January 2006 Bookshelf
January has been incredibly busy and my apologies for the lack of posting activity. I also had a complete computer crash, but am now up and running with a new Dell Inspiron 9300; much happier now that my on-line life is coming back into a sense of stability. As I anticipated, my reading schedule slowed down due to pressing scholastic and professional obligations. Even with this in mind, I was able to finish a very well balanced book on China as well as a an interesting book on the Japanese automotive industry and a biography of the great Barcelona architect Gaudi.Science & Religion Commentary
In a message board at the Sinister Minister we have struck up an interesting conversation about the dynamic between faith and reason and hence, religion and science. The exchange was precipitated from Sam Harris' previous article, posted earlier on this site as to whether science and faith can co-exist.Sloppy Words, Sloppy Thinking, Sloppy President
The news that two people are going on trial in the U.K. for leaking news of President Bush's meeting with Tony Blair during which the President allegedly articulated his belief that Al-Jazeera's TV broadcasting station should be bombed has largely been overlooked in the U.S. It should not be. It is yet another sign of the sloppy thinking and willingness to do what is unlawful, immoral and wrong in the interests of supposedly protecting Americans. Christopher Hitchens has an excellent analysis of the problem in his Slate column.Quack or Spokesman?
American Christianity desperately needs to distance itself from Robertson, and to do so in a way that is explainable. Rather than attempt and pretend that Robertson’s beliefs are un-Biblical, which they are not, the Church should seriously engage the fundamental question that distances believers from unbelievers: the idea that God’s present absence has always been what characterized man’s experience. To really wrestle with this question would be to once and for all set aside the parts of Scripture that award parcels of land to special tribes, establish ridiculous claims about behavior intended to garner your favor with God, or argue that morality can be circumvented by deific decree. It is so easy to overlook that Robertson’s ...Science & Religion - Can They Co-Exist?
Sam Harris has posted a new essay detailing what he believes is a critical battle - that between science and religion. Harris' writing has two unique elements: first, his focus on the problems even "moderate" religious beliefs leave society with (a distinction many critics of religion are willing to overlook in the interests of graciousness) and second, his abiltity to portray a spiritual side to secular thinking. To incorporate spiritual dimensions to secular philosophy would correct one of the basic mistakes of much within Enlightenment philosophy. The best quote from the article: "To win this war of ideas, scientists and other rational people will need to find new ways of talking about ethics and spiritual experience. ...Munich
After the Israeli commando group’s first killing, they are in a garden celebrating their success. The soldiers begin telling a story about the Jews and Egyptians: an angel comes to God and says “God, your people have made it across the Red Sea.” God says “good.” Another angel who overhears this humbly asks God, “but thousands of Egyptians died in the sea. Are these not your children as well?” God replies, “Yes, they are.” The stupefied angel then asks, “but if that is the case, why are you happy to know so many of your Egyptian children died?About MysteriousFaith
“If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in thought or deed, I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which never yet hurt anybody. It is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance which does harm.”
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