Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Dong!!!!!!!!!!
Can you believe that 50% of Paulson boys don't know that Vietnam's currency is the dong?!? How has this factoid gotten by us? My son actually pointed it out to me.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Religion
OK y'all. Here is something to chew on. This is essentially what my final essay in religion was on. It is my professor's summary of the final chapter in the second of our two texts (this one attempting to summarize the beliefs of the "world's religions."
What do you think? If you would like me to go first, I will, but I would like to hear your thoughts. I could also post or attach my 4 page paper, but it isn't very good and it is written for the professor so it does not necessarily pertain to this conversation.
Any way you look at it, there is some good fodder here. Take a bite and let me know how it tastes to you.
Cliff
Drawn from The World's Religions: A Guide to Our Wisdom Traditions, by Huston Smith.
After his brilliant discussion of the world religions, Smith asks the question: What do we make of this?
To answer this big question, he asks three particular questions.
1. How are we to pattern the religions of the world--what is the relation between the religions?
A.We could try to argue that one is superior. We hear less of that today than previously, but the question should not be dismissed out of hand. Smith states: "Nothing in the comparative study of religions requires that they cross the finishing line of the reader's regard in a dead heat."
B.We could argue the opposite--that they are all alike despite particular differences. There are enduring truths that all subscribe to and this is what is important. But this position is difficult to maintain because there are essential differences and beliefs that traditions say are non-negotiable. It is impossible to have a single world religion.
C.Smith believes that the way they relate can be likened to a stained glass window whose sections divide the light of the sun into different colors. This analogy allows for significant differences without pronouncing their relative worth. We see different angles of how religious truth is perceived. To draw on theological language, if God is to be revealed, it must be through the idioms, cultures, and values of the respective hearers. A passage from the Qur'an is relevant here: "We never sent a messenger except with the language of his people, so that he might make [the message] clear for them."
2. Do these religions have anything to say collectively to the world at large? What wisdom do they offer?
Science discloses the nature of reality but not all of reality. Scientific truth applies only to the empirical world. The ultimately worthful aspects of reality--its meanings, values, and purposes--go beyond science.
Where can we turn for counsel concerning things that matter most? We must recognize that these religious traditions reflect old cosmologies, social mores, and the like, and these must be reassessed in the light of science and contemporary life.
So don't get trapped in this. You are not the community of Corinth, Smith tells us. You are not the followers of Muhammad in seventh century Mecca.
Thus it is best to "pass a strainer" through the world's religions to lift out their conclusions about reality and how life should be lived. This is the winnowed wisdom of the human race.
Here are the specifics of that wisdom, according to Smith:
a.In the realm of ethics, the Decalogue tells the cross-cultural story. We should avoid murder, thieving, lying, and adultery.
b.But what should we be like? What should we strive to be, in positive terms? Certain virtues are cross-cultural: humility, charity, and veracity.
c.However, there are obstacles to achieving these virtues. Buddha identified three: greed, hatred, and delusion. If eliminated, we find selflessness (humility), compassion (charity), and seeing things in their suchness (veracity).
What about vision? About the ultimate character of things?
A.First, we have difficulty seeing the really big picture; that is, the full picture of reality. It is like a tapestry which we face from its wrong side, so that we see only knots and threads, and it seems chaotic. The religions of the world are efforts to see on the other side of the tapestry, to discover the pattern which gives meaning to the whole. And in so doing, we see unity in the universe, a grand design of some kind, the Unity of all things.
B.Second, if things are pervaded by a grand design, they are not only more integrated than they seem; they are also better than they seem. Another allegory: if astronomy helps us understand that the universe is bigger than human senses disclose, then the world's religions tell us that it is better than our sensibilities discern. The religions have an ontological exuberance. The human self is more than what it seems; Atman/Buddha nature, for example. Humans born in the image of God is another example, from Judaism and Christianity.
C.Third, reality is steeped in ineluctable mystery; we are born in mystery, we live in mystery, and we die in mystery. The more we know, the less we know. "The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder." Things are more mysterious than they seem.
