Submitted to ChurchWith.Us on 10/30/2011:
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Looking back through time, we can see that there have been many good and many bad governing bodies over its people. Some rulers have treated people with respect giving them freedom, choices, and a voice in the marketplace among other things. Other rulers have governed with an iron fist and neglected and oppressed the people seemingly unjustly. Many other variations of what one may deem as "good" or "bad" can be drawn from past governing bodies.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
ChurchWith.Us - Post | What I Love About My Church
Many months ago, I joined an online blogging community focused on Christian writting called ChurchWith.us created by Adam Lehman. I had become deadweight over a few months, as I had yet to contribute to it. I believe there is a set amount of contributors which at some point was near 100 if I'm not mistaken. I decided to start off my first blog entry with thoughts on what I loved about my church. I have reproduced the original blog post below (from 10/3/2011):
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Goodreads: The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature by Steven Pinker (checkpoint 6)
Audiobook: 11hrs 19mins\ 22hrs 42mins.
This post will cover four different 'listening sessions': 2/28, 3/1, 3/8, and 3/12 (today).
2/28...
This wrapped up the rest of the neuroscience material previously being discussed. This concluded audio part 1 of 3 (through chapter 5).
3/1...
Audio part 2/3 started off explaining that the majority of the rest of the material will cover and deal with the implications (political, moral, etc.) of the content presented so far.
This post will cover four different 'listening sessions': 2/28, 3/1, 3/8, and 3/12 (today).
2/28...
This wrapped up the rest of the neuroscience material previously being discussed. This concluded audio part 1 of 3 (through chapter 5).
3/1...
Audio part 2/3 started off explaining that the majority of the rest of the material will cover and deal with the implications (political, moral, etc.) of the content presented so far.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Goodreads: The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature by Steven Pinker (checkpoint 5)
Audiobook: 5hrs 7mins/ 22hrs 42mins
Chapter 4 discussed how culture is not completely independent of our biology. It is not a separate entity existing "out there". He asserts that we aren't so much shapped by culture as we actually shape our culture ourselves, from our biology.
Chapter 5 has been discussing how neurons, genes, and environmental factors such as experience all affect our decisions, behaviors, and the like. He recognizes an interplay between Nature and Nuture for our behaviors, but it is mostly vastly different from the publically acquired understanding of it.
There are many points of discussion that make sense to me, while others, from my vantage point, seem to be taken too far.
Chapter 4 discussed how culture is not completely independent of our biology. It is not a separate entity existing "out there". He asserts that we aren't so much shapped by culture as we actually shape our culture ourselves, from our biology.
Chapter 5 has been discussing how neurons, genes, and environmental factors such as experience all affect our decisions, behaviors, and the like. He recognizes an interplay between Nature and Nuture for our behaviors, but it is mostly vastly different from the publically acquired understanding of it.
There are many points of discussion that make sense to me, while others, from my vantage point, seem to be taken too far.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Goodreads: The Koran translated by J.M. Rodwell (checkpoint 1)
On page 210/500
I read SURA XVI. - The Bee, which is the 73rd chapter in this version of the Koran. It is a chronological version. I began reading this several months ago, on and off.
God's gifts to man and the infidels who reject them
This Sura declares all that God has given man, from livestock, to vegetation, to the mountains and rivers, created for man's guidance and purposes. It decalres his gracious mercy, knowledge, and power.
I read SURA XVI. - The Bee, which is the 73rd chapter in this version of the Koran. It is a chronological version. I began reading this several months ago, on and off.
God's gifts to man and the infidels who reject them
This Sura declares all that God has given man, from livestock, to vegetation, to the mountains and rivers, created for man's guidance and purposes. It decalres his gracious mercy, knowledge, and power.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Goodreads: The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature by Steven Pinker (checkpoint 4)
Audiobook: 3hrs 12mins \ 22hrs 42mins
This concluded chapter 3 from last night and tonight.
Here we continued the discussion of the four major points and areas of science that are helping to converge the body with the mind (e.g., genetics and psychology). That is, to be able to describe the mind and the body as one in the same, not two distinct parts, one controlled by physical and chemical processes (body) while the other is not (mind).
This concluded chapter 3 from last night and tonight.
