These quotes are from The Holy Temple of Mass Consumption. There are many more where these came from!
God is real, unless declared integer.
(Bit of a programmer joke.)
"For god so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever would believe in him would believe in anything."
"Jesus died to take our wibbles away, so now we can go to zonk."
Any belief worth having must survive doubt.
I went to church to confess my sins to God. And then I realized there was no God and I had no sins.
(I've also heard one somewhere went something like:
"When did I realize I was God? Well, one day I was praying and realized I was talking to myself.")
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."The Wise Man Says it to the World.
Re: God... 1) The emperor has no clothes. 2) There is no emperor.
"The difference between science and theology is that science has general validity." [Graham Kendall]
"Saying AMEN after prayer is like hitting the ENTER key." [Graham Kendall]
"The Gish Principle -> If a gap exists between two fossil species, and an intermediate fossil species is discovered, then two gaps are present now and evolution is disproved even more." [Graham Kendall]
"As far as Roland was concerned, God o' the Cross was just another religion which taught that love and murder were inextricably bound together-that in the end, God always drank blood." [Stephen King]
"It's very healthy for a young girl to be deterred from promiscuity by fear of contracting a painful, incurable disease, or cervical cancer, or sterility, or the likelihood of giving birth to a dead, blind, or brain- damage [sic] baby even ten years later when she may be happily married." [Phyllis Schlafly]
(Sarcasm?)
And here is one of my all time favorites, a classic from many years ago:
"The Son of God was crucified; I am not ashamed because men must needs be ashamed of it. And the Son of God dies; it by all means to be believed, because it is absurd. And He was buried, and rose again; the fact is certain, because it is impossible."
[Tertullian, in _The Ante-Nicene Fathers_, by Roberts & Donaldson, Chapter 5 p. 525]
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Friday, April 08, 2005
ahhhh . . .
I'm feeling a lot more relaxed and cheerful now than I have for the past week. It's been a good day, and a productive one. I got some school work done and went to work for a few hours. And Dad did some needed maintainance on my car. There's one thing to be thankful for--I've never been without a running car as long as I've had a license, thanks to Dad. And it's a good thing too--where I live I can't go anywhere without a car. The weather has been beautiful today too.
This may seem a strange thing to stick in here now, but Jim and I are parting ways. He says he wants to be alone for a while, and actually the idea doesn't sound to bad to me right now. It's a little sad, but I'm strangely alright with it.
Well, I'm looking forward to a very busy weekend. But first, I need to leave the computer and do a bit of reading.
This may seem a strange thing to stick in here now, but Jim and I are parting ways. He says he wants to be alone for a while, and actually the idea doesn't sound to bad to me right now. It's a little sad, but I'm strangely alright with it.
Well, I'm looking forward to a very busy weekend. But first, I need to leave the computer and do a bit of reading.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Eulogy
God died today in the heart of another man.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,
And in this soil a seed is planted.
God died today in the mind of another woman.
The black dirt, the moist earth,
From this new garden, wisdom grows.
I was always taught that God died that I might live.
I never realized how true this was.
His death nourishes the seeds of wisdom, happiness, and freedom.
This is a eulogy, a benediction.
I am saddened by my loss,
But know a better life is ahead of me.
Love and hate marked this relationship.
I loved this mythical invisible father.
I hated the crotchety old judge.
Like the battered child,
Who still loves their parents,
I am glad he's gone, but I still miss him.
The new garden I have has wonderful plants,
But I must pull weeds of doubt and guilt,
It's my responsibility now.
As a child must grow and leave the safety of home,
I have grown and left the eternal security of heaven.
I have outgrown my god, and laid him to rest.
Written by Bill Barnes, a member of the Extian mailing list.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
odd moods
Emotions are strange things. . .
I've been under a bit more stress this semester than I'm used to dealing with. Also, it's getting close to graduation, I need a co-op and I'm not really sure what career I want to pursue. I dread the classic "where do you see yourself in 5 years" question. Sometimes I think what I want more than anything, as far as career goes, is to have a nice eight hour a day job. That way I can just go to work, do my job and then go home. And not be called in to work the middle of my family time or at 2:00 in the morning due to something or another. But is this something I can say in an interview? It doesn't sound very ambitious, does it? Maybe like I'm not going to put 100% of my effort into my career--because I'd like to have other things in my life too.
And does a desire for this kind of lifestyle rule out any chances of a job like systems administrator or DBA? A programming position would be nice, but I'm not sure of my ability. Systems development is really stressful (if my dev. project class is any clue).
Where am I going anyway? Maybe I should take one of those little personality tests that are supposed to tell you what your ideal career is. Maybe just settle for a little less money than I could be making. We'll see.
