September, 2007

Ahmad Pathoni, Reuters

continue reading "Indonesians tune in to digital Koran"

Metaphysical folks like us are often interested in religion, though we are not always pious accepters of whatever the current fad is among dogmatists. It would pay us well to understand the enormous gap between truth and current dogma about the religious right’s views on the Founding Fathers.

We are assured from pulpit and podium in voices strident, condescending and unctuous, that the Founding Fathers were all Christians of the same type as the current crop of blowhards, and really wanted this country to be a Christian country.

continue reading "Lies about our Fathers"

Metaphysical folks like us are often interested in religion, though we are not always pious accepters of whatever the current fad is among dogmatists. It would pay us well to understand the enormous gap between truth and current dogma about the religious right’s views on the Founding Fathers.

We are assured from pulpit and podium in voices strident, condescending and unctuous, that the Founding Fathers were all Christians of the same type as the current crop of blowhards, and really wanted this country to be a Christian country.

continue reading "Lies about our Fathers"

Metaphysical folks like us are often interested in religion, though we are not always pious accepters of whatever the current fad is among dogmatists. It would pay us well to understand the enormous gap between truth and current dogma about the religious right’s views on the Founding Fathers.

We are assured from pulpit and podium in voices strident, condescending and unctuous, that the Founding Fathers were all Christians of the same type as the current crop of blowhards, and really wanted this country to be a Christian country.

continue reading "Lies about our Fathers"

Oh, you say that “y’all” are not in the “we all”?  Do you emphatically deny that a woman is permitted to preach with Scriptural permission?  You may say that, but that is not really what you believe!

Most of us are of the opinion and are in fallacy that when man gets comforts he is at peace. Comforts can be many in this world and are varied and vary according to individuals. Invariably comforts that a person craves for are a good loveable wife, good, talented upcoming children, plenty of money in stock, good house, a nice car, a prosperous job, a dignified position in society, luxuries at home like various gadgets ( Fridge, Air conditioners, Coolers, Computer systems and laptop, lawn mower , Music systems, Television, video systems, Kitchen gadgets) and many others. Once these are available, we expect that he is comfortable and is enjoying life fully and is at peace. But unfortunately it is otherwise. Although he has these comforts, he still does not have peace. He is still either craving for more and latest arrivals or worried about the existing things. However with possession of comforts, he would be free of grief for not possessing them. Why such things happen?

continue reading "Comfort and Peace Are Not Complimentary"

All

Recent readings in the Trail of Tears has shown me that, in part, the treaties that took the land from the natives relied on the lack of restriction to create privatization, or one might say, total restriction.  It has been expressed as a way of thinking that the natives did not so much consider that the land belonged to them as that they belonged to the land.  Not just a play on words, but an expression of world view that differed totally from the European mindset of settlers in the New World.

continue reading "Does the Private Sector Comprehend a Commons?"

It is a weird alchemy of a commodity culture that it turns the normal and sensible into the eccentric and suspect.  Natural food becomes a cultish attachment rather than a redundancy.  Walking instead of driving becomes a sign of questionable political inclination.  A desire to conserve rather than waste becomes “political correctness.”  Then there’s clotheslines, which have emerged as sources of contention in suburbs throughout the nation.  

Clotheslines are the best way to dry clothes, absolutely and without question.  Clothes last longer and smell better; and the sun is clean and free. The consequences for the use of fossil fuels are larger than you might think. Some 5% to 10% of the residential energy use in the U.S. goes to washing and drying clothes, and most of that is in the drying.   Wash with cold water and you save 85% on that side.  Hang the clothes on the line and you cut 100% of the electricity or gas use on the other.  

It is a weird alchemy of a commodity culture that it turns the normal and sensible into the eccentric and suspect.  Natural food becomes a cultish attachment rather than a redundancy.  Walking instead of driving becomes a sign of questionable political inclination.  A desire to conserve rather than waste becomes “political correctness.”  Then there’s clotheslines, which have emerged as sources of contention in suburbs throughout the nation.  

Clotheslines are the best way to dry clothes, absolutely and without question.  Clothes last longer and smell better; and the sun is clean and free. The consequences for the use of fossil fuels are larger than you might think. Some 5% to 10% of the residential energy use in the U.S. goes to washing and drying clothes, and most of that is in the drying.   Wash with cold water and you save 85% on that side.  Hang the clothes on the line and you cut 100% of the electricity or gas use on the other.  

