tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30756882860668719462024-03-13T18:51:38.575-07:00True Left VisionThom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-38634869545578956442012-09-04T22:03:00.001-07:002012-09-04T22:03:15.980-07:00What is an "A+" atheist?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjY00omqyT4/UEbaU8PO7bI/AAAAAAAAATE/VB_QP9CIKzI/s1600/Skep15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asFaHQHLYhM/UEbYdTmvPgI/AAAAAAAAASo/9_zU6vF06ko/s1600/A+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asFaHQHLYhM/UEbYdTmvPgI/AAAAAAAAASo/9_zU6vF06ko/s1600/A+01.jpg" /></a>I guess this is a growing movement. I heard some about this
from a recent podcast and really have been dealing with it ever since I have
been trying to be in some sort of organized atheist movement back in 2009. I
see flames and arrows going back and forth. It is odd that when compared to the
mountain of religious issues we have to deal with as atheist that how you act
as an atheist is really becoming such a major issue.<br />
<br />
But as I have learned, no two atheists are the same. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some concepts I “believe in as an
atheist.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bygdv4OmLn4/UEbYmQrYXiI/AAAAAAAAAS0/hR1KtmrNrTA/s1600/Rally09A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bygdv4OmLn4/UEbYmQrYXiI/AAAAAAAAAS0/hR1KtmrNrTA/s1600/Rally09A.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and "Jesus" Reason Rally</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I believe that according to the Constitution
that the right to bear arms should not be infringed, but in keeping with the
Constitution they should also be regulated.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I believe abortion is non-negotiable option for
woman and that it is a right inalienable to all women. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I believe that the right for labor to organized
as a sacred as the right to vote and should be encouraged and supported</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I believe that the global climate is changing;
however I have yet to see conclusive evidence that shows humans are the primary
or significant cause.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I believe that food ‘lifestyles” such as vegetarian,
vegan, raw food, organic and etc. are simply a way for people to have a “one-upmanship”
toward other people that do not share their view. No data or study has
concluded that any on these diets are healthier than any other reasonable diet.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I believe that one of the major purposes of the government
is to “provide for the General Welfare”, which means that as citizens we are
obligated to support our country with our taxes. This means those that benefit
most have a greater burden to serve the country with the prosperity.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I believe that when able, a person should help
others and leave people alone when harm could result. TO me, one example is
donating blood. </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I think it is reasonable and responsible to recycle,
and conserve energy, to dispose of waste properly and do your best to care for
the environment.</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I believe that gender equality is required and
respect is the norm. As men and woman, we have many interactions, the goal is
to make them positive, and make it right when we make mistakes.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s2RfJV6LPp8/UEbZQmgMsTI/AAAAAAAAAS8/8eJSou7oGVQ/s1600/Hemant02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s2RfJV6LPp8/UEbZQmgMsTI/AAAAAAAAAS8/8eJSou7oGVQ/s320/Hemant02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hemant Mehta FreeOK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>I believe that human sexuality should not be a
barrier to forming legal relationships with consenting adults. Marriage is a
legal contract and as long as the parties agree, government has no business
intervening.</div>
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<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">None of these
views are dependent or driven because I am an atheist. None of them are related
to me having a past history as an evangelical Christian. I know atheists that
have opposite views of each and every view I share. Does that mean we have
nothing in common, of course not. It means we are a group of dynamic people
that have a manifold of views that represent about every idea and concept of
human existence. Should we alienate someone because they do not share our view
on promoting our concepts concerning God and the supernatural?<br />
</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I recall in 2010 at the Skeptic on III conference a panel discussion concerning
accomidationalists and confrontationalists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was the first time I had come across these concepts. However, it
wasn’t the first time I had dealt with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In 2009, when living in Ponca City, OK, I and a friend started a meet up
group called Northern Oklahoma Freethinkers. By the second meeting we already
had divisions starting. Those members that wanted to “bash” religion and those
that just wanted to talk about science and positive concepts. There were those
that felt that being a atheist meant you were associated with a certain
political party.<br />
<br />
I</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjY00omqyT4/UEbaU8PO7bI/AAAAAAAAATE/VB_QP9CIKzI/s1600/Skep15.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZjY00omqyT4/UEbaU8PO7bI/AAAAAAAAATE/VB_QP9CIKzI/s320/Skep15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PZ Myers, Richard Carrier and D.J. Grothe, Skepticon III </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">t was clear that we had to limit the topics or qualify the topics to not offend
some people. Personally, I loved the rigorous discussions and found them very
engaging. But it was respectful, or at least we tried our best to be. It isn’t
perfect. But what is the goal? What are we trying to do?<br />
We have maybe as many answers to this as we have atheist. <br />
</span><br /><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
For me, as an ex-evangelical Christian, it is to point out the futility of
their faith. I find it perfectly </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zPrJ6_islUs/UEbcLdjhmqI/AAAAAAAAATM/m5lC_7y6rzI/s1600/me-Angel95.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zPrJ6_islUs/UEbcLdjhmqI/AAAAAAAAATM/m5lC_7y6rzI/s320/me-Angel95.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me as a Christian DJ, circa 1990</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">acceptable to ridicule someone that thinks
their make believe faith in something should be respected. But I know this isn’t
the way everyone wants to be, that is fine. I have many personal reasons for my
view. My past has brought me to this point and how I view religion is based
upon many years of seeking and study on the subject.<br />
<br />
I have learned that many people raised in a secular family find the
confrontationalist point of view to be quite aggressive. And for them, that is
right. But there are many of us that are ‘victims” of the dogmatic
indoctrination of religion. I respect those that want to take the quiet and gentle
approach. To me, it isn’t a matter of A+ or A- or anything like that, it is a
matter of making the idea of God less acceptable by a wide range of methods.<br />
<br />
I agree with people that have different tactics than I do. But should I be
marginalized because I like to confront adherents in their churches? Should I
be ridiculed for thinking crosses all over the country are as offensive as
seeing a hangman’s noose or a guillotine? <br />
<br />
I have my point of view and it is different than yours, I get that but I also
share the same goals and ideas. What is the “best” way to be an atheist? <br />
<br />
I don’t know and neither do you. <br /><br />What I do know is that I wish I had someone
like me to help me come out of my religious delusion when I was entrenched in
it. We need all of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I see it, by
all means possible.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">
</span></div>
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-4377064382102576182012-07-08T09:45:00.001-07:002012-07-08T09:45:53.586-07:00What I learned in Sunday School<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometime it takes longer for concepts to soak into head than
others. Like when I talk to someone about construction, I have a history
working in this field and so I can normally keep along with the conversation,
likewise with many automotive principles, while complicated can be understand
at least in concept and talked about as an intelligent customer or consumer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, today was the first time I think the real driving
and motivating force of Christianity came through my head. I had an atypical
day off one recent Sunday and took advantage of the time to go and check out a
local “Sunday School” class. The main issue with finding a Sunday school class
is that there is no unifying time for them to start. So you have to drive
around and look at the signs or go up to the door and see when this or that
church decide it is time to learn about their God and the Bible. This
particular day took me past four options before 9:20 am. The first place didn’t
have anything posted, which I always take as a sign that they really don’t care
what you know only that you believe what they say. This was a more Charismatic
church, go figure. The next two were Lutheran, about two blocks apart, one was Missouri
synod, the other was Wisconsin Synod, and the first one was having Sunday school
at 9:30 and the other and 9:45 am. Across the street near both of these church
is a Catholic Church and School; it seems that is one religious road. Since it
was just after 9:00 I decided to look a bit further, this took me to a Baptist
Church. Not like Westboro Baptist Church but I would guess a more typical
Baptist church. I got there about 9:20 am and they started at 9:45 am, of
course. Three churches three different start times.<br />
<br />
I spend a few minutes in my care listening to “Ask an Atheist” podcast before I
go into join them. I walk around and use the toilet before the class to get the
only relief I will find in that place, more than likely. Of course this being
Sunday at church, people tend to “dress up” well I wore shorts and a polo
shirt, you know, typical clothes. I saw they had three CO-ED classes. So I had
to look at the rooms and guess which one I thought would give me the best “bang”
for my buck. [No money traded hands during the making of this story.] So I saw
a classroom with some questions listed concerning the Gospel of John. I
thought, A-ha, questions, I’ll be able to speak. So after making my choice I
went into the room and in typical Baptist fashion, no one was sitting on the
front seats, so I did. “I ain’t no Baptist.” <br />
<br />
Prior to the class starting some older woman came up to me to get me to fill
out a card with my name and personal information. I asked her, “What is this
for?”<br />
<br />
She said, “It is so we can have a recorded of your attendance.”<br />
<br />
“I really don’t see any reason for that.” She looked at me oddly and went back
and sat down.<br />
<br />
Now, one thing that has soaked through my head is that Church is the place to
tell stories about other people and pretend you’re doing something. You know,
prayer requests. Well they mentioned a few and some other shit that really wasn’t
anybody else business. So this is my conclusion on prayer, it is the way people
can find out about other people’s lives while acting like they care about them.<br />
<br />
Back to the class, the teacher was about in his mid-60s and was what you might
think about an older gentleman, raised in the church Baptist member, short
hair, and hearing aid and in an old but nice suit. I have noticed that if you “break”
a social norm in church, you either get totally ignored or much more attention
than you desire. This day I got ignored. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The leader of the class began by stating that he would have
to leave after 20 minutes due to some baptism. Hearing this made me so sad to
hear such news.<br />
<br />
“Crap, I thought non-believers are growing faster than this.”<br />
<br />
So the leader of the class began his discussion of John the book, There were
several topics mentioned including Nicodemus, spiritual mysteries, physical
mysteries, salvation, titles, and several other issues, not to mention, John
3:16, which oddly didn’t come up. But the discussion of salvation sure the hell
did. <br />
<br />
But as I listened to the lecture, because the only questions, which were few,
were answered with the “whisper” voice you hear if you attend Sunday school,
you don’t want to be WRONG in Sunday school. That might mean you’re learning
something.<br />
<br />
As the leader of the class continued his lecture I could tell that it wasn’t
the content that he was getting wrong as much as failure to see the illogical
connections he was making. <br />
<br />
Picking and choosing from this story or that story of the Bible or just simply
taking a story out from life and incorporating that as support for a the
statements of foolishness. That is when I realized, they don’t care about
facts, and they just care about their story.<br />
<br />
It is like living with role playing people but these people think their game is
real.<br />
<br />
This was the church: http://southcountybaptist.com/#/new-to-scbc</div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-21935290434881937702011-09-02T09:28:00.000-07:002011-09-02T09:28:21.396-07:00Bible Warning label<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_QaVayt53io/TmED03uDkgI/AAAAAAAAARQ/KXjY5cR5GKY/s1600/Bible+Warning+label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_QaVayt53io/TmED03uDkgI/AAAAAAAAARQ/KXjY5cR5GKY/s640/Bible+Warning+label.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-43185497890278556792011-08-24T08:40:00.000-07:002011-08-25T11:04:54.595-07:00Skepticon IV in Springfield, MOIn case you are not aware of this years Skepticon, it should be bigger and better than last years which was quite large and well attended. The Line up for speakers include PZ Myers, Rebecca Watson, Joe Nickell, Jen McCreight, Dan Barker, Greta Christina and many more great speakers and "leaders" in the skeptic and free thought community.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LYecGiv1y2s/TlUaS_PnS-I/AAAAAAAAARI/pP0ZDSdRwY4/s1600/SkepticonIV03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LYecGiv1y2s/TlUaS_PnS-I/AAAAAAAAARI/pP0ZDSdRwY4/s400/SkepticonIV03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skepticon IV is going to be worth attending.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
This years event goes from November 19th and 20th with a special event happening November 18. That Friday a group will take a look at the "Creation Museum of the Ozarks" which is currently located in the Springfield area but is slated to be moved down to Branson when they get the funds. I believe PZ Myers is scheduled to be a part of the tour and bus transportation is trying to be arranged but as of right now it seems driving is the only option. <br />
<br />
Beside the lecture, some of the best part of a conference like this is the chance to talk one to one with these speakers in a friendly and open area. Not to mention that the conference itself is paid for so their is no cost to you to attend. But if you are like most attendees, you will want to buy some new books and other items to use and have the speakers sign. <br />
<br />
While the weather in Springfield can be a bit tricky, the average is cold and rainy. Not too much snow normally. Last year is was quite pleasant so it would be reasonable to expect some rain and colder temperatures. <br />
<br />
At the Skepticon IV website there are forums to request rides to ask for riders and to seek out places to stay. The Union Plaza Hotel, where the speakers will be staying have a special rate and if you go on line the group rate code is SKPT11. If you call them direct you just mention the conference to get the rate. <br />
<br />
The rooms are quite large and the prices are the same for a double or a king. The give a $20 discount to the conference attendees so each room is $79 per night. You can get that rate for up to 5 nights. Not sure why you would need that but it is nice to have that option. In addition, the Plaza Hotel is about three blocks from the theater where the event is being held. It is not across the street in the convention center this year. I am not sure why that is. Maybe it had to do with them scheduling a gun show last year.<br />
<br />
Be sure to sign up Today as the space may fill up fast. I have no idea of the configuration of the place we are going to be at this year but if it is a typical theater then it will not be so easy to move around it like it was last year. <br />
<br />
here is the link: http://skepticon.org/<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_822011215"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a1iHqYpJs6U/TlaM55ufHlI/AAAAAAAAARM/DlVNOtIg-g8/s400/Russell%2527s+Teapot01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/">via The Friendly Atheist</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-63411275095230169462011-03-21T18:28:00.001-07:002011-03-21T18:37:22.141-07:00Another Secular Student Alliance event: This one at Wichita State University<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.raptureday.org/index2.php"><img border="0" height="76" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ay62mO_dEQ4/TYf6ezA5gyI/AAAAAAAAAQU/AQOTLZWwEd8/s400/SkeptICT01.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>I just learned, via facebook, that the SkeptICTs of Wichita State University are going to have a free event this May 21, 2011. It is being put on by the Air Capital Skeptics. I guess this is the day for "Rapture" as it is being held as a "Rapture Day" event. Apparently another religious adherent has taken it upon himself to figure out the day that Jesus is going to return to Earth. Or at least begin the Rapture.I think it should be May 22, so we wo0uldn't have to deal with their crap anymore. <br />
<br />
There is going to be a great line up for this event. If you can make it it would be greatly worth your time. I am not sure if I can yet. But if I can I sure will. <br />
<br />
Here are some of the speakers, remember have your questions ready after they talk, you don't get to ask question in church,<br />
Blair Scott, he is a really nice guy with American Atheists;<br />
Darell Ray, author of <i>The God Virus</i>,<br />
Richard Carrier, historian, I got to talk with him after his lecture in Springfield, really nice guy; <br />
David Fitzgerald, He is with San Fransisco Atheist and the Center for Inquiry<br />
JT Eberhard, I actally stayed at his apartment during Skepticon. He had a nice hotel room. Anyway he is bercoming a very prominate member of the atheist movement.<br />
Sam Singleton, Atheist Evangelist, We had a nice conversation but sadly more desire to talk than time to do it in.<br />
<br />
Plus you will have a change to meet all kinds of cool people from around the country. Who know by the time some more people may be there to speak. Be sure that there will be some people there to protest and bitch and moan about how horrible using your mind is and not walking by faith. <br />
<br />
Which brings me to my final comment. There was a video of a blind woman walking into a subway station and then falling onto the tracks. Several people helped her and signaled the train to stop. <br />
<br />
