I know, and I, once again, am sorry. School gets in the way of pretty much everything, does it not? But that's just fine because I've only got four months left until I graduate!
Anyway, I have over theses many months been contemplating worthy post topics, and I just could not come up with many, but I do have several ideas now, and I will be working on the posts for them soon. I do believe you all will be subjected to the research of my interests in several of them, but if the people I talk to are reliable sources of feedback, you should find some enjoyment in them as well :).
To be continued very soon....
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Religion Meets Politics
So, today Fox News reported that one in five Americans polled believe that Barack Obama is a Muslim.
First of all, before I even get into this, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Muslim religion, in my opinion. They have extremists that take things to a worrying level just as any other group does, but those who are practicing the religion because that is where their heart's faith lies are no different from anyone else. This is not a work of religious prejudice. Thank you.
The Fox News article concludes that Obama is, in fact, a Christian. This is where my controversy steps in, and I would like to respond with a very hearty, "Puh! Yeah, right!" In addition to the fact that Obama has "mistakenly" referred to himself as a Muslim on television before (click here for a clip of such an occasion when he does not even realize the slip and the interviewer must point it out for him), he also is the first president ever to remove the Nativity scene from the White House at Christmas and the first to not attend a Christmas church service. Additionally, Obama also requested that all religious symbols present in the backdrop of his speech at Georgetown University be covered. The only religious symbols present were the cross and Jesus Himself. Why should a proud Christian worry about covering symbols of his own faith?
The Fox News article continues to quote a statement issued by the White House that says, "The president's strong Christian faith is what guides him through these challenges but he doesn’t wear it on his sleeve." .............. Anybody? Yeah, I find that pretty astonishing. I think saying he "doesn't wear it on his sleeve" is a vast understatement. He seems to have downright banished it from his image. He's also claimed that our nation is no longer a Christian nation and supported the building of mosque on Ground Zero. While I have no problem with the building of a mosque where one is needed, I strongly believe that the Muslim groups who are vying for this project do not need another mosque to add to the 90 that already exist in New York City, let alone one built on what is literally a sore spot for the entire country--the country Obama does not seem very proud of or interested in supporting and improving with anything useful.
I don't know what President Obama's religious affiliations might be, but if he intends us to believe that he is firm in his opinions and his own beliefs, he might want to start showing how much he cares for the things he believes in, rather than avoiding any and all responsibility for anything...at all.
Again, no disrespect is meant toward anyone of any religion. Allah/Jehovah/God bless you all. :)
First of all, before I even get into this, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Muslim religion, in my opinion. They have extremists that take things to a worrying level just as any other group does, but those who are practicing the religion because that is where their heart's faith lies are no different from anyone else. This is not a work of religious prejudice. Thank you.
The Fox News article concludes that Obama is, in fact, a Christian. This is where my controversy steps in, and I would like to respond with a very hearty, "Puh! Yeah, right!" In addition to the fact that Obama has "mistakenly" referred to himself as a Muslim on television before (click here for a clip of such an occasion when he does not even realize the slip and the interviewer must point it out for him), he also is the first president ever to remove the Nativity scene from the White House at Christmas and the first to not attend a Christmas church service. Additionally, Obama also requested that all religious symbols present in the backdrop of his speech at Georgetown University be covered. The only religious symbols present were the cross and Jesus Himself. Why should a proud Christian worry about covering symbols of his own faith?
The Fox News article continues to quote a statement issued by the White House that says, "The president's strong Christian faith is what guides him through these challenges but he doesn’t wear it on his sleeve." .............. Anybody? Yeah, I find that pretty astonishing. I think saying he "doesn't wear it on his sleeve" is a vast understatement. He seems to have downright banished it from his image. He's also claimed that our nation is no longer a Christian nation and supported the building of mosque on Ground Zero. While I have no problem with the building of a mosque where one is needed, I strongly believe that the Muslim groups who are vying for this project do not need another mosque to add to the 90 that already exist in New York City, let alone one built on what is literally a sore spot for the entire country--the country Obama does not seem very proud of or interested in supporting and improving with anything useful.
