Benedict XVI

The Catholic Cardinals have just elected Joseph Ratzinger of Germany to be the new Pope. For close to 1/6th of the world’s population this is a big day. Not being Catholic I look on with rather mild attention.

Perhaps it’s just that for so many religion is something to craft to fit their needs, rather than the basis for all reality. Quite a difference that.

U2 and The End of the World

I must admit. I’ve fallen in and out of love with U2 over the years. We were first introduced on MTV. Back when they played music videos. New Year’s Day and Sunday, Bloody Sunday were so new and different. I was smitten. Even today, New Year’s Day takes me back to those first days, when my love for music was just beginning.

Boy (1980)

October (1981)

War (1983)

The first three albums came together in my mind. I didn’t love any of them all the way through, but certain songs just rang out. They’d enter my mind and refuse to leave. At this point, I had no idea that U2 would make such a huge mark on the music world.

The Unforgettable Fire (1984)

When The Unforgettable Fire was released in 1984 there weren’t the kind of expectations that exist today. There wasn’t the track record. You could tell they were growing because there wasn’t a hit, followed by a miss. Each piece was more complex and advanced. The whole album could stand on its own and they were becoming a better band. You could just see it.

[The melancholy in me still loves the track Unforgettable Fire and I think the video for it was almost perfectly conceived.]

The Joshua Tree (1987)

With The Joshua Tree U2 reached the big time. The secret was out and the airwaves overflowed with I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For and With or Without You.

It was also at this point that I began to lose interest. Sharing them with so many made it all somehow less meaningful. Sure, I followed from afar. But too much air-time turned me off. I had other, less promiscuous bands to follow.

Rattle and Hum (1988)

I didn’t even buy this CD. (When did they cease to be “albums” and start becoming “CDs”?) Other bands held my focus and besides, U2 had all the fans they wanted. Also, I didn’t see the same kind of inventiveness that had been their trademark early on. Too much of the same thing. Besides, live albums never were my thing.

Achtung Baby (1991)

Achtung Baby turned it around for me. I couldn’t help myself. Song after song, I was drawn in. Sure, I could pass on the slow, “love” songs but even those had such strong, thought-provoking lyrics that I believe that Bono might be the greatest song writer of our generation.

If you’ve never known where Until The End Of The World was coming from, let Mark Stetz fill you in. It’s a fascinating perspective.

Zoo Station lifts off like a rocket. Then throughout I’m captivated.

Zooropa (1993)

Pop (1997)

All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000)

Something happend in the late 90s that soured me on U2. If my memory is correct, during an interview I heard Bono say something to the effect of, “We’re the greatest rock band in the world.”

I cringed and inwardly vowed to never buy another CD. Besides, I told myself, they’re sold out, mainstream swimmers now. Under my breath I comforted myself with thoughts like, “Nothing will top Achtung Baby. Nothing.” Beautiful Day and Elevation did rock, but I wouldn’t let myself listen and certainly wouldn’t buy a CD.

How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004)

So here I am. Pondering a purchase decision. Should I buy How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb? Should I give them a second chance?

Has there been a change of heart? Is it all pride and egotism? Or could the humility and grace that comes with maturity have finally found a home in U2′s music?

Religion Quiz

Some monkeys told me about Which religion is right for you? I love these quizzes but they never really get to the heart of things, merely just reflect back what we all most likely know. But I guess that anything that gets people to investigate which world view makes the most sense is a good thing.

Here are my results. 13% Satanism? Give me a break.

Terri Dies. What Have We Learned?

Today Terri Schiavo passed on. There has been an incredible amount of discussion on this and related matters for the past several months; which is a very good thing. I’ll just briefly list what I’ll be taking away from this experience.

1. Whether to live or die is a decision that should be left up to the individual; not the spouse, not the parent and certainly not the state. This penultimate decision should be in writing and revisited from time to time.
2. Michael Schiavo is not a good person. Any reasonable person should be able to view the evidence and come to this conclusion.
3. The judicial third of our government has purposefully ignored the checks and balances built into our system of governing by the Founding Fathers. Correcting their power grab should be of prime importance to every freedom loving citizen.
4. This life is not all that there is. Something must come next. We should all do everything we can to investigate and decide what makes the most sense.

Speaking for Jesus

Speaking for Jesus seems to be growing in popularity, especially when someone thinks they can ask/answer on a topic they believe will give merit to their argument.

Beth came across a post by Red State Rant that questions an op-ed piece in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The writer of the piece raises questions like:

Jesus would be appalled with the lies that we were given as reason to invade Iraq and would condemn the modern-day religious crusade that we have started.