I had a bit of a rough day yesterday. It was not so much that the day was hard, but for some reason I was really depressed. There was a combination of stress over my finance class (which I'm not doing very well in compared to my usual)and a presentation for my development class (my portion of the project was still nonfunctional and giving errors--after spending about all my free time over the weekend working on it. Very frustrating.) I skipped my last class.
I'm feeling rather better today at least. I even woke up happy, had a good busy day at work and did a bit of studying when I got home. And then chilled out and watched some television. Life is alright.
I've been under a bit more stress this semester than I'm used to dealing with. Also, it's getting close to graduation, I need a co-op and I'm not really sure what career I want to pursue. I dread the classic "where do you see yourself in 5 years" question. Sometimes I think what I want more than anything, as far as career goes, is to have a nice eight hour a day job. That way I can just go to work, do my job and then go home. And not be called in to work the middle of my family time or at 2:00 in the morning due to something or another. But is this something I can say in an interview? It doesn't sound very ambitious, does it? Maybe like I'm not going to put 100% of my effort into my career--because I'd like to have other things in my life too.
And does a desire for this kind of lifestyle rule out any chances of a job like systems administrator or DBA? A programming position would be nice, but I'm not sure of my ability. Systems development is really stressful (if my dev. project class is any clue).
Where am I going anyway? Maybe I should take one of those little personality tests that are supposed to tell you what your ideal career is. Maybe just settle for a little less money than I could be making. We'll see.
I had a bit of a rough day yesterday. It was not so much that the day was hard, but for some reason I was really depressed. There was a combination of stress over my finance class (which I'm not doing very well in compared to my usual)and a presentation for my development class (my portion of the project was still nonfunctional and giving errors--after spending about all my free time over the weekend working on it. Very frustrating.) I skipped my last class.
I'm feeling rather better today at least. I even woke up happy, had a good busy day at work and did a bit of studying when I got home. And then chilled out and watched some television. Life is alright.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Reminders . . .
I have not been thinking a whole lot about religion lately, but a few things have brought it to my mind lately. For one thing, I'm at my Grandparent's house right now, and they are in the other room listening to "Dr." Kennedy spouting his usual venom about the evils of secularity. Like how atheists cannot be good, loving, parents--because only a "God-centered" family can raise good children. How secular education is hurting our children. Whatever . . .
Anyway, what is really on my mind is two high-profile deaths from the past week. Terry Schiavo and Pope John Paul II. What is the common thread between these two people? The reason these both made me think again of Christianity was one concept that I noticed in relation to both of these. Suffering. The centrality of suffering to Christianity.
In the case of Terry, the "right to life" people expressed the idea that she should be kept alive at all costs. That she was suffering in obedience to God.
In the case of the late Pope, I heard more than once about how he considered his suffering to be born in obedience to God. Here, at least, I have no moral objection since John Paul II was at least able to choose to go on with his physical problems. Unlike Schiavo, who had reportly said that she would not want to be kept alive in a vegetative state.
What is it about suffering that is so virtuous? I read an editorial the other day in The Courier Journal about how the religious right seems to care more about avoiding death than in the quality of life. They say they want a "culture of life" but what this turns into is a culture of living death. The idea that a life of terrible suffering is to be enforced over the right of people in such a state to end their life in the way they choose. The idea that suffering, for its own sake, when one could seek relief, is virtuous. What sort of BS is this?
But then, what do you expect from people who are convinced that our life belongs to God? But where were the religious who said that those keeping Terry alive artificially were the ones "playing God?" Why couldn't God support her without a feeding tube if he so desired? Is he not strong enough?
I've also heard those who are worried that all this means that people who are kept alive with feeding tubes do not deserve to live. I just don't see it. If they choose to live, they should live. It is their choice. They can CHOOSE to live with their suffering or they can CHOOSE to die. This is freedom of choice! They just shouldn't be able to dictate the choice for everyone else in the country. The Pope decided to live until the end and I respect him for it. It was a choice for him and no one else to make.
Sadly in Terry's case, if her brain was damaged to the extent that I've heard, the person that was Terry was already gone before the feeding tube was pulled. At that point she could not choose. I can't help beliving that when the brain activity stops, the person is gone. How could they not be? If she was seriously showing a possiblity of recovery things could have been different. I'm waiting to see the results of that autopsy . . .
Well, what really triggered this rant was listening to Kennedy as I mentioned at the beginning. Sometimes I can use a reminder of how hideous the religious right can be. They give lip service to religious liberty, and then insist on turing their belief into law. Such as their idea that our lives belong to their father in the sky, therefore we must live as they say. And die as they say.