I don't know what President Obama's religious affiliations might be, but if he intends us to believe that he is firm in his opinions and his own beliefs, he might want to start showing how much he cares for the things he believes in, rather than avoiding any and all responsibility for anything...at all.
Again, no disrespect is meant toward anyone of any religion. Allah/Jehovah/God bless you all. :)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Prophecy Practicality (as promised!)
Here it is! With only a few slight modifications (a comma here, a new paragraph there), this is the article I mentioned before. It got an A! Hope you like it!....
The Rev. Matthew Young, of the Elysburg Presbyterian Church, says that there is little to fear from the 2012 Doomsday prophecies.
With the approach of the world's latest speculation regarding the date of Doomsday, many people will look to the church for answers.
Having been an authority for those who feared the Doomsdays now past, how would the church respond to the stigma of 2012?
As many documentaries and articles have pointed out recently, the 2012 deadline is not exclusive to the Mayan civilization. Many prophets from across the globe, including the I Ching, Merlin (the nomad, not the wizard) and even Nostradamus have all pinpointed 2012 as the year when the world comes to a cataclysmic, hopeless end when humanity can progress no further.
To this, Young says, "Contrary to those who see humanity as simply evolving to greater and greater self-capacity for good, the Christian faith sees us moving toward a moment of judgment and final destruction of evil within and around us."
Additionally, Young believes that the Kingdom of God that is promised to arrive at the End of Days in the Bible is already present today.
He says, "In such places (like, hopefully, in churches!), we have what amounts to a sneak preview of the blockbuster event in the coming of the Kingdom."
Therefore, if 2012 is the fulfillment of the biblical End Times prophecies, things will only continue to improve.
Aside from the numerous legends that fuel the lore of 2012 outside of the Christian faith, the year will also mark the occurrence of a celestial event that inspired the Mayans to end the most accurate calendar the world has ever known on Dec. 21, 2012. On this day, it is thought that some of the planets will align with the sun as it crosses the galactic center.
Regardless of these theories, it is well known that religious beliefs and scientific theories do not always agree. However, many people believe that the book of Revelation in the Bible may indicate a validation to the galactic-alignment theory. But not everyone is so convinced of this idea.
Young says, "I would be quite disinclined to connect these images with a prophecy for some specific date, since our Lord never talks in ways that focused us on specific dates, nor does Holy Scripture move in that direction."
So before Christians and desperate believers decide to flock to the nearest chapel on Dec. 21, 2012, Young encourages people to leave the future to faith and live in the now.
"Every day, we Christians are called to be faithful followers of Christ, trusting Him with everything, knowing that whatever happens and whenever it happens, we belong to Him and He is in charge, as our Lord and Savior...the 2012 prophecies and such completely miss the consummation element (of God's love) and obsess about the purgation element. All Destruction plus no hope equals, 'Bummer, dude.'"
With stories circulating and panic rising, Young believes that the hype surrounding 2012 is more of an expression of the human desire to know the future than a likely catastrophe.
For Christians and nonbelievers alike, Young has a hopeful message regarding how people should view the upcoming pseudo-apocalypse and the time during which it will happen. "Our God, the Savior God, wants to save people," he says. "So whether Christ's return happens to coincide with the Mayan calendar or Aunt Millie's sneeze or Grand-pappy's poops, it doesn't matter. There is always hope for everyone, because of the shepherd character in Jesus Christ, who is both the Judge and the Savior."
Bare in mind that this is set to the AP grammar and style rules as interpreted by my Introduction to Journalism Professor.
So, there it is! Hope you liked it! That's just a three-page paper that is derived from a six-page interview transcript. Pastor Matthew had a lot more to say. I might post the interview transcript eventually, but for now I guess there's really nothing to be afraid of, guys! :)
The Rev. Matthew Young, of the Elysburg Presbyterian Church, says that there is little to fear from the 2012 Doomsday prophecies.