Here we continued the discussion of the four major points and areas of science that are helping to converge the body with the mind (e.g., genetics and psychology). That is, to be able to describe the mind and the body as one in the same, not two distinct parts, one controlled by physical and chemical processes (body) while the other is not (mind).
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Goodreads: The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature by Steven Pinker (checkpoint 3)
Audiobook: 2hrs 30mins \ 22hrs 42mins
This covered part of chapter 3. He began discussing things that have been historically (and currently) thought to be independent of each other. The main one that stuck out to me was the mind and body (previously referred to as the ghost in the machine, dualism). More and more, scientists are discovering that our behaviors can be explained by physical processes occurring in the brain. This goes in the face of many previously and currently held concepts of the mind being separate from the physical body; that the mind makes decisions freely on its own and isn't something that can be known or discovered through natural processes.
This covered part of chapter 3. He began discussing things that have been historically (and currently) thought to be independent of each other. The main one that stuck out to me was the mind and body (previously referred to as the ghost in the machine, dualism). More and more, scientists are discovering that our behaviors can be explained by physical processes occurring in the brain. This goes in the face of many previously and currently held concepts of the mind being separate from the physical body; that the mind makes decisions freely on its own and isn't something that can be known or discovered through natural processes.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Goodreads: The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature by Steven Pinker (checkpoint 2)
Audiobook: 1hr 38mins \ 22hrs 42mins.
This covered chapter 2. Pinker discussed the origins and development of the blank slate theory. It seemed to have primarily come into existence at the hand of John Locke in an attempt to counter the religious and political claims of his day, namely that we are innately born to be, for example, a king with God given kingship, that we have an innate moral code, etc.
The blank slate remained a thriving idea through at least the mid 20th century, especially pronounced by arguably one of the most important psychologists of that time period, B.F. Skinner. This was the era of the Behaviorists who proclaimed that no genetic makeup, nor race, sex, etc. could limit the outcomes of ones life in regards to their behavior and achievements. Everyone could be built from the ground up since they were thought to all begin at the same marker, that is, nothing, the blank slate.
This covered chapter 2. Pinker discussed the origins and development of the blank slate theory. It seemed to have primarily come into existence at the hand of John Locke in an attempt to counter the religious and political claims of his day, namely that we are innately born to be, for example, a king with God given kingship, that we have an innate moral code, etc.
The blank slate remained a thriving idea through at least the mid 20th century, especially pronounced by arguably one of the most important psychologists of that time period, B.F. Skinner. This was the era of the Behaviorists who proclaimed that no genetic makeup, nor race, sex, etc. could limit the outcomes of ones life in regards to their behavior and achievements. Everyone could be built from the ground up since they were thought to all begin at the same marker, that is, nothing, the blank slate.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Goodreads: The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature by Steven Pinker (checkpoint 1)
Audiobook: 50mins \ 22hrs 42mins.
I just finished the preface and chapter 1. Pinker discussed some of the social, moral, political, and intellectual positions and conflicts between the two extremes of Nature versus Nurture (blank slate). Human Nature states that we are innately built a certain way in terms of behavior, namely through genes or as some would additionally attribute to the soul or spirit. Human Nature states that we are born with no slant towards anything, we are blank slates, and as such, all behavior is learned through the environment as experience. Most would blend the two together to form their ideas on human behavior.
I just finished the preface and chapter 1. Pinker discussed some of the social, moral, political, and intellectual positions and conflicts between the two extremes of Nature versus Nurture (blank slate). Human Nature states that we are innately built a certain way in terms of behavior, namely through genes or as some would additionally attribute to the soul or spirit. Human Nature states that we are born with no slant towards anything, we are blank slates, and as such, all behavior is learned through the environment as experience. Most would blend the two together to form their ideas on human behavior.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Should We Fire God? (Part 3b-3)
Building the list
In the last post, we asked the questions of how far should God go to restrict our pain and suffering. If we were to build a list, what would it look like and when would it end?
Continuing on page 67, “The big problem for the person who makes that list really isn’t where you start, but where you stop. In a world where pain is constrained, what pain is allowable? Any ? None? This really starts to get tricky. The cancer can be removed, but what kind of life will be left afterward?”
