a law existed, that granted rights to men that could not be taken away. Our founders recognized that there was an absolute truth. This absolute truth is what guides the foundation of our law: Life, Liberty and the right to Private Property. It is this absolute truth, that liberal progressives today fail to recognize.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - excerpt from the Declaration of Independence
Unalienable rights is the key phrase here. This means that we all have rights that cannot be given or taken by other men. This is the foundation of the republic that we live in.
The perfectly discerning person of the day, might recognize that women and slaves immediately deserved the same rights as others enjoyed. The culture had to catch up with the law. The new structure was drastically different from the laws people had previously lived under. People were now responsible for their own well-being, their own failures and their own success. All these changes by simply re-inforcing a few basic principles...unalienable rights.
In short, although our founders may not have the perfect example, they are responsible for creating a system that freed the slaves and allowed women the same rights as men.
Looking forward, it is plain to me that the liberal progressive segment of our culture does not see the founding of our country the same way. They lead with their emotion, rather than their intellect. The free-market capitalist system that we live in today, under our constitution, has created the greatest and most successfully country in history. I believe it is no accident that the world has taken so many technological and scientific advancements under this system of freedom. Only through freedom can people truly find the best solution to the challenges that face all of us. Is it perfect? NO. I do believe it's as close as we'll ever get, because it allows us to address the imperfections in a way that suits US, not those in control at the top.
The system is designed to limit power at the top. As our country ages, almost every administration and wave of congressman have increased the size of government; which continues to put all our eggs in one basket, not necessarily increasing the problems we face, but limiting out ability to deal with those problems.
More government has never ended with prosperity, only ruin. Our founders knew this; that is why we should look at their lives, understand what caused them to create this great system, and seek to preserve what they founded.
Civility 110 - Rule 8
"At Play and at Fire its Good manners to Give Place to the last Commer, and affect not to Speak Louder than Ordinary."
Monday, October 5, 2009
Civility 110 - Rule 7
"Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor go out your Chamber half Dressed."
I shouldn't have a problem with this one today.
I shouldn't have a problem with this one today.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Civility 110 - Rule 6
"Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop."
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Civility 110 - Rule 5
"If You Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put Your handkerchief or Hand before your face and turn aside."
Friday, October 2, 2009
Civility 110 - Rule 4
"In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet."
Does "the presence of others" include your wife?
Does "the presence of others" include your wife?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Civility 110 - Rule 3
"Show Nothing to your Friend that may affright him."
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Affright = fear, intimidate, panic, alarm
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Affright = fear, intimidate, panic, alarm
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