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Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Meaning of the word 'Moomba.'
Since this weekend is the Labour Day long weekend, and Moomba festival time, I was thinking about the word 'Moomba', and how, officially, ''Moomba' is supposed to be an indigenous word, meaning, "Let's get together and have fun."
I remember back when I was in high school, my Dad coming home from work one day, and telling us that in his office, someone mentioned that in some indigenous languages, 'Moomba' is a swear word.
Can anyone confirm that this is true? I tried to find some information online, but have been unsuccessful.
I remember back when I was in high school, my Dad coming home from work one day, and telling us that in his office, someone mentioned that in some indigenous languages, 'Moomba' is a swear word.
Can anyone confirm that this is true? I tried to find some information online, but have been unsuccessful.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Hypocrisy of Drug Allies
Miranda Devine’s article from Wednesday’s Herald Sun (Hypocrisy of drug allies) raises some reassuring and concerning points.
It is reassuring to find that even with underage and binge drinking remaining major public health issues, that illicit drug use is decreasing.
Apart from what Devine said about those who advocate the liberalisation of drug laws instead of the current prevention strategy, the environmental costs of cocaine production, and the social problems that the drug problem is causing in countries like Mexico, some questions need to be asked.
I wonder whether those who are now lobbying for drug liberalisation will feel the same way in decades to come, once health care professionals have had time to gauge what the long term physical and neurological effects of the consumption of cocaine and newer illegal drugs are?
I would compare this to when the links between smoking and lung cancer were first conclusively proven, or when alcoholism was first classed as a disease.
It is reassuring to find that even with underage and binge drinking remaining major public health issues, that illicit drug use is decreasing.
Apart from what Devine said about those who advocate the liberalisation of drug laws instead of the current prevention strategy, the environmental costs of cocaine production, and the social problems that the drug problem is causing in countries like Mexico, some questions need to be asked.
I wonder whether those who are now lobbying for drug liberalisation will feel the same way in decades to come, once health care professionals have had time to gauge what the long term physical and neurological effects of the consumption of cocaine and newer illegal drugs are?
I would compare this to when the links between smoking and lung cancer were first conclusively proven, or when alcoholism was first classed as a disease.
Monday, December 6, 2010
More thoughts and ideas
I write in reply to Tony Sturgess's repudiation of Bryan Patterson's article from the Sunday Herald Sun on 28 November.
Sturgess wrote that 'evidence for the existence of Jesus is of poor quality.'
This is not the case. Apart from the New Testament in the Bible, there exists secondary, external evidence that Jesus Christ existed. Among them, are the writings of first century Roman historians, Tacitus, and Suetonius. A Jewish historian who lived in the first century, Josephus, wrote about Jesus, too.
As for the reliability of the New Testament, in the ancient texts, there are 5000 copies written in Greek, 10,000 Latin, and 9,300 others. These are identical, and respected Biblical scholars agree that these have not been embellished in any way.
Compare this to other ancient writings, such as Herodotus, which has eight copies.
Whilst it is up to the individual to decide for themselves whether they will believe that what is recorded about Jesus in the New Testament is true, does this sound like 'poor quality'?
Sturgess wrote that 'evidence for the existence of Jesus is of poor quality.'
This is not the case. Apart from the New Testament in the Bible, there exists secondary, external evidence that Jesus Christ existed. Among them, are the writings of first century Roman historians, Tacitus, and Suetonius. A Jewish historian who lived in the first century, Josephus, wrote about Jesus, too.
As for the reliability of the New Testament, in the ancient texts, there are 5000 copies written in Greek, 10,000 Latin, and 9,300 others. These are identical, and respected Biblical scholars agree that these have not been embellished in any way.
Compare this to other ancient writings, such as Herodotus, which has eight copies.
Whilst it is up to the individual to decide for themselves whether they will believe that what is recorded about Jesus in the New Testament is true, does this sound like 'poor quality'?
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Sick Joke on Christmas CD
I have to express my reservations about the song, "White Wine in the Sun' on this year's Salvation Army 'Spirit of Christmas' CD.
The lyrics in the song make all the kind of over generalisations and assumptions that other prominent and vocal atheists have made about Christianity.
It also sounds rather mean spirited.
This is ironic, since the very Christians that the song's writer, Tim Minchin, is attacking, are often accused of being narrow minded, or intolerant.
The song seems out of place on a CD with songs about peace and goodwill to others, that even those who don't go to church would agree are good to put into practise around this time of year.