He then goes on to discuss some of the purposes of pain with an example from his life, similar to the ones I alluded to above about pain being good in some circumstances for the short term and more often long term well being of our body and its constituent parts.
In the last post, we asked the questions of how far should God go to restrict our pain and suffering. If we were to build a list, what would it look like and when would it end?
Continuing on page 67, “The big problem for the person who makes that list really isn’t where you start, but where you stop. In a world where pain is constrained, what pain is allowable? Any ? None? This really starts to get tricky. The cancer can be removed, but what kind of life will be left afterward?”
He then goes on to discuss some of the purposes of pain with an example from his life, similar to the ones I alluded to above about pain being good in some circumstances for the short term and more often long term well being of our body and its constituent parts.
Should We Fire God? (Part 3b-2)
From Normal to Abnormal
Let’s take an excerpt from the book.
“Something – we’re not sure what – takes the very natural process of cell replication and causes it to go haywire. Cells start reproducing too quickly or begin producing the wrong things; in some cases, they simply don’t die when they are supposed to. This is all because of something deep within the human body breaking down, a normal process becoming abnormal…
… We probably all have stories of someone hearing the ‘There is simply nothing else we can do’ speech. In our society, which so highly elevates personal choice and flexibility, this can be an especially stinging conclusion. We are immersed in a culture that allows us to do everything from ordering our burgers our way to setting up our own payment plans, to choosing the background for our Twitter home pages. So, beyond the clear implications of hearing that phrase pertaining to a battle with cancer, we are generally unaccustomed to hearing that our choices are severely limited.
And it is almost true.
Let’s take an excerpt from the book.
“Something – we’re not sure what – takes the very natural process of cell replication and causes it to go haywire. Cells start reproducing too quickly or begin producing the wrong things; in some cases, they simply don’t die when they are supposed to. This is all because of something deep within the human body breaking down, a normal process becoming abnormal…
… We probably all have stories of someone hearing the ‘There is simply nothing else we can do’ speech. In our society, which so highly elevates personal choice and flexibility, this can be an especially stinging conclusion. We are immersed in a culture that allows us to do everything from ordering our burgers our way to setting up our own payment plans, to choosing the background for our Twitter home pages. So, beyond the clear implications of hearing that phrase pertaining to a battle with cancer, we are generally unaccustomed to hearing that our choices are severely limited.
And it is almost true.
Should We Fire God? (Part 3b-1)
Perspective Three: Holy Scriptures and religion
There are the big three monotheistic Abrahamic religions that dominate the world today, along with others such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, etc. I’ll just be discussing the Christian scriptures and influenced perspective(s) since that is what I am familiar with, grew up with, and adhere to.
Did you catch that? I just gave away my world view and my presuppositions about my thinking. So I’m not so open-minded, now am I? I am just building up a straw man and blowing him over to push my ‘religion’, right? I’ll let you be the verdict on that. Everyone holds to something, and this is an expression of my current understanding of a piece of mine.
There are the big three monotheistic Abrahamic religions that dominate the world today, along with others such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, etc. I’ll just be discussing the Christian scriptures and influenced perspective(s) since that is what I am familiar with, grew up with, and adhere to.
Did you catch that? I just gave away my world view and my presuppositions about my thinking. So I’m not so open-minded, now am I? I am just building up a straw man and blowing him over to push my ‘religion’, right? I’ll let you be the verdict on that. Everyone holds to something, and this is an expression of my current understanding of a piece of mine.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Should We Fire God? (Part 3a)
My approach
When I initially thought about this post, I wanted to list the major points that I felt were Jim’s strongest from the book along with my reaction(s) to them. After further consideration, I decided to diverge from my initial approach. I will be breaking this down into what I see (from a 21st century American’s eyes) as some of the major different perspectives from which we can address these questions about God, pain, suffering, and the like.
I realize that I can’t catch all the fish with the nets I am casting (my generalizations and stereotypes encapsulated by each section below), but I am going under some assumptions based on experience and exposure to the below world views that will help convey different ways I see that one can approach these questions. I also realize that in areas it may seem incomplete or oversimplified, either due to the fact that this is a blog entry and I can only do so much or perhaps because I simply am not well versed in it. One can and may indeed float between the different sections of thought I discuss below, because this can be a very complex undergoing of exploration for the human mind. One cannot simply avoid the full spectrum of observances and perspectives if they wish to take this on in its entirety, which by no means do I subscribe I am fully doing here.
