Weekend Trackbacks

I’ve gotten sick enough that I can really only do one thing a day before I’m worn out. During the week that’s generally physical therapy or a meeting with clients. This weekend, it’s hanging out with the family and resting up for a new round of doctor’s appointments and possibly more testing. For example, I’d really like to know why my hair is starting to fall out. The Daughter of the House noticed a bald spot recently - how embarrassing!! And these headaches are still quite severe. Where’s House when you need him?

So I’m not going to be spending a lot of time at the computer. Have an open trackback while I’m gone! I’ll be back Monday.

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Iraq Stats You Haven’t Heard

Update: Welcome, Rangers. I can’t read the post you’re coming from, but I hope you enjoy the video. I pray for you and your families daily. God bless you, and thank you for your service.

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“Islam is superior to every other way of life”

Mr Choudray said: “As a Muslim, I believe Islam is superior to every other way of life and that it can resolve all the social and economic problems that Ireland suffers from.

Well, of course he does. I feel the exact same way about Christianity and its potential effect on the whole planet. There’s nothing shocking about that sentiment. If you don’t feel that way about your faith, do you really believe? Isn’t the default belief for any choice that it is superior to the other options? If I choose chocolate over vanilla, it is because in my estimation at that moment, chocolate is better.

The difference, of course, is in the implementation. For all of the hysteria about how America is becoming a theocracy, the truth is that we are further from that position now than in any point in our history, and there’s no danger whatsoever that we’ll reverse course. There is no “Christian Taliban” and there won’t be one. We are more secular now that at any other point in our history. Christians would enjoy a society more in line with our beliefs (again, who wouldn’t?) but there is no movement to gain that ideal by force. We’re not threatening to behead people, we’re not suing to silence opponents a la CAIR, we’re not demanding Christian women’s swim time at public pools, demanding that public school students engage in Christian role-playing or memorize the tenets of the Christian faith, fly the Christian flag over the White House or any of a multitude of actions that would enforce our religious beliefs via the state. And even where we are at war, we are pushing democracy, not Christianity.

There’s nothing wrong with adherents of a faith believing their faith is superior. The problem comes when they demand others agree.

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It’s NOT “marshal” law!

Just a quick rant that has been accumulating since the Truthers stepped up their propaganda and as the fringe lunatics get wound up approaching the election:

It’s not “marshal” law, you idiots. Unless you’re referring to the movie or the comic books, in which case, you’re fine. Did you think some guy named Marshal wrote the legislation that allows the government to temporarily permit military authority to override civilian law? You’re embarrassing yourselves. Turn off your computer and go read a history or civics book. Preferably both. Come back when if you get a clue.

UPDATED: Since some people are finding this post via search engine for “marshal law” I’ll throw you a bone. It’s “martial law.” “Martial” as in “military or warlike.” Here’s the current wiki definition:

Martial law is the system of rules that takes effect when the military takes control of the normal administration of justice.

Dangerous Naivete?

The whole concept behind philophronos blogging was a “pay it forward” variation where Christian political bloggers would set the example for civil political discourse. Perhaps it’s dangerously naive to think that anyone - even other Christians - might pick up this ball and run with it. I know that I have struggled - and ultimately passed up - posting on several items where the temptation to be uncivil would have overtaken me. But this Liberty Mutual commercial reminded me that whether or not the idea meets with any success, it is a good idea. I’d rather be dangerously naive than cynical.

One New Orleans Church, Post Katrina

One of the main things that has kept New Orleans going since Katrina - since Federal aid was delayed nearly a year by our local officials - is help from churches and charities. Churches, non-profits, civic groups and all kinds of NGOs are working at all levels to help us recover, and local churches, though drastically affected, are still doing the work of the Lord in spite of huge challenges.

I’m so proud of how my church has responded. Here’s just one example of the practical work we’re doing to help bring the city back. As for what we’re doing to rebuild our own church (our old building was demolished last week), we’re not just rebuilding, we’re expanding our commitment to New Orleans. The rebuilding is rather like a pregnancy - exciting and tedious at the same time. But we’re all looking forward to the day when we can have church services in this building.

One Night With The King?

Carolyn McCulley just saved me the cost of a matinee and popcorn for two with this review of One Night With the King. (Official website, IMDB listing.) Her review is hilarious and worth the read, whether or not you intended to watch the movie. Here’s a sample:

This is not a movie based on the Bible. It is a movie based on a book by Tommy Tenney. I did not read the book, nor do I intend to do so, so I have no idea if the movie accurately represents the book. I know it does not accurately represent the Bible. It may accurately represent a romance novel turned into a movie. At least it seemed that was the intent of the actor portraying King Xerxes. In the grand tradition of Fabio, he sported shoulder-length hair, copious amounts of bronzer, bright blue eye-liner, and blindingly white teeth. Plus a truly jaunty Burger King crown.

Now if I get the movie from Netflix, I’ll crack up laughing every time I see Xerxes and his “breakfast with the King” headgear. Christian Answers disagrees with McCulley’s assessment, but I think her point that the movie “perpetuates the Hollywood myth that chemistry trumps character” is important. A watered down bible story is actually worse than no story at all.

“I am a Muslim… I expect to be treated respectfully”

Dr. Sanity dissects an article written by a western feminist who converted to Islam in YVONNE STRANGELOVE, Or, How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Veil. I certainly can’t improve on such a skillful take-down, but one sentence really caught my eye.

Yes, it is a religious obligation for Muslim women to dress modestly, but the majority of Muslim women I know like wearing the hijab, which leaves the face uncovered, though a few prefer the nikab. It is a personal statement: My dress tells you that I am a Muslim and that I expect to be treated respectfully, much as a Wall Street banker would say that a business suit defines him as an executive to be taken seriously.

Was she not treated respectfully, based on her attire, before she converted? Does she think she’s entitled to an extra measure of respect for adhering to a faith that, however you may argue philosophically treats women, in actuality abuses and subjugates them worldwide? What about being a Muslim makes her expect to be treated respectfully, as opposed to how others are treated and how she was treated before converting?

Perhaps she expects respect based on the fact that adherents of Islam are the planetary equivalent of the schoolyard bully. Hand over that lunch money, dweeb, or we’ll riot, burn cars, sue you, and you just never know when my cousin will come looking for you. He’s crazy, he’ll cut your head off or blow you up. So hand it over!

Is there any other reason why Muslims would expect to be treated respectfully? Those recent scientific developments? New drug inventions? The way that they used some of those billions of dollars they get for oil for micro-loans, revitalizing the Palestinian economy and eradicating the worst of the poverty? :::crickets chirping::: Islam, what have you done for me lately?

Sister Toldjah has more on the writer, including this quote, “I’d rather put up with a brother like Abu Musab al-Zarqawi any day than have a traitor or sell-out for a father, son or grandfather.“.

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