Knowledge and Reality

This isnt a quote, but I like this cartoon because it shows that people like to escape reality. People use drugs, or alcohol or in this case a virtual reality. Reality is scary because sooner or later we have to face it, so some people run away from it for as long as possible, which is an even sadder reality for them. Creating your own reality, i think, gives you a new reality, but a fake one. I dont think we can hide from reality no matter how hard we try, which is why I like this cartoon. He is hiding in his fake reality, but the true reality is, he is talking with a not so hot woman. Poor guy.

http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/v/virtual_reality.asp
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“Knowledge maps are needed now more than ever because people need ways to manage the sheer volume of information out there”-Brad Paley-

Where do we get all of our knowledge and why the heck do we need maps now? Are we so ignorant that we think we know so much we need to start making maps for all our knowledge? I don’t think humans know the half of the information God has for us, it’s kind of dumb to think we are so smart and full of information. Yes humans do have a lot of knowledge of our environment and world, but I don’t think we could even comprehend what knowledge awaits us. If we need maps now, we are going to have problems when God fills us in on the big picture. This quote made me think about how much we actually don’t know about our reality, and how raw our knowledge really is.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060413/LIFE/604130304
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“The belief that one's own view of reality is the only reality is the most dangerous of all delusions”-Paul Watzlawick-

I like this quote, I don’t really know why, I just do. The end

http://en.thinkexist.com/search/searchquotation.asp?search=reality&page=2
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“The message of reality television is that ordinary people can become so important that millions will watch them. And the secret thrill of many of those viewers is the thought that perhaps next time, the new celebrities might be them”- Steve Reiss

This quote made me think about what reality really is. I don’t even think reality TV is reality in the first place. How can people be stranded on an island, “all alone” when the camera crews are right there in their face, how is that a reality? If someone goes on a reality TV show then they are faced with a new reality and I guess the cameras capture the person’s new reality, but is it a fake on? If they are put into this different situation, with cameras on them at all times, I think they are probably acting different then they would without cameras so in a sense it’s a fake reality. Either way, it’s sad to think that people love reality TV so much because they wish it could be them next on the TV show. It’s as if people are so bored with their own reality that they need to watch everyone elses whose reality in fact may not even be reality!

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1175/is_5_34/ai_82261905

Religious Violence

“A mentally-ill Muslim smashed a landmark Hindu statue in central Bangkok, worshipped by people of many religions, and was then beaten to death, police said on Tuesday”- Bill Weinberg-

People from all around come to worship this Hindu statue, which they believe answers their wishes, so I guess if it’s smashed their wishes won’t be answered? This concept of thinking is so different for me. I cant even imagine worshiping to have my wishes answered and then confining my god to a statue, and if it breaks then its game over. What rage these people must have, the question that comes into my mind though is; are they mad their god has been disrespected? Or are they mad because their wishes will not be answered? Either way, how can you justify retaliation when it ends with death? If someone walked into my church and destroyed something representing Jesus, I don’t think I would have it in me to harm that person. Yes I would be angry, but killing a person would not even cross my mind! I do realize I live in a different culture, with different values and beliefs, so I guess for the Hindus it was acceptable. Its sad to see people fighting over beliefs like this.

http://www.ww4report.com/node/1777

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"Our 'War on Easter' is of course completely without violence of any kind. Christians believe that beating a man to a pulp and nailing him to a cross somehow solves all the world's problems. Beyond Belief Media does not." - Brian Flemming-

Religious violence, to me, has always been a conflict between people with different beliefs, bringing the argument to the next level with violence. This quote by a self described “former Christian fundamentalist” has made me rethink the idea of religious violence. I never thought Christians would be portrayed as violent extremists because of the cross. It makes sense for the world to view Christians like this, because if they have no knowledge of why Christ died, then of course they are going to think we are violent people. This is an outcome derived from misunderstandings. As Christians we know we will face trials and tribulations so its not something to stress over, but it should tell us how ignorant the world is of Christianity and how we should take initiative to reverse those misunderstandings. I think this man is confused, and if he really is a former Christian then he is fully aware of what God is about. For him to plant media in churches, proclaiming that God is simply a fairy tail is bold, but wrong.

