I am curious, as is one of the bloggers at richarddawkins.net. When did you decide your views on theology – before or after your degree? Would it be true to say that you were primarily interested in a critical understanding rather than becoming a theologian – which, of course, is fair enough? If so, however, it does limit your view of it. imagine a person taking the same approach to studying biology – he would end up with a rubbish idea of the subject too, as the evidence shows. I (second class honours -2:1 only) have managed to combine a critical and respectful approach to theology. It is so easy to ‘have a go’.
I am curious, as is one of the bloggers at richarddawkins.net. When did you decide your views on theology – before or after your degree? Would it be true to say that you were primarily interested in a critical understanding rather than becoming a theologian – which, of course, is fair enough? If so, however, it does limit your view of it. imagine a person taking the same approach to studying biology – he would end up with a rubbish idea of the subject too, as the evidence shows. I (second class honours -2:1 only) have managed to combine a critical and respectful approach to theology. It is so easy to ‘have a go’.
Iran warned on Tuesday that an anti-Quran film by a right-wing Dutch lawmaker would “beed violence” and said the Dutch government could ban it based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
I just signed an urgent petition calling on the Chinese government to respect human rights in Tibet and engage in meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama. This is really important, and I thought you might want to take action:
After nearly 50 years of Chinese rule, the Tibetans are sending out a global cry for change. But violence is spreading across Tibet and neighbouring regions, and the Chinese regime is right now considering a choice between increasing brutality or dialogue, that could determine the future of Tibet and China.
We can affect this historic choice. China does care about its international reputation. Its economy is totally dependent on “Made in China” exports that we all buy, and it is keen to make the Olympics in Beijing this summer a celebration of a new China that is a respected world power.
President Hu needs to hear that ‘Brand China’ and the Olympics can succeed only if he makes the right choice. But it will take an avalanche of global people power to get his attention. Click below to join me and sign a petition to President Hu calling for restraint in Tibet and dialogue with the Dalai Lama — and tell absolutely everyone you can right away. The petition is organized by Avaaz, and they are urgently aiming to reach 1 million signatures to deliver directly to Chinese officials:
Another example of religious intolerance from a possibly under-reported area. The top Yesha rabbi says that it is forbidden by Jewish law to employ Arabs or rent houses to them.
Imagine a parent who told their small child that the parent could hear the child’s thoughts and if the child had doubts, or unapproved beliefs, then the parent would send them to the basement, where a monster will pour gasoline on them and set them on fire.
This is different than the Jesus story because according to the Bible, the burning never stops.
If the set A is “those who are with me”, the set non-A is “those who are not with me”. This could include “those who are indifferent to me and those who are against me”. Jesus is saying it only includes the latter, i.e. indifference is not possible.
I am curious, as is one of the bloggers at richarddawkins.net. When did you decide your views on theology – before or after your degree? Would it be true to say that you were primarily interested in a critical understanding rather than becoming a theologian – which, of course, is fair enough? If so, however, it does limit your view of it. imagine a person taking the same approach to studying biology – he would end up with a rubbish idea of the subject too, as the evidence shows. I (second class honours -2:1 only) have managed to combine a critical and respectful approach to theology. It is so easy to ‘have a go’.
I am curious, as is one of the bloggers at richarddawkins.net. When did you decide your views on theology – before or after your degree? Would it be true to say that you were primarily interested in a critical understanding rather than becoming a theologian – which, of course, is fair enough? If so, however, it does limit your view of it. imagine a person taking the same approach to studying biology – he would end up with a rubbish idea of the subject too, as the evidence shows. I (second class honours -2:1 only) have managed to combine a critical and respectful approach to theology. It is so easy to ‘have a go’.
censorship framed in the language of rights
Iran warned on Tuesday that an anti-Quran film by a right-wing Dutch lawmaker would “beed violence” and said the Dutch government could ban it based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3517960,00.html
or else the hapless “slaves of Allah” by virtue of lacking reason and a will of their own will have no choice but become violent :
“Iran: Dutch anti-Quran film to ‘breed violence’,
Tibet – support the Dalai Lama
Hi,
I just signed an urgent petition calling on the Chinese government to respect human rights in Tibet and engage in meaningful dialogue with the Dalai Lama. This is really important, and I thought you might want to take action:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/98.php/?cl_tf_sign=1
After nearly 50 years of Chinese rule, the Tibetans are sending out a global cry for change. But violence is spreading across Tibet and neighbouring regions, and the Chinese regime is right now considering a choice between increasing brutality or dialogue, that could determine the future of Tibet and China.
We can affect this historic choice. China does care about its international reputation. Its economy is totally dependent on “Made in China” exports that we all buy, and it is keen to make the Olympics in Beijing this summer a celebration of a new China that is a respected world power.
President Hu needs to hear that ‘Brand China’ and the Olympics can succeed only if he makes the right choice. But it will take an avalanche of global people power to get his attention. Click below to join me and sign a petition to President Hu calling for restraint in Tibet and dialogue with the Dalai Lama — and tell absolutely everyone you can right away. The petition is organized by Avaaz, and they are urgently aiming to reach 1 million signatures to deliver directly to Chinese officials:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/tibet_end_the_violence/98.php/?cl_tf_sign=1
Thank you so much for your help!
Another example of religious intolerance from a possibly under-reported area. The top Yesha rabbi says that it is forbidden by Jewish law to employ Arabs or rent houses to them.
Full story here
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/966208.html
Imagine a parent who told their small child that the parent could hear the child’s thoughts and if the child had doubts, or unapproved beliefs, then the parent would send them to the basement, where a monster will pour gasoline on them and set them on fire.
This is different than the Jesus story because according to the Bible, the burning never stops.
I’m not so sure that “He who is not with me is against me” is a fallacy.
If JC had said “He who is not with me is, by definition, against me”, or “If one is not with me, I infer that he is against me” it would be a fallacy.
But isn’t he just saying “It is impossible to be neutral in relation to me – you must chose a position”? I.e. asserting rather than inferring?
>I’m not so sure that “He who is not with me is against me” is a fallacy.>
it is an inference, if an element x does not belong to the set A it does belong to the set non-A
If the set A is “those who are with me”, the set non-A is “those who are not with me”. This could include “those who are indifferent to me and those who are against me”. Jesus is saying it only includes the latter, i.e. indifference is not possible.
>Jesus is saying it only includes the latter, i.e. indifference is not possible.
megalomania regins supreme