Ashamed

Why are we ashamed of who we are?

Americans seem to be ashamed of success, ashamed of power, ashamed of wealth, ashamed of anything that distinguishes us. Even Christians seem to be ashamed of being Christians in this country! Why?

Why is it that, despite the fact that an overwhelming majority of Americans celebrate Christmas, the government and many businesses are afraid or ashamed to publicly display or even acknowledge the holiday? Why are we so set on being "open minded" that we refuse to stand for anything that we believe in?

Why do we push "global citizenship" above American citizenship? Why do we continue to give our rights away to the UN, to ship our money and production over seas, to sacrifice our future for the sake of looking good?

Our society seems to be truly ashamed of itself; ashamed of the power we have, ashamed of the blessings that God has given us. Why? While I do not advocate arrogance or prideful boasting, our current path is just as self-destructive. We need to stand on who we are, on who we aught to be - not ashamed of being powerful or of being blessed by God, but using that power and blessing to advance the cause of Christ. We have so many freedoms in this country, so many resources, we aught to be able to stand more firmly and boldly than anyone else in the world. And yet, we destroy ourselves with apathy and guilt. Isn't it time we used the blessings that God has given us in the battle that is this world?

Some Random Musings

Last night, I got into a conversation about how certain areas of the academic world seem to have no purpose beyond self-perpetuations, and maybe validating their own existence. It got me thinking, how much of America really has only these features for its purpose? Many politicians seem to do very little of value, and yet pander and talk and even lie to keep themselves in office. They seem to be doing little beyond perpetuating their own existence or power. Technology - it's a product, right? But really, what purpose does a faster computer, a slick PDA, or even an MP3 player with bigger hard drive serve? We do get more graphics or music or bells and whistles, but what does all that accomplish? It employs people! It keeps money going! It perpetuates a cycle of buy and replace - of validating and perpetuating its own existence.

When it really comes down to it, how much of American society accomplishes anything? We go about, living, working, existing; but do we do much of anything that has lasting value? There is so much we could do - drawing nearer to our creator, striving to save the lost from the domain of darkness, ensuring the freedom to be a light in the world - and yet, so many Christians do none of this. We need to wake up, live as Christian men and strive for our Lord and His kingdom, rather than just perpetuating or validating our own jobs and hobbies. American Christians: invest in what really matters rather than the trivial things in life.

Freedom of Speech

This past week, some rather interesting controversy has arisen at CSU. The University paper published a very short, very vulgar editorial condemning the President. The editor of the paper claims that he was simply exercising his Freedom of Speech, and trying to bring greater awareness to the rights that students have. I think that his misconception about rights and freedom is unfortunate, and actually rather common in our society today.

The freedom of speech does not guarantee you the right to say anything you want without fear of consequence. It is the freedom from the government restricting what you say or publish prior to you saying or publishing it, and freedom from fear of legal measures for what you publish or say (with certain exception for libel). The editor of the school paper, and the entire staff is learning that their actions have consequences. While no legal actions have been taken against them, the paper lost a huge portion of their advertising, the staff had to take a pay cut, the editor may be fired in the near future, and the front page has gone from color to black and white. The paper's future is in question, the editor has most likely ruined his own future - what paper will hire a liability like him? What has happened is sad, but not unexpected.

The youth of America have a terrible apathy towards many things that matter, and a misunderstanding of much that they do care about. The freedom of speech does not mean we can be vulgar and offensive whenever we feel like it, it means we can criticizes those in power without fear of being thrown in jail. All of our actions have consequences, the Collegian has learned this the hard way.

More Illegal Laws

While reading the news today, I saw a rather disturbing headline: "President's Warrantless Wiretapping Powers Extended." If you want to read the full text of the article, it is found here, but the summary is that the President signed a bill allowing the government to monitor electronic communications without a warrant, the only requirement was that a high level official "sign off" on it.

The Fourth Amendment to the constitution clearly states:

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

If our persons, houses, papers and effects are protected from search without a warrant, how can the government get away with monitoring electronic communication without a warrant? When did we abandon the rule of law for the rule of convenience and "security"? Illegal, Unconstitutional laws like these cannot be allowed to stand if we wish to hold on to the liberty that we claim to value.

Big Brother Google?

