ABIQUIU, N.M. -- The desert, which looks so, well, deserted, so dead, so lifeless, is, on closer inspection, full of life.
Today at Echo Amphitheater, near Ghost Ranch, I found the flower you see in the top picture. It was insisting on life, yearning for life, as Kahlil Gibran says. To me, it's a sign that Annie Dillard is right when she writes that "the creator loves pizzazz."
The world around us speak loudly to us of things and ideas and beings beyond us, if we have ears to hear and eyes to see.
When I come here to Ghost Ranch each summer, I try to have eyes to see.
These photos show some of what I've seen this week.
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A FILMPRIMATUR?
Even the Vatican likes the new Harry Potter movie, this blog report says. Although this may encourage some to see it, might it not make others stay away? It reminds me of a line someone once told me about play: It got good reviews but closed by word of mouth.
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NOTE: Until July 21, my Internet access may be sporadic, which means it may take hours and hours for me to publish your comments. Thanks for your patience. Bill.
Bill:
"The desert, which looks so, well, deserted, so dead, so lifeless, is, on closer inspection, full of life."
Me:
Bill's Pictures shows how the Earth Top Strata was changed, during the Noah/Atlantis Flood.
On an airplane, I see many barren miles of terrain not suitable for Human Life.
Genesis 7:6. KJV. "And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.
Genesis 7:12. "And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights."
Genesis 7:11. "In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened."
Noah was in the Ark 7 days, and then it rained for 40 days to launch the Ark.
Genesis 7:24. "And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days." Another 5 months.
Genesis 8:1b,2,4. "And God remembered Noah, -, and the waters assuaged. The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained:"
Genesis 8: "And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat."
Genesis 8:13a. And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth, and Noah removed the coverings.
Genesis Genesis 8:14. And in the second month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, was the earth dried."
Noah was in the Ark 1 year, 1 month, and 27 days. Why was this record handed down for Centuries, as a 40 day flood?
The Original Land Mass was One, but was separated into Continents during the Planetary Flood, when the Earth's Axis Changed.
Humans, Planetwide are still digging up the remains, of the High Tech Noah/Atlantis Society in our new Top Strata, buried in mud from the Tidal Wave Action as the Flood assuaged.
Posted by: Dolores Lear | July 17, 2009 at 05:54 AM
The Pope likes Harry Potter?
Richard Dawkins won't like that!
http://atheistricharddawkins.blogspot.com/2008/11/richard-dawkins-vs-harry-potter-battle.html
Posted by: Will Graham | July 17, 2009 at 06:00 AM
CHILDREN IN THE ATHEISTS DEN...
http://atheistricharddawkins.blogspot.com/2008/11/richard-dawkins-children-in-atheists.html
Posted by: Will Graham | July 17, 2009 at 06:07 AM
I lived in Phoenix for a year. A nice vacation. I didn’t have to work for a year. I had a couple of times in my life I didn’t have to work. I saw life like Bill is showing here. We, my girl friend and I, would drive down dry creek beds and out in the desert to see things like this. It was beautiful. God gave us this beauty? What about below the oceans? Miles deep. Why would he give us this beauty so deep when we could not see it until we had science so we could see it? Which is now, less than 100 yrs ago. Not 2000 yrs ago when the so-called bible existed – which it did’t. Leaving out letters can be confusing, can’t it? Like the bible leaving out books, huh?
The Creatures From The Deep Abyss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6KkmfkOfTQ
The Deep Blue Sea Alien Creatures (Orbital)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYeqxxegzMU&feature=related
This is too funny.
http://www.crackle.com/c/Mr._Deity/Mr_Deity_and_the_Evil_Season_1_Ep_1/1805164
Peace For the Sake of Goodness Cole
Posted by: memberofKCFreeThinkers.org | July 17, 2009 at 06:58 AM
ATHEIST BIBLE STUDY WITH CHRISTIANS
Tommorrow Saturday 6-7 p.m. at Black Dog Coffee House in Lenexa. RSVP KCFreeThinkers@gmail.com or post here you are coming.
Immediately after it, movie "Contact" - see http://www.KCFreeThinkers.org/calendar.htm for directions.
____________________________________
Cole wrote>>>>>>>>>I find it amusing the new testament is written after the old one. What better way to answer all the old questions. It’s so easy to be right, then. All the prophecies can be answered correctly. It’s like having all the answers for a school test, cheating, Huh?
