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Skepticon IV in Springfield, MO

In 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.

Skepticon IV is going to be worth attending.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

here is the link: http://skepticon.org/

via The Friendly Atheist

Another Secular Student Alliance event: This one at Wichita State University

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.

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.

Here are some of the speakers, remember have your questions ready after they talk, you don't get to ask question in church,
Blair Scott, he is a really nice guy with American Atheists;
Darell Ray, author of The God Virus,
Richard Carrier, historian, I got to talk with him after his lecture in Springfield, really nice guy;
David Fitzgerald, He is with San Fransisco Atheist and the Center for Inquiry
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.
Sam Singleton, Atheist Evangelist,  We had a nice conversation but sadly more desire to talk than time to do it in.

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.

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.

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.

Some notable People I have met face to face.

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.

James Randi – author, Flim Flam, Leading skeptic and magician, originator of $1,000,000 challenge, meal in Springfield, MO

Kathleen Sebelius – former Kansas Insurance Commissioner and Governor, Secretary of Health and Human Services - KSNT-TV

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

Micheal Dowd – author, Thank God For Evolution - Lecture at Unitarian Church, St. Louis

Rebecca Watson – internationally known skeptical podcaster and speaker - Springfield, MO

Sam Singleton – The Atheist Evangelist, Springfield, MO, e-mail Facebook

Victor Stenger – Professor, University of Colorado, Center for Inquiry, author, God The Failed Hypothesis - meal, Springfield, MO

J.T Eberhart – Flying Spaghetti Monster, Missouri State University, Co-organizer of Skepticon - Stayed at his apartment

P.Z. Myers in Springfield, MO

P.Z. Myers – Associate Professor University of Minnesota-Morris, writer - w/ protesters at Skepticon, Special event in the pub.

John Schlitt – singer, Head East, Petra, musician, Christian Speaker - Concert [twice], Life Christian Center, St. Louis, MO

Geoff Moore – Contemporary Christian Musician - after concert, Norman, OK

Ron Dryden – Senior pastor, Cathedral of Praise World Outreach Center, Oklahoma City, OK, new members class, worked at KOKF owned by Dryden

Best selling book by Richard Dawkins.

Richard Dawkins – author, The God Delusion, Climbing Mount Improbable, evolutionary biologist, professor, public speaker - Norman, OK [question] Charlette, NC [question]

Abigal Smith - graduate student in Oklahoma studying the evolution of viruses, especially retroviruses, and how that evolution impacts our health - Evolution debate, Yukon, OK

Jen Peeples - aerospace engineer, former military test pilot, and foxhole atheist - Pridefest, Austin, TX

Don Baker – computer scientist with an interest in evolutionary biology and the nascent science of memetics - Pridefest, Austin, TX

Bob Saget – American stand-up comedian, actor, and television host - KDNL-TV

Jerome Bettis – retired American football halfback who played for the NFL's Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers – KDNL-TV

Bill Clinton – Former President of The United States of America - [twice] Topeka, KS, Oklahoma City, OK

Barack Obama – President of The United States of America - Several times, St. Louis, MO

Claire McCaskill – U.S. Senator, Missouri - Speaking, Victory Party

Russ Carnahan – U.S. Congressman , Missouri – Interview, speech

Fred Phelps – ex-lawyer, Reverend, founder of Westboro Baptist Church - Shawnee County Jail

Nate Phelps – estranged son of Fred Phelps - Clayton High School

Former father-in-law, Steve Abrams

Steve Abrams – former head of Kansas State Board of Education, Kansas Senator, ex son-in-law

Sam Brownback – former U.S Congressman and U.S. Senator; current Kansas Governor interview KSNT-TV, KWCH-TV