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49678

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"They should all be murdered the way that their bastard Christ was ... slowly and painfully, all Christians should be murdered without pity or remorse! SATANAS VENIRE!!!"- Raymond Earl Shipley-

Raymond Shipley told this to the police after being arrested for a dive-by shooting at a Christian drug rehab centre. Raymond Shipley is a lead singer of a band that is being accused of playing hate music. Reading this is hard because I feel like, what is that Christians have done to deserve such a hate? But its unavoidable, no matter what we do, there will always be someone who hates Christians. As Christians we cant look at this as discouragement, but rather something to build on. The hate people portray towards us will only strengthen our faith and our relationship with the Father. What hits we take now, will only further the glory of God. Retaliation to this hate should be the last thing on our minds and what’s even sadder then people hating Christians, is Christians hating back. If Christians hate back, it gives people more reasons to hate us. It is their way of getting us to hate, because it looks pretty stupid if they are the only party involved in hating. We need to remember what Jesus went through and that we too need to pick up our cross daily and turn the other cheek. This quote reminds me how horrible hate is and how crucial it is in my own life not to hate those who hate me because in the end it’s not between me and them but between me and God. If I hate people, I ultimately hate God.

http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=63

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“Christian mobs in this southern city attacked Muslim motorists and traders Wednesday, leaving more than 30 people dead, according to witnesses, as religious riots sparked by the publishing of cartoons of the prophet Muhammad continued into a fifth day in Nigeria. Nationwide, the death toll reached at least 80”- Chris Timberg

To see the phrase “Christian Mobs” makes me cringe. How can those two words be used in the same sentence? Is it not an oxy moron? In the dictionary, mob is defined as: a loose affiliation of gangsters in charge of organized criminal activities: an association of criminals. It’s hard as a Christian to see this happening because if one Christian associates themselves with this behavior, it reflects all Christians. What happened to turning the cheek? What about everything Jesus has taught us as Christians? What a twisted sense of faith, that they feel the need to kill in the name of Jesus. The entire problem began with cartoons! Something so small is causing such uproar among the religious groups. Muslims are in a fury because of the cartoons drawn of Mohammed, and they have a right to be angry but how far does it need to go? The cartoon should never have been drawn in the first place. I don’t understand why people need to start things like this. How could you live with yourself knowing your drawing has sparked death? This quote was taken from a recent news article, and its sad to see such violence between religions, especially when Christians are involved because I know that is not what Jesus taught us.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/22/AR2006022200876.html

Science and Technology

“Fossils discovered in eastern Ethiopian desert are a missing link between our ape-man ancestors some 3.5 million years ago and more primitive hominids a million years older, according to a new study released on Wednesday”-Liu Dan-

Evolution keeps trying its hardest to prove itself, and of course after reading this, people without faith will most likely believe that evolution is the essence of our existence. As a Christian it’s hard to read these kinds of articles because I just want to run up to the scientist and give them a shake, although, they are just doing their job and what they find is what the find. I’m glad they keep working to find clues to support evolution; I want them to keep finding things because eventually they will find God. I hope that people take the time to figure things out on their own and search for the truth.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-04/13/content_4418396.htm

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"Modern science has aided to the genuine lack of awe among us. By reducing such things as the human body, reproduction, and the earth’s rotation pattern around the sun to scientific formulas and mathematical equations, these things that used to surprise us become routine and somewhat boring"-Kyle Dickenson–

We live in such an amazing world, full of beautiful things to be seen, but we are all to busy to enjoy them. It doesn’t really matter to most people anyway because, as stated in this quote, the mystery is gone. Nature is another thing that science has ripped into and “explained it” leaving people bored. Our minds are immune to what is around us because it is no longer exciting, or challenging. Just like nature no longer fulfills us, is the same with everything else in the world. Humans are always looking for more ways to go faster, to get a bigger thrill to be more entertained, but all we’re left with is wanting more bigger and better things. Eventually we are going to run out of bigger and better things and be left with nothing. The whole time we are looking for the bigger and better things, God is waiting for us, telling us that he is that ultimate bigger and better thing. He’s really all we need but we are bored with that already too. Maybe science hasn’t defined nature correctly and we’ve missed God all along in nature. Humans can’t fulfill the empty spaces in humans. Only God can fulfill the empty spaces, and maybe there is still more mystery out there, if we’re willing to look for it.