Cole, I have "Bible Decoded" from the History Channel (we may watch it one day during a movie night). It talks exactly about that - prediction of the past :o)
The premise is that hind sight is always 20/20 - you can always find in the Bible with proper computer program anything that happened in the past - e.g. JFK or MLK assasination, Hitler (Hister) in Nostradamus' predictions, etc., etc.
You can also find anything that will happen in the future - e.g. Cole will go to work next Monday and Tuesday. OK, it may happen, also it can find your day offs from your store, but what happens if you are hit by a bus on Sunday and lights out for Cole and no Monday punching the clock?
Rational thought triumphs over these kinds of superstitions and bypasses the "fortune" telling aspect of our "dilusional" minds. As any animal (including Christian animals) we are seeking patterns in the uncertain world based on survival, passing on our genes, food, sex drive and other basic instincts many of which we don't even recognize as humans.
The human animal has triumped over nature through sheer luck of intelligence spark, not by grace of god giving it to us surely. And even so, what the hell does it mean when the father is gone AWOL and there is no forwarding address? Does it even matter?
To some it does matter, to others not. The Christian animal of the fundamental nature however is the most interesting subspieces. It "knows" the truth, it "has" it, it "experiences" it - NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.
(Continued)
Posted by: KCFreeThinkers.org | July 17, 2009 at 07:26 AM
Bill, I have a feeling the lines will still be long at tomorrow morning's showing of the Harry Potter movie, though it would be nice if a bunch of people decided not to go at the last minute because of word-of-mouth. Then my husband and 9yo could get in easier -- but at least they already have their tickets. I will give it a miss and do some fun things with my 4yo, since we think it's way too scary for her.
So, hopefully it will work out for me to get a movie night myself tomorrow at Black Dog. I've always enjoyed the movie "Contact," I like Jody Foster -- but haven't seen it in years, so it'll be fun to watch it over coffee and conversation with you guys. Of course things can always come up at the last minute, but as of now I am definitely tentatively planning to come. Maybe I can even make part or all of the Bible Study!
Cole, my daughters and I enjoyed watching the videos of the deep sea creatures you linked to.
You ask, "Why would he give us this beauty so deep when we could not see it until we had science so we could see it?" Why does it have to be for us to see? I mean, can't you think of any purpose for OUR OWN lives, beyond just us being SEEN and enjoyed by some other creatures (and documented and studied and so on)? These other ecosystems are like worlds unto themselves -- though still affecting our world, and vice-versa, whether we know about them or not -- and I think they have a wonderful purpose just by BEING, whether I ever get to go and see them or not.
Posted by: Susan | July 17, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Cole, I also got a kick out of the Mr. Deity video. Your questions had already got me thinking about possible purposes for the existence of various ecosystems and creatures, and while I was down fixing breakfast I had already progressed into thinking about why God allows human suffering -- i.e. what is the purpose for people being born severely disabled, or becoming disabled through an accident later in life. And then I came back up and watched Mr. Deity.
I really think the underlying purpose for all creation is for everything to learn to love, and to learn to communicate/commune with everything else. I know it's redundant to say I think the purpose for suffering and handicaps is for the world to learn compassion. I've shared here before about Joni Eareckson, the woman who was paralyzed from the neck down in a diving accident at age 17. Apparently if her spine had been severed slightly lower, she would have kept the use of her arms. Slightly higher and she would have died.
When she cried out to God, asking Him His purpose for allowing her to suffer this injury, and then to keep her alive in this state, it initially made her very angry when He showed her that part of the purpose was for others to learn patience and compassion through caring for her. I can understand her feeling angry. While it feels good to help other people who need help, it feels crappy to be the one needing the help.
I can see the value of learning compassion through caring for the needs of others -- but I would rather choose "my" role in the learning process (be the help-er and not the help-ee). I have a lot of respect for Mrs. Eareckson Tada (she married a man named Tada), because of her honesty in working through her feelings. And I'm very happy for her that she's found joy within her limitations, and has developed her artistic abilities (she draws with a pen in her mouth) as well as devoting herself to activism for people living with disabilities.(continued)
Posted by: Susan | July 17, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Biddy,
Raelians are darn sure that in 2030 or so the alens will come down according to their Messiah (Rael) and will then "judge" people. Also those who have been baptised and are the best (i.e. their DNA information was transmitted over wirelessly to them) will be resurrected.
Their story is so bizarre that if it was not similar to Christianity one would just write them off as wackos.
The first edition of Rael's book said that he was taken by aliens on a trip and was told humanity needs to clean up it's act or there will be a nuclear war.
