Maelstrom: Martin's Musings

Evil is...

I was just perusing Matt Mower's thoughts on Google's motto of "Do no evil". What is the nature of evil? Does it exist? Or is it made? Many branches of Christianity believe that satan is constantly trying to take you down.  This suggests that evil exists unto itself. Is evil, simply the absence of good? I know it is possible to 'train' someone to be bad. But can you be born evil? The "Omen" movies would have you think so I am not so sure. Also, whose is deciding that something is evil? Foucault would have us believe that it is those that are in a position of power in a given moment and given context that define what is evil. Cigarette companies are 'evil' in the current time, but were not thought so in the 1950s.

Tags: google, evil, religion, nature, nurture, philosophy

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The 'God' Particle

At the risk of offending the people, I find this article from the Guardian (or maybe more accurately the title) intriguing even though it does not really look at the issue of a 'God' particle, per se. But the idea of trying to recreate the conditions of the Big Bang, and seeing it as a search for a 'God' particle is thought provoking.

I have been seeing some interviews, articles, etc. from physicists that wonder/hope that it will reconcile some faith issue for themselves (and possibly for others). Not that science can help explain faith so much as where science leaves off and faith begins (that does not do justice to thinking but hopefully you get the idea).

Something or somebody had to get the whole thing (Big Bang) rolling....

Tags: faith, religion, big bang, God, science, physics

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The Bible doesn't say Christian couples can't enjoy sex or sex-tech

I think that the above title pretty much says it all -- But it is not a lurid message in the least. Pastor Joe Beam of Family Dynamics is trying to point out that it is not a sin in a loving Christian marriage to have and enjoy sex. He backs up his message with book, chapter and verse in the bible. Much of his audiences are married conservative Christians. 

There seemed to be a sense that he was giving a sense of relief to those who might already be having sex, and feeling guilty; or permission to those that feel it might be a sin but are interested. He is not giving or suggesting carte blanche, and lays out some rules that basically must be followed -- no one can get hurt, between married couples, no animals, etc. Does not believe that pornography and to a lesser extent masturbation should play any significant role if at all in the sexual relationship even if done together.

Before I read the article I was thinking that it might be someone on the fringe trying to come to get out a sex positive message. This is sex positive but it is also not a fringe perspective. The audience definitely was not.

This obviously deals with adult themes so be warned before looking at the videos of this talks and interview. Article and video on MSNBC. Article and video on Wired.

Tags: sex, conservative, conservatism, morality, marriage, relationships

Strands of Understanding or Clarity?!?

It is funny. I guess I see my life, or maybe even just points in life and how you get there as strands or threads such as with a string or a rope. They hopefully come together in a way than can keep us a little stronger. Whatever that means. (Side Note: It seems a little odd that I would start this in the anniversary of 9/11.)

I find myself now in a very trying place in my life. I am in a place that in many ways I could never have imagined. Now seems to be a good time to examine those strands. I feel that if I lay myself bare for a bit, that I might be able to bring the strands together in a meaningful manner. And hopefully a little stronger.

I feel that I might be able to get some meaning or maybe at least make some sense so that I can move on. I believe that people often are in places that make one feel stuck or in rut. What I am talking about is much more than that. It is different strands unraveling at the same time. I believe that I am in this place to learn from it, and that it is not all negative.

I think that getting it out on paper (or at least on a blog ;-)), I might be able to make more sense of it. I tend to have a problem with the victim mentality that society seems to find itself in too easily at the moment. But boy, there is a part of me that feels I am experiencing a type of self victimization. However, I like to subscribe to the notion of critical self reflection (CSR) which for me might keep from this path. I think it difficult for the victim to learn from the events that put them there. It is the taking responsibility and gaining insights from the events that makes us stronger.

Tags: faith, strands, CSR, critical self reflection, religion, spirituality, meaning

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger!"

