I suppose it's somewhat ironic that I'm placing this article in Philosophy->Ethics, but perhaps you'll bear with me to see why.

 

Let's face something, folks - there's a big debate, on these forums, and just about everywhere else, about what should be taught in a science classroom and what should not.  I have one real problem with the argument from both sides - it is emotionally based.  I find absolutely no use for emotion when discussing something that is "supposedly" sc...

Remember when musicians actually played notes?  Remember when musicians were actually good at the instrument they played?  Remember when they even *played* instruments?  These days to be a musician, musical ability and knowledge is the LAST thing that's important.  Image is far more important.

 

Fortunately, there have been some very talented musicians in my life time.  Maybe I'm a musical snob, but I like it when musicians actually have musical talent.&n...

With the recent addition of a "Karma" button, I was reminded of a story from my college days.  I am not sure whether I really believe in karma as a functional system that is truly in action, but this story is definitely an example that it's at least possible, and it's something I'm fond of reminiscing about 20+ years later

 

The year is 1985.  The place is in a parking lot just up a hill from a football field where the University of South Carolina Marching Band practices in ...

I came to JoeUser in September of 2003.  Those that have been here a similar amount of time have seen my "activity" on the site wax and wane with seeming randomness.  My participation has been "random" because I haven't had any goal in mind for my blogging.  I originally joined when blogging was in its infancy and just wanted a place to spew whatever was on my mind.  It has served me well.

 

Over time, I saw that this wasn't a universal goal.  Some folks actua...

On Erathoniel's blog is an article On Evil, and in the comments, cscoles mentions that "Evil is not working together to make the world a better place." to which Erathoniel responds that that is exactly what *he* believes.  But Erathoniel also states in his article that "Evil is any time man walks away from God, the Creator."  Can those two statements exist peacefully side by side?

 

There are many belief systems in our world.  The problem is that many advocates of these...

First off.  I won't follow anyone else's idea about how this post should be written.  In fact, I won't follow anyone's idea about anything except my own.  Actually, that's coming daringly close to being a positive since that's true of all candidates, but I admit it.  That makes me look honest.  Hmmm...

 

Second, I really don't care about 95% of other people.  And I don't believe politics does either, but like we established a moment ago, I admit it. ...

"What?  You didn't think about it at all?"

 

"Well, no.  I mean, I did...but it seemed like everything was already written out.  I was told we just had to believe and everything would be cool."




"Well it is, in a way.  I mean I don't mind you believing in me, but do you have any idea *how* cool life is?  I know I saw a lot of people try to describe it to you..."

 

"But it sounded like they were trying to discount you, sir, and since I believ...

Now I hope this gets some sort of wide dissemination, and I hope everyone that sees this answers and answers honestly.  It's a poll of sorts.

 

Who here ever wanted Crackerjacks or bought Crackerjacks solely for the prize at the bottom.  Raise your hand.

 

*OckhamsRazor raises his hand*

 

 

Not only is this a rant, but it's a ramble, too.  I just got backfrom 9 days aboard a ship, and every time I go to one of these things,I see stuff that for me, at least, is a clear indicator of why thegears are starting to grind more often.  Morale on most of the ships I've been on is very low, but guess what?  It isn't because of the job itself.  It's something else - something deep.  So, in order to deal with it, I just startedwriting in a word document about some litt...

First, I need to state that I saw this first courtesy of my good friend Mark on his blog, This View of Life. I can only pray to science for forgiveness, but a miracle is a miracle and ought to be shared.

 

Maybe you haven't heard of the famous cheese sandwich that miraculously came with a picture of the Virgin Mary on it.  Here's a picture.

 



 

You can google any combination of Virgin, Mary, cheese, and toast and find articles about this miracle.

 ...

Just a quick blog to emphasize a point that I'm sure we all agree with.  It's very important to teach our kids what to think about a lot of stuff.  After all, they aren't born with the ability to reason, so things like religion and political affiliation and other various belief systems need to be put into them while they're young.

That's the great thing about having kids.  You've already got it all figured out, and so it saves them a lot of trouble if you just tell them what to...

Any time I start getting involved in something on more than a cursory level, it starts affecting how I think.  It doesn't affect WHAT I think, just how.

Some of the guys at work have taken to playing chess during lunch.  I used to play a long time ago, and still retain a rudimentary knowledge of the game and play at a level I would describe as "just good enough to not be considered a beginner anymore."

One of my friends at work, Lucas, turned me on to a site called...

Just for kicks I'm going to put up several quotes. The subject, as you will see is religion. Don't let that bother you. I'm not out to debate the statements made by the authors of the quotes, they just happened to be on my mind recently. Play the game. Try not to cheat by googling them and guess who said them.

1. I don't try to imagine a personal God; it suffices to stand in awe at the structure of the world, insofar as it allows our inadequate senses to appreciate it.

2. The relig...

Recent genetic research has uncovered that all blue eyed people share a common ancestor, so leave me a note if you have blue eyes. We're family!

Article on the subject

I have proclaimed that 31 January is Inanity Day in Ock's World. Next year it may be a different day, or there may not even be one next year - such is the nature of such a holiday.

At any rate, I wanted to warn people to be especially careful in their lives today. I plan to divide 6.23 by 0 later, so if anything bad happens to you, you can blame me. Of course, if anything good happens, I get the credit.

Cheers.