Anyway, here are some links related to the late Pope and Terry Schiavo:
'Precious' Suffering: About Pope John Paul II
The Culture of Living Death :The article which inspired this blog.
Culture of Life or Culture of Living Death?
Anyway, what is really on my mind is two high-profile deaths from the past week. Terry Schiavo and Pope John Paul II. What is the common thread between these two people? The reason these both made me think again of Christianity was one concept that I noticed in relation to both of these. Suffering. The centrality of suffering to Christianity.
In the case of Terry, the "right to life" people expressed the idea that she should be kept alive at all costs. That she was suffering in obedience to God.
In the case of the late Pope, I heard more than once about how he considered his suffering to be born in obedience to God. Here, at least, I have no moral objection since John Paul II was at least able to choose to go on with his physical problems. Unlike Schiavo, who had reportly said that she would not want to be kept alive in a vegetative state.
What is it about suffering that is so virtuous? I read an editorial the other day in The Courier Journal about how the religious right seems to care more about avoiding death than in the quality of life. They say they want a "culture of life" but what this turns into is a culture of living death. The idea that a life of terrible suffering is to be enforced over the right of people in such a state to end their life in the way they choose. The idea that suffering, for its own sake, when one could seek relief, is virtuous. What sort of BS is this?
But then, what do you expect from people who are convinced that our life belongs to God? But where were the religious who said that those keeping Terry alive artificially were the ones "playing God?" Why couldn't God support her without a feeding tube if he so desired? Is he not strong enough?
I've also heard those who are worried that all this means that people who are kept alive with feeding tubes do not deserve to live. I just don't see it. If they choose to live, they should live. It is their choice. They can CHOOSE to live with their suffering or they can CHOOSE to die. This is freedom of choice! They just shouldn't be able to dictate the choice for everyone else in the country. The Pope decided to live until the end and I respect him for it. It was a choice for him and no one else to make.
Sadly in Terry's case, if her brain was damaged to the extent that I've heard, the person that was Terry was already gone before the feeding tube was pulled. At that point she could not choose. I can't help beliving that when the brain activity stops, the person is gone. How could they not be? If she was seriously showing a possiblity of recovery things could have been different. I'm waiting to see the results of that autopsy . . .
Well, what really triggered this rant was listening to Kennedy as I mentioned at the beginning. Sometimes I can use a reminder of how hideous the religious right can be. They give lip service to religious liberty, and then insist on turing their belief into law. Such as their idea that our lives belong to their father in the sky, therefore we must live as they say. And die as they say.
Anyway, here are some links related to the late Pope and Terry Schiavo:
'Precious' Suffering: About Pope John Paul II
The Culture of Living Death :The article which inspired this blog.
Culture of Life or Culture of Living Death?
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Down Time
I'm taking a bit of down time this morning--it's been an hour since I got up and I've done not a single productive thing. Weeeeee! And I don't think that is a bad thing either.
Last week was Spring Break, and no, I didn't get stuck in the lab all week, thank goodness! I did do some work on learning PHP and MySql and getting the rudiments of one of the website pages ready to show in the presentation on Tuesday. But I did most of that from my own computer--since all this stuff is open source, it's free for the downloading. :)
Since the semester has gotten busy, I haven't given religion or irreligion hardly any thought--for those of you who come here to read my thoughts on that topic. I haven't gone to any church for the last several weeks--thought on many occations that was a result of being up all night with Jim on a few Saturday night. Good times :)
Speaking of which, we went to a crazy party at Jim's friend's house last Saturday night. For me, it was the sort of party I always have heard about but I'd never actually been to one. Except for the Marti Gras party. LOL They had a band and there was a lot of alcohol going around. Me and one other girl in the house were apparently the only ones who didn't tie one on, thought I did get a bit tipsy before midnight. I'm just not a big drinker.
Anyway . . . there were some interesting events at the party. For one thing, there were a couple of old matching sofas that ended up in strange places--one on the roof and one in the tree out back. No telling who did it. ;)
The party came to a crashing halt when there was an apparent misunderstanding and a fight, and the cops showed up. To be perfectly honest, I'd never seen anything like this and came a bit unwound for a while. Didn't know what the hell to do. It turned out alright though. I wanted to leave--as I was sober and had no qualms about driving Jim's car, but he didn't want to leave his buddies in that situation. And I respected him for it and just resigned to hanging out all night. There was a lot of talking on cellphones trying to make sense of it all and reconcile some friends who had been involved. I don't know how that has turned out yet . . .
Anyway, I'm going to need to get off the computer and get ready for work. I am now working for the insurance adjuster, and getting better at my job. It's good stuff--I wouldn't even have to go in a 9am today if I didn't want to, but it's a good time for me and I said I'd be there. So I'd better get moving.
