I am thinking seriously about how to use the internet to solve some problems in the world. For example, in the U.S. we have very expensive health care and it leaves many in financial trouble. If you don't make enough to afford health insurance but make too much for government assistance, you are forced to pay all your medical expenses out of pocket.
What if there were an internet site that acted as a think-tank for solutions to this problem. I have been wrestling with what I can do to facilitate this and come up with solutions.
If you think about it, the internet has created a worldwide community with unprecedented connections and resources. Why should these resources only be used to profit a few brilliant individuals who know how to capitalize on the technologies we now have?
I think we should have an open forum on the internet, invite all the best brains in the world to speculate on how to solve the problem of the rising cost of healthcare.
Then we can move on to solving some other pressing issues.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
No Intelligence Allowed
If you haven't heard, Ben Stein has a movie coming out that exposes the hypocrisy of the scientific community. (http://www.expelledthemovie.com/home.php) The movie tells the tale of scientist who are persecuted for questioning Darwinism and suggesting that there might actually be an intelligence behind what we see in nature. This is the ultimate blasphemy in the scientific community and scientists are being punished for the position.
I think one of the issues is that scientists insist that science must remain untouched by any other aspect of life. You can't let science or scientific inquiry be influenced by anything in any other sphere of life. You can't for example let religion or philosophy enter the realm where test tubes and carbon dating exist. But this isolation of scientific thought leads to all manner of problems. It is in this context that experimentation has no restraint, and cannot be restrained for fear of interfering with knowledge. Therefore Naziesque practices such as experiments on the helpless in society are justified, rationalized and practiced without question.
All other areas of learning are informed and influenced by other spheres of life. Art cannot be understood without a knowledge of history and religion. Philosophy can have no value without a discussion of history and culture, religion and politics. But when we get to science, it somehow only functions in isolation. This sterile little world is so fragile that any introduction of the idea of an intelligent being brings the whole thing crashing down. Ethics and philosophy rapes the very core of scientific theory.
So the issues involved in the naturalistic evolution versus intelligent design debate stem from far back in the very root of what modern science claims to be. If true science is by definition naturalistic and secular, devoid of ethics and morality, religion and philosophy, then it cannot be questioned, and in turn it certainly has no value.
If scientist insist upon their field of study being isolated from real life, we should grant them their wish and relegate them to an absurd corner of academia where cobwebs grow and bats nest. In those halls meaningless experiments and conjecture lead to valueless assertions and circular reasoning. Hollow scientists pat each other on the back and pass between them journals that confirm and repeat the same rhetoric ad nauseum. They huddle together to maintain their status quo and cheer each other on as they twist every discovery and experiment to fit their view of the world.
Let us not disturb them. Or if we do, we must do it gently. This house of cards is trembling in the breeze.
I think one of the issues is that scientists insist that science must remain untouched by any other aspect of life. You can't let science or scientific inquiry be influenced by anything in any other sphere of life. You can't for example let religion or philosophy enter the realm where test tubes and carbon dating exist. But this isolation of scientific thought leads to all manner of problems. It is in this context that experimentation has no restraint, and cannot be restrained for fear of interfering with knowledge. Therefore Naziesque practices such as experiments on the helpless in society are justified, rationalized and practiced without question.
All other areas of learning are informed and influenced by other spheres of life. Art cannot be understood without a knowledge of history and religion. Philosophy can have no value without a discussion of history and culture, religion and politics. But when we get to science, it somehow only functions in isolation. This sterile little world is so fragile that any introduction of the idea of an intelligent being brings the whole thing crashing down. Ethics and philosophy rapes the very core of scientific theory.
So the issues involved in the naturalistic evolution versus intelligent design debate stem from far back in the very root of what modern science claims to be. If true science is by definition naturalistic and secular, devoid of ethics and morality, religion and philosophy, then it cannot be questioned, and in turn it certainly has no value.
If scientist insist upon their field of study being isolated from real life, we should grant them their wish and relegate them to an absurd corner of academia where cobwebs grow and bats nest. In those halls meaningless experiments and conjecture lead to valueless assertions and circular reasoning. Hollow scientists pat each other on the back and pass between them journals that confirm and repeat the same rhetoric ad nauseum. They huddle together to maintain their status quo and cheer each other on as they twist every discovery and experiment to fit their view of the world.
Let us not disturb them. Or if we do, we must do it gently. This house of cards is trembling in the breeze.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Criticizing the Uncriticizable
As a follow-up to the previous post, let me continue to ruffle feathers.