With the approach of the world's latest speculation regarding the date of Doomsday, many people will look to the church for answers.
Having been an authority for those who feared the Doomsdays now past, how would the church respond to the stigma of 2012?
As many documentaries and articles have pointed out recently, the 2012 deadline is not exclusive to the Mayan civilization. Many prophets from across the globe, including the I Ching, Merlin (the nomad, not the wizard) and even Nostradamus have all pinpointed 2012 as the year when the world comes to a cataclysmic, hopeless end when humanity can progress no further.
To this, Young says, "Contrary to those who see humanity as simply evolving to greater and greater self-capacity for good, the Christian faith sees us moving toward a moment of judgment and final destruction of evil within and around us."
Additionally, Young believes that the Kingdom of God that is promised to arrive at the End of Days in the Bible is already present today.
He says, "In such places (like, hopefully, in churches!), we have what amounts to a sneak preview of the blockbuster event in the coming of the Kingdom."
Therefore, if 2012 is the fulfillment of the biblical End Times prophecies, things will only continue to improve.
Aside from the numerous legends that fuel the lore of 2012 outside of the Christian faith, the year will also mark the occurrence of a celestial event that inspired the Mayans to end the most accurate calendar the world has ever known on Dec. 21, 2012. On this day, it is thought that some of the planets will align with the sun as it crosses the galactic center.
Regardless of these theories, it is well known that religious beliefs and scientific theories do not always agree. However, many people believe that the book of Revelation in the Bible may indicate a validation to the galactic-alignment theory. But not everyone is so convinced of this idea.
Young says, "I would be quite disinclined to connect these images with a prophecy for some specific date, since our Lord never talks in ways that focused us on specific dates, nor does Holy Scripture move in that direction."
So before Christians and desperate believers decide to flock to the nearest chapel on Dec. 21, 2012, Young encourages people to leave the future to faith and live in the now.
"Every day, we Christians are called to be faithful followers of Christ, trusting Him with everything, knowing that whatever happens and whenever it happens, we belong to Him and He is in charge, as our Lord and Savior...the 2012 prophecies and such completely miss the consummation element (of God's love) and obsess about the purgation element. All Destruction plus no hope equals, 'Bummer, dude.'"
With stories circulating and panic rising, Young believes that the hype surrounding 2012 is more of an expression of the human desire to know the future than a likely catastrophe.
For Christians and nonbelievers alike, Young has a hopeful message regarding how people should view the upcoming pseudo-apocalypse and the time during which it will happen. "Our God, the Savior God, wants to save people," he says. "So whether Christ's return happens to coincide with the Mayan calendar or Aunt Millie's sneeze or Grand-pappy's poops, it doesn't matter. There is always hope for everyone, because of the shepherd character in Jesus Christ, who is both the Judge and the Savior."
Bare in mind that this is set to the AP grammar and style rules as interpreted by my Introduction to Journalism Professor.
So, there it is! Hope you liked it! That's just a three-page paper that is derived from a six-page interview transcript. Pastor Matthew had a lot more to say. I might post the interview transcript eventually, but for now I guess there's really nothing to be afraid of, guys! :)
Friday, July 23, 2010
Coming Soon...
Okay, I know that this blog has been vastly random when it comes to post topics, and many of them happen to focus on religion. I do not apologize for that.
That said, if you're interested in what the Christian faith has to say about the upcoming 2012 "disaster," then you might want to check in sometime Monday or Tuesday for my next post. I'm writing an article for my Introduction to Journalism class about this very topic, and by Monday I will be satisfied enough to post it.
The article features an interview with the knowledgeable, hysterical Reverend Matthew Young of Elysburg Presbyterian Church (my pastor). He steals the show in the article and leaves the reader wanting to hear more...
In fact, I may eventually just post the transcript of my interview with him so you can all satiate the thirst for knowledge he inspires.