Last week was Spring Break, and no, I didn't get stuck in the lab all week, thank goodness! I did do some work on learning PHP and MySql and getting the rudiments of one of the website pages ready to show in the presentation on Tuesday. But I did most of that from my own computer--since all this stuff is open source, it's free for the downloading. :)
Since the semester has gotten busy, I haven't given religion or irreligion hardly any thought--for those of you who come here to read my thoughts on that topic. I haven't gone to any church for the last several weeks--thought on many occations that was a result of being up all night with Jim on a few Saturday night. Good times :)
Speaking of which, we went to a crazy party at Jim's friend's house last Saturday night. For me, it was the sort of party I always have heard about but I'd never actually been to one. Except for the Marti Gras party. LOL They had a band and there was a lot of alcohol going around. Me and one other girl in the house were apparently the only ones who didn't tie one on, thought I did get a bit tipsy before midnight. I'm just not a big drinker.
Anyway . . . there were some interesting events at the party. For one thing, there were a couple of old matching sofas that ended up in strange places--one on the roof and one in the tree out back. No telling who did it. ;)
The party came to a crashing halt when there was an apparent misunderstanding and a fight, and the cops showed up. To be perfectly honest, I'd never seen anything like this and came a bit unwound for a while. Didn't know what the hell to do. It turned out alright though. I wanted to leave--as I was sober and had no qualms about driving Jim's car, but he didn't want to leave his buddies in that situation. And I respected him for it and just resigned to hanging out all night. There was a lot of talking on cellphones trying to make sense of it all and reconcile some friends who had been involved. I don't know how that has turned out yet . . .
Anyway, I'm going to need to get off the computer and get ready for work. I am now working for the insurance adjuster, and getting better at my job. It's good stuff--I wouldn't even have to go in a 9am today if I didn't want to, but it's a good time for me and I said I'd be there. So I'd better get moving.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
an update
I'm now sitting in my finance classroom with 20 minutes to class time, my laptop, and wireless access. And a slight urge to post an update on my blog. So here goes.
School is still busy, though I finally have Spring Break next week. W00t!
For any of you who are interesting in programming, we changed from ASP.NET to PHP in the CIS development project. So I now have have the Apache web server and PHP5 installed on my computer--and I'm having a good time fooling with them. I'm debating whether or not I will install MySql, or just use the class DB server. I mainly don't want to get stuck in the lab during break. Anyway, since so many techical issues have been up in the air, we have got a bit of a break.
As far as the work situation goes, I'm now working as an independent contractor for an insurance adjuster near where I live. I get to work whatever hours I want, and that rocks!
Things are still going well with Jim. I love you :-*
School is still busy, though I finally have Spring Break next week. W00t!
For any of you who are interesting in programming, we changed from ASP.NET to PHP in the CIS development project. So I now have have the Apache web server and PHP5 installed on my computer--and I'm having a good time fooling with them. I'm debating whether or not I will install MySql, or just use the class DB server. I mainly don't want to get stuck in the lab during break. Anyway, since so many techical issues have been up in the air, we have got a bit of a break.
As far as the work situation goes, I'm now working as an independent contractor for an insurance adjuster near where I live. I get to work whatever hours I want, and that rocks!
Things are still going well with Jim. I love you :-*
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
signs that you may be a senior CIS student at UofL . . .
Sorry, if you are not a senior CIS student at UofL, much of this will make no sense to you. LOL
I'll post more as I think of things. Just to give you a taste of what my school life is like lately. It's alright, really. :-)
- If the thought of ever trying to order a beer in SQL has ever crossed your mind.
- If you have ever had a professor suggest that he could fix a fauset because he knows SQL.
- If you refer to the CIS lab as either the trenches or the dungeon.
- If you think there is something funny about the mention of Keystone . . .
- If you are half convinced that one of your professors is a robot built by another professor, who is himself a robot from another planet. And that when the former professor goes off on weird tangents, like suddenly talking about the merits of CIS students marrying each other in the middle of a lecture about SQL, it's because the latter experienced a glitch.
- If you've had a professor say you can't swing a cat without hitting a database.
- SkipJack! (groan)
- "Read the damn book!"
- If most of your social life revolves around the computer lab.
- If you are in the CIS lab past midnight on a regular basis (more a sign that you are in CIS420).
- If the above situation doesn't really bother you much. Really.
- If you have ever laughed when a professor in a different department warned you that his class will be the hardest you have ever taken.
I'll post more as I think of things. Just to give you a taste of what my school life is like lately. It's alright, really. :-)
Sunday, February 20, 2005
it's been a while
I haven't wrote for a while, since I've been really busy with school. And other things. :)
I have now started working in the lab until about 1am with my project group on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday nights. And sometimes on other days. In fact, that is where I am now, taking a little break.