Red State Rant responds:

Would Jesus call one man a liar for saying the same things people like Clinton, Kennedy, and Kerry said, using the same information sources? Would he apply different moral standards to different administrations? Would he stubbornly equate faulty but universally-acknowledged intelligence as “lies?” Would he even comment on twenty-first century politics when he steered clear of first-century politics? Or did he have more important things to talk about, like your soul’s eternal salvation, and mine? Eh?

It just goes to show that when people attempt to speak for Jesus or God they better have a strong understanding of the Bible. If all you’re basing it on is something like this you might want to dig deeper.

Faith & Football

Found this a while back and forgot to post it. It seems more and more football players are open about their faith. The article says this number might be as high as 1/3 of the league. It goes on to give a lot of the credit to Reggie White, leader both on and off the field. Many of these guys admit to have missed having a father figure growing up, so looking up to a heavenly father has a great deal of appeal.

Without God, Anything Goes

I don’t find it surprising to hear people doubt God’s existence. There are times when I wonder at the silence. But there is a growing nihilism that seemed, at least to me, to spawn in the grunge music of the late 80′s. Nothing matters so screw it all.

What was once tributary is now mainstream, with films like Million Dollar Baby taking center stage, it’s clear that more and more people resonate with the nihilistic mindset. Thomas Hibbs has a good piece on this topic over on NRO.

This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

“We are all actively becoming that which we most intently observe.”

So it follows that if we focus our attentions on pain, suffering and death, we’re more likely to internalize those concepts and they become part of us. We see the world through a lens of ourself. Here’s the positive alternative:

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious–the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
–Philippians 4:8 (The Message)

Philadelphia 5 Set Free

Apparently freedom of speech doesn’t apply equally to everyone. But never fear, in this case truth won out. Public demonstrators, some now known as the Philadelphia 5, who were arrested for speaking out against homosexual marriage have been set free.

<sarcasm> How could they let these ruffians back on the street again?</sarcasm>

Bill Maher Calls People of Faith Crazy

Bill Maher is representative of the liberal elites who believe that people who don’t think like them must be insane. This time, he actually comes out and says it.

SCARBOROUGH: So, anyway, let‘s talk about something that Gary Wills wrote. And I think Maureen Dowd echoed with sentiment.

After the election when we found out that 22 percent of Americans, based on some exit polls, said morality was their top issue, Gary Wills said that any country with evangelicals that voted for George Bush who believe in the virgin birth more than they believe in evolution can‘t be an enlightened nation.

And Gary Wills basically compared America to al Qaeda. That‘s a little harsh, isn‘t it?

MAHER: That is too harsh.

SCARBOROUGH: People of faith can step forward, get involved in the process, believe in Jesus, and still vote for George Bush without being an ignorant peasant, can‘t they?

MAHER: Well, I think comparing them to al Qaeda is too harsh, but that‘s because al Qaeda is a terrorist organization.

But do we have more in common—and I am not the first one to say this. I have read this many times. We have more in common with the people, some of the nations who we are aligned against, when you look at beliefs in such things as, do you go to heaven, is there a devil, we have more in common with Turkey and Iran and Syria than we do with European nations and Canada and nations that, yes, I would consider more enlightened than us.

Yes, we are a nation that is unenlightened because of religion. I do believe that. I think that religion stops people from thinking. I think it justifies crazies. I think flying planes into a building was a faith-based initiative. I think religion is a neurological disorder. If you look at it logically, it‘s something that was drilled into your head when you were a small child. It certainly was drilled into mine at that age. And you really can‘t be responsible when you are a kid for what adults put into your head.

But when you become an adult, you can then have it drilled out. And you should.

SCARBOROUGH: So, you are saying that the millions and millions of Americans who go to church every week or go to synagogue…

(CROSSTALK)

MAHER: Have a neurological disorder, yes.

SCARBOROUGH: Have a neurological disorder. So I‚Äîso, so…

MAHER: It‘s something that happened to them when they were a child.

They were told…

So in Bill’s world, the only sane people are atheists? Elitism is a spreading epidemic.

elitism: n.
1. The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.

Read the whole Scarborough Country transcript to see just how out of touch Mr. Maher is.

Faith Over Fear and Loathing

Heard in the news this morning that Hunter S. Thompson, an acerbic writer who gained fame with Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, killed himself. Knowing that this book is his claim to fame should tell you the most important thing you need to know about the man. It should not surprise anyone that his final days would end this way.

What surprises me is the way men persues fame. Whenever the topic comes up I shout my amazement that any loving parent would steer their beloved offspring down the road that nine-times-in-ten ends in tragedy. I know of no other people group more unhappy than the famous; from Marilyn on down, fame doesn’t live up its promise. Yet people still pursue it with a wreckless abandon.

I don’t want to pick on Mr. Thompson (despite his flaws he was a hardcore Kentucky Wildcat fan) but when will people learn? Santayana was right when he wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Things can’t make humans happy.