Second edition of his book "corrected" the prophesy - the aliens will come instead and straighten them humans out.
I always was asking them "What if they don't come?" - will there be another prophesy - they said "no, this is the final one" I have not followed up on them for 2-3 years and maybe more.
They may have had another prophesy to "correct" that propehsy.
Posted by: KCFreeThinkers.org | July 17, 2009 at 11:06 AM
(Continued) I honestly think the world is a better place because of what Mrs. Eareckson-Tada went through, what she has learned from it, and the love and joy she is now passing on to many others -- people who will listen to her because she's been through harder things than they have.
I like the Daniel. C. Dennet book -- he is helping me look at some things from an entirely new perspective. I've just read the part where he introduces the idea that maybe some people need religion to help them attain the level of morality that the Brights can attain without religion. I think he has a point there. I am realizing that I have needs that aren't shared by everyone.
I.e. the need to feel unconditionally-loved, and the need to feel like it's okay if I'm a slow learner, because I have a whole eternity to learn whatever I don't learn in this life. Ever heard that saying that youth is wasted on the young? I'd go through life with such a bitter taste in my mouth, if I really thought this life was it. Because I've squandered so much opportunity.
So, I need the comfort of God's promise to "restore the years the locust has eaten" -- but Brights are just fine without it.
Which brings us back to the development of compassion. While I think we all agree that everyone is equal, the kind of equality we're talking about isn't exactly equivalence. Two people can be given complete equality of opportunity -- but their abilities and acheivements will be different. It's the inequality of diversity, that requires us to learn patience and compassion for others.
For the Brights, who are more likely to be highly-educated and in a position to make their voices heard, the challenge is to still choose respect and tolerance over coercion. And I realize it's hard when you think of diversity of kinds of families, and some Brights feel a strong urge to rescue children of non-Bright parents. So more children will have a chance of becoming Brights. (Continued)
Posted by: Susan | July 17, 2009 at 11:31 AM
(Continued) I can see the dilemma, because as I've already shared, I believe in parenting and education that responds to the child. I want my children to be free to grow into themselves and develop their own views about everything. They are going into times that I will never see, and will obviously need skills that I have no inkling of -- so who am I to hold them back by demeaning their interests, and telling them something else would be a better use of their time?
I keep coming back to the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, and how it's being played out in Britain right now. I've read just a little of the intro to the Badman report, and he talks about a homeschooling parent who sent him a quote by someone saying something to the effect that children shouldn't be constricted by what their parents think they should know -- and they also shouldn't be constricted by what some educational authority thinks they should know. And Badman said he thinks there needs to be some kind of consensus about what constitutes an adequate education.
But I, personally, can't see any way that this can happen without children's freedoms getting encroached on. Because when you talk about a consensus of "everyone" regarding what MY children need to be doing, I just don't think the majority of the population is going to embrace child-led learning any time soon.
And here's where MY selfish gene comes in: because even though I can see how the ratification of this Convention will be overall very beneficial for children worldwide, I don't want it if it could mean MY family's freedoms can be interfered with. So probably this is where I need to learn compassion ... heck, if God could give up His one and only Son to save the world, who am I to balk at the possibility of educational authorities coming into my home and telling me what my children need to be doing?
And yet, I'm still balking, I haven't quit balking, and I don't think I'm about to quit balking anytime soon ... I suppose someone could try to distract me by making some ignorant comment critiquing breastfeeding moms ...
Posted by: Susan | July 17, 2009 at 11:49 AM
An Atheist Bible Study is not even close to "bashing a church Bible Study".
Why are you afraid to call the Master Debater and arrange a meeting?
Chuck Lunney and a couple of others did...so what does Iggy have up his sleeve?
Posted by: Will Graham | July 17, 2009 at 11:57 AM
http://homelessness.change.org/blog/view/evangelizing_to_the_homeless
Interesting article. The author, a social worker to the homeless, talks about how those in power often try to impose their beliefs on the powerless. While he is seeking to help his clients be self determining and decide what is right for themselves.
He encourages homeless people who are faced with people trying to evangelize them, to be really direct and ask them what benefits will be made available to them if they attend that particular church, that won't be available if they don't. Or else just fake a conversion and work the system for whatever it's worth.
I strongly believe that any homeless programs utilizing taxpayer money, need to be totally hands-off with regard to religion. I'm guessing we don't have enough of these taxpayer-funded programs yet? Because if we did, the people would feel they had more of a choice about who to get help from.
I think City Union Mission is one of the main ministries that does this kind of work in Kansas City, and I'm pretty sure they operate totally with private funds.