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“Fisher-Price will launch the “iTod”, its first MP3 player aimed at infants, this summer. The device comes with tiny volume-restricted headphones, while an iTunes-style online store will sell parentally approved songs for the player” -Adam Sherwin-

This article at first made me shake my head, but now that I think about it I’m not surprised. Our culture is so caught up with new ideas and new ways to make money that we are forgetting what the effect is on humans. I personally would not buy a MP3 for my three year old. It’s a form of isolation, put on the head phones and you don’t have to interact with everything around you. For adults it is a bit different, because they can be use MP3s when exercising or working but for a toddler it doesn’t make sense. It is teaching them at a young age how to be exclusive. I don’t agree with this product. I’m not saying that children should not be allowed music, but why do they need a personal player? They don’t, its just another way for a company to make money, or in the case of the buyer, another way to boost status. The more toys you have, the better off you are, and it tells the world you have money. It’s like people buying their toddler a 100$ pair of Nikes simply because they are Nikes, but knowing full well they will grow out of the shoes in a few months. Producers know what people want, and people know what they want, so the product will work; until the toddler chokes to death on the cords.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2124030.html

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“It would be possible to describe everything scientifically, but it would make no sense; it would be without meaning, as if you described a Beethoven symphony as a variation of wave pressure.”-Albert Einstein-

I like this quote because it is by albert einstein, a man whos life was dedicated to science. For him to say that it makes no sense to describe everthing scientifically is a bold statement. He is a scientist who wants meaning and doesn believe science is the answer to that. I think it speaks volumes to the scientific world, showing that science cannot give meaning, and I think it's suggesting that meaning has to come from somwhere else. Einstein may not have been implying that meaning comes from God, but I do think he was questioning where that meaning comes from. As Christians this is where we come into a scientific world and show them that God is the one who brings meaning.

Pop-Culture

“Most people think our mode of worship is unique, and it is true that there are few such year-round ministries anywhere in the world. But frankly, I wonder why there are not more drive-in ministries. Surely every large community has the types of people who benefit from our services. These are people in the shadows, those who want to go to church but find the traditional church too trying for them.”- Verlyn D. Verbrugge-

I agree with this pastor when he says most people think their mode of worship is unique, because I think it’s unique too. I have been struggling a lot lately with how north Americans do worship, it seems that it is all about us as we stroll into church with our coffees and then sing songs that are more focused on making us feel good rather then worshiping God. This drive-in church concept just adds to my frustrations about how we worship. I can see their point and mission. It does make sense to try and reach out to the people that are “in the shadows” and afraid of traditional church but I think this drive-in idea is a bit too far. I feel like its just driving in, getting it done and leaving, where is the community among the drive-in? Can you even build a community without leaving your car? On the other hand maybe this style of worship is okay. God tells us that where 2 or more are gathered in his name, he will be with them, so if God is there, does it matter how they are sitting or worshiping as long as it’s sincere? I rally don’t know, this article brought a lot of questions into my mind and I am still struggling with it. I do know one thing though; I wouldn’t feel right coming before God in my nice comfy car seat, not even having to lift a foot for him.

http://wdi.gospelcom.net/index.html

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"Jesus is becoming more known as something to buy and sell in the marketplace than a radical lifestyle"-Kyle Dickenson-

I agree with this quote. Jesus has been made into something that can be manipulated and put in a box. It’s no longer so much a lifestyle but a trend. If you buy a shirt that says “Jesus is my homeboy” and you’re a Christian, then you’re seen as proclaiming your faith in a cool way. But if you’re not a Christian and you buy the same shirt, you are making fun of Christians and it’s just as cool. How the heck does that work?

