Liberty of thought is an impregnable fortress that no human power can force. Violence can never convince, it only makes hypocrites. When kings take it upon themselves to direct in matters of religion, instead of protecting it, they bring it into bondage. You should, therefore, grant to all a legal toleration. Not as approving everything … Continue reading Radical thinking from an archbishop
religion
We need poetry
“People need poetry more than they need bread. They need that their life should be a poem. They need some light from eternity. Religion alone can be the source of such poetry.” -Simone Weil Poetry is not bound to form but can be any writing that uses language in a musical way to evoke deep … Continue reading We need poetry
The living gospel
Image by AgnieszkaMonk from Pixabay The gospel must be told; it must also be lived. Those who tell it must live it; or else the hearers will judge them to be hypocrites. Those who live it must tell it; or else those who look on will judge them to be self-righteous and closed.
How did our education system get where it is today?
The best description I have read of the thinking behind our public education system is Les déshérités (The Disinherited) by Francois-Xavier Bellamy, published in France in 2014. Bellamy traces the root of modern educational thinking to the philosophies of René Descartes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. René Descartes (1596-1650) believed that all knowledge could be attained by … Continue reading How did our education system get where it is today?
Doctrines of the Humanist Religion
1. Nothing is real if it cannot be explained by the human mind I may call myself a lover of the truth, but if I am unwilling to believe anything that does not fit the measure of my mind, am I really open to consider what truth is? Scientific hypotheses attempt to fit the … Continue reading Doctrines of the Humanist Religion
Belle Plaine years
In 1966 Belle Plaine had all of 16 houses, two grain elevators, three other small businesses and a school that was no longer used. UGG rented one of the houses for their elevator manager. I had learned the basics of weighing and unloading grain by now, how to grade it and determine dockage and how … Continue reading Belle Plaine years
The fisherman’s net
By the time I started reading the Bible for myself I had abandoned all belief in the Christianity that I had been taught at home and in the church of my youth. I had read books on philosophy and on esoteric religions. It was interesting to consider all the permutations and combinations of their explanations … Continue reading The fisherman’s net
Darkness was upon the face of the deep
When first created the earth was tohu and bohu – "without form and void," as the AV translation has it. The words could also be translated "confusion and emptiness." And there was darkness over all this chaotic mass - not a physical darkness, which would be meaningless before the vision of the Creator – but … Continue reading Darkness was upon the face of the deep
Is it really that bad?
This world is a horrible place. There are environmental catastrophes, threats of international terrorism, dangers in the streets. The danger of religious persecution threatens us even here in North America. There is sexual exploitation of women and children. There is abuse of power by those in positions of trust: police officers, preachers, teachers and parents. … Continue reading Is it really that bad?
Newspeak at work
There is an article in Montréal la Presse today about the horrified reaction of some women to the Dico des filles 2014 (2014 Girls dictionary). This is a book, published in France, written to help girls aged 12 and older face questions of conduct and morality. What is it that some women find so inappropriate? … Continue reading Newspeak at work
Flatlander Faith 