By the way, I had a friend who applied for a job there once. She thought she had a good chance because she'd been in situations quite similar to those of the clients she'd be helping -- i.e. having children with men who weren't reliable, who walked out the door with all the money, supposedly to buy groceries, but didn't come back for months. That sort of thing, which made her feel really well equipped for helping others who were struggling, and dealing with their less-than-ideal choices.
They sent her a rejection letter telling her she wasn't suitable for the position, and it really shocked her that they'd use such obviously-dismissive wording. But maybe their staff don't even learn business English? There are so much kinder ways to let someone know you've chosen someone else for the position -- such as how about just saying "We've chosen someone else for the position." She really would have been a great person for the job.
Posted by: Susan | July 17, 2009 at 12:43 PM
The City Union Mission does great work! I think Iggy was bragged he would donate to them if the Master Debater would call him, which he did, but Iggy would never call back.
Whatever.
By the way, what ever happened to the Atheist Relief Fund Iggy was starting up last spring.
Where can the homeless apply for assistance from the atheists? (chuckle.)
Posted by: Will Graham | July 17, 2009 at 01:25 PM
*****YOUR NON SENSICAL BIBLICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY*****
Continuing with John (8:44)
"There is no truth in him [the devil]."
If so, then why did the devils call Jesus "the Christ, Son of God"? (Lk.4:41) Were they lying then too?
Or does devil say truth sometimes? But if it says "there is no truth" in him what does it mean?
There was truth in him at some point, but not now?
Or there will be truth in him in the future at some point?
Or in another dimension?
Or it's all figment of the Bronze Age people's imagination?
Think... It does the world good...
Posted by: KCFreeThinkers.org | July 17, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Susan, you have told us that you could be wrong about anything and everything.
But you seem pretty darn sure about what you are doing on homeschooling. Apparently, not everyone who knew you agreed, and for some reason felt that THEIR conscience required that they call family services.
Now, if I am misunderstanding the situation, I apologize, but that is what I understood you to be saying.
Why do you think they felt that way, and would you do the same if you felt your conscience was calling you to act?
Posted by: Will Graham | July 17, 2009 at 01:42 PM
By the way, Susan, Christians pay taxes too...plenty of them. Why shouldn't they have representation for some of their causes.
As someone once started a revolution over, "No taxation without representation."
And, "The power to tax is the power to destroy."
Posted by: Will Graham | July 17, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Will Graham wrote>>>>>>An Atheist Bible Study is not even close to "bashing a church Bible Study".
Little steps, my delusional Christian friend. Little steps...
You have not prayed for the "bashing a church Bible Study" yet, have you? This is why it has not happened. Remember the words of Jesus "pray in my fathers name and it will be given to you." You see, it is very simple... - you are not praying hard enough for the bashing Bible Study, i.e. you don't have enough faith. Maybe there shoudl be two of you praying? - as Jesus said "if there are two of you, I am among you". Pray with the Master Debater and Glorioius Leader James Christensen together - it will be amplified by a factor of 2.
The Bible study at a church is in the works, so you'll be notified when a couple of atheists I know will find out the schedule and topics and locations. So, little steps, little steps my delusional friend. Only in the Bible things happen quickly. In real life it's a bit different.
Let's establish first that you have guts and can show up for an Atheist Bible Study and then when you show up :o) or if :o) you show up (you or your Master Debater and Glorious Leader James Christensen - either way doesn't matter) we will proceed with getting you text messages on how to get to the church Bible Study.
Little steps, little steps, my delusional Christian friend.
Meanwhile, why don't we go to your Bible study at your church?
Please, provide the name of your church, the time of your Bible study and when it meets and if you'll be there and we'll try to do our best to get there.
Or please, have the Master Debater post it here or contact us by e-mail at iggykc@gmail.com with his Bible study - this will be an opportunity for him to shine!
We will invite anyone from this blog (300-800 per day read it) to join and see how it will go?
Look forward to meeting you my illogical Christian friend. From one animal to another - I cannot wait to look into your delusional eyes!
Posted by: KCFreeThinkers.org | July 17, 2009 at 06:04 PM
Call the Master Debater at 816-517-1428 and all the information you request will be provided.
But you must call. E mails or texts are not acceptable.
Lets establish that you have the guts to do that and then we can proceed with further steps.
Little steps, little steps, my irrational atheistic friend!
We love ya maannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!! LOL!
Posted by: Will Graham | July 17, 2009 at 10:37 PM