See you Monday! :)
That said, if you're interested in what the Christian faith has to say about the upcoming 2012 "disaster," then you might want to check in sometime Monday or Tuesday for my next post. I'm writing an article for my Introduction to Journalism class about this very topic, and by Monday I will be satisfied enough to post it.
The article features an interview with the knowledgeable, hysterical Reverend Matthew Young of Elysburg Presbyterian Church (my pastor). He steals the show in the article and leaves the reader wanting to hear more...
In fact, I may eventually just post the transcript of my interview with him so you can all satiate the thirst for knowledge he inspires.
See you Monday! :)
Friday, July 2, 2010
A brighter, faster, roadkill-free future!
Hover technology. Yes, hover technology. Some think it's a far-off concept that we'll see in maybe another century, others think we'll have it down pat in about fifty years. I don't really have an opinion of when it should become a possibility, but I most certainly have a theory as to how it can be possible. It's simple, good for the environment, and pretty darn cool, if I do say so myself...
First, allow me to explain the hows of the matter, as in how my concept of a hover craft, namely a hover car would work. Electromagnetism. Yeppers, that's what I said. Now, I know that this would mean that every different location on Earth would need to have its own type of hover car to accommodate the particular magnetic presence in that area...or would they? See, here's the thing: electromagnets, when turned off, are completely useless as magnets. They don't assume their polarities until they're turned on. So, I say, why not have the polarity of the hover cars be adjustable? You can have a built-in GPS that can tell you the necessary settings of the area and even make the slight fluctuations in polarity settings necessary for longer trips. Piece of cake!
Also, the higher the level of magnetism you set the hover car to, the higher your car will go, which leads me to the benefits: a lot less roadkill, and no battling with 18-wheelers on the road, so you'll be getting where you want to go with less traffic which lessens the urge to drive over the speed limit. Are you on board yet?
Perhaps you are concerned about the Department of Transportation jobs that could potentially be lost in this type of transition. No worries! Trucks such as 18-wheelers will still be on the ground, getting their loads to their destinations faster than ever before and needing the DOT workers to keep their roads safe and smooth. If anything there will be more jobs for people to keep the GPS's from malfunctioning, monitor air traffic, and pull off that whole OnStar thing where they can help a person who locked themselves out of their hover car (because buildings are still on the ground; we aren't made of money, you know) or find it when it's lost.
And, did I mention? The magnets would help to propel the car based on which direction they are pointed in (turned backward to send you forward, with stabalizing magnets in the optimum places to prevent you from totally wiping out), so there will be less of an need for gas and oil, which means, cheaper running costs, fewer,if any, carbon emissions, and more fuel to last us much longer than it would have! Also, less dependency on the Middle East for oil! These innovations might also be applied to NASA projects, making space missions cheaper as well, so maybe Obama can give us our space program back...
Just something to think about... :)
First, allow me to explain the hows of the matter, as in how my concept of a hover craft, namely a hover car would work. Electromagnetism. Yeppers, that's what I said. Now, I know that this would mean that every different location on Earth would need to have its own type of hover car to accommodate the particular magnetic presence in that area...or would they? See, here's the thing: electromagnets, when turned off, are completely useless as magnets. They don't assume their polarities until they're turned on. So, I say, why not have the polarity of the hover cars be adjustable? You can have a built-in GPS that can tell you the necessary settings of the area and even make the slight fluctuations in polarity settings necessary for longer trips. Piece of cake!
Also, the higher the level of magnetism you set the hover car to, the higher your car will go, which leads me to the benefits: a lot less roadkill, and no battling with 18-wheelers on the road, so you'll be getting where you want to go with less traffic which lessens the urge to drive over the speed limit. Are you on board yet?