Asra Nomani asks the Dalai Lama: "What is it that our leaders can do to transcend the issues of power that make them turn the people of different religions against each other?"

continue reading "Three things we must do to facilitate Interfaith Dialogue"

The entire universe is filled with various types of living beings and these living beings throughout their lives are struggling to find happiness. Except human being all the other living beings are not blessed with capability of judging good or bad as humans do. Incase of animals, birds and other living beings the actions are more by instinct. They live by instinct and perish ultimately. Thus human being is the supreme living creature on this world. However the human mind is constantly in search of truth to know the origin of the world and the great power that is responsible for controlling these activities. Hinduism that is mostly confined to the Indian subcontinent is the pioneer in this philosophy. The most important scriptures that form the basis of Hinduism are the Vedas, the most ancient and most revered scriptures of Hinduism. Most of the learned are of the opinion that there is a very powerful divine force that is responsible for the formation of this world and for various activities that control the activities of all the beings in this world.

continue reading "The Commandments for an Hindu for Whom Hinduism is a Way of Life"

Rama Setu: peoples’ anger @ Hinducivilization
Study of dharma and traditions of over one billion people, hindu.

continue reading "To Muslims, Ram is their Imam-e-Hind"

The cost of tax breaks -- or, as economists now more accurately describe them, "tax expenditures" -- is $500 billion to $800 billion a year, about 5 percent of the gross domestic product.

Most of these tax deductions and tax credits are inherently unfair. A $1,000 tax deduction might be worth $300 to a wealthy household, $150 to a middle-income household, and not a penny to a poor family. Indeed, 37 percent of all households -- home to almost half of all children -- have no tax liability.

Why do we skew tax breaks to favor richer people and more profitable businesses?  There is no evidence to suggest that these have a higher propensity to engage in socially beneficial behavior. Just ask any waitress or waiter who tips them better -- the wealthy or the working class.

The cost of tax breaks -- or, as economists now more accurately describe them, "tax expenditures" -- is $500 billion to $800 billion a year, about 5 percent of the gross domestic product.

Most of these tax deductions and tax credits are inherently unfair. A $1,000 tax deduction might be worth $300 to a wealthy household, $150 to a middle-income household, and not a penny to a poor family. Indeed, 37 percent of all households -- home to almost half of all children -- have no tax liability.

Why do we skew tax breaks to favor richer people and more profitable businesses?  There is no evidence to suggest that these have a higher propensity to engage in socially beneficial behavior. Just ask any waitress or waiter who tips them better -- the wealthy or the working class.

Research is continuous on the effects of minerals found in the earth on the body and psyche. I often used to encounter New Agers who were so happy that they were disconnecting from the evil mundane universe and that they were living in a gentle high where nothing really seemed to matter. They were always chagrined when as an Elder being approached for comment or advice I suggested that they take a zinc supplement. Their symptoms were not those of a spiritual high, but of a zinc deficiency.

continue reading "Heads up, Star People!"

Research is continuous on the effects of minerals found in the earth on the body and psyche. I often used to encounter New Agers who were so happy that they were disconnecting from the evil mundane universe and that they were living in a gentle high where nothing really seemed to matter. They were always chagrined when as an Elder being approached for comment or advice I suggested that they take a zinc supplement. Their symptoms were not those of a spiritual high, but of a zinc deficiency.

continue reading "Heads up, Star People!"

Research is continuous on the effects of minerals found in the earth on the body and psyche. I often used to encounter New Agers who were so happy that they were disconnecting from the evil mundane universe and that they were living in a gentle high where nothing really seemed to matter. They were always chagrined when as an Elder being approached for comment or advice I suggested that they take a zinc supplement. Their symptoms were not those of a spiritual high, but of a zinc deficiency.

continue reading "Heads up, Star People!"