When asked how she felt about the help she received she said that GOD used the people to rescue her. I think God would have been much more compassionate if he would have stopped her from falling onto the tracks. Or even better had her not be blind to begin with.Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-54663330734581911552011-03-20T15:34:00.001-07:002011-03-20T15:50:44.124-07:00Some notable People I have met face to face.<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="text-align: right;"></div><span style="font-size: small;">Some notable people that I have seen or have interacted with over my life. [in no particular order] This doesn't include any concerts of personal speaking engagements to a group unless I had some direct contact with the person. The list is not exhaustive.The last part refers to how I interacted with them.</span> </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">James Randi – author, <i>Flim Flam, </i>Leading skeptic and magician, originator of $1,000,000 challenge, meal in Springfield, MO</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kathleen Sebelius – former Kansas Insurance Commissioner and Governor, Secretary of Health and Human Services - KSNT-TV</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">D. J. Grothe – head of JREF and well known skeptical podcaster for “Point of Inquiry” and now “ For Good Reason” Same place, St. Louis Skeptical meetup, Michael Dowd event</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Micheal Dowd – author, <i>Thank God For Evolution </i>- Lecture at Unitarian Church, St. Louis</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rebecca Watson – internationally known skeptical podcaster and speaker - Springfield, MO</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sam Singleton – The Atheist Evangelist, Springfield, MO, e-mail Facebook</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Victor Stenger – Professor, University of Colorado, Center for Inquiry, author, <i>God The Failed Hypothesis</i> - meal, Springfield, MO</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">J.T Eberhart – Flying Spaghetti Monster, Missouri State University, Co-organizer of Skepticon - Stayed at his apartment</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nVMuyGEcXk8/TYZ-EcrdIrI/AAAAAAAAAPs/5KxqltHones/s1600/Skep06.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nVMuyGEcXk8/TYZ-EcrdIrI/AAAAAAAAAPs/5KxqltHones/s320/Skep06.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P.Z. Myers in Springfield, MO</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">P.Z. Myers – Associate Professor University of Minnesota-Morris, writer - w/ protesters at Skepticon, Special event in the pub.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">John Schlitt – singer, <i>Head East, Petra,</i> musician, Christian Speaker - Concert [twice], Life Christian Center, St. Louis, MO</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Geoff Moore – Contemporary Christian Musician - after concert, Norman, OK</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3698896624245924025&postID=3896827410801950515" name="search"></a></span><span style="font-size: small;">Ron Dryden – Senior pastor, Cathedral of Praise World Outreach Center, Oklahoma City, OK, new members class, worked at KOKF owned by Dryden</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bIvJ6J_kmLQ/TYZ9bGiEY4I/AAAAAAAAAPo/goNwBd8Cw0c/s1600/OnEarth01.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bIvJ6J_kmLQ/TYZ9bGiEY4I/AAAAAAAAAPo/goNwBd8Cw0c/s320/OnEarth01.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best selling book by Richard Dawkins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Richard Dawkins – author, <i>The God </i><span style="font-style: normal;">Delusion</span><i>, Climbing Mount Improbable</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, </span>evolutionary biologist, professor, public speaker - Norman, OK [question] Charlette, NC [question]</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Abigal Smith - graduate student in Oklahoma studying the evolution of viruses, especially retroviruses, and how that evolution impacts our health - Evolution debate, Yukon, OK</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jen Peeples - aerospace engineer, former military test pilot, and foxhole atheist - Pridefest, Austin, TX</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Don Baker – computer scientist with an interest in evolutionary biology and the nascent science of memetics - Pridefest, Austin, TX</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bob Saget – American stand-up comedian, actor, and television host - KDNL-TV</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jerome Bettis – retired American football halfback who played for the NFL's Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers – KDNL-TV</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bill Clinton – Former President of The United States of America - [twice] Topeka, KS, Oklahoma City, OK</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Barack Obama – President of The United States of America - Several times, St. Louis, MO</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Claire McCaskill – U.S. Senator, Missouri - Speaking, Victory Party</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Russ Carnahan – U.S. Congressman , Missouri – Interview, speech</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fred Phelps – ex-lawyer, Reverend, founder of Westboro Baptist Church - Shawnee County Jail</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nate Phelps – estranged son of Fred Phelps - Clayton High School</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_BUoyHCsbT8/TYZ9Uvgfp5I/AAAAAAAAAPg/xi2yuy95yK4/s1600/Abrams02.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_BUoyHCsbT8/TYZ9Uvgfp5I/AAAAAAAAAPg/xi2yuy95yK4/s1600/Abrams02.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former father-in-law, Steve Abrams</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Steve Abrams – former head of Kansas State Board of Education, Kansas Senator, ex son-in-law</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sam Brownback – former U.S Congressman and U.S. Senator; current Kansas Governor interview KSNT-TV, KWCH-TV</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Todd Tiahrt – former U.S. Congressman from Kansas - KWCH-TV interview</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Henry Hyde – U.S. Congressman-Illinois, interview, KWCH-TV</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joan Finney – First female governor of Kansas - WIBW-TV</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ray Preston – reporter, KMOV-TV - Worked with</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Andy Banker – reporter, KTVI-TV - Worked with</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mary Fallin – former Lt. Governor and current Oklahoma Governor - interview, pictures</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joel Olsten – famous pastor from Texas - photos, events</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bob Dole – Former U.S. Senator-Kansas, Former Republican Presidential Canidate - picture with</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dan Baker – Former pastor, musician, president of FFRF - Springfield, MO</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Richard Carrier – Historian, author, philosopher - Springfield, MO</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joe Nickell – paranormal investigator - Springfield, MO</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Debbie Goddard – Center for Inquiry - Springfield, MO</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">John Corvino – writer, Moral activist with LGBT, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan - Springfield, MO</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TVr-36izsdI/TYZ_nMOIifI/AAAAAAAAAP4/2f1g79B7nhc/s1600/100_1559.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TVr-36izsdI/TYZ_nMOIifI/AAAAAAAAAP4/2f1g79B7nhc/s320/100_1559.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve "Jake" Jacobs and I; Mr. Wizard?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Steve “Jake” Jacobs – Mr. Wizard IV, Discovery Channel Contributor for “Mythbusters” Director of Informal Science Education - former teacher</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Todd Barber – JPL, NASA, California Institute of Technology, Saturn's Cassini mission, Mar's Rovers - mutual friend of my best friend</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stephen Curtis Chapman – Contemporary Christian Singer, Springfield, MO, St. Louis, MO</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-13084769246502962912011-02-21T12:02:00.000-08:002011-02-21T12:05:42.772-08:00Judgment and judging and the curse of expectationsI find the way people act to be a good indicator of what they believe regardless of what they say they believe. My daughter back in September on a visit to see her asked her stepdad to adopt her. Of course prior to this action I had no clue whatsoever that she had even entertained the idea. Needless to say it hit me like a brick wall on fire. I couldn't believe it. The daughter that I love so much and had worried about and worked so hard to cultivate a good and open relationship was asking this of me? How could this be?<br />
<br />
Oh yes. I remember. My old friend religion was at work here. The Christian was showing the true nature of what it means to be an adherent. Reality isn't what matters but it is the perception of what make her comfortable. The trip went ahead as planned but needless to say the call from her Uncle on the morning I left for Kansas was a most distracting thing to deal with. Her Uncle happens to be the attorney that was handling the case.<br />
<br />
So a trip that was designed to be a fun time with my daughter and girl friend became a horror filled nightmare. Why? Well that really is the question. Had I ever hurt her or abused her or did anything to her detriment? No. All I ever wanted for her was to be happy and healthy and smart. The last time I saw her she had made a point of wrapping a present for me and giving it to me for Christmas. What had happened from the caring loving daughter I had last scene then? During the year I would call her and also send her text messages. For awhile I got messages back but I figured she was busy and such. <br />
<br />
But this was much more than a communication situation. It was the influence of religion in all that moved my loving daughter to a hostile person. It was through the encouragment of people that are self rightous and would prefer to hurt me and distroy Madeline rather than show the love and charity and compassion that their religion asks for them to do.<br />
<br />
How many times must we forgive? Is it three times? It is seven times? Even if you have forgiven seventy times seven you have only just began to forgive. What are the characteristic of love? Aren't they long suffering, patience, tenderness, forgiveness, gentleness, self control, faithfulness and kindness? When did God give up on those that believe on him and call on his name? <br />
<br />
I see the hand of my self righteous ex-wife at work in the actions and words of my child. The burden of anger and frustration that I feel is so intense and so burning with rage that I can barely explain it. How I want to teach all of them what is the right way to act. how I want to force them to confess their evil deeds and turn to me and ask my forgiveness.<br />
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How I want to steal my daughter for the influence of the lies that she has been force to accept as true. And even more evil that I wish I could do to them for the hurt and pain and anguish they have caused me. <br />
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I am not sure how many of you are familiar with the story of The Good Samaritan. It is a parable from Jesus and talks about the compassion of one given to another that is undeserved or at least rightly with held. The Samaritans were a sect of the Jewish people that had a slightly different view of how to worship God than the more Orthodox Jews. The Samaritans felt you could worship God where ever you wished and the more Orthodox Jews felt this was only done in the temple. Because of this the Samaritans were hated and viewed with utter contempt by the Jews. <br />
<br />
So as the story goes, the man was on a journey and was beaten and robbed and left to die on the roadside. [a pathway in today's meaning] As the man laid in need a priest came by and walk by him and did nothing to aid him. Likewise the same with the Rabbi that walked that way. One could understand this situation. the bandits may very well be waiting nearby to beat and rob the person that would help the Samaritan. <br />
<br />
Then as we all know finally The Good Samaritan comes and helps the man, binds his wounds and takes him to an inn where the Samaritan pays for his rest and recuperation asking nothing in return. yet even saying to the inn keeper that anything the man needs that when he comes back he will pay for that as well.<br />
<br />
Jesus asked the ones that listen to the story who was the one that showed mercy? The answer was hard for them to say. Because the right answer were the people that were despised, the Samaritans. So what was answered was, "The one who showed mercy."<br />
<br />
This is the way I have to react when people treat me with cruelty and bitter anger and hate. Am I going to answer their evil with evil? Am I going to judge them by my worse fears? Or am I going to hold out hope that my tolerance and hope for them will lead to a path that we both can share and help each other?<br />
<br />
While I am sure it would thrill my ex-wife to no ends to have me become angry with my daughter she has no way to fathom the love I can show. Some say that the love of God stretches as far as the east is from the West. I don't know about that. But I do know that when you show love it helps you and the person you show it too.<br />
<br />
Maybe if more Christians were more eager to show God's love we could dispense with the divisions in the world and our country and focus on helping one another instead.<br />
<br />
Great evil and malice has been shown toward me yet I will not act in kind. I will judge this situation by the actions of what has happen to me. But I will do it in patience and with reflection on my own human frailties.<br />
<br />
What is worse; to destroy someones body or destroy someones mind will? How about both are bad and not do either to the best we can.<br />
<br />
Why do people seek to cause others harm? I could only guess that it has to do with false expectations. As humans we tend to project certain ideas and results on people and groups that we think we have a valid understanding of. This is part of human nature. Sometimes these expectations are worth merit but more often than not they are a best guess.<br />
<br />
If you have ever meet another person, out of the two of you one is more intelligent. That is a fact. But according to the Dunning-Krugger Effect, If you have two people both will assume to be above average in their intelligence. This, of course, cannot be right, only about 40 percent of the people can be above average. The rest are about average or below average intelligence. Having study this effect I have seen how I am a victim of my own self delusional behavior and tend to think what I think is right or best isn't always the best or right way after all. <br />
<br />
This applies to our relationship as well. the amount of time one invest into a commitment tends to amplify the value of that commitment. I once collected stamps and loved to get new ones and find out where they were from and all about them. They were stolen from me when I was about 18 years old and that hurt me very much. Even to this day, all the time and effort and education I put into it still brings a bit of pain. But the truth is to someone that has no desire in stamp collecting my actions and feelings would be foreign. <br />
<br />
Because of this I would have an unreasonable expectation of them to empathize with how losing my stamp collection made me feel. A reaction to that may be to get even madder at them because they fail to react as I would. This would be an unreasonable reaction on my part. Of course, this also applies to careers, politics, and religion.<br />
<br />
We have by nature unreasonable expectations for others to accept our ideas and behave as we wish. I surely do that. But I try to be aware that my expectations may not be reasonable. Just because I have invested a lot of time and effort into them doesn't mean that others must feel the same as I do.<br />
<br />
Sometimes the most simple things is to step back and say, Why don't you feel like I do? Or What to you think or feel about this?<br />
<br />
Of course, this requires communication and since my ex-wife thinks it a great idea not to communicate, that left my daughter with very little of my influence. I know for a fact that if I hadn't been left out of the picture that I wouldn't be dealing with this Today. <br />
<br />
It doesn't hurt to reevaluate your values now and then. You might find betters ones. After all, didn't Jesus change the way the Jews were thinking?Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-68332421394422243462011-01-16T16:07:00.000-08:002011-01-16T19:05:28.370-08:00Why I Am Skeptical About Global Warming<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">While normally my blog deals with issues of religion and some with politics this is the exception. Global warming is an issue that I have tried to wrap my head around and have done some research into the issue. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Here are some facts that I think most people can agree on. One, there has been ice ages in the past. Two, there has been periods of relative warmth. Three, these periods are cyclical. Four, we are currently in a warm period. Five, the effects of these changes are clearly understood and the effects can be damaging to human habitation. Six, We have an idea as too how long these periods last between warm and ice ages. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I feel that most if not all of these six points can be accepted by almost anyone without having to challenge any sort of philosophical background one might have. With that said I want to explain my perspective on planet preservation and being a responsible component on planet earth. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">For me believe it or not my attitude of how to care for the planet was forged in my time as a Christian. There are passages in the Bible that talk about being a responsible steward of the resources and such and the reason the Bible gives is because God says so. Of course, I don't feel that is a good reason but the ideas are a good base. If you are trying to reduce the impact on the environment things such as recycling and reusing and using less and being more efficient with cars fuel economy and things of that sort is unquestionably sound and should be encouraged and society should make a mechanism for us to do such things. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I find that people that pollute and waste food and other examples of waste should be educated as to the benefits to them personally and to the society as a whole of using the resources as needed. I have seen in the past when I was a child picnic areas that are covered in and blowing about with loads of trash and when you go to the trash can it is almost totally empty. I have seen much more recently public places where the spaces are clean yet the trash cans are over flowing for use. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I am glad to say that we are moving toward an attitude where it is more preferred to throw trash away than to throw it out the car window. Concerning the car window when I was a child I thought it was totally acceptable to toss trash out the window. But then I was a child and there was not the education in the general public to keep the roads and state clean. About the time I was becoming aware of things such as not throwing trash outside was about the time the Earth Ecology movement was beginning. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So over the past decades there has been a continued and constant push to help keep the Earth clean. All the things seem reasonable to me. Things like don't dump your car oil in a river or creek because that kills fish and its used down stream for crops and drinking water. What could be more reasonable. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As time went on there was more of a move to have the actions of people to be interconnected to the planet in general. At one time the great looming doom was the threat of a cooling planet. Then after several years that shifted to NOT global cooling but global warming. Evidence has been shown as to glaciers and ice sheets melting worldwide and I find the effects disturbing. However the effects of global warming, which I accept have yet to be directly connected to a cause and effect relationship to human activity. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">That is to say if there is a direct cause and effect relationship of human caused or accelerated climate change it is not well explained to the general public. I am a person that loves to investigate subjects and feel that I can grasp concepts that are difficult. With that understanding, I feel that I have the skill of being able to distill the facts of these issue and explain them to others. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">With that said I have watch many documentaries about global warming and heard many prominent scientist talk about it as if it is a clearly understood facts. Yet I get to the end of the program or the lecture and think to myself, “I still don't see how humans are causing this.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">To be honest I find the predictions of the “Old Farmer's Almanac” to be just as valid as anything that I have came across in statements from the global warming. At least the Almanac is able to predict the general weather patterns about a year and a half out if not further. I would have to say that is much more accurate than the meteorologists on the TV are.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The bottom line to what I want to say about climate change is that I think being a planet responsible person makes total sense to me in many ways. I also accept that the idea of the changing of the climate is nothing to be running helter skelter about but making adjustments to deal with a naturally occurring phenomenon. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">SO I think that most of the ideas about reducing and generally being responsible with the Earth's resources. But I do not yet see the cause and effect relationship of human cause or accelerated climate change. </div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-53894922712001482812011-01-14T12:18:00.000-08:002011-01-14T13:14:22.165-08:00From a Lion to a Crab<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TTC1kIKkReI/AAAAAAAAAKc/DwBUpE3o79o/s1600/Leo01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TTC1kIKkReI/AAAAAAAAAKc/DwBUpE3o79o/s200/Leo01.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Just when you thought that there was nothing more crazy to discuss about astrology a new story has went viral. I first saw this on <a href="http://www.colbertnation.com/home">The Cobert Report.</a> Now the story is really nothing new. I have heard it before so it isn't like it is a news flash but the pysudo-science tends to want to keep the old standard of zodiac in place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TTC1hYsRGAI/AAAAAAAAAKY/jrI6Pv_aIUw/s1600/Cancer01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TTC1hYsRGAI/AAAAAAAAAKY/jrI6Pv_aIUw/s200/Cancer01.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>I have seen shows on this several times but this was the first time I saw that there was a "new" sign added to the zodiac. The new sign is Ophiuchus: Nov. 29 - Dec. 17. It seems rather short but it is long enough to move me from the Leo to the Cancer sign. Luckily all my family and friends that are or were Leos are now Cancers.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TTC44rbaxFI/AAAAAAAAAKg/XiD6C-sr8LE/s1600/Ophiuchus01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TTC44rbaxFI/AAAAAAAAAKg/XiD6C-sr8LE/s200/Ophiuchus01.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have you seen me?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Something looks oddly familiar to me about this new sign. Does anyone else see anything familiar with it? What is it?<br />
<br />
Oh I know what it is. It is the same symbol that the medical profession has used for centuries and it called the rod of Asclepius. You can look it up by clicking on the symbol in wikipedia. If you have ever been to a doctor's office you must have seen this on the wall or somewhere around the office. Even paramedics use it. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_641522246" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TTC6LYYKZJI/AAAAAAAAAKk/hoDm9-IJ36s/s1600/Ophiuchus02.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_of_Asclepius">The doctor will see you now.</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The main thing is that it really means nothing whatsoever. When you understand some basic astronomy and then learn a little bit about the origins of astrology you realizes that not only are the signs not set to the right dates any more but the "readings" or "messages" are even more foolish than they initially appeared.<br />
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But not to be defeated I already found a site where the psychic reader was willing to address the science with hooky thinking. http://www.paganspace.net/forum/topics/zodiac-signs-did-not?page=3&commentId=1342861%3AComment%3A9550174&x=1#1342861Comment9550174<br />
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You may have to scroll down to find the comment by the person named Brigitte to see the actual comment I am talking about. It's not really worth you time except for a chuckle. <br />
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Here is another link to an article from 2005, because this is such a breaking news story. <br />
http://ophiuchus.tribe.net/thread/c6760342-3edb-42ef-aad9-d9572ea9574f<br />
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From what I can find out so far the changing of the dates also has to do with the size of the constellation in the sky. <br />
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Keep it reasonable.<br />
ThomasThom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-47999561222926799212011-01-12T14:06:00.000-08:002011-01-12T20:01:34.322-08:00My Predictions for 2011<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TS4qu-1BfbI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/4wYGgi3P3og/s1600/pyschic01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TS4qu-1BfbI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/4wYGgi3P3og/s1600/pyschic01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you really think about it, it makes no sense. It should be clear.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>With the number of yearly predictions that physics and other soothsayers make each year I thought I would throw my hat into the ring and see what I can come up with. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">These are in no particular order unless otherwise stated.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><ol><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Justin Beiber will be in a drug situation where he is forced to confess his mistake and then goes on the TV talk shows and then puts out an album that sells millions.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">NASA will announce that recent studies from Saturn and it's moon indicate an unusual phenomenon that Is best described as being created from an intelligent source.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Also a planet sized object will be found in our own solar system beyond the Kuiper Belt.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Due to the cold weather, a species of animal or plant will either be much more abundant or scarce.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A political religious group will hold a government agency hostage and make demands that cannot be met.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">China will make great strides in it mission to the Moon by landing vehicles near American lunar sites.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Public opinion will turn against Ashley Simpson as she selects to have an abortion after news of her pregnancy is leaked.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A small band of two to five thieves will roam the southeast United States hitting movie theaters and fast food restaurants.</div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A prominent Texas lawmaker will be discovered to have a same sex relationship with a evangelical pastor. </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Queen Elizabeth will die of natural causes and King Charles will be assassinated which makes King William the head of the monarchy. </div></li>
</ol><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">And for a bonus one: A hurricane will hit the Los Angeles area followed by a 5.5 to 6.2 earthquake.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Let's see how well I do next year at this time. </div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-57035750267525527072011-01-05T17:32:00.000-08:002011-01-05T17:32:59.436-08:00A Blast From The Past.[E<i>ditor's not: This is a response to a “revival” held in Ponca City, OK April, 2008. I know that is a long time but it is before many of the new atheism was so strong so I thought it might be good to look at a couple a years latter.</i>]<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Last week, well really early this week the Kay County Association of Baptist Churches thought it would be a good idea to hold a revival in Ponca City, OK. So prior to this they stuck some of their trash about this event on my apartment door. Just what I want is someone else trash to throw away. So I have been suffering from an bad allergy attack that day and left work early. While resting at home I decided that I would make a visit to this event to see what these people think is so important for me to hear that they have to trash up my door. <br />
<br />
The even started at 7:00 pm so I drove down and went in. I was going to sit near the back or somewhere innocuous out of the way. Not really knowing what I was going to do, but I did bring my notebook and some snacks. [I guess you don't eat snacks at these things. They didn't have anything to drink either.] I will touch back with some of the opening ceremonies after I hit on some of the meat of the matter. <br />
<br />
The Speaker was Kevin Clarkson of First Baptist Church of Moore, Oklahoma. That was the church that “God” destroyed with a tornado on May 3, 1999. You can see their cross on the banner of my blog. The Reverend Clarkson open up his show with a statement that "Christianity is under attack" in America. Looks like it is under attack from God if you look at my pictures.<br />
<br />
To support this he sites as examples of the recent best selling books, The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins and The End of Faith by Sam Harris on the New York Times best seller list. Then he gave a skewed view of the contents of the books, to the audiences delight and ignorance. He did make the point not to mention the success of the Left Behind Series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. But he did throw in a little bit of The DeVinci Code by Dan Brown and how bad it was. <br />
<br />
Then he went in to the discussion of other religions and how The God Delusion by Dawkins sets up other religions as being all the same in how they represented their beliefs but "Christianity is uniquely different."<br />
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To wish I add, "Just like all the other religions."<br />
<br />
He went on to attack The Rational Response Squad's The Blasphemy Challenge saying that They were actually convincing young people to go around and record themselves blaspheming The Holy Spirit. However he went on to add that he really didn't see anyone them really blaspheming God, just saying that they didn't believe in the Holy Spirit and in God. He didn't want to go into what the "actual" unpardonable sin was but I have a feeling he might really know. He went on to say there is still hope for those young people. <br />
<br />
He also said something about Oprah creating a religion. I didn't really follow that. I thought she already was a religion. Poor Oprah, she just can't catch a break.<br />
<br />
Rev. Clarkson also mentioned the famous Clive Staples [C.S.] Lewis as the author of "Narnia." I think he meant The Chronicles of Narnia." Rev, Clarkson also added a few other comments, he added the title of Dean of both Oxford and Cambridge to Lewis. Which Lewis was certainly familiar with Oxford as that is where he attended college he was a professor at Cambridge. He did also teach at Magdelan College in Oxford in where he meet and became friends with several other writers including J.R.R. Tolkien and they called themselves "The Inklings." But I digress. <br />
<br />
The point is if you are going to make a statements as fact, check your facts. <br />
<br />
One point that really showed the total lack of knowledge of this speaker was when he said, "[T]hose that do not have God, do not have morals." <br />
<br />
To which I say, "Oh really?" To which I would add, "Those that do have a God have no morality."<br />
<br />
Another such area lacking fundamental examination of facts is when Rev. Clarkson said there were five Greek and Jewish writers alive at the time of Jesus writing about him. I am not sure if he meant five Greeks and five Jewish or some combination of five of the two. <br />
<br />
According to my searching I have found one Jewish and two Romans historians that wrote anything vaguely about a person that fits that description. The writers are Josephus [Jewish], Pliny the Elder or Younger [Roman] and Tacitus. This adds up to one Jewish, zero Greek and two Romans. Not five and none Greek. Where did this guy go to seminary at? The Universal Life Church?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<br />
But it is harder to verify facts than is it to just say something. So I will give him that. Rev, Clarkson did say something. <br />
<br />
Oh but the topper of the evening was this quote by the "Right" Rev. Clarkson. He was referring to how all the people at the time of Jesus' life respected Jesus and even his enemies respected him, though he failed to give any examples. He then said, "Even Barack Obama quotes from The Sermon on the Mount."<br />
<br />
I just wonder what he was not saying by that statement. <br />
<br />
</div>To support this he sites as examples of the recent best selling books, The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins and The End of Faith by Sam Harris on the New York Times best seller list. Then he gave a skewed view of the contents of the books, to the audiences delight and ignorance. He did make the point not to mention the success of the Left Behind Series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. But he did throw in a little bit of The DeVinci Code by Dan Brown and how bad it was. <br />
<br />
Then he went in to the discussion of other religions and how The God Delusion by Dawkins sets up other religions as being all the same in how they represented their beliefs but "Christianity is uniquely different."<br />
<br />
To wish I add, "Just like all the other religions."<br />
<br />
He went on to attack The Rational Response Squad's The Blasphemy Challenge saying that They were actually convincing young people to go around and record themselves blaspheming The Holy Spirit. However he went on to add that he really didn't see anyone them really blaspheming God, just saying that they didn't believe in the Holy Spirit and in God. He didn't want to go into what the "actual" unpardonable sin was but I have a feeling he might really know. He went on to say there is still hope for those young people. <br />
<br />
He also said something about Oprah creating a religion. I didn't really follow that. I thought she already was a religion. Poor Oprah, she just can't catch a break.<br />
<br />
Rev. Clarkson also mentioned the famous Clive Staples [C.S.] Lewis as the author of "Narnia." I think he meant The Chronicles of Narnia." Rev, Clarkson also added a few other comments, he added the title of Dean of both Oxford and Cambridge to Lewis. Which Lewis was certainly familiar with Oxford as that is where he attended college he was a professor at Cambridge. He did also teach at Magdelan College in Oxford in where he meet and became friends with several other writers including J,R,R, Tolkien and they called themselves "The Inklings." But I digress. <br />
<br />
The point is if you are going to make a statements as fact, check your facts. <br />
<br />
One point that really showed the total lack of knowledge of this speaker was when he said, "[T]hose that do not have God, do not have morals." <br />
<br />
To which I say, "Oh really?" To which I would add, "Those that do have a God have no morality."<br />
<br />
Another such area lacking fundamental examination of facts is when Rev. Clarkson said there were five Greek and Jewish writers alive at the time of Jesus writing about him. I am not sure if he meant five Greeks and five Jewish or some combination of five of the two. <br />
<br />
According to my searching I have found one Jewish and two Romans historians that wrote anything vaguely about a person that fits that description. The writers are Josephus [Jewish], Pliny the Elder or Younger [Roman] and Tacitus. This adds up to one Jewish, zero Greek and two Romans. Not five and none Greek. Where did this guy go to seminary at? The Universal Life Church?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<br />
But it is harder to verify facts than is it to just say something. So I will give him that. Rev, Clarkson did say something. <br />
<br />
Oh but the topper of the evening was this quote by the "Right" Rev. Clarkson. He was referring to how all the people at the time of Jesus' life respected Jesus and even his enemies respected him, though he failed to give any examples. He then said, "Even Barack Obama quotes from The Sermon on the Mount."<br />
<br />
I just wonder what he was not saying by that statement. <br />
<br />
</div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-79170392257861885632011-01-04T16:03:00.000-08:002011-01-04T16:03:42.875-08:00Olsteen update for "A Night of Hope"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSOz3clt9SI/AAAAAAAAAHk/OoF1_PD6VAs/s1600/Olsteen04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSOz3clt9SI/AAAAAAAAAHk/OoF1_PD6VAs/s320/Olsteen04.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From joelolsteen.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This afternoon I was contacted by Andrea from Lakewood Church. The Houston Megachurch that Olsteen leads. When I asked her about the cost of the ticker she explained that it covered the cost of paying for the Scottrade Center employees and various things such as that. I expressed my view that if this is a message that is good for everyone to hear that provision should be made for making the event free. Andrea explained that they used to have free attendance at these events but when they had an event at Madison Square Garden the facility required that a admission be charged for safety reasons. This was Oct. 19, 2007. So the policy continues with "A Night of Hope" Jan 7th at 7:30PM at the Scottrade Center.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thegarden.com/events/joel-osteen-10-07.html">MSG Olsteen Event </a><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">According to the MSG website they charged $14.95 for the tickets. Andrea explained that from then on they started using a reserved seat ticket system. Andrea said that they had to use TicketMaster but MSG uses there own system for selling tickets. SO according to the representative for Lakewood Church each public event has been forced to charge an admission ever since. I would have to think that is was more of a unexpected windfall myself. The question I have now to this comment is how did you manage to have events prior to this? How did people attend and how was the facility paid for? The bottom line to that part of this issue is that it seems God provided until they made it to New York City. Since then God's provision has not been sufficient for the ministry. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A second point is that Andrea felt that it was simply a legitimate process of the ministry to charge and that they were nothing different from a Christian Music performer or band charging. First of all, concerning a person that has talent and skills in singing and playing a musical instrument, the performance is an accepted means to pay the people for the show. Andrea said several times that these “people” consider their performances to be a “worship service.” I agree they very well may believe that and to them people there it may be that as well but the actually event is a performance of singing and musical instruments. For this, the convention and traditional process is that a performer that comes to a scheduled event is either paid via doors ticket sales or via sales of products during the show or some other prearranged agreement. This is a reasonable thing to happen. Like plays, sports, movies, and other performing arts, the payment is part of the recognition of the skills of those performing. