In Wednesday's New York Times (2004-11-24), editorialist Nicholas D. Kristoff wrote about the Left Behind series of books (and assorted merchandise), which are the best selling books for adults in the United States. These books paint a grim picture of the Second Coming of Christ based on the authors' interpretations of some passages in the Gospels and, in particular, the revelatory language of St. John the Divine.
If you know the voice of The Collector from The Simpsons, please invoke it now. Worst defeat ever (in soccer).
I have a couple of article recommendations for you all*: Blinded By Science: How 'Balanced' Coverage Lets the Scientific Fringe Hijack Reality; The Optimism of Uncertainty. Plus a few small comments…
The United Religions Initiative is an international organization whose purpose is "to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings." Just as everywhere else, there has been a good deal of discussion amongst URI members about the recent U.S. elections. The following letter is my personal response to the onrush of "mandates", "values", and "misinformation," calling for the interfaith movement itself to reach out to those who do not normally participate, calling for an internal dialogue to accompany the external work of interreligious organizations.
The Kyoto Protocol has been ratified by Russia (dead link removed; SF 2025). What happens now? What changes will we see, what effects will it have on the United States, and what comes next?
Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe? (Qu'rán, Al-Anbia' 21:30).
Thus begins "Water Conservation as a Religious Duty".
I had read about it, I had heard about it, and tonight I finally watched it: Jon Stewart on CNN's Crossfire. I'm sure its been all over the blogosphere and I'm probably the last blogger in the world to notice it, but that's okay. I'm sure opinions range, but I probably rank in the majority of bloggers in saying "right on, Jon."
I have traditionally been an apologist for the United Nations, but lately I have been forced to question my unconditional support. While the U.N.'s mission is entirely laudable, its execution — particularly in regards to peacekeeping — seems to fall short. We have seen U.N. failures in Korea, Vietnam, the former Yugoslavia, Rwanda, and more. What has brought this about? Is the whole system flawed? Who is more to blame — the bureaucracy or the nations that are "united"? Perhaps these are not the questions to ask. Instead, I suggest that we ask — where is the grassroots appeal, and where is the recognition of human spirituality?
Two weeks ago our car was broken into at a park. Laptop, wallet, keys, and more stolen. We didn't think it could happen to us. We thought we were playing it safe. Oh, and my system backups were sorely inadequate.
Its 39° F outside on October 17, 2004 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. One year ago, in Austin, Texas, the low temperature was 63 with a high of 83. That is a middling temperature for October, on the low side. Halloween hit 90° (admittedly a record high). Today I saw snow flurries, something I saw once this past winter in Austin. I'm really in for it this year.