So we are left with this: things are more integrated than they seem, they are better than they seem, and they are more mysterious than they seem. Something like this emerges as the highest common denominator of the wisdom traditions' reports.
And when we add to this that they also help establish for ethical behavior human virtues, "one wonders if a wiser platform for life has been conceived."
At the center of religious life is a particular kind of joy, the prospect of a happy ending that blossoms from necessarily painful beginnings, the promise of human difficulties embraced and overcome. There are only hints of this, but they are all-important.
3. So what do we do? How do we live in such a religiously pluralistic world that is at the same time growing more secular?
If one of the wisdom traditions claims us, we begin by listening to it.
But we also listen to the faith of others, including the secularists. The planet grows smaller, and we must seek to understand others. The marvelous scientific advances of our age must be matched by advances in human relations.
Understanding brings respect. Understanding can lead to love, and love can lead to understanding. The two are reciprocal.
So we must listen to understand.
Thomas Merton said that "God speaks to us in three places: in scripture, in our deepest selves, and in the voice of the stranger."
Said the Buddha, "He who would, may reach the utmost height--but he must be eager to learn."
What do you think? If you would like me to go first, I will, but I would like to hear your thoughts. I could also post or attach my 4 page paper, but it isn't very good and it is written for the professor so it does not necessarily pertain to this conversation.
Any way you look at it, there is some good fodder here. Take a bite and let me know how it tastes to you.
Cliff
Drawn from The World's Religions: A Guide to Our Wisdom Traditions, by Huston Smith.
After his brilliant discussion of the world religions, Smith asks the question: What do we make of this?
To answer this big question, he asks three particular questions.
1. How are we to pattern the religions of the world--what is the relation between the religions?
A.We could try to argue that one is superior. We hear less of that today than previously, but the question should not be dismissed out of hand. Smith states: "Nothing in the comparative study of religions requires that they cross the finishing line of the reader's regard in a dead heat."
B.We could argue the opposite--that they are all alike despite particular differences. There are enduring truths that all subscribe to and this is what is important. But this position is difficult to maintain because there are essential differences and beliefs that traditions say are non-negotiable. It is impossible to have a single world religion.
C.Smith believes that the way they relate can be likened to a stained glass window whose sections divide the light of the sun into different colors. This analogy allows for significant differences without pronouncing their relative worth. We see different angles of how religious truth is perceived. To draw on theological language, if God is to be revealed, it must be through the idioms, cultures, and values of the respective hearers. A passage from the Qur'an is relevant here: "We never sent a messenger except with the language of his people, so that he might make [the message] clear for them."
2. Do these religions have anything to say collectively to the world at large? What wisdom do they offer?
Science discloses the nature of reality but not all of reality. Scientific truth applies only to the empirical world. The ultimately worthful aspects of reality--its meanings, values, and purposes--go beyond science.
Where can we turn for counsel concerning things that matter most? We must recognize that these religious traditions reflect old cosmologies, social mores, and the like, and these must be reassessed in the light of science and contemporary life.
So don't get trapped in this. You are not the community of Corinth, Smith tells us. You are not the followers of Muhammad in seventh century Mecca.
Thus it is best to "pass a strainer" through the world's religions to lift out their conclusions about reality and how life should be lived. This is the winnowed wisdom of the human race.
Here are the specifics of that wisdom, according to Smith:
a.In the realm of ethics, the Decalogue tells the cross-cultural story. We should avoid murder, thieving, lying, and adultery.
b.But what should we be like? What should we strive to be, in positive terms? Certain virtues are cross-cultural: humility, charity, and veracity.
c.However, there are obstacles to achieving these virtues. Buddha identified three: greed, hatred, and delusion. If eliminated, we find selflessness (humility), compassion (charity), and seeing things in their suchness (veracity).
What about vision? About the ultimate character of things?
A.First, we have difficulty seeing the really big picture; that is, the full picture of reality. It is like a tapestry which we face from its wrong side, so that we see only knots and threads, and it seems chaotic. The religions of the world are efforts to see on the other side of the tapestry, to discover the pattern which gives meaning to the whole. And in so doing, we see unity in the universe, a grand design of some kind, the Unity of all things.