Let’s proceed.
When I initially thought about this post, I wanted to list the major points that I felt were Jim’s strongest from the book along with my reaction(s) to them. After further consideration, I decided to diverge from my initial approach. I will be breaking this down into what I see (from a 21st century American’s eyes) as some of the major different perspectives from which we can address these questions about God, pain, suffering, and the like.
I realize that I can’t catch all the fish with the nets I am casting (my generalizations and stereotypes encapsulated by each section below), but I am going under some assumptions based on experience and exposure to the below world views that will help convey different ways I see that one can approach these questions. I also realize that in areas it may seem incomplete or oversimplified, either due to the fact that this is a blog entry and I can only do so much or perhaps because I simply am not well versed in it. One can and may indeed float between the different sections of thought I discuss below, because this can be a very complex undergoing of exploration for the human mind. One cannot simply avoid the full spectrum of observances and perspectives if they wish to take this on in its entirety, which by no means do I subscribe I am fully doing here.
Let’s proceed.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Should We Fire God? (Part 2b)
The beginning of questioning and doubting
At the end of 2007, I began my first real questioning of God, my faith, and what I could trust as real. This questioning was moreso in regards to factual truth and whether what I knew was reality and not something just in my head or thought up by humans thousands of years ago. It never really reached a questioning of the character of God, his goodness. Those six months or so were a painful time for me as I wrestled through questioning the basic tenets and assumptions in my faith. Is God the way I know him? Does he even exist? Can I trust the Bible? Is it all in my head? What is real? How do you determine truth? Have I been somehow deceived? Can I ever know?
At the end of 2007, I began my first real questioning of God, my faith, and what I could trust as real. This questioning was moreso in regards to factual truth and whether what I knew was reality and not something just in my head or thought up by humans thousands of years ago. It never really reached a questioning of the character of God, his goodness. Those six months or so were a painful time for me as I wrestled through questioning the basic tenets and assumptions in my faith. Is God the way I know him? Does he even exist? Can I trust the Bible? Is it all in my head? What is real? How do you determine truth? Have I been somehow deceived? Can I ever know?
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Should We Fire God? (Part 2a)
Punishment from above
Up until perhaps the last few years, moreso the last few months to a year, I had never really considered some of the questions presented in the previous post (Part 1) concerning God and pain and suffering. Had I been presented with those same questions then, it wouldn’t have bothered or shaken my view of God because although I could see pain and suffering around me and in the world, God was good, merciful, and love. I thought, our suffering and pain is due to the effects of sin since the beginning of time. Not that your sin has a direct cause and effect relationship like the Jews of Jesus’ time believed, but in the sense that we live in a broken world tainted by sin, and the only hope we have of eradicating this would be the full return and glory of Jesus Christ to end all pain.
Up until perhaps the last few years, moreso the last few months to a year, I had never really considered some of the questions presented in the previous post (Part 1) concerning God and pain and suffering. Had I been presented with those same questions then, it wouldn’t have bothered or shaken my view of God because although I could see pain and suffering around me and in the world, God was good, merciful, and love. I thought, our suffering and pain is due to the effects of sin since the beginning of time. Not that your sin has a direct cause and effect relationship like the Jews of Jesus’ time believed, but in the sense that we live in a broken world tainted by sin, and the only hope we have of eradicating this would be the full return and glory of Jesus Christ to end all pain.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Should We Fire God? (Part 1)
The Characteristics
Hatred. Evil. Neglectful. Merciful. Maliciousness. Uncaring. Love. Selfish. Lazy. Vengeful. Compassionate.
These are all words that can easily be ascribed to people throughout time including our own here in the 21st century. But what about God? Or gods? If there in fact is a God and we can know anything about him, do any of the above words characterize him?
Millennia ago, adherents to a specific set of gods certainly would have attributed those characteristics to them. Generally each god had their own unique niche, such as the Roman gods and goddesses:
Hatred. Evil. Neglectful. Merciful. Maliciousness. Uncaring. Love. Selfish. Lazy. Vengeful. Compassionate.