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">A short search on the internet will show you many concerts for Christian performers that decide not to charge. It is that somehow the cost of the event simply went away? I doubt it. I think that the priority of the show was to get the message of their faith out. That is more important than the door charge. But with the draw that Olsteen has I guess he doesn't really have to worry about the message as much as the money. To be sure I am sure that Olsteen isn't going to travel coach or by train to St. Louis, and I am damn sure he isn't going to drive. Olsteen may have a driving licensee but I doubt he ever has to use it. But that is all supposition on my part.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSO0ShZDd-I/AAAAAAAAAHo/T3a54416hw0/s1600/signing01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSO0ShZDd-I/AAAAAAAAAHo/T3a54416hw0/s320/signing01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">When I was talking to Andrea, I came up with several ideas off the top of my head how to make this event free to the public yet still reserved seating. She seemed to think that was a main reason behind it. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">One was to have the tickets distributed through local churches and or business. That way the number of tickets could be set and there would be some accounting for the numbers that were given out. So what is someone take a few they don't need, Isn't Olsteen suppose to rely upon God's provision anyway? The second way was to have a $15 to 25 credit that the person could use on another purchase. Maybe a book or CD or something like that. At least then they could say the price of admission is returned in a free gift to cover the cost. But to be honest that is the weakest way to deal with it. The best way would be to have the people buy the tickets and then once they got in trade the purchased ticket for cash and a admission ticket. But like I told Andrea, who should I be the one solving your problems. You all are the professionals at this not me. These were just two ideas I thought of off the top of my head when talking to Andrea.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSO0cn6ctSI/AAAAAAAAAHs/pLGPhJT7Tqg/s1600/signing02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSO0cn6ctSI/AAAAAAAAAHs/pLGPhJT7Tqg/s320/signing02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Now lets look at the history of evangelical Christianity. But before I do, Andrea mentioned several times how she didn't think that the payment of $15 was that much. I would contend that if it was someone that was in need of “A night of Hope” that $15 dollars could be quite an issue. She did go one to say that they give away free tickets at Joel Olsteen's book signings. SO you can get free Joel Olsteen tickets 12:00pm Friday, Jan 7, 2011 at the Pudd'n Head Books on 37 S. Old Orchard Ave in St. Louis 63116 phone: 314.948.1069. But of course if it is like a typical book signing, you usually have to have a book to get it signed. Preferably from the bookstore you are in. As with most book signings. You have to purchase the book at the location which means spending at least $15 for a book and wait in line to have the Olsteen's sign it. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSO089sOVrI/AAAAAAAAAHw/rz_bTg7OEJ8/s1600/OnEarth01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSO089sOVrI/AAAAAAAAAHw/rz_bTg7OEJ8/s320/OnEarth01.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cost nothing to have this book signed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Both times that I went to see Richard Dawkins he would sign any book you had even other items. To be quite honest I was surprised how committed he was to the fans and the willingness, albeit, tired commitment to making sure everyone was taken care of. This was no small crowd. At The University of Oklahoma the lines must have had several hundreds of people with multiple books some people had as many as a dozen books. Plus you didn't have to purchase the books at that event either. To be sure the line so long I am one to wait to the end plus I was talking to a friend, I actually got a second book and waited through the line a second time and he happily signed it for me. When I had him sign “The Greatest Show on Earth” it was in Queen's University in Charlotte, NC and while the crowd was much smaller he still had 300 people in line. Plus bot of his events were free to the public. I guess Richard Dawkins has more faith in people then Joel Olsteen does in his God.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Back to evangelical Christianity, Most of the great revival throughout American and Western history have been attempts by the ones so lead by their convictions to proclaim the word of God to the masses without restriction. To try to “save” as many as possible. The motivation behind this can best be describe as the speaker or speaker is motivated to save these souls from the punishment of Hell. Seems like a good idea so with that as a motivation and shared by others in the revivals the masses hear the message and if all goes as planned they have some new adherents. While I do not share the motivation of these men and woman I do at least understand their desire to spread their beliefs as freely as possibler. To be quite honest. If one isn't willing to share their religious beliefs I would have to question the sincerity of them. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Men like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, preachers of the Great Awakenings of the past centuries up to and including men like Jimmy Swaggart, Oral Roberts, Kenneth Copeland, Binny Hinn and Billy Graham all promoted open and free attendance. They viewed the value of the message too important to restrict those that needed to hear it. Seems they were able to find a way to make it work. Who knows, maybe Joel Olsteen will have the proof of concept of God that I have been looking for but I will not know because I am broke and can't waste that sort of money on something so extravagant. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">All this is before, again, we address the sales of books and CDs and other promotional material that the Olsteen's have seemed to mastered several years ago. Also, I would find it hard to believe that a “love offering” is not asked for from the attendee. One has to wonder, how much money does God need? This reminds me of the Great George Carlin's routine about God, “<span style="font-size: small;">He loves you, and He needs money! He always needs money! He's all-powerful, all-perfect, all-knowing, and all-wise, somehow just can't handle money! Religion takes in billions of dollars, they pay no taxes, and they always need a little more. Now, you talk about a good bullshit story. Holy Shit!”</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-33014422018022488322011-01-03T17:29:00.000-08:002011-01-03T17:42:23.879-08:00Joel Olsteen Shares God's Message, For a Price.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSJ2NFmZ_9I/AAAAAAAAAHA/Aq8ruiR26-M/s1600/Olsteens01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSJ2NFmZ_9I/AAAAAAAAAHA/Aq8ruiR26-M/s320/Olsteens01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria and Joel Olsteen leave Houston court Aug, 6, 2008.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Joel Olsteen and his Flight Attendant beating wife Victoria bring their brand of religion to the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. They will be here Jan 7<sup>th</sup> for the “A Night of Hope” concert or whatever they call it. But you better be prepared for a day or two of work because the tickets are available, as of now, on TicketMaster for $22.70. However if you have the promo code you can save the $7.50 fee and pay just $15.00 to get in to hear the words of this man of God. With the Center configured as a stage it can seat about 22,000 ticket holders. With the tickets ranging from $22.70 to $15.00 each person the Olsteen look to rake in from $330,000 to $499,400 alone from ticket sales. When I called the Olsteen Ministry today the woman I spoke to in the media office told me that it is typical for an admission to be charged to the events. I am sure for the Olsteen events that is true. But there are plenty of examples for this not being the case.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSJ3ExF1OAI/AAAAAAAAAHE/yn6Jn1iheLs/s1600/Olsteen02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSJ3ExF1OAI/AAAAAAAAAHE/yn6Jn1iheLs/s320/Olsteen02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floor plan from TicketMaster showing the form to buy tickets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This stands in sharp contrast to other religious live events such a a Billy Graham Crusade, One Day Crusade, Campus Crusade, Dave Roever Crusades, Harvest Crusades and lists of many of the crusades or outreaches that travel around the country. It seems Today the use of the gospel that is in the Bible is now so exclusive that one must pay for it ahead of time. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">But with the requirement of payment ahead of time there is no fear of having those that might disagree with the message. In the past when I was a Christian I would go to many crusades and events. If they were to be an outreach to the public they were always free. Honestly who is going to go to one of these things if they don't already agree with them if you have to pay for it?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSJ3gpInF0I/AAAAAAAAAHI/h_tq2avzS3M/s1600/Olsteen03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TSJ3gpInF0I/AAAAAAAAAHI/h_tq2avzS3M/s320/Olsteen03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drop down menu shows the price of Olsteen's event.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">To me this show little faith in the God that Olsteen seems to promote. If this God is so powerful why doesn't he have him pay for the event by supporters or donations. It shows a lack of faith on Olsteen's part. Plus how much can it cost to rent that place? I have not been able to find out but I can't see it costing $300,000 for one night. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I will concede that if the event is like a Christian band or a seminar that it is typical to pay. I agree that Joyce Meyers annual Woman's conference is an event that people go to for the event itself. Though I do think that is really a borderline issue too. But at least I understand that. Olsteen's deal is suppose to be a way to “share” hope with, I would guess, for everyone that needs hope. I guess if you can't afford the price of admission that all hope is lost. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Well my HOPE is that the lovely Olsteen's get exposed for the shysters, hypocrites and frauds that they are. This is nothing than a pure use of religion for self promotion and self gratification. I know the couple Olsteen will be able to dismiss and discount this in their own views but if they do have any ounce of integrity, which I am not counting on, they may actually reach into their financial resources and open this event to the public like their faith says they should do with the gospel they believe in. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">But with the outrageous idea of charging for an event that should by all reason should be free there is of course the sales of material that the Olsteen's get when they descend onto the venue. Just from what the joel olsteen website shows there are 28 books, 26 series [whatever that is], scores of messages [sermons], and 15 music CDs for sale<span id="goog_720000868"></span><span id="goog_720000869"></span>. I was surprised that there was no videos for sale. With all this material for sale the Olsteen are sure to have a big haul from the St. Louis concert show they are doing January 7<sup>th</sup>.<br />
<br />
I almost forgot this part too. Olsteen gets all this money tax free because his job is more important than anyone else but American soldier's in a war zone. </div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-23998821110185064062010-12-30T14:47:00.000-08:002010-12-30T14:48:21.742-08:00Josh Brecheen hits the big time.<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Looks like newly elected Oklahoma State Senator is getting a real education in foot in mouth disease. Since his editorial has been posted in The Durant Daily Democrat on December 22, 2010 there has been national reaction in the forums blogs and other places as well. Sadly it looks like we [none creation people] are going to be the losers in this battle. If you have been keeping up with my blogs you know that I have mentioned the idea that those that are faced with facts tend to hold tighter to their faith. SO while in the court of public opinion we may have some momentum, in the end Sen. Brecheen is going to be in the Statehouse and we will be going about our lives.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TR0LJHUhMqI/AAAAAAAAAFw/pm6aVpi01hY/s1600/Brecheen01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/TR0LJHUhMqI/AAAAAAAAAFw/pm6aVpi01hY/s320/Brecheen01.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>I normally do not send people to other websites. But this one is so good you just have to take a look at it. <a href="http://www.joshbrecheen.com/">Josh Brecheen</a> is a perfect picture of what is the radical republican right in America. I would challenge any of you all to look at this and not laugh at his honest to goodness website. p.s. be sure to read about his wife. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
But with that in mind when looking up this ignorant, about evolution, man we find that his fame is growing faster than a 40 day rain. Here are a few of the websites he is mentioned on <a href="http://www.atheistnexus.org/profiles/blogs/another-update-on-josh?xg_source=activity">Atheist Nexus</a>, <a href="http://friendlyatheist.com/2010/12/25/oklahoma-state-senator-josh-brecheen-wants-public-schools-to-teach-creationism/">Friendly Atheist</a>, <a href="http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2010/12/oklahoma_state_senator_josh_br.php">Science Blogs[Greg Laden]</a>, <a href="http://sensuouscurmudgeon.wordpress.com/2010/12/24/oklahoma%E2%80%99s-senator-josh-brecheen-totally-crazed/">The Sensuous Curmudgeon</a>, <a href="http://newsodrome.com/internet_marketing_news/oklahoma-state-senator-josh-brecheen-wants-public-schools-to-teach-creationism-22889780">Newsodrone</a> and many more.<br />
<br />
PZ Myers even wrote a reply, point by point, on his <a href="http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/12/when_did_oklahoma_start_electi.php">Pharyngula</a> website to the crazy talk that Brecheen was spewing. Needless to say I hope this will shine the light of knowledge in that part of the country. But I have been to and lived in that part of the country and I do not hold out much hope for the triumph of logic and reason. </div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-24761111394322294292010-12-28T08:51:00.000-08:002010-12-28T08:52:01.069-08:00Another update on Josh Brecheen.<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It has been good to see the mostly positive reaction to the ill-conceived comments of Oklahoma State SEN Josh Brecheen. If this man is looking to make a name for himself, he certainly is. He put an editorial in the local paper from his senate district, The Durant Daily Democrat. In addition to the uproar over several things wrong with attempting to try to have creation taught in public schools, the comments in the newspapers website have been lambasting him for his outrageous views in other subjects as well. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Being a native son of Oklahoma, it pains me when I see this sort of pubic display of foolishness. But even more so when it is done by our government officials. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Here are a couple a links to learn more about this issue and this man. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/12/when_did_oklahoma_start_electi.php</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">http://www.durantdemocrat.com/view/full_story/10775841/article-Reader-says-Breechen-badly-misunderstands-evolution-and-science-?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">http://www.durantdemocrat.com/view/full_story/10776295/article-Brecheen-says-the-religion-of-evolution-is-plagued-with-falsehoods?</div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-88439131638499356022010-12-23T11:38:00.000-08:002010-12-23T11:38:54.487-08:00Response to Senator Josh Brecheen of OklahomaOne of the bills I will file this year may be dismissed as inferior by “intellectuals” so I wanted to devote particular time in discussing it’s merits. [<i>You put intellectuals in quotes so we do not know exactly what or who he is referring to here. “it's” means, “it is.” This makes no sense grammatically.</i>]<br />
<br />
It doesn’t address state waste, economic development, workers comp reform or lawsuit reform (although I have filed bills concerning each) but it is nonetheless worthy of consideration. [<i>This clearly is a stated opinion.</i>]<br />
<br />
It is an attempt to bring parity to subject matter taught in our public schools, paid for by the taxpayers and driven by a religious ideology. I’m talking about the religion of evolution. Yes, it is a religion. [<i>No. Evolution is a study of science. Evolution has no dogma. It has no group meetings, It has nothing such as a tax-exempt status. It is simply an area of study such as aerodynamics.</i>]<br />
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The religion of evolution requires as much faith as the belief in a loving God, [<i>This again is a stated opinion and is clearly an un-American statement as faith in a deity is not required in this country. Plus he makes an empirical statement comparing faith or two different items yet fails to show the relationship between these two items. This is a logical fallacy. </i>] when all the facts are considered (mainly the statistical impossibility of key factors).<br />
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Gasp! Someone reading this just fell out of their enlightened seat!!! [<i>Again this is a logical fallacy, It is an ad Hominem attack.</i>] “It’s not a religion as it’s agreed upon by the entire scientific community,” some are saying at this very moment. Are you sure? Let’s explore the facts. [<i>This is another logical fallacy called a straw man</i>.]<br />
<br />
As a high school and university student forced to learn about evolution I was never told there were credible scientists who harbor significant skepticism toward Darwinian Theory. [<i>This is a reasonable expectation as one wouldn't expect to learn about religion in a science class.</i>]<br />
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I easily recall a full semester at SOSU where my English 1 professor forced us to write almost every paper over the “facts” of evolution. [<i>Two issues here, One, while your English professor may indeed a great English teacher, he is not a teaching biology and may be much more interested in the ability you have to make a persuasive argument. Two, I am sure you were not forced to write anything for any class. As more than likely you were a voluntary student and could end your time in school anytime you wished. Please, try to refrain from dramatics.</i>]<br />
<br />
That professor had a deep appreciation for me by semester end due to our many respectful debates as I chose to not be blindly led. I specifically remember asking how in 4,000 years of recorded history how we have yet to see the ongoing evidence of evolution (i.e. a monkey jumping out of a tree and putting on a business suit). [<i>Again, in an English course, the standards are different than in a biology class. This example really has no relevance and is a personal experience as well. Your biography states that you are a motivational speaker so it comes as no surprise that you are able to excel in an formal English class. But The example you need is one from your biology professor.</i>]<br />
<br />
Following a 2001 PBS television series, which stressed the “fact” of evolution, approximately 100 physicists, anthropologists, biologists, zoologists, organic chemists, geologists, astrophysicists and other scientists organized a rebuttal. So much disagreement arose from this one sided TV depiction that this group produced a 151 page rebuttal stating how the program, “failed to present accurately and fairly the scientific problems with the Darwinian evolution”. [<i>Another logical fallacy. This is a false dichotomy . Failure of the evolution model is not confirmation of the creation model.</i>]<br />
<br />