I have been reading some articles about how much personal information Google collects, and how few safeguards there are against abusing this information. The whole article can be found at CNN. Effectively, between Gmail, logging searches, its IM client, and all of the various services Google provides, they could, in theory, create a complete profile of many people. There is no evidence that they have done this, but it does seem clear that they have the data to do so.

Don't worry, though, Google's motto is "Don't be evil," and according to the CNN article linked above, Google "only shares personal data with outsiders in certain cases -- such as when a user agrees, or to comply with the law, detect fraud, or have data processed." They really do have a good track record for not abusing their power, but I am wondering if that power is too much for any company, no matter how well run, to resist indefinitely.

I am not advocating any government intervention nor that you stop using Google's services. I use Gmail and I use Google for most of my searches as well as many of their other services (the irony of blogging this on a site owned by Google is not lost on me). I do think that you need to be aware that Google does keep track of virtually everything that their services are used for - even if they do no more than store the data, it is still there.

How great of a privacy concern is Google's data? Right now, not much of one. However, Google's data does have the potential to be used and abused to an extent unrivaled by any private organization in history - and rarely surpassed by governments. So, basically, be careful when you use the internet. Google is watching.

The Great Pyramids

I read a very interesting article about the Great Pyramids recently. The full text is found on Yahoo News. Basically, though some investigation, some scientists have come to the conclusion that the Great Pyramid in Egypt is not made from limestone blocks quarried, dragged, and carved to the site, but were actually cast (like cement). Apparently however they cast these blocks so well done that it is extremely hard to tell them from natural limestone without the use of a Scanning Electron Microscope. There was even some indication of nanotechnology in the blocks!

Isn't it amazing how a "primitive" culture like the Egyptians 4,000 years ago could have had such technology? How could they have had cement, or the ability to lift such heavy stones so long ago? Honestly, is it really such a mystery that men 4,000 years ago were as smart as we are today, or even smarter? When you assume that we did not evolve, the "mystery" of the pyramids is not nearly as mysterious. I think it is very exciting to see how people really were smart back then. How they really were just as intelligent and human as we are. God gifted mankind with this will to create and learn and build. The Pyramids may not have been made to glorify Him, but they do exemplify how well He created us.

I'm back... For the Most Part

Wow, it has been a long time since I've written anything! I managed to survive my Junior year, so I should, in theory have a little more free time.

Lately I have been pondering what the purpose of my life is, what my driving force is and should be. The simple answer is that my purpose is the same as every other believer: to bring Glory to God. This simple mandate is the direction to head in, however, I wanted to look into a bit more deeply than a simple phrase so easily sidelined in daily life. When I really looked into it, I had to ask myself what passion the Lord has placed into my heart, and how it fits into His character. While I still don't have a full answer of where I am going or what I should be doing. I have seen so many problems, so much injustice, so much wrong in the society in which I live that I cannot simply ignore it.

There really is so much more to life than simply getting along - just making a living, going to church and little else. There is a real need for the Church of Christ to rouse itself in this country, to begin to not just pray and give money, but to act. God has changed the course of a nation countless times with only a few or even just one devoted servant. There millions of people in America who claim to be Christians, why are we not acting? Why is our society going downhill so quickly? The body of Christ has to take a stand in this country, we have to confront and transform our culture before it is lost.

The Fowlstien Letters, Letter 3

It was at this point that letters sent to Dr. Fowlstien's Nephew began to appear along with those sent to the board of trustees. I have included the letters in chronological order of when they were dated. Unfortunately few replies from this nephew were found. I have removed his name to preserve his anonymity.

August 9, 1953

My Dear Nephew,

I bring you greetings. I apologize for the great breadth of time since I last wrote. I have been oft away on expeditions, and unable to write. I am having trouble convincing the board to fund my next expedition, they claim that I have not shown any substantial progress towards the major discovery I promised. Have they not read my letters? I have told them of Swooprren and Basili, and yet they still deny me the assistance I need to continue my research. It is like they care nothing for the study of ancient civilizations!

It reminds me of the last time I was in Italy, tracing the final days of Chickentopia. Their society had grown to gargantuan proportions, and bureaucracy seemed to have taken over the intellectuals. Just an example of this is one of the widely accepted theories of the era. Some so called scientist had come up with the idea that all life had started in a pile of filth, and that the first creature to draw breathe on the planet was a dung beetle. One of the most notable of these scientists, a bird named Charwing, wrote a synopsis of his theory which I uncovered near Venice.