Perhaps you are concerned about the Department of Transportation jobs that could potentially be lost in this type of transition. No worries! Trucks such as 18-wheelers will still be on the ground, getting their loads to their destinations faster than ever before and needing the DOT workers to keep their roads safe and smooth. If anything there will be more jobs for people to keep the GPS's from malfunctioning, monitor air traffic, and pull off that whole OnStar thing where they can help a person who locked themselves out of their hover car (because buildings are still on the ground; we aren't made of money, you know) or find it when it's lost.
And, did I mention? The magnets would help to propel the car based on which direction they are pointed in (turned backward to send you forward, with stabalizing magnets in the optimum places to prevent you from totally wiping out), so there will be less of an need for gas and oil, which means, cheaper running costs, fewer,if any, carbon emissions, and more fuel to last us much longer than it would have! Also, less dependency on the Middle East for oil! These innovations might also be applied to NASA projects, making space missions cheaper as well, so maybe Obama can give us our space program back...
Just something to think about... :)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
One Month and Ten Days...
Yeah, I know, and I really am sorry. Honestly, it has been a busy month, but it just hasn't been a month of blog-worthy experiences. I have been trying, believe me. I've been looking all around, thinking of anything I could to come up with something worth writing, but jeez...blank.
I do promise to keep trying, but honestly, the only things going on in my life right now are Intro to Journalism and weekend picnics....My highlight this week is going to see Toy Story 3...that's how uneventful my life is currently, but you never know what's going to crop up, right?
I am REALLY excited to see Toy Story 3, though... :P
I do promise to keep trying, but honestly, the only things going on in my life right now are Intro to Journalism and weekend picnics....My highlight this week is going to see Toy Story 3...that's how uneventful my life is currently, but you never know what's going to crop up, right?
I am REALLY excited to see Toy Story 3, though... :P
Thursday, May 6, 2010
I'm still alive!
I know it's been over a month since my last post. In fact, it's probably been closer to two months, and for that I do apologize, but school is school. I had to take care of the work before I could play, you know.
Anyway, on to our stimulating topic of the moment: Christians
Yes, Christians.
Actually, this is a very two-sided article about Christians, because I'd like to settle something here. I know for a fact that many people roll their eyes at Christians because they tend to be pushy, self-righteous individuals who think that quoting the Bible at you will save your soul and earn them a shinier halo once they've done their Godly Deed of the Day. Am I wrong?
It may surprise you to know that I, a Christian myself, and proud of it, also share this opinion in some cases.
Seriously, I do.
Just today, I was in a dentist appointment, and when asked what I had going on in my life I proudly announced that I will be turning 20 on Saturday and am spending the weekend in Gettysburg. Now, of course, not ever 20 year old chooses Gettysburg to host their birthday bash, but I am very much looking forward to doing a special ghost hunt that I made an appointment for weeks ago, and when I told them of my eager plans, this is what I had to endure:
"Ghosts? You should be searching for the Holy Ghost," the first assistant declares with a proud smile at her attempt at word-play.
"I've already found Him," I reply simply.
"Well, then why would you search among the dead what you can find among the living? That's one of my favorite quotes regarding this subject from the Old Testament." Another smug smile, but this time from the second assistant.
That's right. They had me cornered. Right there in the dentist's chair.
"I just want to see if they're real," I say, trying not to show that I was getting a bit peeved at having them lecture to me about my own religion.
"Oh they're real," the first assistant says gravely. "But all they do is lie to you. They'll lead you straight to Satan--that's how he works!"
"Just something to think about," the second assistant says in a cheery I've-just-saved-your-soul-and-earned-an-extra-bar-of-chocolate voice.
I, still looking forward as I had done the entire time so as not to reveal the stubbornness that was about to boil over, just said, "Yeah..." before being dismissed.
So, yes, one and all. I understand where you're coming from, BUT!