These weren’t narrow minded fundamentalists, backwoods professors or rabid religious radicals; these were respected world class scientists like Nobel nominee Henry Schafer, the third most cited chemist in the world and Fred Figworth, professor of cellular and molecular physiology at Yale Graduate School. [<i>Again, another logical fallacy. This is an appeal to authority.</i>]<br />
<br />
Ideologues teaching evolution as undisputed fact are not teaching truth. [Stated opinion.] Renowned scientists now asserting that evolution is laden with errors are being ignored. That’s where we should have problems with state dollars only depicting one side of a multifaceted issue. [<i>Another logical fallacy. non-sequitur . You make a statement however the purpose of science is to continually search for weakness in there accepted views plus also challenge the conventional wisdom. There is nothing wrong with science concepts being challenged. Unlike with ideas that result from dogma.</i>]<br />
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Using your tax dollars to teach the unknown, without disclosing the entire scientific findings is incomplete and unacceptable. [<i>Stated opinion.</i>]<br />
<br />
For years liberals [<i>false generalizations</i>] have decried how they want to give students both sides of an argument so they can decide for themselves, however when it comes to evolution vs. creation in the classroom, the rules somehow change.<br />
<br />
Their beliefs shift, may I say... evolve to suit their ideology. [<i>These statements include several logical fallacies. One is the special pleading of “the rules changing” when they are not demonstrated to do so and the logical fallacy of ad hoc reasoning or Special pleading when you exert that a ideology is changed to suit the actions of the liberals. Plus you use the term liberals as if it is a disparagement which is also an opinion and it is a gross generalization that all of these people are liberal without proof to support your statement</i>.] <br />
<br />
We [<i>Who are we? Those that understand and accept the conclusions of evolution surely cannot be included in the “we” you speak of.</i>] must discuss the most recognizable icons of the evolution religion [<i>Again, a stated opinion</i>.].<br />
<br />
Darwin sketched for The Origin of Species a visual to explain his hypothesis that all living creatures evolved from a common ancestor. The tree of life scenario, engrained upon most of our memories, depicts gue [<i>Not sure what “gue” means.</i>] transitioning into a hunched over monkey which then turns into a business suit. [<i>Not sure where you get your information but that is not only an logical fallacy it is also an irrational statement. Never has a money been shown to turn into a business suit. That would be a total non-sequitur.]</i><br />
<br />
[<i>“On The Origins of Species” which was the first published work of Charles Darwin on the subject dealing with evolution never deals with the subject of human or ape evolution. If you had read the work you would have realized that. Plus this work was publish in 1859 and as in any area of study much more work has been done on it. Do we still use the same means of transportation we did when the locomotive and automobile were invented? Are we still using the same type of phone that were shown to the public in 1876? Are we still using the same telegram and telephone and radio devices that Marconi and Tesla came up with at the turn of the last century? Senator Josh Brecheen, your explanation on this subject is far from knowledgeable.</i>]<br />
<br />
Darwin himself knew the biggest problem with his visual (cornerstone concept of his hypothesis) was the fossil record itself. He acknowledged major groups of animals, he coined “divisions” (now called phyla) appear suddenly in the fossil record. The whole basis for evolution is gradual differences and changes to be confirmed by modified fossils (phyla cross-over). Even Christians believe in biological change from species to species (adaption) over time.[<i>It shouldn't be any surprise that factual data is believed</i>.]<br />
<br />
The taxonomic hierarchy which includes species, genus, family, order and class must be visualized for understanding separation from phyla and species classifications. As an OSU Animal Science graduate I readily admit the adaption of animal species from interbreeding such as Santa Gertrudis cattle, a “weenie” dog or even a fruit fly. Even the difference among lions, tigers and cougars could be attributed to species adaption and interbreeding if one so decried. Additionally, human differences seen notable in ethnicity proves that change among species is real but this is NOT evolution, its adaption. [<i>Natural selection is the process that is used to achieve adaption over time in nature. The process of change over time is that the adaptation leads to more and more divergent speciesazation. This was predicted in Darwin's work and has been found to be true in many examples. You clearly understand the common and divergent process that can happen in a short time. It is the same divergent process that happens over 100.000 to millions of years.</i>]<br />
<br />
Changes with the classification of species is DRAMATICALLY different then changes among Phyla. Phyla changes would be if an insect, with its skeleton located on the outside of soft tissue (arthropods), transformed into a mammal, with its skeleton at the core of soft tissue (chordates). Phyla changes must be verified for Darwin’s common ancestor hypothesis to be accurate. [<i>Thanks to the genetic record, this has happened. This is why there is no doubt as to the relations between species any longer among scientists that understand these processes. Plus a general example is shown with animals such as seals, walruses, manatees, sea lions and other animals that live on both sea and land that are mammals. Since the process of natural selection takes place over many thousands of years the offspring of one seal will never produce an animal that isn't related to the parents but given the period of time the ancestors will not be the same species as their prodigy. Of course the process requires much more explanation than I can do here easily. To find out more please contact graduate researcher Abby Smith in the Endogenous Retro virus field in The University of Oklahoma</i>. <i>She is well known statewide and nationally for her work in genetics</i>] <br />
<br />
The rapid appearance of today’s known phylum-level differences, at about 540 million years ago, debunks the tree of life (common ancestor) scenario. This biological big bang of fully developed animal phyla is called the Cambrian explosion. The Cambrian explosion’s phyla fossils and the phyla of today are basically one in the same. These phyla fossils of that era are fully developed, not in a transitional form. [<i>You need to learn what a transitional species is. You do not seem to be using the terminology correct. A TS is any species that is between any other two. All plants animals and all life when they are a live are actual and transitional species. Homo sapiens are transitional species.</i>]<br />
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In fact we don’t have a transitional form fossil crossing phyla classification after hundreds of years of research looking at sediment beds spawning the ages. There are certainly plenty of good sedimentary rocks from before the Cambrian era to have preserved ancestors if there are any. As for pre-Cambrian fossils being too tiny or soft for secured preservation there are microfossils of bacteria in rocks dating back beyond three billion years. Absolutely ZERO phyla evidence supporting Darwin’s hypothesis has been discovered after millions of fossil discoveries. Darwin’s cornerstone hypothesis where invertebrate’s transition into vertebrates is majorly lacking and so is Darwin’s “theory”. [<i>Again you show you lack of understanding of the topic as there is clear understanding of the transitions and you also show you lack of understanding of the scientific use of “theory.' Theory means a set of data in a discipline that supports a most likely concept. This theory is also able to predict and be used as a model for understanding new information and can be used to predict how the process operates. This applies for cell theory, theory of gravity, theory of relativity and so on. Many of the theories in science that we rely upon everyday are accepted as fact just as evolution is.</i>] <br />
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I will be introducing legislation this session to ensure our school children have all the facts. [<i>Please make sure you have the facts first.</i>]<br />
<br />
This discussion is to be continued in next week’s column..<br />
<br />
Josh BrecheenThom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-72284266048581924232010-12-22T20:40:00.000-08:002010-12-22T20:40:28.301-08:00Letter from Oklahoma Senator Josh Brecheen concerning evolution and creation.One of the bills I will file this year may be dismissed as inferior by “intellectuals” so I wanted to devote particular time in discussing it’s merits. It doesn’t address state waste, economic development, workers comp reform or lawsuit reform (although I have filed bills concerning each) but it is nonetheless worthy of consideration. It is an attempt to bring parity to subject matter taught in our public schools, paid for by the taxpayers and driven by a religious ideology. I’m talking about the religion of evolution. Yes, it is a religion. The religion of evolution requires as much faith as the belief in a loving God, when all the facts are considered (mainly the statistical impossibility of key factors). Gasp! Someone reading this just fell out of their enlightened seat!!! “It’s not a religion as it’s agreed upon by the entire scientific community,” some are saying at this very moment. Are you sure? Let’s explore the facts.<br />
<br />
As a high school and university student forced to learn about evolution I was never told there were credible scientists who harbor significant skepticism toward Darwinian Theory. I easily recall a full semester at SOSU where my English 1 professor forced us to write almost every paper over the “facts” of evolution. That professor had a deep appreciation for me by semester end due to our many respectful debates as I chose to not be blindly led. I specifically remember asking how in 4,000 years of recorded history how we have yet to see the ongoing evidence of evolution (i.e. a monkey jumping out of a tree and putting on a business suit).<br />
<br />
Following a 2001 PBS television series, which stressed the “fact” of evolution, approximately 100 physicists, anthropologists, biologists, zoologists, organic chemists, geologists, astrophysicists and other scientists organized a rebuttal. So much disagreement arose from this one sided TV depiction that this group produced a 151 page rebuttal stating how the program, “failed to present accurately and fairly the scientific problems with the Darwinian evolution”. These weren’t narrow minded fundamentalists, backwoods professors or rabid religious radicals; these were respected world class scientists like Nobel nominee Henry Schafer, the third most cited chemist in the world and Fred Figworth, professor of cellular and molecular physiology at Yale Graduate School.<br />
<br />
Ideologues teaching evolution as undisputed fact are not teaching truth. Renowned scientists now asserting that evolution is laden with errors are being ignored. That’s where we should have problems with state dollars only depicting one side of a multifaceted issue. Using your tax dollars to teach the unknown, without disclosing the entire scientific findings is incomplete and unacceptable. For years liberals have decried how they want to give students both sides of an argument so they can decide for themselves, however when it comes to evolution vs. creation in the classroom, the rules somehow change. Their beliefs shift, may I say... evolve to suit their ideology.<br />
<br />
We must discuss the most recognizable icons of the evolution religion. Darwin sketched for The Origin of Species a visual to explain his hypothesis that all living creatures evolved from a common ancestor. The tree of life scenario, engrained upon most of our memories, depicts gue transitioning into a hunched over monkey which then turns into a business suit.<br />
<br />
Darwin himself knew the biggest problem with his visual (cornerstone concept of his hypothesis) was the fossil record itself. He acknowledged major groups of animals, he coined “divisions” (now called phyla) appear suddenly in the fossil record. The whole basis for evolution is gradual differences and changes to be confirmed by modified fossils (phyla cross-over). Even Christians believe in biological change from species to species (adaption) over time. The taxonomic hierarchy which includes species, genus, family, order and class must be visualized for understanding separation from phyla and species classifications. As an OSU Animal Science graduate I readily admit the adaption of animal species from interbreeding such as Santa Gertrudis cattle, a “weenie” dog or even a fruit fly. Even the difference among lions, tigers and cougars could be attributed to species adaption and interbreeding if one so decried. Additionally, human differences seen notable in ethnicity proves that change among species is real but this is NOT evolution, its adaption. Changes with the classification of species is DRAMATICALLY different then changes among Phyla. Phyla changes would be if an insect, with its skeleton located on the outside of soft tissue (arthropods), transformed into a mammal, with its skeleton at the core of soft tissue (chordates). Phyla changes must be verified for Darwin’s common ancestor hypothesis to be accurate.<br />
<br />
The rapid appearance of today’s known phylum-level differences, at about 540 million years ago, debunks the tree of life (common ancestor) scenario. This biological big bang of fully developed animal phyla is called the Cambrian explosion. The Cambrian explosion’s phyla fossils and the phyla of today are basically one in the same. These phyla fossils of that era are fully developed, not in a transitional form. In fact we don’t have a transitional form fossil crossing phyla classification after hundreds of years of research looking at sediment beds spawning the ages. There are certainly plenty of good sedimentary rocks from before the Cambrian era to have preserved ancestors if there are any. As for pre-Cambrian fossils being too tiny or soft for secured preservation there are microfossils of bacteria in rocks dating back beyond three billion years. Absolutely ZERO phyla evidence supporting Darwin’s hypothesis has been discovered after millions of fossil discoveries. Darwin’s cornerstone hypothesis where invertebrate’s transition into vertebrates is majorly lacking and so is Darwin’s “theory”.<br />
<br />
I will be introducing legislation this session to ensure our school children have all the facts.<br />
<br />
This discussion is to be continued in next week’s column..<br />
<br />
Josh Brecheen<br />
<br />
I have not changed any of the spelling or grammar from the source article.<br />
<br />
http://durantdemocrat.com/pages/full_story/push?content_instance=10717736&need_to_add=true&id=10717736#cb_post_comment_10717736Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-12837305409229582672010-12-16T14:13:00.000-08:002010-12-16T14:13:33.028-08:00When History goes wrong.Over the past few months the History channel has totally gone ape-shit crazy. [To use the technical term.] I am not sure of the reason or the source of the change but in the past couple of years about the time the name changed from “The History Channel” to History. Shows such as MonsterQuest, MysteryQuest, Ancient Aliens, Decoded, Ice Road Trucker, IRT: Deadliest Roads, Swamp People and many more of the psychobabble of programming that they have on the channel now that have nothing to do with history other than there are idiots that think these events are somehow real or entertaining. <br />
Granted I did get tired of the constant World War II stuff that they used to have on here but now it is more like they really could careless about facts, reliable dates, the work of actual and respected historians and presenting competent programs that help to increase human knowledge instead of programming that uses phrases like; “Someday science is going to have to accept that these claims may be true” and “what if” and “It is possible” and “may well be and “could of.”<br />
Respectable science has looked at these claims many many times and they all fail short of facts and proof. Is it possible? Well I guess in absents of actual information then yes it is possible. But is it likely? HELL NO! To be honest, I do not find the ancient stories of stone age person to have any relevance in Today's world. <br />
The worse part is there is absolutely not attempt by the producers of these show to present balance or to show other opposing views. The whole flipping program ONLY presents a side that shows that these lame brain ignorant ideas “may be” true.<br />
At least with the ones of religion I am not expecting them to present a equal view. But these lame ass shows and especially the Ancient Aliens one particular have no business being on a channel that is suppose to be primarily for educational purposes. <br />
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It just drives me nuts to hear these fools on TV without no one to counter their outlandish claims.Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-74449802917070654452010-12-16T09:49:00.000-08:002010-12-16T09:57:08.514-08:00Atheists and sexuality<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Often when religious adherents encounter an atheist for the first time a common comment they say is that they don't think pornography is right. I have heard this several times from different religious adherents in various places and times around the country. Of course this represents a very gross misunderstanding of what an atheist is. As I have stated before it has little to do with what one does but with what one fails to believe. Usually this is due to the lack of evidence to conclusively show that there is a supernatural nature to, well, anything. This being the very defining characteristic of an atheist. If you notice there is nothing in it that relates to or is dependent on anything sexually. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So why is there such a misconception among the religious adherents about the sexual mores of atheists? There are several paths that we can take to lead us to the answers. One is due to the belief that adherents see their morality as being derived from a supernatural source they make the mistaken assumption that the absence of this moral code would result in the practice of what that code set up as prohibitive. This is, of course, nothing but a logical fallacy, a non-sequitur. The facts of the issue are much less enticing. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">While it is true that as a generalized group, atheist are more likely to be accommodating or practicing in some sort of sexual behavior that is otherwise prohibited in most religious dogma. The reality is much less fatuous and frivolous. As we are “fortunate” to learn that the promoters of such sexual moral codes are often the ones that are the ones that are often most entangled in the same behavior that the try so hard to restrict. It has been said before that the more one protest or wishes to restrict a behavior are the ones most likely to be the ones involved of most willing to accommodate it's practice in their own lives. From this, I personally view that the more a person or group promotes restrictive sexual behavior the more likely it is that somewhere in the group these taboos are practiced. Is there a sexual restriction that seems unusual from an ethical point of view? I would say that this is either used as a cover for some other sexual behavior or for the particular sexual behavior that they are against in their dogma. This is my opinion but it is based upon the reports and experiences that are reported in the news from time to time. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">To this end, I find that atheist are fortunate in that these dogmatic hang-ups that so many religious adherents are forced to suffer through. The prohibition of natural behavior is something the religion is quite good at. When it comes to food, sex and clothing, religion has something to say almost every time on these subjects. So it should come as no surprise that normal sexual behavior is one of the most restrictive areas that the adherents of religion focus on. Things such as homosexual partners, sexual actions, number of sexual partners, time for sexual behavior, age of sexual actions and so on have “answers” in the dogma of religious adherents. Theses answers, of course, are already part of the moral and ethical codes of human behavior. There are reasons for and against certain sexual behavior and the reason for practicing them. Atheist are more likely to be less restrictive of sexual actions that are committed by mutual consent by adults. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Biologically there is no reason for most of the restrictions that religious adherents push including the right or a woman to control her own body and the time and place she wishes to have children, if she even wants to have any at all. It is a real problem for the male dominated religions to accept the idea that woman are able to exercise the freedom that men have been able to enjoy for so long. This is really a none issue with atheists other than wishing that a person makes the best decision for their particular situation. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So under the banner of atheist, there is plenty of room for persons of atypical yet totally acceptable sexual behavior to find acceptance. It is not uncommon to find a person at an atheist meeting that is homosexual or a couple that by choice desires to not have children or even a relationship that involves more than two persons. The only level of acceptance is that the people are pleased in the conditions and are not trying to force or otherwise promote illegal activity. Rape is still viewed as a violent action and is generally viewed as a action that requires the perpetrator to be punished. Sadly, even this has exception with in the range of religious dogma. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">To surmise, atheists are not the sexual perverts that the religious adherents may believe that they are. That would more likely be the actual religious adherents themselves. Atheist are generally more accepting of a wider range of sexual behavior than the religious adherents. This acceptance is borne out of the idea that it really doesn't matter after all. As long as one can function and productively contribute then that should be the moral standard for acceptance of a person. Not the person they have sexual relations with. </div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-14213447668291264072010-12-09T15:23:00.000-08:002010-12-09T15:27:27.768-08:00Why atheist will lose the war against religion.<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I have been what I call a devoted and or a committed atheist for about 10 years now. After getting free from the repression of the “Steve Abrams” family of Kansas. Yes, the Steve Abrams that was on the Kansas State Board of Education that thought evolution wasn't such a good thing to teach in science classes in public school. So I have seen a few things change in the past few years in my life and in the current cultural discussion. I may go into that later but this deals with were I see us now as the new atheist movement.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">There is a discussion of those that are leading the charge that we are to be either accommodationists or confrontationalists. I saw a panel discussion on this very subject at the Skepticon III in Springfield, MO a few weeks ago. It doesn't seem to make any sense to me that there is no difference in thought between the two camps as to how they view the supernatural or that divine. The issue comes down to the way to deal with the religious adherents. This is the area that I want to talk about.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">With the ones that think we really have no need to deal with the adherents in a way that would cause confrontation, let me remind you that the fundamentalist adherents are a large and vocal group that have no reservation whatsoever to push their dogma onto use wholesale even to the place of discrimination, persecution and arrest if they could do so. I am sure many of you, like me, have withdrawn from the evangelical or fundamentalist background. Those of you that have surely realize the fervor and the emotional appeal that the dynamic religious leader has upon the group of adherents in the congregation. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I recall with clarity the way I would yell and jump and “praise” god when I was in a worship service. I wanted us to out to the places of “sin” and bring the word go god to them and see the power of god in action. To see it fulfilled. I knew that when the word of god was spoken that it wouldn't return void. [what ever that means.] I was one to confront the atheist and the morally lax to their face. I was one to prayer around the abortion clinic and boycott those things that I was told were back, such as movies and so on. But I was not unique in this point of view there were many others that had the same vigor and held the same view. In a way that was a very comfortable thing because as long as I was acting in the light of the Lord. So I knew that I was doing what was god's will. No one could convince me otherwise. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">But as I have been involved in the atheist or skeptical or freethinker realm, it seems that there is none that take up the fervor that the dogmatic adherents banner. It is more of the intellectual and mental aspect of the cause that is the driving force of this movement. I have seen Richard Dawkins speak twice live and have heard and read much that Christopher Hitchens has said and wrote and many of the other movers and shakers in the new atheist. But this doesn't meet the level of one of the evangelical churches that is in your city and your neighborhood. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What do these men get for their barely provocative views? They get criticized by the so called old atheists. The ones that have been going along to get along for so long that they do not even realize that they are part of the reason that the radical adherents have been able to make such inroads in our public and private lives. I am even skeptical o f the alliance between the gay and the atheist community. I have notice that homosexuals are much more accepted by straight atheist than atheist are by religious homosexuals. TO WIT: At least I believe in God.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">My goal is to help create and mobilize discussion and action to show the public that we are here and we are a force to deal with in our country. Our numbers indicate the hidden strength we have. We have just now have to have the courage of our convictions to stand up for what we believe. After all, if it was easy, anyone could do it. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What do I mean? It can be different for each person. Anything from keeping a marker and wiping out “In God We Trust” on our currency to attending and debating adherents in their religious places that are “open to all” and “welcome all.” Keep in mind that we, as taxpaying, atheist pay for them to have a special position in the country so we have every right to attend and discuss the things they are doing with the privilege they have within our country. The more they try to control our government, the more we should try to destroy and demolish their beliefs. They only believe in a fiction anyway so why not make them face the facts. Make them stand and prove what they believe in. My only weapon to use against these radical adherents is my mind and my voice. I see no reason to let the radical right overtake the moderates and liberal believers. As Hitchens and others have said, I am an anti-theist. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">But the accommodationialist want to look at the least offensive religious persons and use them as a reason as to why we must work with them. That is bullshit. In every way if they want to join us then fine but we should by no means accommodate the moderate or liberal versions of a delusion just because they seem to agree with us on some issues. The point of view when they agree is, “You should agree with us.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">But until we see the adherents as an attack upon our species and our progress as humans then we will continue to flounder and fail to make this world a batter place for all who occupy it. </div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-30304868857766897712010-12-03T10:10:00.000-08:002010-12-03T10:13:40.578-08:00Goodbye Sweden<iframe frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zZtc2ma2GEQ?fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
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This is related to Chapter Eight; part thirty, HUMANIST POINT OF VIEW from my blog.<br />
Here is that link: http://trueleftvision.blogspot.com/2010/11/chapter-eight-humanist-point-of-view.htmlThom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-52112366241766232462010-11-18T19:43:00.000-08:002010-11-18T19:45:26.471-08:00Chapter Eleven; MORALITY AND MANKIND part forty-one<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402032623783944530" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/SvfgDNW2oVI/AAAAAAAAABY/pVdPhndOOFE/s400/Book+Cover04.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 290px;" /><br />
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While it it's not as big issue using some of the moral teachings of the Bible to guide your life, it is nothing but a delusion to believe the stories of the Old and New Testament are based upon reality and science. I may not be able to convince the devout followers to abandon their faith in the fairy stories of the ancients and become and atheist as I am but I may be able to convince some moderate followers to see the wonders of nature and live their life for what we know and maybe get them to learn more about the wonderful Universe we live in.<br />
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<i>From the Clovis civilizations museum near Portales, NM operated by the Eastern New Mexico University shows some actual artifacts from the items discovered of the Paleo-American civilizations and also has models of the dug out housing used by the people at that time. The ancient Clovis civilization is said to have roamed the Eastern plains in North America in search of Mammoth and Bison for food and other societal uses from 13,500 years ago. The artifacts found in the museum have been studied and sent to experts all over the country and world to help in the accurate understanding of the prehistoric Americans.</i><br />
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In a recent trip to New Mexico I was fortunate enough to visit the Eastern New Mexico University exhibit of the Blackwater Draw National Archaeological Site documenting the Clovis and Folsom civilizations. Near Portales, New Mexico there is an excavation site that was discovered in 1929 by Ridgely Whiteman of Clovis, New Mexico. At this site many bones and artifacts of ancient Paleo-American people and animals were found. These include discoveries of such extinct animals as the dire wolf, mammoths, giant ground sloths, American camels and horses, giant armadillos, American lion as well as the remnants of items left behind by the people living in this area for more than 13,000 years ago. It is hard not to see things like this as inspiring to myself and anyone else who may view the skills of our ancient ancestors. Knowing that my ancestors were able to adapt and use their environment to suit their need to survive so many thousands of years ago. The evidence is so overwhelming and pervasive, yet this small museum seems to have very little traffic through it. It is inconspicuously placed at the far end of a highway rest stop. Just waiting for the knowledge of its amazing artifacts to get seen by people. And those visitors learn about the people that lived in America before the time of the ancient Greeks, Phoenicians , Egyptians and many other ancient civilizations. We have many artifacts of these early Americans. It would lead one to wonder what keys to social and technical development did these people take or skip to not have grown into a more prominent civilization? <br />
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At that time, 13,000 years ago the findings of the Blackwater Draw indicate that the climate was much more humid and wetter with greater vegetation and rain than the climate is now in Eastern New Mexico. Maybe with the plentiful food and water their motivation to make a more advance civilization was not high on the priority list of these people. As the saying goes, “necessity is the mother of invention.” If there is not much to look for to survive then there is not need to advance the civilization. The Middle Eastern Civilizations had scarcity of food and water so they had to create a hierarchy of who would rule and how. So this is just my hypothesis of why the civilizations didn't advance as fast as the Middle Eastern ones. I use the word “advance” selectively as we really have no idea of the cultural advancements of this race and what knowledge they may have possessed. There is not a written record of their society.<br />
This archaeological site and museum is well worth visiting if you ever find yourself out in the area. It is not just my recommendation but, “The Carnegie Institute, Smithsonian Institution, Academy of Natural Sciences, National Science Foundation, United States National Museum, National Geographic Society and more than a dozen major universities either have funded or participated in research at Blackwater Draw National Archaeological Site.” <br />
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<i>This hole is a 11,000 year old hand dug well near Portales, New Mexico dug by the Clovis people of ancient America. At this time there were many megafauna that lived in America including the Mammoth. This well is older than what most of the young Earth supporters believe that the age of the entire Universe is younger than this whole in eastern New Mexico. This well is at the Blackwater Draw National Archaeological Site. </i><br />
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I would conclude that the people that believe in a creator and a young Earth either have to discount the evidence of these findings or somehow believe that they are less than 6000 years old. It is true that the same physical evidence can reveal different ideas of what it is and what it means. But even if I accepted their young Earth age, the evidence of these amazing animals is proof for substantial change in just a few thousand years. The tools of Paleo-American man are found in many of the bones of the animals discovered in the Blackwater Draw Nationals Archaeological Site including Mammoths. Most ID followers will “accept” what they call micro-evolution, and this is clear evidence of it happening on a large scale. The next step is to have them let loose of that ancient time line so they can see how the steps of evolution are in place to fill the steps from 3.5 Billion years back to Today.<br />
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I recently read some of the points made by Intelligent Design supporters and have found that most of the points they try to use to express their ideas of “natural implausibility” are usually based upon either ignorance of the material or blatant misrepresentation of written material. One may wish to research into the Dunning-Kruger Effect to help explain the issue of how ignorance helps a person feel smarter then they actually are. One such example is from the book The Politically Incorrect Guide to Darwinism and Intelligent Design by Jonathan Wells, Ph.D. In chapter nine he does a section on DNA which for the most part is really informative and I learned something from it. For one he points out that the ratio of DNA matched pairs are always equal in a gene. So adenine and guanine pair up so the ratio of these two molecules will always be equal and the thymine and cytosine pair up so these molecules will always be in the same ratio. This helps to explain how the DNA will always “seek” out the proper molecule to fill the right spot on the DNA sequence. That was some good basic information that would help a person to understand a little about DNA. Then in the chapter he throws in a quote from Microsoft founder Bill Gates about how DNA is like a computer code but more complex. Again, this point I will gladly concede. Like the sea shell I talked about before the DNA structure has had 3.5 to 4 billion year head start to get the pattern “right or wrong.” With this as a bridge from the basic DNA information he presented, he says references two source that the minimum numbers of genes to make a living cell is 250 genes. Oddly enough when I check the second of his source the it says only ~80 of the 250 genes were viable for life. The gene set was made up of 250 gene pairs but there are ~80 that are represented in all life. I will not try to interpret this any further since I am not a scientist but it is clear to me that Wells is being intellectually dishonest in his presentation of other people's work in his book. His thesis is that if a single cell needs at least 250 genes for the life process to happen that there is not enough time in the known Universe for this sequence to develop. And the conclusion is that the “information in DNA sequence is extremely complex.”<br />
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Wells fails to point out the cause and effect relationship for this conclusion. He also fails to use what time scale he is referring to. Wells also seems to impart some special pleading for the idea of information. Since we live in the Information Age, Wells may be using the popular meaning of that word. This is surely the terminology the Gates was referring to earlier. But in nature, information is any bit of data. It doesn't mean that the information is something created. It just means it exists. The distance from Earth to the Moon is information. The air temperature is another bit of information. How far your holding this book from your eyes is another piece of information. The way DNA matches up with its matched pair is information. But that is information in the sense that we are humans and use information to understand the world. A dog or pig or tree uses information about the world it is living in as well. The science of biology is basically a combination of chemistry and physics and that is the type of information a person must have at least a layman's understanding to understand the natural processes that will support the science that is used to explain the process of natural selection and evolution. The need for water and water itself is universally needed for life, as far as we know, so all life forms on Earth tend to have a mechanism for them to find the things that make them live. Water, some sort of gas for respiration, and for most forms of life, sexual reproduction. The biology of life is simply a matter of chemical and physical ideas coming together to produce life as we know it.<br />
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A simple way to look at how a biological process happens is the same as a chemical process. Let's take for instance a portion of gunpowder and we place that power on a table in a circle with enough room that it doesn't burn the powder next to it and we light the end point. When a certain chemical reaction is present, activity occurs. The heat from the flame makes the chemicals in the gunpowder begin an exothermic reaction releasing heat and light. This reaction continues unabated until something acts upon it. Say for instance water. The reaction would stop and would not start back up until the powder was dried or a high temperature was able to restart it.<br />
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This reaction is one of a more simple examples of the many many hundreds to thousands to millions that have happen over the period of time to produce the person reading this book today. I am sure you can think of at least a half dozen ways that the thought experiment I described could be different to produce a different result.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">FROM: <i><b>GOD IS NOT GREAT</b>: How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">“What believers will do, now that their faith is optional and private and irrelevant, is a matter for them. We should not care as long as they make no further attempt to inculcate religion by any form of coercion.”</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally, faith answers all questions...with nothing.</div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-62771831819784440062010-11-18T07:58:00.000-08:002010-11-18T19:22:45.302-08:00Chapter Eleven; CONGRATULATIONS CHARLES DARWIN part forty<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402032623783944530" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/SvfgDNW2oVI/AAAAAAAAABY/pVdPhndOOFE/s400/Book+Cover04.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 290px;" /><br />