I also have my other classes to contend with, though they have not become quite as time consuming. Stuff I'm doing for other classes includes a crash course in ASP.NET and a book I'm reading for Database Security called Body of Secrets.
I had a job interview last Friday but I'm not really optimistic about getting the job.
On a totally other note, my new flame is still burning well. And he has an adorable little neice ;)
Ok, I've got to get back to work now . . .
I have now started working in the lab until about 1am with my project group on Thursday, Sunday, and Monday nights. And sometimes on other days. In fact, that is where I am now, taking a little break.
I also have my other classes to contend with, though they have not become quite as time consuming. Stuff I'm doing for other classes includes a crash course in ASP.NET and a book I'm reading for Database Security called Body of Secrets.
I had a job interview last Friday but I'm not really optimistic about getting the job.
On a totally other note, my new flame is still burning well. And he has an adorable little neice ;)
Ok, I've got to get back to work now . . .
Monday, February 07, 2005
desires of my heart
I got this idea from David's blog (http://amazinggracelikerain.blogspot.com/). . .
In the years to come, I hope to:
BTW, these are in no particular order, except that I tried to group related items together.
Not a bad list for 5 minutes thought :)
In the years to come, I hope to:
- Graduate
- Find a job I enjoy
- Become an expert in something (first I need to decide what lol)
- Get married and (maybe) have a couple of kids, which would include . . .
- Develop a deep and commited relationship with a great guy
- Learn to accept myself unconditionally
- Go on a long hiking trip.
- Stargaze more often
- Go to more star parties
- Move out of my parent's house
BTW, these are in no particular order, except that I tried to group related items together.
Not a bad list for 5 minutes thought :)
need coffee . . .
This has been one busy weekend. LOL
I've got a finance test, a group presentation, and a five page paper due tomorrow. I finally got the paper done today--at least I have a good working draft and the works cited and all that. I'll not do much more to it. I'm a little bit nervious about the finance test, but I've been studying for that enough already! I just hope he doesn't make it too difficult. And I've got to meet with my group for the presentation tonight at 7. I've had just about enough of school . . . I'd like to graduate this year.
Right now I'm sitting in the library at school taking a bit of a break. I should study for that test some more, but I don't think I can make myself concentrate on it. I'm also waiting for Jim to call, since he is getting back from Mardi Gras today. Last I talked to him it sounded like he'd had enough of wild partying. LOL I'm ready for him to come back. :)
I've got a finance test, a group presentation, and a five page paper due tomorrow. I finally got the paper done today--at least I have a good working draft and the works cited and all that. I'll not do much more to it. I'm a little bit nervious about the finance test, but I've been studying for that enough already! I just hope he doesn't make it too difficult. And I've got to meet with my group for the presentation tonight at 7. I've had just about enough of school . . . I'd like to graduate this year.
Right now I'm sitting in the library at school taking a bit of a break. I should study for that test some more, but I don't think I can make myself concentrate on it. I'm also waiting for Jim to call, since he is getting back from Mardi Gras today. Last I talked to him it sounded like he'd had enough of wild partying. LOL I'm ready for him to come back. :)
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
a new flame
I feel good right now. For one thing, I still have that energized feeling you get from exercising--since I have managed to maintain my goal of exercising about six days a week for one month now. I've been doing some yoga (out of a book) and using an elliptical machine. I have found that exercising makes a great study break, especially when you get tired of sitting still so long or get stiff at the computer.
But that is not the main thing that is on my mind right now. It looks like I have found myself a new flame. We met online. Actually he sent me a message right on the last day before my subscription run out. I sent him a message and told him that he'd better send me his e-mail address if he wanted to hear from me any more! LOL It turned out to be a good move. Today was our fourth date--we went shopping for Mardi Gras beads (he's going there tomorrow! And to think I'm stuck in class! LOL), and got some seafood, and shopped around in Ear X-Tacy (in case you're not from Louisville, that is a local CD store--the best one in town IMO). We drove around town and laughed our heads off over a lot of silly stuff. And I think he is one of the sweetest guys I've ever met. :)
But that is not the main thing that is on my mind right now. It looks like I have found myself a new flame. We met online. Actually he sent me a message right on the last day before my subscription run out. I sent him a message and told him that he'd better send me his e-mail address if he wanted to hear from me any more! LOL It turned out to be a good move. Today was our fourth date--we went shopping for Mardi Gras beads (he's going there tomorrow! And to think I'm stuck in class! LOL), and got some seafood, and shopped around in Ear X-Tacy (in case you're not from Louisville, that is a local CD store--the best one in town IMO). We drove around town and laughed our heads off over a lot of silly stuff. And I think he is one of the sweetest guys I've ever met. :)
Friday, January 28, 2005
Christianity with no redemption story?
