Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Non-Stop Bible reading
http://www.christianpost.com/news/90-hour-bible-reading-marathon-underway-at-us-capitol-94933/
So... this is intense. In DC, every year they have a 90 hour bible reading on the steps of the capitol. People usually volunteer to do around 5-15 minutes, but it's being read non-stop. Apparently, they usually do this to inspire others into devotionals and prepare people of National Prayer Day.
I heard on campus they had a reading of The Odyssey nonstop similar to this. Although, it didn't last 90 hours...
90 hour Bible Reading
http://www.christianpost.com/news/90-hour-bible-reading-marathon-underway-at-us-capitol-94933/
So... this is intense. In DC, every year they have a 90 hour bible reading on the steps of the capitol. People usually volunteer to do around 5-15 minutes, but it's being read non-stop. Apparently, they usually do this to inspire others into devotionals and prepare people of National Prayer Day.
I heard on campus they had a reading of The Odyssey nonstop similar to this. Although, it didn't last 90 hours...
So... this is intense. In DC, every year they have a 90 hour bible reading on the steps of the capitol. People usually volunteer to do around 5-15 minutes, but it's being read non-stop. Apparently, they usually do this to inspire others into devotionals and prepare people of National Prayer Day.
I heard on campus they had a reading of The Odyssey nonstop similar to this. Although, it didn't last 90 hours...
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Who's the most charitable: Atheists or Christians?
An interesting experiment was done by a homeless man in Austin, Texas. He had multiple bowls laid out and labeled them with different religions. As people donated, they put their money in the bowl with which they associated with. Interestingly, Atheists and Christians came out as the top two groups in this man's experiment. Although, the article does state that given the demographics of the city, they are probably the two most common groups.
Treason?
http://www.christianpost.com/news/religious-freedom-in-our-military-this-is-what-intolerance-smells-like-95058/
"President Obama's new "religious tolerance" consultant to the Pentagon, Mikey Weinstein, wants Christian military service members who openly talk about their faith in uniform to be charged with treason, which is a crime punishable by death according to military law."
An interesting issue this article shines light on is a growing fear of religious extremism and religious groups. With a rise in violence in the Middle East there has arisen a violent and bloody face to religious extremism. The aftermath of 9/11 and Iraq and Afghanistan war has lead many Americans to the perception that Islam is a dangerous religion, whether a person associated with it is extremist or not. Today, this view isn't being confined just to Muslims. America is entering a stage where there is fear and anger against all forms of potential religious extremism and their associates. For example, the Southern Baptist church has been gaining a rep. for doing incredulous things like protesting the Newton funeral. Now, fear and anger isn't being applied to just this group but to all of Christianity. Religion in general is starting to be viewed as dangerous and inevitably extreme. This particular viewed is exemplified by Mr. Weinstein.
"President Obama's new "religious tolerance" consultant to the Pentagon, Mikey Weinstein, wants Christian military service members who openly talk about their faith in uniform to be charged with treason, which is a crime punishable by death according to military law."
An interesting issue this article shines light on is a growing fear of religious extremism and religious groups. With a rise in violence in the Middle East there has arisen a violent and bloody face to religious extremism. The aftermath of 9/11 and Iraq and Afghanistan war has lead many Americans to the perception that Islam is a dangerous religion, whether a person associated with it is extremist or not. Today, this view isn't being confined just to Muslims. America is entering a stage where there is fear and anger against all forms of potential religious extremism and their associates. For example, the Southern Baptist church has been gaining a rep. for doing incredulous things like protesting the Newton funeral. Now, fear and anger isn't being applied to just this group but to all of Christianity. Religion in general is starting to be viewed as dangerous and inevitably extreme. This particular viewed is exemplified by Mr. Weinstein.