You can buy a bobble head Jesus, and action figures, or even go to biblical theme parks where you can watch a reenactment of the crucifixion every three hours while you eat ice cream. Since when did it become okay to push Gods mystery into a toy we can play with? By doing this we are belittling everything God has done for us. To a child, a Jesus toy is nothing great, its something to play with, something they have domain over. Yes, some may argue that it’s good to get knowledge of Jesus into the world, but at what price? Will we belittle our God so people can experience Jesus in a “fun” way? Where do we draw the line? I think stamping Jesus on our products, claming to use it as a tool to spread the word is wrong. Last time I checked, Jesus isn’t concerned with what’s cool, or “in”. Jesus was working in the streets, spreading the word with his example. If Christians want to sell Jesus in the marketplace fine, let them but I will not support it. If they are serious about getting the knowledge of Jesus into the world, then they will get down in the gutters, and start there.

http://www.polvero.com/articles/39

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“It's a cartoon series called "Popetown," a parody of the Vatican. And it is so controversial that the Catholic Church in Germany, where it is to be aired in May, is already trying to persuade MTV not to air the show”- DW staff-

When I think of Religion and Pop-culture, the first thing I think of is the religious group trying to fit in to popular culture but this article reminded me of how popular culture often fits religious groups in whether they like it or not. In the case of this cartoon, it makes me a bit sad. Its hard to take criticism, I am not catholic but to the rest of the world, all Christians are more or less pushed into the same box with the Catholics so really the cartoon does effect us all. Such a big criticism is hard to take, and the world, which does not understand the Catholic Church, will probably take the twisted view the cartoon portrays and adopt it as their own. For a lot of people, media tells them what to love and what to hate, in this case it hates the Catholic Church. As for the church in Germany trying to persuade MTV no to air the show, well I’m not sure what to think. One on hand, it could look like the church is persuading MTV because the carton may have some truths the church doesn’t want revealed to the world, but on the other hand the cartoon may be full of lies that they don’t want revealed to the world. Jesus tells us that if we are going to follow him, we will face trials and tribulations, so I guess the church has to just take them as they come, no matter what form they are in.

http://www.dwworld.de/dw/article/0,2144,1966688,00.html

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“Popular culture can be a window of insight into the world and life views of the culture in which God has called us to live faithfully for his glory”-Denis Haack-

I had to read this quote a few times over, but I do agree with the quote. I think a lot of the times Christians are afraid of popular culture because in a lot of ways it portrays things that we do not associate ourselves with. It’s almost like pop culture is a pin bursting our nice little Christians bubble. I think popular culture is a good thing for us if we take it in the right way. God has called us to live faithfully in this world and what we do here is for his glory so as Christians if we are unaware of what is going on around us, how are we to comprehend our purpose in this world. God does not want us to just stay in the bubble; he wants us to get out into the world for his glory. I think calling pop culture a window of insight is right. It’s our way to look out to the world and see what it loves and what drives the world. It is not something to fear, but rather a building block in our faith and evangelism. Being aware of pop culture does not make us part of it; it just helps us understand our world better. I don’t want to be locked down in a Christian bubble, fearing the world because I have no idea what its about.

http://www.ransomfellowship.org/D_202.html

Social Justice

"There will always be poverty, and there will always be people falling into poverty. Neither anyone, nor any large group of people, can fix poverty" -Dustin Diaz-

This is a bold statement that implies a harsh reality. If this is true, that poverty is unavoidable, then it would seem all our efforts to eliminate poverty are useless. Is it really just a continuous circle or is there something more to it?

Maybe the problem isn't with the poor people on the streets, maybe the problem is with everyone else. If someone has more , then someone else will always have less. How could we possibly create a world where everything is equal? Society has tried and failed to create that equality. So maybe Dustin is right in saying poverty always has been and always will be. I personally don't know the answer to the problem but I think there is a way to slowly alleviate the situation. Rather then trying to fix the entire problem as quickly as possible, we need to slow down and take small steps. When we get sick, we get nurtured back to heath, and in the same way when people slip into poverty they need to get a hand back up. If poverty is an inevitability, we should treat it like a sickness. We will always get sick, but we work hard to get better. When people are in a poverty state, we need to work hard to get them back on their feet.