For the last couple of days I've been reading a book by John Shelby Spong called Why Christianity Must Change or Die. It has told me absolutely nothing that I don't already know. What makes it fascinating is that he describes many of the most devistating arguments against God and against Christianity and agrees with them, but he doesn't come to the conclusion that Christianity is bunk. He still describes himself as a Christian believer.
Here is an excerpt from the chapter entitled "Jesus as Rescuer: An Image That Has to Go"(which I read at 3:00am this morning in a fit of insomnia):
Wow. That is a mouthful. I can tell why this guy is controversial--about 4-5 years ago if anyone started telling me this stuff I would have likely stuck my fingers in my ears and yelled "lalalala I can't hear you!" It would have been such a negation of my worldview I wouldn't have stood for it.
He traces the "salvation story" of Christianity from the Garden of Eden all the way to the letters of Paul and the Gospels, as I've always heard it described. (Like I said, he has said nothing I don't already know.) Then he suggests that this is all interpretation that has been forced onto the biblical story and the life of Jesus by theologians from the first century to the present--that it is a story based in "pre-Darwinian superstition and post-Darwinian nonsense" and needs to go. But he also thinks that if Jesus had been therefore nothing but a "good teacher or a good example" that the devotion to him would not lasted nearly as long as it has.
Call it conditioning if you like, but I’m having a hard time separating Christianity from this salvation story he is calling “pre-Darwinian superstition.” This is one of the reasons I don’t believe in Christianity. The evolution of the human race means no literal fall, no literal original sin, no need for salvation from sin, no need for a self-sacrificing savior. It is very fascinating to me to see a Bishop honestly try to adjust his religion to be consistent with modern knowledge of the world. I’m only about half-way though the book now, and I’m looking forward to finding out what he has to say next.
Here is an excerpt from the chapter entitled "Jesus as Rescuer: An Image That Has to Go"(which I read at 3:00am this morning in a fit of insomnia):
What would the concept of a primal fall of human life into sin possible mean to those creatures who only recently evolved into the stage of the world and who give no evidence that their stay will be permanent? How can there be a fall into sin if there has never been perfection from which to fall? What kind of deity is it who would require of us a sacrificial offering to overcome a chasm that is now understood to be non-existent? Why would anyone be drawn to an image of a divine rescuer who, with his self-sacrifice, would pay the price of sin? The traditional understanding of salvation history and the various theories of atonement all come tumbling down at this point, and this includes the interpretation we have traditionally imposed upon the cross of Calvary.
Wow. That is a mouthful. I can tell why this guy is controversial--about 4-5 years ago if anyone started telling me this stuff I would have likely stuck my fingers in my ears and yelled "lalalala I can't hear you!" It would have been such a negation of my worldview I wouldn't have stood for it.
He traces the "salvation story" of Christianity from the Garden of Eden all the way to the letters of Paul and the Gospels, as I've always heard it described. (Like I said, he has said nothing I don't already know.) Then he suggests that this is all interpretation that has been forced onto the biblical story and the life of Jesus by theologians from the first century to the present--that it is a story based in "pre-Darwinian superstition and post-Darwinian nonsense" and needs to go. But he also thinks that if Jesus had been therefore nothing but a "good teacher or a good example" that the devotion to him would not lasted nearly as long as it has.
Yet the Jesus portrayed in the creedal statement "as one who, for us and for our salvation, came down from heaven" simply no longer communicates to our world. These concepts must be uprooted and dismissed. If the Christ experience is real, then we must find a new way to talk about it.
Call it conditioning if you like, but I’m having a hard time separating Christianity from this salvation story he is calling “pre-Darwinian superstition.” This is one of the reasons I don’t believe in Christianity. The evolution of the human race means no literal fall, no literal original sin, no need for salvation from sin, no need for a self-sacrificing savior. It is very fascinating to me to see a Bishop honestly try to adjust his religion to be consistent with modern knowledge of the world. I’m only about half-way though the book now, and I’m looking forward to finding out what he has to say next.
Thursday, January 27, 2005
more changes
I've tweeked the design of the blog a bit more today. Changed the background color of the sidebar and added a table border. I hope you like it.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
atheist?
I went to see the pastor at First Unitarian about joining the church today. However, I didn’t sign the book . . . I feel like there is some little voice inside of me saying “not yet.” I don’t know really what the deal is. I’ve loved going to the church and to activities associated with the church. I feel I’ve grown spiritually (if that is the right word) by being exposed to so many different viewpoints. At least I’ve learned some patience and listening skills (maybe that’s as spiritual as it gets :-). But I feel something holding me back—and as there is no hurry and I’m under no pressure, I’ve decided to wait.
