Controversial Books to Read

I think it is important for adults to expose themselves to other points of view for many reasons. One of which is to be able to understand and have compassion for others that do not have the same environment, experience and viewpoint.   I use the word adult, because without a strong foundation both intellectually and spiritually a child and even a young adult can be easily confused about right, wrong and intent.

Here are a few books that obviously do not line up to my world view, but I have found helpful in discussions with others in both understanding their point of view and framing intelligent rebuttal.

1. The Quran
2. The Communist Manifesto
3. The Secret
4. The Book of Mormon
5. The Golden Compass Series
6. The God Delusion
7. The Prince
8. On the Origin of Species

I realize there are many Christians who believe that the reading list is unfit for consumption and reading such books will only lead to the decay of values and is a misuse of time.  If your conviction is to not read this book list, then don't. I have found that reading them through the lens of my faith it only strengthened it and gave me a framework for conversation.

Matthew 7:13-14

Matthew 7:13-14

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

These verses at one time left me rather sleepless for those around me.

These verses paint a very vivid picture for me about a road full of travelers coming to a fork in the road. One is a highway full of people and one is a tiny narrow dirt road.

I thought of all of the amazing people of faith around me and that narrow road seemed too small to hold us all (me being the very least).

Lately, it has become very apparent to me that this world is full of people who would all too willingly choose that great big paved road. It is shocking to me how many people are so vocally mocking of God and anyone who believes in Him.

I am not saying that everyone I know is on that narrow path, I am not even saying that all of the people that I think would be on that narrow road are truly on that path. My latest life lesson is that my perspective is of the narrow road (making it seem that it is crowded).

Those verses leave me sleepless in a new way. That narrow road is ever narrowing. Once only need to look at the comment section of the Cincinnati Enquire or listen to people defend Polanski.

Lockland Lawsuit

Christopher Knecht a Lockland resident who is suing Lockland for displaying the 10 Commandments outside of the town hall. His claim is that it is unconstitutional and goes as far as calling them “religious fables and myths”.

The bottom line is that he is not the first to call foul on religious displays. I find it very amusing that he has been in legal trouble himself and has found a lawsuit the best way to lash out.

I would love to find a suite that I could bring against the city or state for a display of humanism that I find offensive. I would happily give the attorney all of the damages won in trade for his or her time. Apparently it does not even have to be a suite that makes sense if I truly feel “damaged” by the display.

By the way separation of church and state is: one not a law, and two a statement made to keep the government from ESABLISHING an official church.

Christmas Sprirt

I love Christmas. I love getting together with family, baking, shopping and the general merriment that goes along with the entire season.

Along with all of the good comes a great big dose of stupidity. The first example is Sydney, Australia. Santa is no longer aloud to say HO, HO, HO! He is now supposed to say HA, HA, HA! As to not offend anyone, lest they think he is calling small children prostitutes.

Letter to a Christian Nation – Sam Harris

Intelligent people who have a small understanding of a topic, but do not grasp meaning and intent are most dangerous to any argument. Intelligent people can make good points, even if they are off base.

The bible is both the most simple and the most complicated book ever written.

A simple man can pick up the bible and glean wisdom, hope and eternal life.

An intelligent man can pick up the same book and glean wisdom, hope and eternal life or he can justify his own pious life by mocking what he does not grasp.

Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris is an excellent example of the intelligent man. The book is well written, however simple minded his point of view. He takes no account for the distinction between the Old and the New Testament and he makes no distinction between the human element and Godly authority. His reference points are taken out of the textual and social contexts.

The fact that biblical champions are flawed and sin is not a testament to the fallibility of God, to the contrary shows us that we are able to overcome our own flawed and broken lives with Gods direction.

He does make some great points. Some Christians shove the word of God down the throat of everyone in their path. The hypocrisy in churches is astounding from the top to the bottom. Christians are some of the narrowest minded people on the planet. But, he does not look at the intent of Christians. Most Christians are like our biblical examples, flawed and broken but trying to make a difference. People who share their beliefs live public lives, so when they fall, when they stumble it is a public stumble.

Sam, I say to you, if you truly want to make an argument against anything, you should try to live it to understand it.

God works through us

I could not resist posting this. I do not know who to credit for writting it, but I think its great.

A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In one of the courses, he had a professor who was a vowed atheist and a member of the ACLU. One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked tothe ceiling and flatly stated, "God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes." The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, "Here I am God. I'm still waiting." It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold.

The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence. The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, "What the hell is the matter with you? Why did you do that?"

The Marine calmly replied, "God was too busy today protecting America's soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid shit and act like an ass hole. ... So, He sent me."

9/11

Lets all take a moment today to pray for the families who are still grieving those lost five years ago.

September 11, 2001