B.Second, if things are pervaded by a grand design, they are not only more integrated than they seem; they are also better than they seem. Another allegory: if astronomy helps us understand that the universe is bigger than human senses disclose, then the world's religions tell us that it is better than our sensibilities discern. The religions have an ontological exuberance. The human self is more than what it seems; Atman/Buddha nature, for example. Humans born in the image of God is another example, from Judaism and Christianity.
C.Third, reality is steeped in ineluctable mystery; we are born in mystery, we live in mystery, and we die in mystery. The more we know, the less we know. "The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder." Things are more mysterious than they seem.
So we are left with this: things are more integrated than they seem, they are better than they seem, and they are more mysterious than they seem. Something like this emerges as the highest common denominator of the wisdom traditions' reports.
And when we add to this that they also help establish for ethical behavior human virtues, "one wonders if a wiser platform for life has been conceived."
At the center of religious life is a particular kind of joy, the prospect of a happy ending that blossoms from necessarily painful beginnings, the promise of human difficulties embraced and overcome. There are only hints of this, but they are all-important.
3. So what do we do? How do we live in such a religiously pluralistic world that is at the same time growing more secular?
If one of the wisdom traditions claims us, we begin by listening to it.
But we also listen to the faith of others, including the secularists. The planet grows smaller, and we must seek to understand others. The marvelous scientific advances of our age must be matched by advances in human relations.
Understanding brings respect. Understanding can lead to love, and love can lead to understanding. The two are reciprocal.
So we must listen to understand.
Thomas Merton said that "God speaks to us in three places: in scripture, in our deepest selves, and in the voice of the stranger."
Said the Buddha, "He who would, may reach the utmost height--but he must be eager to learn."
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
County information
Hey Guys, No time to chat but ran across something for everyone. If you want to know about your neighbors or are looking into a community these GIS maps are great resources. Wisconsin is really in front of most states on this. Gotta get back to work,
erd
http://coastal.lic.wisc.edu/wisconsin-ims/wisconsin-ims.htm and
erd
http://coastal.lic.wisc.edu/wisconsin-ims/wisconsin-ims.htm and
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Dropbox
I found a nice way to exchange files -- easier than remotely managing Mom's machine. It's an online storage service that's free for accounts up to 2GB. It functions (in Windows, Linux and Mac) just like a normal folder on your local hard drive. You can add and remove stuff from the folder, and it synchronizes its contents with the online storage. It is handy for sharing files among friends, and/or for sharing a common folder at home and at work (as well as for backup if you pay for more space).
It's called dropbox. If you sign up via this invite (https://www.getdropbox.com/referrals/NTExMjQyNjg5), I think they'll give you an extra quarter-gig of free storage. On that page, you can click the 'screencast' link to see a short video demo of some of the features -- much easier than me explaining.
After you get an account and install the client software, make a folder to share and let everyone know. Should be a nice way to share tunes and other stuff.
Write a comment if you set 'er up, then we can trade some files, or if there are any problems, questions or concerns.
It's called dropbox. If you sign up via this invite (https://www.getdropbox.com/referrals/NTExMjQyNjg5), I think they'll give you an extra quarter-gig of free storage. On that page, you can click the 'screencast' link to see a short video demo of some of the features -- much easier than me explaining.
After you get an account and install the client software, make a folder to share and let everyone know. Should be a nice way to share tunes and other stuff.
Write a comment if you set 'er up, then we can trade some files, or if there are any problems, questions or concerns.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Happy Birthday A and B
Hey Dude and Dudette-
Happy Birthday like thing to the both of you. If I know you two, you are out lavishing gifts on each other. Anyway hope you are enjoying life's gifts, at least. Love you both,
Cliff
Happy Birthday like thing to the both of you. If I know you two, you are out lavishing gifts on each other. Anyway hope you are enjoying life's gifts, at least. Love you both,
Cliff
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