The lyrics in the song make all the kind of over generalisations and assumptions that other prominent and vocal atheists have made about Christianity.
It also sounds rather mean spirited.
This is ironic, since the very Christians that the song's writer, Tim Minchin, is attacking, are often accused of being narrow minded, or intolerant.
The song seems out of place on a CD with songs about peace and goodwill to others, that even those who don't go to church would agree are good to put into practise around this time of year.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
On the skeptics
It has been just over twenty one years since I made my decision to follow Jesus, which I did just before I turned fifteen.
So, much of my time has been spent reflecting on what this means for me today.
For one thing, my faith in God is not just something that I believe just because as a small child, adults in my life told me about.
To keep examining why I believe in God is important. I was reminded of this after reading an interview with Tony Kelly, the head of The Skeptics, who in addition, describes himself as a lapsed Catholic.
Among Kelly’s comments in the interview are that “....science and faith are contradictory.” I know of many who could present convincing cases as to why they aren’t.
Kelly was asked;
“Why are people in the 21st century so keen to believe in mumbo jumbo?”
Terry Kelly is skeptical about the paranormal, the existence of Unidentified Flying Objects, and religion/ the existence of God. It is assumed that he sees God as ‘mumbo jumbo’ along with all else that he is skeptical about.
I do not believe in UFOs, or anything to do with the paranormal.
Answering the question, Kelly puts it down to ‘emotional immaturity.’ Kelly states that as a small child, people will believe what they are told without questioning it. He then goes on to comment, that some people will carry that with them right through life, because they have not been taught properly to think for themselves.
It sounds like he is parroting the same viewpoint peddled by others like Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion.
Kelly adds that “the church specifically encourages people not to use their brains. They (I assume he means church leaders like priests, or ministers) keep emphasising that ‘faith’ is the most important thing, that it overrides common sense.”
This does not sound like my experience of church. When have I ever heard someone say at church; “Remove your brain”? Never.
Again, like Dawkins, Kelly’s comments come across as rather patronising, and seem to be based on broad over generalisations.
So, much of my time has been spent reflecting on what this means for me today.
For one thing, my faith in God is not just something that I believe just because as a small child, adults in my life told me about.
To keep examining why I believe in God is important. I was reminded of this after reading an interview with Tony Kelly, the head of The Skeptics, who in addition, describes himself as a lapsed Catholic.
Among Kelly’s comments in the interview are that “....science and faith are contradictory.” I know of many who could present convincing cases as to why they aren’t.
Kelly was asked;
“Why are people in the 21st century so keen to believe in mumbo jumbo?”
Terry Kelly is skeptical about the paranormal, the existence of Unidentified Flying Objects, and religion/ the existence of God. It is assumed that he sees God as ‘mumbo jumbo’ along with all else that he is skeptical about.
I do not believe in UFOs, or anything to do with the paranormal.
Answering the question, Kelly puts it down to ‘emotional immaturity.’ Kelly states that as a small child, people will believe what they are told without questioning it. He then goes on to comment, that some people will carry that with them right through life, because they have not been taught properly to think for themselves.
It sounds like he is parroting the same viewpoint peddled by others like Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion.
Kelly adds that “the church specifically encourages people not to use their brains. They (I assume he means church leaders like priests, or ministers) keep emphasising that ‘faith’ is the most important thing, that it overrides common sense.”
This does not sound like my experience of church. When have I ever heard someone say at church; “Remove your brain”? Never.
Again, like Dawkins, Kelly’s comments come across as rather patronising, and seem to be based on broad over generalisations.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Flight Centre Television Commercials
I wonder if any other viewers have noticed the background noise heard during television commercials for Flight Centre Travel Agents?
The sound is like the vibrate function on mobile phones. During Flight Centre commercials, It's heard during the section listing airfares and various special holiday packages, and at the conclusion where an actor dressed as an airline pilot gives Flight Centre's telephone number.
Whether this is some kind of subliminal advertising technique to convince me to use Flight Centre when next booking a holiday, I don't know.
Perhaps this is something that can be investigated by the ABC's The Gruen Transfer.
The sound is like the vibrate function on mobile phones. During Flight Centre commercials, It's heard during the section listing airfares and various special holiday packages, and at the conclusion where an actor dressed as an airline pilot gives Flight Centre's telephone number.
Whether this is some kind of subliminal advertising technique to convince me to use Flight Centre when next booking a holiday, I don't know.
Perhaps this is something that can be investigated by the ABC's The Gruen Transfer.
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