I know that criticizing Islam is a no-no in today's world. After all, cartoonists are targets fearing for their lives and anyone who publicly speaks out in clear terms agains Islam is a target of swift violence. I take comfort in the fact that this blog is relatively anonymous. I will not post my name or information about myself because I would like to go on living. You see, Islam does not foster debate, discussion or criticism. It cannot survive in a world where people pick it apart and examine its ugly underbelly. It only survives in a politically correct world of ignorance and oppression.
What is odd is the uneasly tension with the media which thrives on freedom of speech and expression. It seems that there is a love affair with Islam among some in the media, or at least a passion to defend it. It leaves me scratching my head because Muslims would absolutely crush or control the media if they could. Compare the media in the U.S. with that in the Middle East. The U.S. pretty much has a free-for-all with all kinds of different voices and views getting some airtime. Try this for an experiment: Travel to the Middle East, say Syria, and contact the local TV station and tell them you would like to air a documentary on the link between Islam and terrorism. Show up at the TV station by yourself and insist on an audience.
May you rest in peace.
Why isn't the U.S. media spotlighting the horrible lack of freedom and expression in the Islamic world? Why do we hear the mantra endlessly droaning, "Islam is a religion of peace" from the halls of the media outlets? It is like they are handed some soundbite and told that this is the party line and they had better not venture away from it. Those who champion freedom of speech, bowing the knee to Islamic brainwashing.
These same people will be quick to denegrate the U.S. and its foreign policies, comparing our elected leaders to nazis and demanding change. The champions of feminism and equal rights can't find the courage to oppose obvious inequality and oppression in the Islamic world and wherever the Koran is revered.
It is only on the internet that anonymity allows us to speak out and say what our hearts and minds know is true: It is not the distortion of Islam that is reprehensible and scary, but the proper and faithful practice of it that is so ugly and immoral.
A Christian like myself has no qualms about calling a spade a spade when it comes to false and dangerous religions. But all of society needs to hear, understand and repeat the truth that is right before our eyes. An Islamic world is a very ugly place, a very violent, oppressive and exploitative place. It is not only Christians who should take notice and take action against this threat, but the entire civilized world. Failure to do so will be very costly.
I know that criticizing Islam is a no-no in today's world. After all, cartoonists are targets fearing for their lives and anyone who publicly speaks out in clear terms agains Islam is a target of swift violence. I take comfort in the fact that this blog is relatively anonymous. I will not post my name or information about myself because I would like to go on living. You see, Islam does not foster debate, discussion or criticism. It cannot survive in a world where people pick it apart and examine its ugly underbelly. It only survives in a politically correct world of ignorance and oppression.
What is odd is the uneasly tension with the media which thrives on freedom of speech and expression. It seems that there is a love affair with Islam among some in the media, or at least a passion to defend it. It leaves me scratching my head because Muslims would absolutely crush or control the media if they could. Compare the media in the U.S. with that in the Middle East. The U.S. pretty much has a free-for-all with all kinds of different voices and views getting some airtime. Try this for an experiment: Travel to the Middle East, say Syria, and contact the local TV station and tell them you would like to air a documentary on the link between Islam and terrorism. Show up at the TV station by yourself and insist on an audience.
May you rest in peace.
Why isn't the U.S. media spotlighting the horrible lack of freedom and expression in the Islamic world? Why do we hear the mantra endlessly droaning, "Islam is a religion of peace" from the halls of the media outlets? It is like they are handed some soundbite and told that this is the party line and they had better not venture away from it. Those who champion freedom of speech, bowing the knee to Islamic brainwashing.
These same people will be quick to denegrate the U.S. and its foreign policies, comparing our elected leaders to nazis and demanding change. The champions of feminism and equal rights can't find the courage to oppose obvious inequality and oppression in the Islamic world and wherever the Koran is revered.
It is only on the internet that anonymity allows us to speak out and say what our hearts and minds know is true: It is not the distortion of Islam that is reprehensible and scary, but the proper and faithful practice of it that is so ugly and immoral.
A Christian like myself has no qualms about calling a spade a spade when it comes to false and dangerous religions. But all of society needs to hear, understand and repeat the truth that is right before our eyes. An Islamic world is a very ugly place, a very violent, oppressive and exploitative place. It is not only Christians who should take notice and take action against this threat, but the entire civilized world. Failure to do so will be very costly.
Ancient and Modern Religion
Everyone has heard comparisons between Christianity and Islam. The discussion seems unavoidable in the modern political and religious climate. However, the discussion is rarely insightful or honest because it is so constrained by politically correct nonsense.
