Impromptu Theological Texting

I sent this text to a Christian friend of mine today: "I had a thought, wondered what your take on it would be. I hope, for the sake of humanity, that the God of the Bible isn't real." The following is our brief exchange:

Journey of One: My Self Worth (part two)

There's a difference, I think, between recognizing the value in one's life - or liking life - and valuing and/or liking oneself. I like life, but I don't know that I like my life. I like myself. I don't like many of the decisions I've made in life. But I like me. I don't think people kill themselves because they don't like themselves. I don't think it's because they don't like life. I think it's because they don't like their particular arrangement, or can't handle the stress or weight or disappointment they face in life. Death is seen as an escape. I can understand that.

Journey of One: My Self Worth (part one)

Seems I get inspired to write these days only when I'm in my favorite Irish pub here in town, thinking to myself over a pint of Guinness. My last few blog entries have been the product of my sitting alone at the bar with my iPod, taking advantage of the wifi and the beer.

The Flawed Atheist Community

Religion is a human construct, so of course we see in religion all the flaws inherent to humanity. I am reminded of the words of Voltaire: "If God has made us in his image, we have returned him the favor." But ridding a person of the religion doesn't rid a person of one's humanity, so many of the same problems exacerbated by religion occur independent of religion.

Religion didn't create the problems, at least initially. People created religion because of the problems, and as such religion perpetuates and subsequently causes and sustains the problems.

Walking the Path

I went on a hike today and got inspired by nature, so I made this video:

For Science!

April has definitely become Dead-Logic Videos month. Here are a couple more. Still promoting the Carl Sagan Google Doodle Campaign...

Dead-Logic on YouTube

Even though I've taken a break from writing, my desire to express myself remains, so I made some videos. I plan to make more, so make me a happy bunny by subscribing to my YouTube channel.

Here are my two most recent installments. The first video deals with depression, and my personal experience with it. The second video is a follow-up to the depression video in which I attempt to clarify what I said about my first marriage, and then I go on to offer a few thoughts on the institution of marriage in general. Enjoy...

Spring (Blog) Break!

Happy April, everyone. I'm taking the month off from blogging. I have a lot of things going on, such as...

Evil Dead comes out this weekend. That in itself isn't keeping me from blogging, but it's worth mentioning because I can't wait to see it. I'm a huge fan of the original Evil Dead/Army of Darkness films. So... yeah.

Royce Gracie is coming to our martial arts academy this month. I'm spending a lot of my free time training in preparation. I'm also trying to catch up on my reading. I have books I want to read that have been just sitting on the shelf. I'm going to make a lot of "me time" this month.

I'm moving to a new apartment. My stuff is packed up and I'm getting ready to find a new location. No idea how permanent this new location will be, but it'll do for now.

I'll still be updating the Carl Sagan Google Doodle Campaign's Facebook page. And I'll still post random whatevers on my Twitter as well.

- Bud

Science. It Works, B*%ches!

Dawkins has a point: science works. I would throw logic in there as well, given that the same question gets applied to it. I've seen theists - in an attempt to either "level the playing field" or discredit science - try to argue that "faith" in science commits the begging the question fallacy. How can I justify the scientific method without appealing to the scientific method and thus committing circular reasoning? Concerning logic, how can we justify the reliability and necessity of logic without appealing to logic and thus (again) arguing in circles?

Because it works.

Same Love

I listen to Pandora a lot. It helps me discover new music. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love music - and how eclectic my music tastes are. I've been a huge fan of hip hop ever since the Beasties had a license to ill and Run DMC were raising hell. It's really been a love/hate relationship. Some songs have come out over the years with thought-provoking lyrics, and a lot of songs have come out that make me feel ashamed to be a fan of the genre.

I posted a song recently by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis called "Wings" that has the kind of lyrics I wish more songs had. As I said then, the only other song from these guys that I heard was "Thrift Shop," which I thought was playful yet made a few good points itself. I posted "Wings" here even though it's not something I think my regular readers cared all that much about. And that's fine. I care about it, and guess what? I'm posting another one of their songs.