And partly due to some conversations I’ve had with a couple of people at First U—including a conversation with the pastor earlier today—I’m starting to think that “atheist” is not a very accurate label for what I am.
As I write, I’m listening to a song by The Alan Parsons Project. The last lines from the song The Three of Me sum up how I feel about the whole issue sometimes.
It’s is not like I’m considering the existence of the old evangelical Christian God that I used to believe in. I’m not even considering any kind of humanized or personal god. I have considered god to be a metaphor for nature—thus my pantheist bent. I feel a little strange telling people I’m a pantheist though (it’s not something most people seem to understand). On the e-mail newsletters I get from American Atheists there is a quote that says “atheist” is an unambiguous term, but anymore I don’t think that is the case. It’s all strange—like if I tell people I’m an atheist I need to also tell them just what I mean by “god.”
It also doesn’t help the situation to explain that I’m a Unitarian Universalist either. That seems to be more confusing than “pantheist.” LOL Particularly since UUism apparently isn’t really a religion at all, but rather a confederation of people with lots of different religions. (This is not why I’m delaying joining BTW. I think this is one of the beauties of UUism.)
Anyway, as much as I would like to have an easy term to describe the state of my belief (or disbelief) to other people, first I feel a need to describe it to myself. Naturalistic pantheism works fairly well as a description actually. No god higher than nature. And at the same time this is a "god" far bigger than our limited human minds. One that we can work towards understanding, though I doubt we will ever totally understand the Universe. The "all in all" as I like to think of it. (I did get that phrase out of a Christian praise and worship song, btw. I think it is more descriptive of the Universe than Jesus, though.)
Perhaps if people ask me about my beliefs, I'll just tell them that I am a Freethinker. "One who forms opinions on the basis of reason independently of authority," as it is defined in my Marrriam-Webster Collegiate dictionary. This is vague but accurate. Well, at least it is an ideal that I prize.
Then, if they want more detail, I can get into Naturalistic Pantheism. But only after I make sure they do not need to go off somewhere in a hurry. :)
I've also found this quote in freedom: Quotes and passages from the world's greatest freethinkers. I think it's appropriate to my spiritual journey (I still can't get over my use of that word. LOL)
I feel better now :)
And partly due to some conversations I’ve had with a couple of people at First U—including a conversation with the pastor earlier today—I’m starting to think that “atheist” is not a very accurate label for what I am.
As I write, I’m listening to a song by The Alan Parsons Project. The last lines from the song The Three of Me sum up how I feel about the whole issue sometimes.
One minute I think I know what I mean, next I hear voices inside that disagree. Why are they laughing at me?
It’s is not like I’m considering the existence of the old evangelical Christian God that I used to believe in. I’m not even considering any kind of humanized or personal god. I have considered god to be a metaphor for nature—thus my pantheist bent. I feel a little strange telling people I’m a pantheist though (it’s not something most people seem to understand). On the e-mail newsletters I get from American Atheists there is a quote that says “atheist” is an unambiguous term, but anymore I don’t think that is the case. It’s all strange—like if I tell people I’m an atheist I need to also tell them just what I mean by “god.”
It also doesn’t help the situation to explain that I’m a Unitarian Universalist either. That seems to be more confusing than “pantheist.” LOL Particularly since UUism apparently isn’t really a religion at all, but rather a confederation of people with lots of different religions. (This is not why I’m delaying joining BTW. I think this is one of the beauties of UUism.)
Anyway, as much as I would like to have an easy term to describe the state of my belief (or disbelief) to other people, first I feel a need to describe it to myself. Naturalistic pantheism works fairly well as a description actually. No god higher than nature. And at the same time this is a "god" far bigger than our limited human minds. One that we can work towards understanding, though I doubt we will ever totally understand the Universe. The "all in all" as I like to think of it. (I did get that phrase out of a Christian praise and worship song, btw. I think it is more descriptive of the Universe than Jesus, though.)
Perhaps if people ask me about my beliefs, I'll just tell them that I am a Freethinker. "One who forms opinions on the basis of reason independently of authority," as it is defined in my Marrriam-Webster Collegiate dictionary. This is vague but accurate. Well, at least it is an ideal that I prize.
Then, if they want more detail, I can get into Naturalistic Pantheism. But only after I make sure they do not need to go off somewhere in a hurry. :)
I've also found this quote in freedom: Quotes and passages from the world's greatest freethinkers. I think it's appropriate to my spiritual journey (I still can't get over my use of that word. LOL)
I have steadily endeavored to keep my mind free so as to give up any hypothesis, however much beloved [and I cannot resist forming one on every subject] as soon as the facts are shown to be opposed to it. –Charles Darwin
I feel better now :)
Friday, January 21, 2005
what's up?