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2009 was the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin birth and also the 150th anniversary of the publishing of <i>On The Origins of Species</i> In 1859. In The United Kingdom the Royal Mint has issued a commemorative two pound coin with the struck pose of Darwin on the right facing across from a portrayal of chimpanzee. On the front of the coin is, of course, the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The coin is issued in a limited edition and you may be able to order on from the website listed below. <u><span style="color: blue;">xxxvii</span></u><br />
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I also have a Darwin 2009 t-shirt that I wore the last time I saw Richard Dawkins at Queens College in Charlotte, North Carolina on October 14, 2009. I got the t-shirt when I first saw Dawkins at The University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK on March 6, 2009. It has been good to see so many positive commemorations of the publication of Darwin's pivotal work. I have yet to get the £2 coin from the UK or the £10 pound note. I would like to get them both and have them mounted in a display case. But I digress.<br />
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However, when I last saw Dawkins, he mentioned something about the commemoration of the 150th year of <i>On the Origins of Species</i> that intelligent design or creationist Ray Comfort was publishing. This seemed rather odd to me. Ray Comfort has printed the keystone work of Darwin. A person that in almost every thing I have seem him produce is in polar opposition to this work of Darwin and evolution. Not to mention the scientific method as well.<br />
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The book has a nice cover on it and has a beautiful picture of Darwin on it. It says it is a <i>150th anniversary issue</i> of the book and at the bottom it says with a <i>special introduction by Ray Comfort</i>. I find this odd but I have not yet read Mr. Comfort's text so I will not comment on that. But what I will say is that Comfort has took ever opportunity he possible can to try to make evolution seem less than factual. The ID advocate has failed in every example he has tried. I am not sure if Comfort is actually convince by these stories he is telling or that he doesn't understand the basic concepts of the science involved in the continual support of the Theory of Evolution or if he really is mentally sick and needs medication, what ever the reason it has clouded his ability to reason and process factual information. It is strange that the person that is one of the most opposed to the ideas and concepts of Darwin's natural selection would spend the money and time to publish the book, according to his website, word for word with only an addition to the beginning of the book.<br />
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Adding his comment to the beginning of the book may be to keep Comfort from actually reading the work Darwin put out 150 years ago. I have a feeling there are not going to be many reference such as “refer to page such and such for an example”. But I may be wrong about that. It seems a diluted mind never goes to waste. When the launch date for the book was set on April 22, 2010, I went to Washington University to try to get my hands on the free book. I figured I should be able to have one just as much as the other people around there. But after several contacts in the biological sciences I found out that the book had been distributed the day before, ahead of the announced date for the distribution to occur. Seems that Ray Comfort was willing to add his words to Darwin’s work but was not willing to keep his word to the public as to when the books would be passed out.<br />
<u><span style="color: blue;">xxxvii</span></u> http://www.royalmint.com/store/BritishBase/D09E.aspx<br />
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Coming Next Time;<br />
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">MORALITY AND MANKIND part forty-one</span></div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-25099896915541807112010-11-14T02:32:00.000-08:002010-11-14T02:41:32.406-08:00Chapter Nine; THE INTELEGENT DESIGN VIEW OF EVOLUTION part thirty-eight<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402032623783944530" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/SvfgDNW2oVI/AAAAAAAAABY/pVdPhndOOFE/s400/Book+Cover04.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 290px;" /><br />
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When addressing some of the issues of the fundamentalist view of evolution it is important to identify some key words that they use to try to vilify reasonable scientists and educated people that understand the concepts of evolution and natural selection. From the way the word is used by the intelligent design side it seems that the word “Darwinism” is meant to describe the “believers” in the Theory of Evolution to make it seem more like a radical belief such as astrology or paganism. It is clearly viewed as a philosophical belief instead of an area of fact such as electric theory and thermodynamics. To the Intelligent Design camp, believing in Darwinism is presented as a de facto religious belief. However they would not, for the most part, say that people that believe in the ideas and principles of plumbing to be “Plumbists.”<br />
Words such as Darwinism, Darwinist, Evolutionism, and Evolutionists are used as hot button words to vilify the above groups. Not so much to the groups they are trying to attack but to their base supporters. Such as, These are not scientists, they are Darwinists. The truth of the matter is these are the types of general and specific attacks that the Intelligent design people use in order to motivate their base. <br />
I will be the first to say that many of these people are indeed well educated and speak well about what they present. But unlike myself another reasonable people they are not prepared to have the basis of their views challenged. I have attended and watched several of the debates between Evolution and Intelligent Design. The strength of their attacks is usually in areas where science is not complete or the rehashing of previously discredited models and theories. Just as in any area of discipline there are those that either through poor methods or personal glory will use their position to advance their career. This is the same with those that have been involved in evolutionary research. Rightly so these persons should be exposed for the results they produce. By the same turn the methods of the Intelligent Design camp must be equally willing to lay behind the failed ideas of their ideas when a more sound set of scientific data comes around. The ID adherents will fight tooth and nail to keep their core ideas when the credible scientific facts are placed in front of the ID points. When this happens in the scientific community the result is not a failure of the model just a failure of procedure or ethics. Evolutionary researchers are often the most vocal and first ones to point out faulty research. <br />
This is one reason that ID supporters are able to use the names of prominent evolutionary biologist in trying to support their ID case. They will take the quotes of scientists in the field and use them to show why sample or example XY or Z is not right. The reasonable point of this is to show weakness in the scientific processes and highlighting other discredited scientific mistakes then move on to other models that follow the predictive nature of the existing data. But by failing to offer reasonable models for the existing datum ID supporters only hope to show that the scientific community is trying to use fraud and subterfuge to support otherwise sound scientific methods. Also, many of the attacks on Evolution are not on the science itself but how supporters of ID and creationism have been treated by the legal and scientific community. Failure to offer both “sides” in the public classroom, referring to polls that show many Americans think that a “balanced” presentation of the two sides is fair. But I am sure if you asked the same Americans if Astrology should be given equal time as Astronomy or Alchemy should be given equal time in Chemistry class they would say it has no place in a classroom of science. Do you teach the “Flintstone” method of auto mechanics or the Icarus method of flight design in aerodynamics classes? Of course not and you don't teach the six day creation of Earth in the Biology class. <br />
To the Intelligent Design supporters the debate between the two areas of thought is a chess game. The one that has the points wins. They will site public opinion polls and statements from scientist taken out of context and quotes from prominent persons that are not scientists. Other is trying to use “common sense” allegories to support their ideas such as the “irreducibly complex eye” and the bacterium flagellum, the “irreducibly complex wing and so on and so forth. Just a few highlights on the points I brought up are the eye at 95% productivity is much better then an eye at 50% productivity but both are useful to the animal that has them. Because both are better then 0% productivity of an eye. Concerning the wing. There are many aves that are flightless. I think that is all that needs to be said about that. Their argument implies a purpose of the wing. Humans are the ones that assign purpose not natural selection. <br />
But science doesn't operate that way. Public opinion polls do not produce scientific results and should never be used to determine scientific procedures or results. If all the people on Earth still believed that the Sun rotated around the Earth it still wouldn't make it so. If every scientist was to support the ideas of ID, as some do, it still wouldn't change the facts of evolution. These are truly two different playing fields. Surely they wouldn't have the same views for the efficacy of immunizations and advancements in treatments for disease and and other accepted medical areas. Nor would they question the concepts of computing and electronics that make their life what it is Today. Surely they wouldn't argue against the use of engines and motors for transportation. For the most part these things do not conflict with their world view through their belief system. But when it comes to the evidence of Evolutionary Biology they feel threatened because their view of what life means and why we are here is called into question. They look at it this way, “if the Theory of Evolution is true then my belief system is flawed or even none existence.” But the same scientific principles that the ID supporters accept lead to the answers that Biology and Astronomy, Geology, and other areas of science use to come up with the answers that the ID people use to attack in their challenges. <br />
For the most part the ID supporters do not want answers to these questions. There really is no need for them. They find their answers in their scared book. To the ID supporters, the Bible is a book of science as well as a book of religion. While ID supporters will work hard to find areas of weakness of Evolution they will exercise no effort show how a supernatural action is possible. The will use public opinion and try to use the political process to get their points of view in place in the public schools. Then when scientific discoveries are found that have a vague reference to support their religious view they will use these to shore up their sinking claims of a supernatural creation. Scientific ideas such as Quantum Physics and “the god gene” are a few of the areas that ID supporters will try to twist into their world view. <br />
ID supporters will freely set aside the laws of Physics and other natural laws in which all nature have been shown to follow and conclude that the answers that fall outside the area of acceptable answers, such as the Earth being more than 6000+ years old are not in violation of the laws of nature since a creator is free to operate in any way it sees fit. So what they are saying is that if there is a creator or intelligence behind The Universe that this creator is free to deceive the entire Universe for his own purpose, however they offer no sound natural evidence of this ever happening or how it could happen. Basically they will examine the light from a star or galaxy and the spectrum will show a predictable redshift which the distance can be calculated using a standard formula. When the answer is 7000 light years or greater the ID believer must say from that point and older that the creator is just messing with us but everything up to that point is alright. This is a principle I would love to apply to my financial situation. “I am sorry, Sir you don't have anymore money left.” “No I am not broke I actually have millions of dollars but you just can't see them. But I sure do have them. I just imagine them like I do and they are there ready to spend.” <br />
Recently I saw a set of questions that are suppose to support a creator. It dealt with DNA and the coded sequence. The point asserts that a DNA sequence is a “code” and that a code must be created for it to be a code. This is a misnomer as a definition. It is indeed a code as defined but a code is also the sequence that a snow flake is formed and crystals are formed. Other areas in Physics and chemistry follow similar patterns and codes.<br />
Just because the DNA sequence is an advance molecule and behaves according to an predetermined pattern doesn't mean that the code is anything but a naturally occurring phenomenon. ID supporters look at a naturally occurring pattern and say this must have been created just like a computer code or music written for a song. But they misunderstand the idea of patterns and repetition in nature. One of the most clear examples is that of gravity. In nature, gravity works to hold matter together as it accumulate more matter together. One of the results of this is that celestial bodies gain and spherical form as they gain mass. That is why as a planet or start gains mass we see it as round. Of course even with gravity it takes a certain amount of mass to produce the spherical appearance that we are most familiar with. Objects such as asteroids may not have sufficient mass to have gravity form them into a sphere or other forces may have been at work on them such as collisions with other bodies. This is just one area where natural forces act according to a predictive set of laws discovered by man. The predictive nature of science is the key to which science subscribe and is a bedrock of the experimentation and discoveries that scientists from all over the world depend to make their work possible. <br />
If we lived in a dynamic universe that the rules of Chemistry and Physics were ever changing it would be impossible to operate any equipment or depend on the purpose of medication with any known reliability. But we are able to make predictions of how things work and with this we can work to figure out how things operate in the natural world.<br />
ID supporters will look at the way the universe is and say this is why things are this way because God made them like that. Douglas Adams addressed this many years ago with the water puddle story.i This puddle looks at its world and see how well this hole fits it. It says to itself, Wow, this is a really perfect world look how well this how fits me. It is almost as if the hole was made just for me. As a matter of fact it fits me so well the only way I could fit in it is if it was made for me. As the day goes on the Sun looms higher in the sky and the water evaporates and the holes shrinks. But even as this happens the puddle thinks I know I am special because I have been designed and this hole was made just for me. Surely my creator will save me.<br />
But surely as the day continues, with the Sun shining brightly, the puddle dries up and the puddles last “thought” was, “Oops.”<br />
What I am getting to with this is that the ID people look at how the balance of the orbit of the planet and the ratio of biological chemistry makes this the “perfect” place for life to be on. <br />
To this I have little to say but, “No shit Sherlock.”<br />
You know you go out to the mountains you will see up on the hillside homes made of logs with stilts and other material around the area that makes it work. If you go to the desert you will see building made of concrete, rocks or even adobe bricks. Guess what? These materials are abundant there. Same goes for the Caribbean Sea you will see homes made of palm trees and palm leaves. If life was not possible on Earth I wouldn't be writing this and you wouldn't be reading it. We know that life is possible on Earth because we are proof of it. Not because we are a special creation of a supernatural carpenter. We happen to fit in the right spot at the right time. What this means is, as rare as life may or may not be, Earth was in the right spot at the right time. <br />
If someone wins the lottery it isn't because of all the other times they played that they won it was the time they played that their numbers came up. Though some winners might disagree. Random chance, physical and chemical forces are the “creator” of life on Earth. In a very real sense, Being alive is one of the Universes greatest payoffs. Without us to see the magnificent Universe around us how would we know about the wonders of the world or the amazing worlds in out solar system. We are the only ones to know about the black holes, nebula clouds, quasars and the cosmic dust of the stellar nurseries. <br />
To me this is an amazing thing to know. Of course, it would be nice to live forever and have peace and harmony among all peoples but if you can't get that at least the real world is pretty wonderful to the point of far overshadowing the make believe worlds of man. When it comes to the promises of God and the promise of tomorrow in the Universe, I take the Universe anytime. Yet as much as 45% or Americans still believe in the literal story from the Bible of how life began in the Universe. When you consider the other portion that feel a supernatural entity had some bearing on the way things are in the Universe the numbers that hold to a totally natural method of universal existence are anywhere from eight to fourteen percent. The concept of a outside influence seems to strong yet is so lacking in fact that anyone that would take the time to look at the cause and effects reason for evolutionary biologist to reach their conclusions would be force to abandon all or at least most ideas of anything supernatural influence on the natural universe.<br />
A point of order I would like to bring to the front now. It is not that the people that understand biological evolution have all the answers, just as the studies of cosmological astronomy have found areas of correction over the decades. Things can change and discoveries can be made. Remember, Pluto is no longer a planet anymore, its a dwarf planet. But the most reasonable conclusions are not found in a ancient book of epic stories and drama, but in the halls of science. It can and has been said that it is much more easy to follow an unchallenged and simplistic dogma where one can feel a part of a bigger picture AND feel to possess a unique knowledge that others lack than to bother with the laborious idea of learning. This leads to the view that, “Everyone is wrong but us.” perspective. I have seen people say this over and over again. When I talk to adherents and they bring up a certain point of view special to their faith I will question them with, “You know the Baptists believe this,” or “The Methodists think this,” or the Anglicans believe this.”<br />
The answer is always the same, “Yes, but were are right and they are wrong.” The person may have a Bible verse quote to add, maybe not. They may add a allegoric story. It may just be they feel “we are right” and “they are wrong” and that is it. Even after pointing out a clear example of how their “exception” to the rule is no different that the other adherents “exception” they hold to their unique special knowledge. <br />