'Bones' and Faith

I would say that in many ways that my approach to faith has been a lot like that of Dr. Temperance 'Bones' Brenning on the Fox TV Show, Bones. (Bones is a forensic anthropologist on loan to the FBI for certain cases.) If it is not logical or tangible, then it must not be 'real'. She and her brother were orphaned at a young age (or so they thought). But it turns out they were not, and that her mother's remains are found. And it is likely that they (the parents) were on the run in some fashion. So fast forward a few episodes and (unrelated to the story line) she is brought by one of the other characters (Seely Booth) to the grave site. She is awkward and her clinical nature gets in the way. But ultimately she begins to ask some of the questions to which she wanted the answers.

Without going into my fascination into these types of shows (CSI(s), House, Bones, etc.) I think this almost clinical approach to religion has crept up from past. I am a 'PK' (or preacher's/priest's kid) -- there is some similarity between PKs and Army Brats. (My father's an Episcopal/Anglican priest.) As the generalization goes, usually you either end-up cynical, or religious; wild or quiet, etc. I kind of went the cynical and quiet route. I suppose if this type was actually act out too much they would. It does not allow you to get to sprititual or faith bound for a good part of your life. But as soon as add this idea of spritual there seems to let in the idea iof god some other supreme being. The logic side takes a lot of time debunking all the possibilities. It creates conflict. I think that I am going through this conflict at the moment.

Tags: csi, fox, bones, faith, religious, spiritual

'House' of Meaning

I swear that I usually do not watch that much TV and more importantly, I do not tend to get heavy messages from them. However, I was just watching the season premiere of the TV show, House. The title of this episode was 'Meaning'. I guess the backdrop was how we often get meaning where we want to. Other than being a big part of my professional background (values and meaning), it seems to be a big part of what I am trying to figure out for myself. Many things that I have taken for granted, and assumed that at some level to be a foundation or rock. This foundation, and other stuff is moving -- one might say that it is moving far out of my comfort zone. I find that while a number of my values have stayed the same, that I allowed myself to ignore them. I have gotten to a place where I am not entirely trusting what is important and what is not.

My search for meaning seems to be centered on faith, risk and vision. I have many other values that are part of me, but these seem to be swirling around me at the moment. Belief and philosophy are part of this also. I am not sure where all this is going to land me, but I feel the need to express some of these ideas. I have had many ideas and issues (particularly unresolved ones) on my plate. It is through discernment and striving for some clarity, that I hope to get this. As I said before, I might not be totally making sense, but as I get things out, I hope it will become a little more clear.

Tags: house, fox, philosophy, risk, faith, vision, meaning, belief

Brazil, Google and Moral Values

http://oraclewatch.eweek.com/blogs/google_watch/archive/2006/09/01/12954.aspx

I am not sure how Brazil is coming with the number but they want to sue Orkut (part of Google) for $61 million as payment for safe guarding of the moral values of the citizens. I guess they place the moral value of their citizens at about US$0.33

Tags: morals, values, brazil, google, moral values

Colleges and "American" Values

Top 10 Colleges for American Values-

"Choosing the Right College: The Whole Truth About America's Top Schools," by ISI Books has been published since 1998. It seems a little unnerving that people would choose schools on something as nebulous as "American" values.  I guess what they are speaking to is the idea of tradition and the "ideal" family. As one might guess, most of the top 10 are from some religious background or influence.

 

I must say that I have not read the book, but I saw nothing in the discussion of it to suggest that there is a clear definition of values. It seems to be a synonym for tradition, conservatism and religion. I believe that anyone should be able to choose an educational direction for themselves or their kids. For me, it is just the seemingly presumptious way in which the books suggests.

 

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Catholic Church no longer swears by truth of the Bible

Hmmm-- very interesting article in the Time of London. The catholic church has begun to say that parts of the bible are inaccurate or untrue. In the article, Catholic Church no longer swears by truth of the Bible, go as as far as to suggest passages that are untrue or true. I have always found the book of Genesis to be fascinating. It is here that some of the confilicting accounts are brought up and therefore at least one has to be untrue.

 

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