I'm going to take a momentary break from religious/philosophical musings and just give an overview of what is going on in my life as of today:
I've just finished my second week of classes for the semester, and so far all is going well. Here is the list of classes I'm taking this semester:
The development project is actually an continuation of the Analysis and Design class I took last semester--this semester we actually get to build the system. And we have new groups. I suspect this class will make me very busy when it really gets going; last night was my first four-hour long meeting with my group (which we have decided to name FocusPoint--a name found while brainstorming over e-mail.) I feel pretty optimistic about this class. It will be a whole lot of work but I think it will be fun.
Corporate Finance isn't exactly one of my favorite topics, but I like quantitative work and I think knowing this stuff will be really useful if I end up doing a lot of project work. And I like my prof too--he has a lot of knowledge and enthusiasm about the topic. That does make the class more interesting, and I have an easier time being positive about a subject when the prof is excited about it.
Then there is Database Security, which is part of the new Information Security concentration this is offered to CIS majors. As I took Intro to Database last semester, I think this is a good continuation of that class. Also, I had this prof for Business Data Communications last semester, and I greatly enjoyed his class. He was also the one to spearhead the InfoSec program at UofL. I'd like to go ahead and get the InfoSec concentration (which would result in a certification on my diploma), though it would inevitably push my graduation date to Spring 2006 rather than Fall 2005. It would be worth it though, expecially since I would only need to take classes part-time in the spring.
The other two classes haven't started yet. But I will need to learn ASP.NET for the development project anyway, so I'm really glad I decided to enroll in it.
I'm still looking for a co-op, which I need to graduate. I've send my resume to a couple of places that are posted on the UofL site, but I haven't heard back yet.
Since this has turned out to be a rather long post, I think I'll save the rest of my life for a later entry. So check back soon :)
I've just finished my second week of classes for the semester, and so far all is going well. Here is the list of classes I'm taking this semester:
- Intro to Corporate Finance (FIN301)
- CIS Development Project (CIS420)
- Database Security (CIS483)
- ASP.NET (Satudays in February) (CIS390)
- Visual Basic (Saturdays in April) (CIS392)
The development project is actually an continuation of the Analysis and Design class I took last semester--this semester we actually get to build the system. And we have new groups. I suspect this class will make me very busy when it really gets going; last night was my first four-hour long meeting with my group (which we have decided to name FocusPoint--a name found while brainstorming over e-mail.) I feel pretty optimistic about this class. It will be a whole lot of work but I think it will be fun.
Corporate Finance isn't exactly one of my favorite topics, but I like quantitative work and I think knowing this stuff will be really useful if I end up doing a lot of project work. And I like my prof too--he has a lot of knowledge and enthusiasm about the topic. That does make the class more interesting, and I have an easier time being positive about a subject when the prof is excited about it.
Then there is Database Security, which is part of the new Information Security concentration this is offered to CIS majors. As I took Intro to Database last semester, I think this is a good continuation of that class. Also, I had this prof for Business Data Communications last semester, and I greatly enjoyed his class. He was also the one to spearhead the InfoSec program at UofL. I'd like to go ahead and get the InfoSec concentration (which would result in a certification on my diploma), though it would inevitably push my graduation date to Spring 2006 rather than Fall 2005. It would be worth it though, expecially since I would only need to take classes part-time in the spring.
The other two classes haven't started yet. But I will need to learn ASP.NET for the development project anyway, so I'm really glad I decided to enroll in it.
I'm still looking for a co-op, which I need to graduate. I've send my resume to a couple of places that are posted on the UofL site, but I haven't heard back yet.
Since this has turned out to be a rather long post, I think I'll save the rest of my life for a later entry. So check back soon :)
Monday, January 17, 2005
Sunday, January 16, 2005
pesky activist judge ;-)
Score another for the separation of church and state! I think the judge rightly stated the crux of the issue:
Judge orders removal of evolution stickers from textbooks in Georgia schools
To bad the school had to be ordered to do it.
(Quote added on 01/18/05)
"While evolution is subject to criticism, particularly with respect to the mechanism by which it occurred, the sticker misleads students regarding the significance and value of evolution in the scientific community."
Judge orders removal of evolution stickers from textbooks in Georgia schools
To bad the school had to be ordered to do it.
(Quote added on 01/18/05)
Joining First Unitarian Church
Today I have decided to go ahead and join First Unitarian Church. I've been thinking about it for quite a while, so after the service this morning I asked about membership and filled out a little card to get the ball rolling.
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