Such a common sentiment.

I read a quote today. It is such a common sentiment. It just doesn't make sense. I mean think about it for awhile.

"With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion."

- Steven Weinberg

Wise words

Whenever you hear the consensus of scientists agrees on something or other, reach for your wallet, because you're being had.

- Michael Crichton

Dawkins Reviews - a blast

I discovered this blog awhile ago and have been really enjoying it. Lately there have been some reviews of a book by Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion) which are just spectacular. I highly recommend reading all of them which you can do right here.

Hope

Seems like nastiness has been an epidemic lately. Sometimes I am tempted to give in to despair. Rather than giving in to despair we need to be reminded that this is not all there is. There is something more, something better, something truly hopeful. Here's a little ode to that hope.

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When despair has done its worst.
When despite has had its
way and the earth lies wounded
and bleeding in the
embittered fist of
its unholiest of foes

still beauty will endure.

A shimmer of light in the darkness.
The distant echo of wild
unfettered laughter
reminds us that the
Lord of the Forest rides
even now
and the Kingdom of Summer
will not always be

shrouded

in the mists

of a dream.

Scary stuff

Is this guy for real? I have to admit that I find this kind of thing very appealing. I also have to admit that I find it very scary. I think balance is needed in this area as it is in all areas of life.

I think many conservatives are way off base when it comes to environmental issues. The idea that God made us stewards of the earth, and therefore we are free to rape it for our own profit, is strangely reminiscent of the attitudes of slave owners who felt their right to own slaves was given them by God.

On the other hand, the devaluing of human life by these radical environmentalists is equally misguided. There is a huge difference between human beings and the other forms of life on this planet. As the clearly superior race we have the capacity to value and protect our own race and also to value and protect the entirety of the earth. Conservatives and Christians should be leading the environmental charge while remembering the special position of human beings as children of God.

Speechless

I don't know what to say. Check out this though. Be sure to read the opposing viewpoint.

Hostages released, what does it mean?

The British hostages held by Iran have been released. Thankfully no bloodshed was necessary. Now it is time for the inevitable analysis and political spin.

As might be expected there will be roughly two versions of the story. Which version you accept will likely be determined by your choice of news sources if you are a mere follower or your political leanings if you take a more active role in filtering information.

To assist you in your own analysis here are two initial versions of the story. One from a left leaning news source the other from a right leaning news source. As you might imagine the left leaning news source paints Iran in a more positive light and the right leaning news source paints Iran in a much less favorable light. As you might also imagine the U.S. is much more of a good guy in the right leaning story then it is in the left leaning story.

So without further ado or commentary here are the stories. I'll leave the reader to decide which one is more appealing (I wouldn't dream of asking you to decide which one is more true...).

Left Version

Right Version