Firearms and Self-Defense (a prologue)

I've been meaning to write about this for months, but have kept it on a back burner. In light of recent events, however, I'm making myself write this. We live in a gun culture in the United States. They are everywhere, and even those of us who don't own a firearm feel the impact of the culture upon us. For good or bad, we're stuck with the guns. Best we can hope to do is to live out the lesson of Spider-Man: "With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility." Guns are a great power for violence and death (keep that in mind: a gun's only purpose is death), and when we as a society neglect handling this incredible force responsibly, we suffer pain, death, and loss. My brother-in-blog Tristan wrote a thought-provoking piece on his (other) blog about the gun culture. I recommend everyone checks it out: Gun Control and on Other Gun Related Problems.

Dancing With Jesus!

I made a video! Yes, my iPod and I made a video for you all on this lovely St. Patrick's Day, though the video has nothing to do with St. Patrick or his special day. It's actually a book review... sorta. The quality of the video isn't great, but like I've said before, I suck at making videos, so just go with it.

Enjoy...

Wings

"That all you got punk? You punch like a liberal."

I just heard the song "Wings" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis today while listening to Pandora. The only other Macklemore & Ryan Lewis song I know is "Thrift Shop," because, well, who doesn't know that song by now? But this song "Wings" makes me want to go put on my sleeveless Rage Against the Machine t-shirt, pop my Fight Club DVD in the player, then glove up and practice my Muay Thai on a heavy bag that has a picture of Sam Walton on it. Don't get me wrong: I'm not necessarily opposed to capitalism or "buying cool stuff" per se, but we can't ignore all the problems in our consumer society.

Or, rather, we can ignore them - and have ignored them.

Isn't that a big part of the predicament?

[Video and lyrics below]

The Carl Sagan Google Doodle Campaign

I started the Carl Sagan Google Doodle Campaign for fun. It's still fun. We're not changing the world. We are, for what it's worth, letting our voices be heard. I don't take myself too seriously, but I do enjoy the thought that something I say or write could inspire the next Feynman or Hawking or Sagan. That thought alone drives me: the thought that, while I might never be the fire itself, I could still be the spark that ignites the flame that sets the whole world on fire.

Shrink Your Borders, Deepen Your Reservoir

Happy Pi Day! I plan on celebrating with a slice of pie this evening, although I'm still undecided as to what kind of pie. Truly, life is filled with difficult questions. Turns out that today is Albert Einstein's birthday as well.

So, since this is such a huge day for many geeks, nerds, intellectuals, scientists, and their brainy ilk, today makes me think of certain words of wisdom passed to me by... well, I don't remember who gave me these wise words, to be honest. Nevertheless, these sayings have stayed with me for years, and influence how I think and react to the big questions of life...

Journey of One: Live, Love, Fight [part two]

Focus. I tell my students that's what you need to be successful, and not just at martial arts. Focusing on a goal, keeping your eyes on it, making it the one thing you think about, becoming what less-driven people might refer to as "obsessed" about it, that's how success happens. Of course, chance and knowing the right people/being in the right place at the right time can play a part, but success generally doesn't happen without drive. Or a truckload of luck, but I wouldn't count on that (my apologies to all of you rockers practicing in your garage with hopes of "making it big").

Journey of One: Live, Love, Fight.

I still have no computer, so once again I am blogging via my iPod. I am also once again blogging from my favorite pub, the Celtic Mist, where I am currently enjoying a pint or two (or more) of Guinness. I bid you all a happy "Half-Way to Carl Sagan Day" Day. I hope it's been a good day for everyone so far.

March 9 is "Half-Way to Carl Sagan Day" Day

I haven't been writing much lately because 1) I have no computer right now and 2) there are several things occupying my time and thoughts lately. Life is good, and continuing to look up, but I'm under a considerable amount of stress at the moment. I'm sure I'll write about all of this eventually.