The evidence is clear, there is no question any more that the theory of the origin of fowls is fact. There was naught but dung when the world began, as the pile shifted at random over countless moons, beetles were formed when the pieces fell together just right. These first creatures on our planet, the noble Dung Beetles, are the foundation of life. As they bred and multiplied, they began to move the dung, and over many more countless moons, other creatures were formed when the dung was, by chance, configured just right. Long after such mundane creatures and cows, hawks, and humans were formed, a very special pile of dung was somehow formed. Out of this pile, the greatest of all creatures sprung, the Chicken. We have all come from the dung heap, and must respect it as an equal, not exploit it and destroy the very environment from which we arose.

It was theories like these, and the fact that birds like Charwing pushed them so hard, that I believe led to the destruction of Chickentopia. We should take warning from this, and be careful to avoid such absurd mob mentality, ever fearful of new, or unusual ideas.

I shall try again to write to the board, this time explaining the language of the chickens, and how I have been able to decipher it only through such generous support as that which I am begging of them. Thank you for listening, I shall make an effort to visit you before I leave for my next expedition.

Always yours,

Uncle Theodore

Leadership

I have been thinking lately about what it means to be a leader. It seems clear to me that there is more to leadership than simply wielding power over others. Anyone can wield power, but that does not mean that everyone is a leader.

That quality that we call "leadership" is more than just directing or commanding, it is more than determining the destiny of others, although these are part of it. There are two elements to leadership in addition to these. First of all, most people will follow a leader without being forced. Secondly, a leader does not lead simply for his own gain, but for the sake of those who follow him.

Having people follow is an essential quality of a leader. One who wields power, but does not have the respect of those whom he wields power over does not lead, he dictates. However, one who has the respect of people under him will not simply be a dictator, but is close to being a leader.

One definition of leadership included going before, and taking by the hand as a child. These both indicate that a leader directs and commands not for his own pleasure or good, but for the good of those who follow. Even if those under you respect you, and will follow you, you are not a true leader if you are exercising power for your own good, you are a despot. Leading is going before those who follow you, taking them to places that are best for them (whether they realize it or not).

As with any good quality, Leadership is best exemplified by God. Who could be more worthy of respect than Him? Who wields more power? And who does more for the good of those who follow Him? As with all things, imitating Christ in leadership is the only way to be a true leader.

No news is good news?

I have sometimes wondered why Americans have so little stomach for war now. I heard one explanation on the radio this morning for why the American people were behind all of World War 2, but can't seem to stand a few years of war in Iraq.

The radio commentator pointed out that only in more recent times has there been a continual flow of news from the war front. In previous wars, news came as a result of a battle or large troop movement. People at home were not exposed to the horrors of war every day. They were insulated, and their support lasted much longer.

Today, news streams continually from the war front. We hear more about the small skirmishes, the casualties and dangers. While the news may all be true, it wears on societies patience. The continual news stream certainly seems to contribute to America's lack of patience and our inability to stay behind a war effort.

I think this theory has a lot of merit, although I think there are other factors that contribute to it. Our culture has become one of instant gratification and selfishness. I think that even if we only had the slow trickle of news, as in times past, we would still have trouble sticking with a war. I think that the flow of news is large contributer, although not the only contributer, to our societal ADD.

Strength of Humanism

I was thinking about the strength of ideologies recently, and I came across a rather interesting conclusion. Humanism is an ideal with very little strength. It has no strength of conviction, no promise of reward, and no fear of punishment. Humanism has an insidious quality to it, for it can only survive in a "polite" society; in fact it seems tailor made for such a society.

Let me explain; in a culture where militant ideology rules, such as a Muslim country, humanism cannot take hold. It would be crushed and suppressed. However, in a society like that of United States and the West, tolerance and lethargy not only allow humanism to take hold, but to grow and seem attractive. It seems to me that Humanism undermines the foundation of Christianity in an intellectual society very well, but that it cannot stand against a militant ideology. Have you ever heard of someone dying for humanism?

Humanisms works very well to attack truth in a rich, tolerant, intellectual society. The apparent "freedom" of humanist morality and the apparent self sufficiency of the ideology is attractive to the flesh. When a society is "tolerant" and politically correct, the humanist ideal is doubly attractive, for the culture government do not condemn it.

It just seems so very ironic that an ideology with so little strength to stand against oppression has taken such a position of authority and power in Wester Civilization.