Of my more favorite examples of this is concerning baptism. When it comes to Christianity, this is one issue that seems to run through almost all the different denominations. But how it is done is greatly varied. For instance, some of the “older” Christian faiths such as Catholic and Episcopalian, Lutheran and several others say that a baby or child may be baptized even if they are too young to know what is happening to them and what is means. Other Christian faiths say that a person must make a decision to accept Jesus and that getting baptized is something they do after they decide to become a adherent. These are clearly two different perspectives of the same supposed issue. Yet they are still both very different from each other. One a person is not aware of what is happening to them, or really needs to know, the other the person decides when the event will happen to them with their full knowledge of the event. <br />
This is just one part of this crazy act. The second part is how much water is to be used. Again, some feel just getting a persons head wet is enough to make it right and other adherents say you must be submerged totally underwater to be baptized. Again, both quite different actions about an event of the same name coming from the same religion and basically from the same book. <br />
It is not as if, with scientists a person can come to a church that has a certain dogma and say, hey wait a minute we are suppose to be eating whole wheat bread for communion not unleavened bread, or what ever may be served. And show why and then everyone learns that is the correct way. Not at all, many times in history one that would say a thing such as that would end up being arrested, beaten, tortured or murdered. If one was lucky enough to escape such reception to resistance established dogma, they may find themselves founding a denomination of the same religion.<br />
Today, for the most part there is are a few Christian religions that are generally viewed as cults. The best I have been able to find the only two things that makes a cult a cult is a strong central figure to gather around and the number of people that believe in the ideas of the said cult. One exception could be a command from the despotic ruler such as Constantine. Prior to that, Christians were considered a cult by the Romans and Jewish people. Organizations such as Campus Crusade and The Navigators have behavior that can be called cult like. But since they usually adhere to a somewhat generic dogma, it is not viewed with the eyes of suspicion like Jehovah's Witness is or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and other smaller and less well known factions of Christianity. A person never thinks they are in a cult but that tag is usually placed upon them by outside groups. I would guess that a person in a cult for the most part thinks they are doing something really special. With that they might either feel that everyone needs to k now or they have to learn more to become more “spiritual” in their adherence.<br />
Here is an example, Let's say that I have a feeling that the property that others have is not theirs but either mine or “ours” and need a way to convince the others to accept your 'inspired' idea. With the current “respect” or “hands off” treatment religious beliefs have, it would be easy to convince a person that the giving of their property to the group is one good way to show how much God loves you and you love God. Throw in a few Bible verses or even better yet make up a few new ones of your own and soon your be laying in the lap of luxury with hundred or thousands of faithful followers. <br />
Imagine if any one a several prominent atheists or agnostic persons of the recent years were to have a supernatural conversion and leave reason behind. Take Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Denett, Rebecca Watson, Penn Jillette, Matthew Dillahunty, Annie Laurie Gaylor, Bill Mayer, P. Z. Meyers and so on. There is many more to name but here is a short list of persons that if they were to allow ill intent to be there motivation they could make more than likely a much better living spouting religious dogma after having a “conversion” experience of some sort that they could tell people about over and over again punctuated with a call for a move of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the people listening to them. <br />
However, I feel rather confident that none of the for mentioned persons or the many persons I have met like them would be able to, in good conscience, to undertake such an endeavor. But believe me, I am sure there are famous person out in the realm of Christian fundamentalism that know the words they speak have no meaning whatsoever other than how often and how loudly they speak them. But their secrets are so closely guarded that even their spouse or friends may not know. It may be a secret that they are unable to share. Even when the reasonable adherents put out books or other media it is almost impossible to overcome the build in bias toward bullshit in the bookstores. <br />
When I purchased Richard Dawkins' book “The Greatest Show on Earth” on September 23, I had to have the person from Hastings bookstore help me locate it. However, if one wanted to find the idiotic books from Glen Beck, Joyce Meyer, Bill O'Reiley or Joel Olsten they were easy to find. They were proudly and prominently displayed in the front of the store or on there own special bookshelf.<br />
As is well documented, James Randi exposed the malicious actions of Peter Popoff in his ministry back in the 1970s and with the help of his friend, Johnny Carson, exposed the charlatan psychic spoon bender Uri Geller. A short search for either one of these persons should reveal the disgraceful way they use people to their own personal benefit, These are just two of the more successful examples of how when a persons actions are held up in the public they loose face and go away forever. But sadly that was not the result of either of those two or ones such as Jimmy Swaggart, Tammy Faye, Robert Tilton, Terry Hornbuckle and countless others that have been disgraced in their ministries only to come back with the same show to get the faithful to hand over their time and money. I look forward to what new ministry Ted Haggard gets into eventually, now that he is cured of homosexuality. But even after these failure of personal conduct that must of their followers and non-believers will never approach the supporters of men and woman like these will say,<br />
Of course, there are those who see all of this upheaval as the work of the enemy. According to Bishop Larry D. McGriff of the Church of the Living God, Pillard Ground and Truth in Dallas, 'The devil doesn't want to see God's work done, so of course he's going to attack the head.'” <br />
It just makes me hit my head when I see comments like that. Which got me to think about why are people so resistant to facts about the failure of people in their religion and the failure of the religion itself. The only answer I could come up with is, education, or the lack there of.<br />
If you ask the typical person what is the value of an education they will say it is priceless or the value cannot be measured. I would disagree with this idea. I would say that education should be free or as cheap as possible. What I mean by this is that a person shouldn't be restricted by the economic factors to educate them since this is one of the most important factors that determine a active civil population. It is a true statement that the basis of understanding of all disciplines have had a erosion of what makes up them different and what applies to which discipline.<br />
The concepts of accounting, language, history, mathematics, grammar, art and science all have reasons that they have certain rules, concepts and procedures based upon facts of logic and reason. Maybe not grammar and art so much but the other disciplines, for the most part you have standard concepts that help the typical student understand what is happening in the subject. The issue with educating the average student is the students think that l earning is hard. The fact is learning is difficult for most students. So the teacher, principal, administrators, school boards continue to make the subjects more easy to pass instead of more east to learn. If one was to take an eight grade math book from the 1930 and compare it to a math book of 2010 it would have many more mathematical concepts with fewer drawings and pictures. Mathematics needs no pictures except for the actual concepts of what is being talked about. It is the place of the book author to give the examples of mathematics or it is it the purpose of the teacher. <br />
I feel the teacher has the primary responsibility for this. But the teachers are a product of a failed system as well. They have been diverted from creative and student based education to having to cram in so much testing material because of “Leave no Child Behind.” From almost every teacher I have talked to about this the LNCB pressure makes the curriculum so rigid that they cannot use the creative models like used to be used only a few years ago. So students are pressured to produce the right answers instead of understanding the disciplines concepts. While getting answers are good, if one understand concepts they can gain the knowledge with continued work. <br />
So we are getting a generation that just wants the answer. Getting things done in a day or hour or half-hour is the time table that most of us are becoming accustomed to. So why should a student spend anything to learn the process of how language and grammar can affect meaning and context of stories. Without knowing that there is a reliable process of determining the distance of an object in the sky by the light that is reflected from it, how can they understand that processes on Earth can occur within that same time frame. Of course, education cannot be done for free and the job that teachers do is important for us all. It is when outside agents such as government and union pressures try to gain control of the students and teachers it is only a lose-lose situation. <br />
The result is higher costs and lower knowledge gained. To be honest I would rather have a student that understands the concepts and principles of a subjects but has trouble with the details over someone that is able to determine the right answers without knowing why the answers are what they are. Without this understanding, the students are graduated to the population reading and willing to accept answers that the “authorities” or “professionals” provide them. Another generation ready to be consumers and accept the cause de jour.<br />
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xxxvi http://www.biota.org/people/douglasadams/<br />
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Coming Next Time;<br />
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.02in; margin-right: 0.01in;"> <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS part thirty-nine</span></div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3075688286066871946.post-38394832272120684452010-11-12T10:56:00.000-08:002010-11-12T11:00:56.175-08:00Chapter Nine; FUNDAMENTALISTS, THE BIBLE IS NOT INEHERENT part thirty-seven<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402032623783944530" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_81uqoSLu_RE/SvfgDNW2oVI/AAAAAAAAABY/pVdPhndOOFE/s400/Book+Cover04.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 290px;" /><br />
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First, ask if they believe if the Old Testament still applies to a Christian Today. This will guide the rest of the discussion. As stated earlier, many fundamentalist state that they think the Bible is free of errors and contradictions. For my purpose and definition I would call “free of errors” as meaning that internally or externally is there anything inconsistent with the or contradictory in the text of the Bible or reflected in reality.<br />
The good thing about this is with the Internet one can research the topics through the quickly. The idea that a person would hold to the view that these Bible stories are perfect and without error can only be defended in the arena of apologetics. This of course it the discipline of making 1+1=3. There is a whole area of religious study with in theological universities where the carefully contrived explanations of the biblical contradictions and errors are explained carefully to allow the faithful the foolish notion that what is clearly in error is actually correct. <br />
One commonly known story from the New Testament is that of the death of Judas. As the story goes Judas, a follower of Jesus, was the Disciple that turned Jesus over to the Roman authorities for him to be judged and face his eventual death. He was asked by the Jewish authorities to reveal which one of the group was the Jesus and Judas worked out a signal that he would kiss Jesus when he greeted him and when the sign was given Jesus found himself arrested and so the story goes on that Jesus was taken before the Romans and then the Jews and then he was taken outside the city of Jerusalem. <br />
Regardless of what the theology or point of view is of the story it is clear that there are two very different things going on in the Bible in Matthew 27:3-8 and Acts 1:18-19. In the story in Matthew, Judas filled with guilt or regret returns the 30 pieces of silver to the Jewish priests and he hung himself. Then the priests bought a potter's field cemetery for foreigners. They didn't find the idea of putting the “blood money” in with the “not so much blood money” treasury. <br />
In the Acts story the death of Judas says Judas himself bought a field and died after falling head long on his stomach and his guts all busted outside. <br />
It is clear that these are not the same story. In one the field was bought by the priests, and other by Judas. In one the money was returned first and the other the money directly bought the field. In one Judas hung himself and in the other he died by falling head long and his bowels gushed out. [I am not sure what medical condition could cause this by the way. But this is another point of contention with the Bible.] What is similar is that Judas was the one that betrayed Jesus and he felt bad later about it then he died and there was a place called the Blood Field.<br />
This one example is enough to show that the Bible is not totally free of errors. But this is only one of many through the Bible. There are factual errors, internal genealogical errors, misquotes and out and out lies. Another one example is the words above Jesus on his cross. This is suppose the sign for the charges against the criminal so others in the population would not make the mistake of doing the same crime and thus find themselves on the cross as well. In Mark it said to read, “King of the Jews.” Luke says the signs reads, “This is the King of the Jews.” In Matthew it quotes the sign as reading, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Finally in John, he says the sign had the words, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Now I have been to many concerts and other events where the place you are sitting or standing can determine what you can see. So maybe the sign was so big that the guys reading it wouldn't have been able to read it all. But it is more likely that the sign is a construct of writers later on that felt that it was important to have a sign on the cross. The only thing that is consistent through out the four quotes is “King of the Jews.” Maybe it was Jesus, maybe the guy was from Nazareth, maybe it was the King of the Jews. We can't really be sure. <br />
There are many of these inconsistencies through out the Bible and I will touch on another one from Genesis. So what came first? Adam or Armadillos? Well if we look at the words of the Bible from Genesis 1:24-27 it looks like God thought that making cattle and creepy animals and all the other animals first then God got around to making man. Seems to me that if man is made in his own image that that particular design would have been the most easy to make. I know that mankind has a long history of making images and contraptions looking like a man or woman. However, God may have been trying to save the best for last. Then again he might have been on a bit of a bender since he was talking to himself. But not to disrespect God for that, I have been known to have discussions with myself. I do realize that I am actually just talking to myself though and not another person with me. But I digress. <br />
The other story of God makin' stuff “in the beginning” is found in Genesis 2:5-7. It seems this time God was in such a hurry to make man he didn't even have time for it to rain yet, but he did make the oceans fill up from a spring coming out of the Earth. Then God scraped up some dust and made man. I guess this is alright since we are all made from star stuff in reality but the spring thing watering all the Earth...Well let's just say, God you have some 'splanin' to do. But to continue, After God made man from the dust of the Earth, God notice that there wasn't anything else on the planet and figured that it would be good for man to have a helper. Well God rolled up his sleeves and got making all types of animals for man for his helper. I can just see it God making all types of animals like a supernatural clown making balloon animals. Then God asks, Hey you, you want an aardvark for your helper? Then God goes all the way through the alphabet getting to the Zebra and still a “no go” with man. It seemed like man was not really thrilled with God's selection of helpers being animals. Then God is just sitting there thinking to himself laying on his stomach and blows on the dust on the ground in front of him and up pops a female. Adam looks and says WHOA MAN! That is how females got the name woman. Not really, but it fits the story. Actually it says that God made woman from Adam's rib. I wonder if that would be smoked or with bar-b-que sauce. Both of the scenarios are equally ridiculous. <br />
Of course, this is the only time that a man gave birth to a person. That just goes to underline some of the basic sexist point of views that this and most religions have toward woman. In order to make woman subjected to man this stupid story of woman being birth from a man's rib had to be concocted. That took a divine surgery for it to happen. It must have been a result of stem cell research. But as it happens again these two methods are very different from one another. <br />
In one man was made first, then all the animals. In the other, man was made after all the animals were made. In one animals were made from the dust of the Earth and on the other version it must have slipped the writer's mind about what the animals were made of. In one version man and woman were made at the same time and in the other woman was second and came out of man. Again these are not small areas of discrepancies but fully contradictory stories of an event. To be totally honest they are so divergent that with one you can promote the equality of woman and with the other the subservience of woman. These are more than mere grammatical errors and have far reaching influence for those that may be an adherent to them. Plus both are equally ridiculous. <br />
If you wish to find more of these many areas in the Bible there are several website that can provide many additional examples and discussions can take place with those that think the Bible is still consistent. One is the website errancy.com. This website has apologists comments, so you can read for yourself the way they try to twist and turn the written words of the Bible to fit into the adherents supernatural World view of nature. <br />
The reason why showing that the Bible isn't the the handwritten, direct, inspired word of God is because there are so many people that try to use it to support their views on so many issues. These range from homosexuality, stem cell research, separation of church and state, gender equality, education curriculum, evolution, foreign policy, race relations, health and welfare issues and many more. If a person can turn from seeing the Bible as the divinely inspired Word of God to a moral book of ancient stories it will save lives and help people gain respect for their fellow man and woman. Do we really need a God to teach us how to do good? No. But it seems damn certain that you need a God to make people to gather to do wrong to their fellow man. It has been said before and will be said again that religion makes it adherents that would normally not do harm to their fellow man but do it willingly and encourage others to follow suit.<br />
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Coming Next Time;<br />
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<div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.01in; margin-right: 0.02in;"></div><div style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.01in; margin-right: 0.02in;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">INTELLIGENT DESIGN VIEW OF EVOLUTION part thirty-eight</span></div>Thom Truehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14092890016584438229noreply@blogger.com0