Comments for Provoking the Muse http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com Ducunt volentem fata, nolentem trahunt. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:14:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU Comment on The Atheist Delusion by rafael http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2006/11/28/the-atheist-delusion/#comment-30330 rafael Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:18:42 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2006/11/28/the-atheist-delusion/#comment-30330 PROSECUTION Is there a God? I will not try to say yes or no to this question. Rather, I will make this place a law court. I will ask you to be the judge, and I will be the prosecutor. The work of a judge is to make decisions, to approve or disapprove the truth of statements; the work of a prosecutor is to present all the evidence and arguments that he can possibly gather. Before we proceed, we have to be clear about one fact: all prosecutors are not eyewitnesses of crimes. They are not policemen. A policeman may personally witness an event, whereas a prosecutor obtains his information only indirectly. He places all the charges, evidence, and arguments collected before the judge. In the same way, I shall present before you everything that I can possibly find. If you ask whether I have seen God or not, I would say "no." I am reading or demonstrating what I have gathered. My job is to search for facts and to call for witnesses. You are to arrive at a conclusion yourself. THE UNIVERSE First, looks at nature, the world that is before our eyes and every phenomenon in it. We all know that scientific knowledge is the rational explanation of natural phenomena. For example, there is an observed drop in the temperature of a patient. The drop in temperature is a phenomenon, and the explanation for it is scientific knowledge. When an apple falls from the tree, it is a phenomenon. Why does an apple not fly into the air? The explanation for this phenomenon constitutes knowledge. A man with knowledge is a man who has the proper explanations. ONLY TWO EXPLANATIONS The universe displays countless phenomena of diverse forms, colors, shapes, and nature. We cannot fail to notice these phenomena before our eyes. The explanation for all these phenomena is known as knowledge. All thoughtful persons have only two explanations as far as the origin of the universe is concerned; there is no third explanation. You have to take one or the other of them. What are these two explanations? The first says that the universe came into being through natural evolution and self-interaction; the second attributes its origin to a personified being with intellect and purpose. These are the only two explanations presented by all philosophers of the world. There is not a third one. Where did the universe come from? Did it come into existence by itself or through chance? Or was it designed by the One from whom we derive the concept of God? CHANCE EVENTS What are the characteristics of things that come about by chance? First, we know that they are unorganized. At the most they can be partially integrated. They can never be totally organized. One can achieve a specified goal by chance once, but he can never achieve a specified goal by chance all the time. Anything that comes together by chance can only be integrated partially, never totally. For example, if I throw this chair to the other side of the room, by chance it may come to rest at a perfect angle. If I do the same with a second chair, it may also lie neatly beside the first one. But this will not keep on happening with the third and the fourth and so on. Chance can only provide partial organization. It does not guarantee total integration. Furthermore, all random interactions are aimless, disorganized, and purposeless. They are without order and structure; they are loose, formless, disorderly, and not directed toward any meaningful purpose. Briefly, we can say that the characteristics of chance events are disharmony, irregularity, inconsistency, purposelessness, and insignificance. CONSISTENCY AND ORGANIZATION Now let us compare the things in the universe with these characteristics. Take, for example, the human being. He is carried in his mother's womb for nine months and delivered; he grows up and eventually dies. This cycle is repeated for every single individual. Consistency can be observed. It is not a wild game of chance. Again, look at the sun above your head. It does not exist purposelessly. Rather, it has its purpose and significance. Look at the moon, the stars, and the myriads of galaxies through your telescope. Some stars have their own planets. They all follow definite tracks and patterns. They are all organized. Their manner of motion can be calculated and predicted. The calendar in your hand is derived from them. Even next year's calendar can be printed before this year is past. All these show that the universe is organized, consistent, and purposeful. MICROORGANISMS Let us turn to the micro-world or quantum mechanics. Take a thin slice of wood. Put it under a microscope and observe its grain and structure, all meticulously regular and rhythmic. Even a blade of grass and the petal of a flower are finely fashioned. Nothing is unorganized or confused. Everything is disciplined and functional. All these things witness one fact to you: the universe, with its macro (the whole universe and galaxies) and micro aspects (quantum), is purposeful and meaningful. Can you say that all these came into existence by chance? Surely you cannot. CHANCE OR DESIGN The universe has to be created by someone with profound wisdom, vast knowledge, and intricate design. If you cannot accept the concept of random