And this is a very big but: Please do not judge all of us that way. Sure, some of us are over-bearing and can be quite pompous, but they do mean well, however annoying they are, and there are those who take a separate approach at being Christian entirely. Like I said in my second or so post, I'm more than happy to hear what you believe in, because as long as it works for you and makes you feel fulfilled in the way that you're looking for, I'm perfectly content. You don't absolutely have to believe what I do "lest you be forever condemned." However, if you are curious about my beliefs and would like to hear them (because they're not exactly what the text-book Christian preaches), then I'd be glad to share my opinions with you, pressure-free. I'm a Christian. I try not to judge, but I am only human, and I'm sorry about that. I do have my own values that I can get pretty heatedly defensive about, but so does everyone else.
I'm a Christian, and I'm your friend, wherever you come from in life. I'm not going to push my beliefs on you unless you ask to hear about them, and even then I won't push.
In conclusion, you're not completely wrong when you generalize Christians in the way I delineated above, just like every other generalization spawns from some level of truth, but--I beg you--don't assume we're all like that and roll your eyes just because I mention what I believe. I wouldn't do that to you.
Live happily, speak your mind, and stand up for what you believe in, but be polite, please :)
Anyway, on to our stimulating topic of the moment: Christians
Yes, Christians.
Actually, this is a very two-sided article about Christians, because I'd like to settle something here. I know for a fact that many people roll their eyes at Christians because they tend to be pushy, self-righteous individuals who think that quoting the Bible at you will save your soul and earn them a shinier halo once they've done their Godly Deed of the Day. Am I wrong?
It may surprise you to know that I, a Christian myself, and proud of it, also share this opinion in some cases.
Seriously, I do.
Just today, I was in a dentist appointment, and when asked what I had going on in my life I proudly announced that I will be turning 20 on Saturday and am spending the weekend in Gettysburg. Now, of course, not ever 20 year old chooses Gettysburg to host their birthday bash, but I am very much looking forward to doing a special ghost hunt that I made an appointment for weeks ago, and when I told them of my eager plans, this is what I had to endure:
"Ghosts? You should be searching for the Holy Ghost," the first assistant declares with a proud smile at her attempt at word-play.
"I've already found Him," I reply simply.
"Well, then why would you search among the dead what you can find among the living? That's one of my favorite quotes regarding this subject from the Old Testament." Another smug smile, but this time from the second assistant.
That's right. They had me cornered. Right there in the dentist's chair.
"I just want to see if they're real," I say, trying not to show that I was getting a bit peeved at having them lecture to me about my own religion.
"Oh they're real," the first assistant says gravely. "But all they do is lie to you. They'll lead you straight to Satan--that's how he works!"
"Just something to think about," the second assistant says in a cheery I've-just-saved-your-soul-and-earned-an-extra-bar-of-chocolate voice.
I, still looking forward as I had done the entire time so as not to reveal the stubbornness that was about to boil over, just said, "Yeah..." before being dismissed.
So, yes, one and all. I understand where you're coming from, BUT!
And this is a very big but: Please do not judge all of us that way. Sure, some of us are over-bearing and can be quite pompous, but they do mean well, however annoying they are, and there are those who take a separate approach at being Christian entirely. Like I said in my second or so post, I'm more than happy to hear what you believe in, because as long as it works for you and makes you feel fulfilled in the way that you're looking for, I'm perfectly content. You don't absolutely have to believe what I do "lest you be forever condemned." However, if you are curious about my beliefs and would like to hear them (because they're not exactly what the text-book Christian preaches), then I'd be glad to share my opinions with you, pressure-free. I'm a Christian. I try not to judge, but I am only human, and I'm sorry about that. I do have my own values that I can get pretty heatedly defensive about, but so does everyone else.
I'm a Christian, and I'm your friend, wherever you come from in life. I'm not going to push my beliefs on you unless you ask to hear about them, and even then I won't push.
In conclusion, you're not completely wrong when you generalize Christians in the way I delineated above, just like every other generalization spawns from some level of truth, but--I beg you--don't assume we're all like that and roll your eyes just because I mention what I believe. I wouldn't do that to you.
Live happily, speak your mind, and stand up for what you believe in, but be polite, please :)
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