One argument that gets my goat is when someone tries to make the point that Christianity is no better than Islam when it comes to promoting and creating violence. This is totally obsurd. They say that Christians have been guilty of great atrocities in centuries past. I will admit that people have done some horrible things in the name of Christ, but has this been a recent phenomenon?
You see, if you compare what Christians did hundreds of years ago with what Islam is doing today, are you really making any legitimate point? Is there any logic to it at all? You might as well compare 21st century American politics with 16 century European politics. It makes no sense. I will admit that in some context these comparisons can have value, but not when you try to equate ancient crusades with modern terrorism.
A better discussion is what are Christianity and Islam doing now. What are the fruits of these religions that we see in our own society and in the world at large? The world is very different now than in the days of the crusades or the inquisition.
One thing that needs to be considered is that centuries ago, the average person could not read their own religious book, whether the Bible or the Koran. The masses were either illiterate or just had no access to the writings. The laity had to trust the exposition of religious leaders who did have access and knowledge of the writings. Sometimes these men were faithful to the text and sometimes they were willfully and maliciously misleading the masses. A lot of money has been made from the ignorant public.
So today we have a completely different environment. Both the Bible and the Koran are commonplace and available in every major language. The common person can read for themselves what the books say. It is in that modern context that we must examine the fruits of religion. Does the well-read and informed Christian do the same things that the well-read and informed Muslim does? I think the answer is obvious.
While the terrorists strap bombs on themselves, Christians are building orphanages and creating water purification programs in poor nations. Christians are building and staffing hospitals in the poorest and most needy socieities. I don't have time to enumerate all the amazing charitable things done by Christians today, but the list of good deeds by Muslims would be a much shorter list. And their acts of violence and mayhem would fill large volumes.
So let's be intellectually honest. Let us stop making idiotic comparisons that only reveal our ignorance and bias. Show me the good fruits of modern day religious folks. I think you will conclude that Christianity has no equal in producing good and Islam has no equal in producing evil.
One argument that gets my goat is when someone tries to make the point that Christianity is no better than Islam when it comes to promoting and creating violence. This is totally obsurd. They say that Christians have been guilty of great atrocities in centuries past. I will admit that people have done some horrible things in the name of Christ, but has this been a recent phenomenon?
You see, if you compare what Christians did hundreds of years ago with what Islam is doing today, are you really making any legitimate point? Is there any logic to it at all? You might as well compare 21st century American politics with 16 century European politics. It makes no sense. I will admit that in some context these comparisons can have value, but not when you try to equate ancient crusades with modern terrorism.
A better discussion is what are Christianity and Islam doing now. What are the fruits of these religions that we see in our own society and in the world at large? The world is very different now than in the days of the crusades or the inquisition.
One thing that needs to be considered is that centuries ago, the average person could not read their own religious book, whether the Bible or the Koran. The masses were either illiterate or just had no access to the writings. The laity had to trust the exposition of religious leaders who did have access and knowledge of the writings. Sometimes these men were faithful to the text and sometimes they were willfully and maliciously misleading the masses. A lot of money has been made from the ignorant public.
So today we have a completely different environment. Both the Bible and the Koran are commonplace and available in every major language. The common person can read for themselves what the books say. It is in that modern context that we must examine the fruits of religion. Does the well-read and informed Christian do the same things that the well-read and informed Muslim does? I think the answer is obvious.
While the terrorists strap bombs on themselves, Christians are building orphanages and creating water purification programs in poor nations. Christians are building and staffing hospitals in the poorest and most needy socieities. I don't have time to enumerate all the amazing charitable things done by Christians today, but the list of good deeds by Muslims would be a much shorter list. And their acts of violence and mayhem would fill large volumes.
So let's be intellectually honest. Let us stop making idiotic comparisons that only reveal our ignorance and bias. Show me the good fruits of modern day religious folks. I think you will conclude that Christianity has no equal in producing good and Islam has no equal in producing evil.
Watch this space
I will be discussing here some very controversial and certainly offensive subjects. This is not for the faint of heart.
To start I would like to say that I am a Christian and will be discussing Islam and terrorism, as well as other moral and religious issues.
In coming post I will look at comparisons between Christianity and Islam and where most people error in their logic.
To start I would like to say that I am a Christian and will be discussing Islam and terrorism, as well as other moral and religious issues.
In coming post I will look at comparisons between Christianity and Islam and where most people error in their logic.
rants coming soon
Well, I haven't had much time to blog since creating this page. This does not mean I don't have anything to rant about. I will have some pent up ranting to release soon.
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