formation of the universe, you have to admit that it was created by such a God. There cannot be a third explanation. The choice is left to you. You have to decide if the universe came by chance or whether it was created by God. A DEMAND AND ITS OBJECT One witness may not be enough. I will call in another. This time we will consider man's heart. Before doing so, we should also observe one fact: wherever there is a desire, there must first be an object for that desire. For example, an orphan who has never seen his father naturally has a desire for a kind of paternal love. I have asked many people who were orphans, and they all have felt this irrepressible yearning. By this we can see that every desire of the heart arises out of an object in the world. As human beings we have a need for social belonging. We need companionship and mutuality. If you put a boy on a deserted island and he grows up alone, he still has the yearning for companions, for beings like himself, even though he has never seen a human being. This yearning or desire is the very proof that somewhere in the world there is something known as "man." At a certain age, man begins to think about posterity; he starts desiring children and grandchildren. This is not a mere fantasy. This desire stems out of the existence and possibility of offspring. Hence, where there is desire, there is an object for that desire. THERE IS GOD IN THE HEART Do we have any desires other than social identity and self-propagation? What other cravings do we have? Deep in everyone there is a craving for God. Whether they are highly civilized races, such as those among the Caucasians, or the ancient civilizations, such as the Chinese civilizations, or the African natives and uncultured aborigines, they all have a common craving --God. As long as they are men, they have a yearning for God, no matter what race or nationality. This is a fact. You cannot argue against it. Everyone is seeking after God. Everywhere man is craving for God. This is very clear. By applying the principle that we just mentioned, we can see that since our heart feels the need for a God, there must necessarily be a God in the universe. Since there is a need for God in the heart, there must be the existence of God in the universe. If no God exists, we would never have such a craving in our heart. We all have an appetite for food. In the same way, we all have an appetite for God. It would be impossible to live if there was only an appetite for food but no food. Likewise, it would be impossible to live if there was a capacity for God but no God. NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT GOD? Once, an atheist rudely rebuked me in a loud voice: "You said that a man has the psychological need for a God. But there is no such thing, and I do not believe in it." I said, "Well, do you mean to say that you never think about God? In fact, even while you were talking, you were thinking about Him. This indicates that you do have a capacity for God. There is no one who has never thought about God. He may try not to think much about Him. Since this thought is in you, there must be such an object outside of you. "THE WORDS AND THE HEART” A young man once came to me to argue about God. He was vehemently against the existence of God. He gave me one reason after another for saying that there is no God. As he was enumerating the various reasons why God should not exist, I listened to him quietly without saying a word. Then I said, "Although you insist that there is no God and support yourself with so many arguments, you have lost your case already." He said, "What do you mean?" I went on to explain: "Your mouth can say as much as you want about there not being a God, but your heart is on my side." He had to agree with me. Although one can give all sorts of reasons in the head, there is a belief in the heart that no argument can defeat. A stubborn person may give a thousand and one reasons, but you can have the boldness to tell him, "You know better in your heart that there is a God. Why bother to look for evidence outside?"Now what would you say? After looking at nature and the universe, after checking with your inner feeling, it is up to you to decide whether or not there is a God. But you should not be irresponsible; your attitude must be sober because everyone has to meet God soon. One day you will all stand before Him. Everything concerning you will be laid bare. On that day you will know God. But now is the time for you to be prepared. We should all be prepared to meet our God. Finally is there is a God. Who is he? Who among the most ancient religions claim to be God’s son? As well there must be a written record of God and God’s son. Among all the ancients’ written records is there such a book? PROSECUTION
Is there a God? I will not try to say yes or no to this question. Rather, I will make this place a law court. I will ask you to be the judge, and I will be the prosecutor. The work of a judge is to make decisions, to approve or disapprove the truth of statements; the work of a prosecutor is to present all the evidence and arguments that he can possibly gather. Before we proceed, we have to be clear about one fact: all prosecutors are not eyewitnesses of crimes. They are not policemen. A policeman may personally witness an event, whereas a prosecutor obtains his information only indirectly. He places all the charges, evidence, and arguments collected before the judge. In the same way, I shall present before you everything that I can possibly find. If you ask whether I have seen God or not, I would say “no.” I am reading or demonstrating what I have gathered. My job is to search for facts and to call for witnesses. You are to arrive at a conclusion yourself.