A couple of people have suggested that it would be interesting, helpful, or entertaining to know a bit more about the shadowy people who contribute to Open Source Theology. So registered users now have the option of adding a biography page to their profile. The biography can be accessed by clicking on the username as it appears on posts and comments. A small icon on the ‘submitted by’ line indicates that the contributor has completed a biography and provides another link to the page.

continue reading "User biographies"

A couple of people have suggested that it would be interesting, helpful, or entertaining to know a bit more about the shadowy people who contribute to Open Source Theology. So registered users now have the option of adding a biography page to their profile. The biography can be accessed by clicking on the username as it appears on posts and comments. A small icon on the ‘submitted by’ line indicates whether the contributor has completed a biography or not and provides another link to the page.

continue reading "User biographies"

A self-described 'friendly atheist' auctioned himself off to a Christian minister, agreeing to visit dozens of churches and record his impressions. Here's what he found. Read the Interview

continue reading "I Sold My Soul on eBay - Faithwise Review of the Week"

It seemed a little fishy earlier this year when news first broke of tainted toothpaste from China. Was it totally coincidental that those disclosures came just as Congress was about to take up a bill to make it easier for Americans to buy drugs from Canada and Europe, and so avoid the ridiculous prices the drug companies charge here?  The bill failed, amid a flurry of concern about the safety of health-care products from abroad  (a concern that was notably absent during the sales jobs for Nafta and Gatt.)  This was even though there have been no reports of tainted drugs from Canada to my knowledge, only lower prices.

Now there is a new round of disclosures, this time regarding children’s toys with lead paint and kindred health hazards.  I have little doubt that China’s eager entrepreneurs have been less than fastidious.  Why would we expect them to be any different than America’s were at a similar stage in its development.  (Cf. Upton Sinclair’s description of the U.S. meatpacking industry in The Jungle.)  But then I saw a story in the current Business Week (September 24, 2007)  that suggested something more might be afoot.

It seemed a little fishy earlier this year when news first broke of tainted toothpaste from China. Was it totally coincidental that those disclosures came just as Congress was about to take up a bill to make it easier for Americans to buy drugs from Canada and Europe, and so avoid the ridiculous prices the drug companies charge here?  The bill failed, amid a flurry of concern about the safety of health-care products from abroad  (a concern that was notably absent during the sales jobs for Nafta and Gatt.)  This was even though there have been no reports of tainted drugs from Canada to my knowledge, only lower prices.

Now there is a new round of disclosures, this time regarding children’s toys with lead paint and kindred health hazards.  I have little doubt that China’s eager entrepreneurs have been less than fastidious.  Why would we expect them to be any different than America’s were at a similar stage in its development.  (Cf. Upton Sinclair’s description of the U.S. meatpacking industry in The Jungle.)  But then I saw a story in the current Business Week (September 24, 2007)  that suggested something more might be afoot.

Patience is vital for us. To develop patience, it is necessary to have patience. In an interesting event a person was found praying to God requesting to grant him the trait of patience and that it should be given quickly. He was in hurry even with God. The person was in hurry to obtain the trait and lack of this patience was demonstrated in the prayer too. Jesus is the fitting example as an embodiment of patience. His death on cross has no parallel to demonstrate this aspect. Even when the nails were being driven through his body in to the wooden cross he did not utter a single harsh word against the tormentors. In face of great pain, he requested his father (God) to forgive his tormentors as they were ignorant (Luke 23:34-35) (1). Similarly Prahlada the ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu in the yore demonstrated great patience in pursuit of his devotion to the Lord and finally succeeded. Hardships of greatest magnitude including death imposed by his father Hiranyakasipa did not deter him from his goal and finally he succeeded (2). Lord Buddha spent many years of his prime youth in search of peace and truth and moved with ascetics and subjecting his body to great pains and hunger. But he did not succeed. Yet, he did not loose patience and determination. At last, he attained realization under a Bodhi tree in Gaya and from then, he was called Buddha.

continue reading "Patience Must Be Cultivated and it Results From Love"

Chefs give finishing touches to a chocolate model of a mosque at a hotel in Jakarta. The model made from 150 kg of chocolate will be displayed at the hotel during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. (Reuters Photo)

Faith is the currency of civilization. Without it, civilization breaks down into waring factions—where the faction is the least common denominator of faith. Faithfulness is what I pay to be part of family, an organization, or of society. And Faith is the return payment, or my stock value, as it were, in the society at large. While the same relationship works with my Self (not my ego, but my whole Jungian Self), this relationship between faithfulness and faith is best understood as it applies to society—or actually, the commons. It is within the commons, or society, that the interaction of faith and faithfulness works its synergistic magic to build community out of parts.

continue reading "Faith in the Commons and Francis Fukuyama's Social Capital"