Accepting poverty as unavoidable shouldn't be a discouraging thing but rather a way to find a new solution to the problem.

http://www.polvero.com/articles/55/2/

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"A personal gospel without a social gospel is like a soul without a body"-Kyle Dickenson-

I agree with this statement because as Christians we can't only focus on ourselves and expect to impact the world around us. Having a social Gospel does not mean taking part in activities that dishonor God but rather having an awareness of the world and its needs. Looking at some Christian business men who do good work for God through business, but live in luxury because of it, is something I disagree with. How can you justify your wealth while people are starving in the streets, by saying that your business is doing good work for God? Yes your business may be doing good work but taking the wealth for your own personal pleasure is not okay. It goes back to the problem that if someone has more, someone else will always have less. If you are on the side that has more, and your okay with it, then there is something wrong, you don't have a social gospel and I don't think that is what God has intended for us. Its not just about money either, its about taking time out to make relationships with people that need it. Give what you can. By investing your time and money into people that need it now, here on earth, you are investing in yourself because your reward will be in heaven. Ultimately that should be your long term goal because without a social gospel on earth, you will have no personal gospel in heaven.

http://www.polvero.com/articles/109

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"I am a lesbian. And because of this one word, I am denied those inalienable rights that are allowed to all Americans"-Rachel Giarraano-

In the case of this woman I think she is right to be angry with society. How can her rights be taken away because of her sexual preferences? As a Christian I don’t agree with her choices, but I am not about to treat her as an outcast. Some Christians may disagree with me, but sin is sin and I am not “less of a sinner” because she is a homosexual and I am not. We do not make the calls of what sin is worse, that is for God to decide and he tells us that all sin is the same so why do we even create for ourselves a ranking system. In our society how have we created this system? How can people decided who gets different rights because of their sexual preferences? It’s not just this woman whose rights are being treated unfairly but also the rights of her children. Her children are not biologically hers and since she is a lesbian, they get different rights. I think this is wrong. If she decided to change her lifestyle, and live as a heterosexual, would she change so much as a person? Who gets to decided what kind of person she is based on her sexuality and then establish her rights? I think society needs to take a step back and realize we are all human and we all have something wrong with us. I don’t care how high above society some of our leaders may think they are, as far as I’m concerned they are just better at keeping all their flaws hidden. We are all sinners, we all have something wrong with us, and the bottom line is our rights should not be taken away because someone says there’s something more wrong with us then everyone else.

http://www.polvero.com/articles/67/2/

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"At this point i'm starting to catch onto a theme where I have no clue how to be homeless"-Dustin Diaz

This quote was interesting to me, because I never really thought about homelessness in this sense. Is there a certain way to be homeless? Is it like having no idea how to skate, or how to dance? Maybe we are so immune to hearing about people starving on the streets, that we actually have no idea what its like and have no possible way to comprehend it unless we too are homeless. I live in a nice home, with food and water and clean clothes and a warm shower. I have a TV and a laptop; in fact, I’m sitting on a couch right now doing this assignment on my laptop. It’s life for me. Why the heck am I so comfortable with it?! My idea of being homeless, is sitting on the street, not much food, being dirty and having close to nothing. It seems like a harsh truth, but the reality is I have no idea what I’m talking about. If I went on the street, I’m sure I would be saying the same thing Dustin is about being homeless; I have no idea how to be homeless. That bothers me. I have no idea how to be homeless because I am so blessed, it’s never come up. Why am I so blessed? Why am I so lucky to have so many luxuries? I don’t think much in a day about the homeless, I just think about my own agenda. It could easily be me on the street but its not. I should feel more then blessed to be able to say I have no idea how to be homeless. I think my attitude needs to change in regards to homeless people, and start imputing more thought and effort towards them. If I have been blessed enough, to have everything that I do, the least I should do is put time back into those that have nothing so that God can bless them through me.

http://www.polvero.com/articles/25/1/