These are all words that can easily be ascribed to people throughout time including our own here in the 21st century. But what about God? Or gods? If there in fact is a God and we can know anything about him, do any of the above words characterize him?
Millennia ago, adherents to a specific set of gods certainly would have attributed those characteristics to them. Generally each god had their own unique niche, such as the Roman gods and goddesses:
Monday, June 7, 2010
Thoughts on 'The Secret' - Part 4
I wanted to wrap this series up with a few closing thoughts.
I agreed with many aspects of the video and how the thought life of a person heavily influences their attitudes and actions. But to me, where they really left reality was when they took those truths and tried to push their claim that the Universe instinctively is listening to your thoughts and wishes, and it will respond accordingly if you just keep asking and believing. Eventually the Universe will give it to you. It may be soon; it may take some time.
I agreed with many aspects of the video and how the thought life of a person heavily influences their attitudes and actions. But to me, where they really left reality was when they took those truths and tried to push their claim that the Universe instinctively is listening to your thoughts and wishes, and it will respond accordingly if you just keep asking and believing. Eventually the Universe will give it to you. It may be soon; it may take some time.Thursday, May 27, 2010
Thoughts on 'The Secret' - Part 3
First of all, I apologize how long this post ended up being, but I really wanted to hit all the points that I did. I plan on writing a Part 4 to address a few other things in closing. That being said, let's begin.
Things I disagree with…
Things I disagree with…
…include*:
1. The Universe responds to your thoughts, that is, it is intimately aware and responsive to your thoughts and what makes you happy.
- Sounds like ‘If you think it, it will come’.
- Sounds like ‘If you think it, it will come’.
2. The Universe wants you to act quickly. Don’t second guess yourself; seize the opportunity.
- I have a lot of issues with this when initially interpreting what I believe they mean. There are many decisions in life for which making a decision hastily could be costly. There are many decisions in life that should not be taken lightly and should be accompanied by advice and insight from family and friends.
The particular context of this statement was when a girl was hoping for a boy friend and some guys asked her to come over and play volleyball and then leave with them to hang out or 'go out'. Does the advice refer to specific situations where it would be good to take a risk and go for it? Are there times when the 'Universe' would want us to second guess ourselves?
- I have a lot of issues with this when initially interpreting what I believe they mean. There are many decisions in life for which making a decision hastily could be costly. There are many decisions in life that should not be taken lightly and should be accompanied by advice and insight from family and friends.
The particular context of this statement was when a girl was hoping for a boy friend and some guys asked her to come over and play volleyball and then leave with them to hang out or 'go out'. Does the advice refer to specific situations where it would be good to take a risk and go for it? Are there times when the 'Universe' would want us to second guess ourselves?
Monday, May 24, 2010
Thoughts on ‘The Secret’ - Part 2
Things I agree with…
…include*:
- Your thoughts are powerful things; they can drive, shape, and impact your actions, relationships, and your future. - What you put your mind on, impacts your attitude and actions. If you are always thinking about negative things then those thoughts will negatively impact your attitude and actions. Put your mind on things that are ‘good’.
- Thoughts and emotions can manifest into material things, insofar as the placebo effect.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Thoughts on 'The Secret' - Part 1
Last night, 5/22, I sat down to watch a movie (more of a documentary) with my family that I had never heard before: The Secret. See the Trailer.
I am going to offer my initial thoughts and reactions to it in several different blog postings, this being part 1. First let's take a look at an excerpt from the above Trailer:Trailer Excerpt:
"And now the great glimmering of truth can be revealed again.
You know this secret gives you everything you want: happiness, health, and wealth. You can have, do, or be ANYTHING you want.
I've seen many miracles take place in peoples' lives: Financial miracles, miracles of physical healing, mental healing, healing in relationships.
All of this happened because of knowing how to apply the secret"
This is perpetuated as the great secret of life. At first glance, it has similarities to what is referred to as…
"And now the great glimmering of truth can be revealed again.
You know this secret gives you everything you want: happiness, health, and wealth. You can have, do, or be ANYTHING you want.
I've seen many miracles take place in peoples' lives: Financial miracles, miracles of physical healing, mental healing, healing in relationships.
All of this happened because of knowing how to apply the secret"
This is perpetuated as the great secret of life. At first glance, it has similarities to what is referred to as…
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