Anyway.

I suppose I should be more compassionate towards the man, but what’s the point? Hunter is gone. His choice is made. True compassion works to help people who are heading down Hunter’s dark road.

If I could force my will upon people, it wouldn’t be to make them think like me. It would be to make them think… and then let them make up their minds. But too many today merely exist, floating on by. Busyness is chief among the devil’s stratagem.

Don’t let it suck you in.

Constantine Opens Today

Constantine is certainly an intriguing film and I’m sure it’ll do well in this weekend’s box office race. Even if people don’t give it high marks (I didn’t) it’s sure to start some important discussions. And that’s the best part! People rarely talk about the afterlife and faith. 100% of us die, but how much time do we devote to investigating our options? Films like Constantine get us thinking.

Thunderstruck has a big ole list of review links for those of you who’ve already seen the movie and want to compare notes.

The Triumph Over Slavery

Here’s a great link from the Presurfer, Lest We Forget, The Triumph Over Slavery. Nicely done, albeit brief, site that highlights one of history’s great evils then commemorates it’s demise.

It should be noted that faith in God played a pivotal role in sustaining hope among the enslaved. It also spurred leaders like Abraham Lincoln to work, with thousands of others, to abolish this horrible practice.

Another Suicide Attempt Prevented

Received this email in a group I’m a part of:

ANOTHER SUICIDE ATTEMPT PREVENTED – Mother Blames a Mormon Bishop

Kissimmee, FL – February 10, 2005

The Internet based church, Talk 2 a Pastor, and quick action by its founding Pastor, prevented a suicide attempt from being successful, on Thursday morning, February 10th.

At about 7 am a suicide note was sent by the almost victim to her Mother, her sister and Pastor Art of Talk 2 a Pastor.

Pastor Art was the first to see the note and responded by notifying the Brigham Young University police who after much prodding finally located a pregnant 20 year old, dressed in her best dress. They lived in married student housing at BYU in Provo, Utah.

Her husband is a graduate student at BYU. The couple moved to Provo, Utah around the Christmas Holidays.

The mother and sister of the almost victim, called me last night to thank me for saving her life.

The mother also commented that she believed a Mormon Bishop was the one who drove her daughter to make this attempt, of not only killing herself but her unborn babies.

Previously the almost victim had told Pastor Art she is carrying twins.

All I can say is “Praise be to God that Internet ministry works!” I have lost track of how many suicide attempts have been thwarted since the founding of Talk 2 a Pastor.

The Internet is largely a cold place. But there are warm lights to be found.

Understanding Intelligent Design

Despite recent spectacles, the theory of evolution is losing ground to the logical concepts of the theory of intelligent design. Michael J. Behe, a professor of biological sciences at Lehigh University, wrote this piece for the New York Times that gives a quick overview to this theory. I’ve extracted the four points:

1. We can often recognize the effects of design in nature.
2. The physical marks of design are visible in aspects of biology
3. We have no good explanation for the foundation of life that doesn’t involve intelligence.
4. In the absence of any convincing non-design explanation, we are justified in thinking that real intelligent design was involved in life.

As a designer myself, it’s easy to distinguish between objects that were designed and which were merely random. (And those inbetween.) To honestly evaluate the highly complex systems that make up a human being and say they came about by chance, takes much more faith than believing there’s a God somewhere who designed us.

Songs From Earth

The IRIS Seismic Monitor keeps track of all the seismic readings across the planet then displays them on an interactive map. It’s even near real-time!

This reminded me of something I heard on the radio a day or so ago. Here, I found a snippet:

Those who live near the polar regions of the Earth are familiar with the colorful auroras that dance across the night sky. Sometimes these night shows become so intense that viewers report hearing an unearthly type of eerie music during the colorful displays. Sometimes people just report feeling something during the displays. Now researchers using highly sensitive instruments have confirmed that these light shows can set up pressure waves in the lower atmosphere. They measured infrasound waves that begin at the very lowest level of human hearing, about 20 hertz.

Modern, sensitive equipment has been able to hear other strange sounds in the atmosphere. One example, inaudible to the human ear, is called “mountain music.” Researchers using sensitive equipment have confirmed that such sounds are generated as winds blow through mountain ranges. Researchers report an increase in suicides when warm downslope winds blow. The sea, too, sings as winds pass over its surface. The “song of the sea” is sung at far lower notes than humans can hear. Since such low frequencies can carry for thousands of miles, scientists speculate that the “song of the sea” could be a blending of all the storms in the world, each storm providing its unique tones to a symphony as long as the Earth has been here.

Ref: Science Frontiers, Sept.-Oct., 2000, p. 4, “Listening for the Unhearable.”

So it’s conceivable that being musical was an additional design requirement of our planet. Interesting. [via Presurfer]