THE UNIVERSE
First, looks at nature, the world that is before our eyes and every phenomenon in it. We all know that scientific knowledge is the rational explanation of natural phenomena. For example, there is an observed drop in the temperature of a patient. The drop in temperature is a phenomenon, and the explanation for it is scientific knowledge. When an apple falls from the tree, it is a phenomenon. Why does an apple not fly into the air? The explanation for this phenomenon constitutes knowledge. A man with knowledge is a man who has the proper explanations.
ONLY TWO EXPLANATIONS
The universe displays countless phenomena of diverse forms, colors, shapes, and nature. We cannot fail to notice these phenomena before our eyes. The explanation for all these phenomena is known as knowledge. All thoughtful persons have only two explanations as far as the origin of the universe is concerned; there is no third explanation. You have to take one or the other of them. What are these two explanations? The first says that the universe came into being through natural evolution and self-interaction; the second attributes its origin to a personified being with intellect and purpose. These are the only two explanations presented by all philosophers of the world. There is not a third one. Where did the universe come from? Did it come into existence by itself or through chance? Or was it designed by the One from whom we derive the concept of God?
CHANCE EVENTS
What are the characteristics of things that come about by chance? First, we know that they are unorganized. At the most they can be partially integrated. They can never be totally organized. One can achieve a specified goal by chance once, but he can never achieve a specified goal by chance all the time. Anything that comes together by chance can only be integrated partially, never totally. For example, if I throw this chair to the other side of the room, by chance it may come to rest at a perfect angle. If I do the same with a second chair, it may also lie neatly beside the first one. But this will not keep on happening with the third and the fourth and so on. Chance can only provide partial organization. It does not guarantee total integration. Furthermore, all random interactions are aimless, disorganized, and purposeless. They are without order and structure; they are loose, formless, disorderly, and not directed toward any meaningful purpose. Briefly, we can say that the characteristics of chance events are disharmony, irregularity, inconsistency, purposelessness, and insignificance.
CONSISTENCY AND ORGANIZATION
Now let us compare the things in the universe with these characteristics. Take, for example, the human being. He is carried in his mother’s womb for nine months and delivered; he grows up and eventually dies. This cycle is repeated for every single individual. Consistency can be observed. It is not a wild game of chance. Again, look at the sun above your head. It does not exist purposelessly. Rather, it has its purpose and significance. Look at the moon, the stars, and the myriads of galaxies through your telescope. Some stars have their own planets. They all follow definite tracks and patterns. They are all organized. Their manner of motion can be calculated and predicted. The calendar in your hand is derived from them. Even next year’s calendar can be printed before this year is past. All these show that the universe is organized, consistent, and purposeful.
MICROORGANISMS
Let us turn to the micro-world or quantum mechanics. Take a thin slice of wood. Put it under a microscope and observe its grain and structure, all meticulously regular and rhythmic. Even a blade of grass and the petal of a flower are finely fashioned. Nothing is unorganized or confused. Everything is disciplined and functional. All these things witness one fact to you: the universe, with its macro (the whole universe and galaxies) and micro aspects (quantum), is purposeful and meaningful. Can you say that all these came into existence by chance? Surely you cannot.
CHANCE OR DESIGN
The universe has to be created by someone with profound wisdom, vast knowledge, and intricate design. If you cannot accept the concept of random formation of the universe, you have to admit that it was created by such a God. There cannot be a third explanation. The choice is left to you. You have to decide if the universe came by chance or whether it was created by God.
