"If we are not able to ask skeptical questions, to interrogate those who tell us that something is true, to be skeptical of those in authority, then we’re up for grabs for the next charlatan, political or religious, who comes ambling along.”
Charlie Rose: An Interview with Carl Sagan, May 27, 1996
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
No Conflict: An American Christian Looks at the Age of the Earth
From time to time I hear some religious people believe the earth was created in 6,000 years. I was never taught that, but I can see where it comes from.
One day God, who can do anything, announces a plan to build the earth. He lays out the plans and says that it should be done in 6,000 years. Then, having other things to do, he turns the earth project over to his angels. I don't know how many angels there are, but let's assume it's a bunch. The first thing they do is look at the plans. Since they are God's plans they look great. The angels get to work. They start by organizing themselves into appropriate committees. Planning committees, review committees, supply committees, and relevant sub-committees, then boom! 4+ billion years later the project is done.
Now, scientists might estimate that the world took 4 billion years to organize, I might know the world has 4 billion years on the clock, and the angels must know that the world took 4 billion to build. But if anyone asks how long it took, nobody wants to argue with the boss' announcement that it was a 6,000 year project.
One day God, who can do anything, announces a plan to build the earth. He lays out the plans and says that it should be done in 6,000 years. Then, having other things to do, he turns the earth project over to his angels. I don't know how many angels there are, but let's assume it's a bunch. The first thing they do is look at the plans. Since they are God's plans they look great. The angels get to work. They start by organizing themselves into appropriate committees. Planning committees, review committees, supply committees, and relevant sub-committees, then boom! 4+ billion years later the project is done.
Now, scientists might estimate that the world took 4 billion years to organize, I might know the world has 4 billion years on the clock, and the angels must know that the world took 4 billion to build. But if anyone asks how long it took, nobody wants to argue with the boss' announcement that it was a 6,000 year project.
Monday, January 27, 2014
LINKS: Please Don't Say This Anymore
When poverty is discussed, all too often I hear the phrase..."If you teach a man to fish..."
And in my mind I picture people living in this world.
Talking about people living in this world.
If you don't live by the water and if you don't have money to buy fishing gear what use is it for some rich people to share their hobby?
If you think a man should learn how to fish then take the time to learn where he can fish and give him the tools to fish with. Make sure you buy him a license and give him a ride to the water, and then bring him home. Take the time to teach him how to clean the fish, and cook the fish, and to protect the future of the fish.
In this modern world with urban living and so many rules protecting established businesses, if you just teach a man to fish, then you have nether fed him for the day, nor have you prepared him for a lifetime of feeding himself.
And in my mind I picture people living in this world.
Talking about people living in this world.
If you don't live by the water and if you don't have money to buy fishing gear what use is it for some rich people to share their hobby?
If you think a man should learn how to fish then take the time to learn where he can fish and give him the tools to fish with. Make sure you buy him a license and give him a ride to the water, and then bring him home. Take the time to teach him how to clean the fish, and cook the fish, and to protect the future of the fish.
In this modern world with urban living and so many rules protecting established businesses, if you just teach a man to fish, then you have nether fed him for the day, nor have you prepared him for a lifetime of feeding himself.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
St Martin-in-Provo
As a child I remember visiting St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Standing in the church some adult told the story of a brave priest who stood up to popular opinion and left the door to the church unlocked so that the homeless would have a place to sleep in the heart of the big city. I looked around what appeared to me to be a fancy church and I could understand why people would want to protect it. I also through that the priest had the right idea. There, in a city filled with palaces and museums, was one place where no matter how poor you were, no matter how low you were on the social scale, no matter how damaged you might be, there was one place that would let you in on a cold night.
Now, I understand that there were risks in the priest's behavior. Risks to the building and risks to the random individuals that might enter it. But it was still the right thing to do.
We have a chance to do the same thing. With winter approaching Provo I can see the need for a refuge for those who have nothing. Perhaps one of our leaders will be as brave as that English priest and suggest that when the new temple is finished we could open, if not its doors to the homeless, at least the doors of the parking garage*. Each night after the temple closes a group of brethren could volunteer to let the homeless sleep in the lower levels of the garage where the depth of the earth will insulate the ground and keep the people from freezing. Early in the morning as the temple opens the homeless could wander out, the area could be cleaned, and the temple patrons could park. It wouldn't take many people to support the operation and the cost would be minimal.
Who knows, if it works they could try something similar in Salt Lake City with the big new mall that sits empty between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am.
*As I recall, from time to time the homeless in Provo were housed in the Hotel Roberts which stood close to, if not exactly where the new temple parking garage will be built.
Now, I understand that there were risks in the priest's behavior. Risks to the building and risks to the random individuals that might enter it. But it was still the right thing to do.
We have a chance to do the same thing. With winter approaching Provo I can see the need for a refuge for those who have nothing. Perhaps one of our leaders will be as brave as that English priest and suggest that when the new temple is finished we could open, if not its doors to the homeless, at least the doors of the parking garage*. Each night after the temple closes a group of brethren could volunteer to let the homeless sleep in the lower levels of the garage where the depth of the earth will insulate the ground and keep the people from freezing. Early in the morning as the temple opens the homeless could wander out, the area could be cleaned, and the temple patrons could park. It wouldn't take many people to support the operation and the cost would be minimal.
Who knows, if it works they could try something similar in Salt Lake City with the big new mall that sits empty between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am.
*As I recall, from time to time the homeless in Provo were housed in the Hotel Roberts which stood close to, if not exactly where the new temple parking garage will be built.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
How Can You Promise Me Heaven?
How can you promise me heaven when you can’t provide on
earth?
How can you promise choirs of angels singing praise when my
ears ring with the sound of my neighbors mocking of the poor.
How can you promise mansions in heaven when we have no
shelter for the homeless?
How can you promise infinite wisdom when our leaders vote to
destroy our education system?
What makes you think we will live united above when down
here we can’t abide those who cross borders, are gay, or don’t look like us?
How can you claim we can progress forever when you can’t see
past the number of piercings in my ears or the color of my shirt?
How can you promise divine forgiveness when our politicians
pass petty laws to punish those who make difficult personal choices they
disagree with.
Why do you promise a future of charity and love from the pulpit when so
many voices in our community promote greed and fear?
Why do you extol the potential of women in the next life when
you exclude them from leadership today?
How can you promise me heaven when you can’t provide on
earth?
Monday, March 12, 2012
Really
It is great that the Church took a strong stand against racism recently (http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/racial-remarks-in-washington-post-article).
Now I hear that the Church owns a radio station the airs Rush Limbaugh (http://www.bonneville.com/?nid=42).
I'm happy that we are working to put racism behind us. It looks like we will have to keep working on our respect for women.
(Don't even get me started on what our "LDS" legislators are doing to our hope for education.)
Now I hear that the Church owns a radio station the airs Rush Limbaugh (http://www.bonneville.com/?nid=42).
I'm happy that we are working to put racism behind us. It looks like we will have to keep working on our respect for women.
(Don't even get me started on what our "LDS" legislators are doing to our hope for education.)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Skinny Genes
So I hear some kid in Idaho is all worked up because some girl at BYUi has skinny genes. She can't take a test. She is embarrassed at school all because of her skinny genes. And I figure, hey, why is it anyone's business if she has skinny genes. In today's world, lucky her. Leave her and her skinny genes be!
Turns out they were talking about pants.
Now that is even sillier.
Turns out they were talking about pants.
Now that is even sillier.
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