Todd Tiahrt – former U.S. Congressman from Kansas - KWCH-TV interview

Henry Hyde – U.S. Congressman-Illinois, interview, KWCH-TV

Joan Finney – First female governor of Kansas - WIBW-TV

Ray Preston – reporter, KMOV-TV - Worked with

Andy Banker – reporter, KTVI-TV - Worked with

Mary Fallin – former Lt. Governor and current Oklahoma Governor - interview, pictures

Joel Olsten – famous pastor from Texas - photos, events

Bob Dole – Former U.S. Senator-Kansas, Former Republican Presidential Canidate - picture with

Dan Baker – Former pastor, musician, president of FFRF - Springfield, MO

Richard Carrier – Historian, author, philosopher - Springfield, MO

Joe Nickell – paranormal investigator - Springfield, MO

Debbie Goddard – Center for Inquiry - Springfield, MO

John Corvino – writer, Moral activist with LGBT, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan - Springfield, MO

Steve "Jake" Jacobs and I; Mr. Wizard?

Steve “Jake” Jacobs – Mr. Wizard IV, Discovery Channel Contributor for “Mythbusters” Director of Informal Science Education - former teacher

Todd Barber – JPL, NASA, California Institute of Technology, Saturn's Cassini mission, Mar's Rovers - mutual friend of my best friend

Stephen Curtis Chapman – Contemporary Christian Singer, Springfield, MO, St. Louis, MO

Judgment and judging and the curse of expectations

I 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?

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?

Why I Am Skeptical About Global Warming

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

From a Lion to a Crab

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 The Cobert Report. 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.

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.

Have you seen me?

Something looks oddly familiar to me about this new sign. Does anyone else see anything familiar with it? What is it?

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.

The doctor will see you now.

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.

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

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.

Here is another link to an article from 2005, because this is such a breaking news story.
http://ophiuchus.tribe.net/thread/c6760342-3edb-42ef-aad9-d9572ea9574f

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.

Keep it reasonable.
Thomas

My Predictions for 2011

If you really think about it, it makes no sense. It should be clear.

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.

These are in no particular order unless otherwise stated.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Also a planet sized object will be found in our own solar system beyond the Kuiper Belt.
4. Due to the cold weather, a species of animal or plant will either be much more abundant or scarce.
5. A political religious group will hold a government agency hostage and make demands that cannot be met.
6. China will make great strides in it mission to the Moon by landing vehicles near American lunar sites.
7. Public opinion will turn against Ashley Simpson as she selects to have an abortion after news of her pregnancy is leaked.
8. A small band of two to five thieves will roam the southeast United States hitting movie theaters and fast food restaurants.
9. A prominent Texas lawmaker will be discovered to have a same sex relationship with a evangelical pastor.
10. Queen Elizabeth will die of natural causes and King Charles will be assassinated which makes King William the head of the monarchy.

And for a bonus one:  A hurricane will hit the Los Angeles area followed by a 5.5 to 6.2 earthquake.

Let's see how well I do next year at this time.

A Blast From The Past.

[Editor'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.]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

To wish I add, "Just like all the other religions."

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.

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.

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.

The point is if you are going to make a statements as fact, check your facts.

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."

To which I say, "Oh really?" To which I would add, "Those that do have a God have no morality."

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.

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?

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.

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."

I just wonder what he was not saying by that statement.

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.

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."

To wish I add, "Just like all the other religions."

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.

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.

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.

The point is if you are going to make a statements as fact, check your facts.

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."

To which I say, "Oh really?" To which I would add, "Those that do have a God have no morality."

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.

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?

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.

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."

I just wonder what he was not saying by that statement.

Olsteen update for "A Night of Hope"

From joelolsteen.com

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.

MSG Olsteen Event

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cost nothing to have this book signed.

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.

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.

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.

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, “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!”

Joel Olsteen Shares God's Message, For a Price.

Victoria and Joel Olsteen leave Houston court Aug, 6, 2008.

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^th 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.

Floor plan from TicketMaster showing the form to buy tickets.

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.

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?

Drop down menu shows the price of Olsteen's event.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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^th.

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.