Rob Bell and Gay Marriage
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christandpopculture/2013/03/rob-bell-on-gay-marriage-why-the-church-cant-follow/
"I am for fidelity. I am for love, whether it's a man and a woman, a woman and a woman, a man and a man. I think the ship has sailed and I think that the church needs to just … this is the world that we are living in and we need to affirm people wherever they are," Rob Bell
Are we seeing another surge in the Liberalism movement? During the Liberal Christian movement, we saw an incorporation of science (modern culture) into faith. Here we see gay marriage trying to be incorporated into faith. What's interesting is that Rob Bell implies that this is what the world is coming to and we need to come to terms with it. However, from the Next Christendom article that we read, we're actually seeing the world becoming more conservative. North America and Western Christianity is pushing for more of a liberal Christianity. Actually, the ship hasn't sailed yet, if anything it's still in the North American docks.
"I am for fidelity. I am for love, whether it's a man and a woman, a woman and a woman, a man and a man. I think the ship has sailed and I think that the church needs to just … this is the world that we are living in and we need to affirm people wherever they are," Rob Bell
Are we seeing another surge in the Liberalism movement? During the Liberal Christian movement, we saw an incorporation of science (modern culture) into faith. Here we see gay marriage trying to be incorporated into faith. What's interesting is that Rob Bell implies that this is what the world is coming to and we need to come to terms with it. However, from the Next Christendom article that we read, we're actually seeing the world becoming more conservative. North America and Western Christianity is pushing for more of a liberal Christianity. Actually, the ship hasn't sailed yet, if anything it's still in the North American docks.
Friday, May 3, 2013
Vatican Uncovers First Known European Depiction Of Native Americans
"Preservationists working on a Renaissance fresco in the Vatican have uncovered what experts believe is the first European representation of Native Americans, from 1494."
Apparently 1494 is two years before Columbus sailed and made contact with Natives. What's interesting is the depiction of the Native Americans is consistent with Columbus's description even though it's two years before he actually departed.
CONSPIRACY THEORY
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Idolatry of the Word
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-michael-dowd/idolatry-of-the-written-word_b_2832435.html?utm_hp_ref=religion
The author criticizes inconsistent modern day strict-interpretation of Scripture. There are some parts of Scripture that our culture no longer literally applies. We don't stone people to death over the breaking of rules/laws presented in Leviticus. However, we see a contradiction of not taking strict-interpretation and application of Scripture in some areas (like stoning people) and taking strict-interpretation and application in other cases. The author describes we are in a mindset of idolatry of ancient texts like Scripture and the Nicene Creed.
He describes his purpose in his presentations to schools and universities:
"Thus my call: Those of us who wish to continue calling ourselves Christian must no longer enslave mind and heart to inert fossils of ancient texts and creeds."
Additionally, "And let us elevate our children and youth with stories that excite them, that build faith and trust, evoke gratitude and compassion, and provide guidance relevant to today's challenges and choices."
Overall, I would have to disagree with this author and his message. His main reason for shifting our focus from ancient texts is due to cultural evolution. One might think much of what happens and is described in the Bible doesn't apply to us today. However, in my opinion stories, situations, and values don't really change. Nothing is new under the sun. David and Goliath is a story about courage, overcoming the odds, and rooting for the underdog. Personally, I don't agree with this article, although I do find it interesting.
The author criticizes inconsistent modern day strict-interpretation of Scripture. There are some parts of Scripture that our culture no longer literally applies. We don't stone people to death over the breaking of rules/laws presented in Leviticus. However, we see a contradiction of not taking strict-interpretation and application of Scripture in some areas (like stoning people) and taking strict-interpretation and application in other cases. The author describes we are in a mindset of idolatry of ancient texts like Scripture and the Nicene Creed.
He describes his purpose in his presentations to schools and universities:
"Thus my call: Those of us who wish to continue calling ourselves Christian must no longer enslave mind and heart to inert fossils of ancient texts and creeds."
Additionally, "And let us elevate our children and youth with stories that excite them, that build faith and trust, evoke gratitude and compassion, and provide guidance relevant to today's challenges and choices."
Overall, I would have to disagree with this author and his message. His main reason for shifting our focus from ancient texts is due to cultural evolution. One might think much of what happens and is described in the Bible doesn't apply to us today. However, in my opinion stories, situations, and values don't really change. Nothing is new under the sun. David and Goliath is a story about courage, overcoming the odds, and rooting for the underdog. Personally, I don't agree with this article, although I do find it interesting.
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