A DEMAND AND ITS OBJECT
One witness may not be enough. I will call in another. This time we will consider man’s heart. Before doing so, we should also observe one fact: wherever there is a desire, there must first be an object for that desire. For example, an orphan who has never seen his father naturally has a desire for a kind of paternal love. I have asked many people who were orphans, and they all have felt this irrepressible yearning. By this we can see that every desire of the heart arises out of an object in the world. As human beings we have a need for social belonging. We need companionship and mutuality. If you put a boy on a deserted island and he grows up alone, he still has the yearning for companions, for beings like himself, even though he has never seen a human being. This yearning or desire is the very proof that somewhere in the world there is something known as “man.” At a certain age, man begins to think about posterity; he starts desiring children and grandchildren. This is not a mere fantasy. This desire stems out of the existence and possibility of offspring. Hence, where there is desire, there is an object for that desire.
THERE IS GOD IN THE HEART
Do we have any desires other than social identity and self-propagation? What other cravings do we have? Deep in everyone there is a craving for God. Whether they are highly civilized races, such as those among the Caucasians, or the ancient civilizations, such as the Chinese civilizations, or the African natives and uncultured aborigines, they all have a common craving –God. As long as they are men, they have a yearning for God, no matter what race or nationality. This is a fact. You cannot argue against it. Everyone is seeking after God. Everywhere man is craving for God. This is very clear. By applying the principle that we just mentioned, we can see that since our heart feels the need for a God, there must necessarily be a God in the universe. Since there is a need for God in the heart, there must be the existence of God in the universe. If no God exists, we would never have such a craving in our heart. We all have an appetite for food. In the same way, we all have an appetite for God. It would be impossible to live if there was only an appetite for food but no food. Likewise, it would be impossible to live if there was a capacity for God but no God.
NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT GOD?
Once, an atheist rudely rebuked me in a loud voice: “You said that a man has the psychological need for a God. But there is no such thing, and I do not believe in it.” I said, “Well, do you mean to say that you never think about God? In fact, even while you were talking, you were thinking about Him. This indicates that you do have a capacity for God. There is no one who has never thought about God. He may try not to think much about Him. Since this thought is in you, there must be such an object outside of you.
“THE WORDS AND THE HEART”
A young man once came to me to argue about God. He was vehemently against the existence of God. He gave me one reason after another for saying that there is no God. As he was enumerating the various reasons why God should not exist, I listened to him quietly without saying a word. Then I said, “Although you insist that there is no God and support yourself with so many arguments, you have lost your case already.” He said, “What do you mean?” I went on to explain: “Your mouth can say as much as you want about there not being a God, but your heart is on my side.” He had to agree with me. Although one can give all sorts of reasons in the head, there is a belief in the heart that no argument can defeat. A stubborn person may give a thousand and one reasons, but you can have the boldness to tell him, “You know better in your heart that there is a God. Why bother to look for evidence outside?”Now what would you say? After looking at nature and the universe, after checking with your inner feeling, it is up to you to decide whether or not there is a God. But you should not be irresponsible; your attitude must be sober because everyone has to meet God soon. One day you will all stand before Him. Everything concerning you will be laid bare. On that day you will know God. But now is the time for you to be prepared. We should all be prepared to meet our God.
Finally is there is a God. Who is he? Who among the most ancient religions claim to be God’s son?
As well there must be a written record of God and God’s son. Among all the ancients’ written records is there such a book?

]]> Comment on Why the rights culture robs us of happiness by Denis E. Ambrose, Jr. http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/07/25/why-the-rights-culture-robs-us-of-happiness/#comment-30329 Denis E. Ambrose, Jr. Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:17:53 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2216#comment-30329 Well, Curtis: the point of the murder example and counter-point was to show that, even though people might say others should be allowed to do what makes them happy, it's clear that that cannot always be the case. So, we come to one conclusion, namely that my happiness can't interfere with you in any way. The point of the ice cream example is exactly what you said: the child is not capable of making such a decision. There, I wanted to show about the need to recognize proper authority in guiding us towards happiness. An interesting questions occurs to me: do people seek the momentary, fleeting happiness because they no longer know how to get that higher happiness? That's the problem with the child, and why the child needs a good parent. I hope that makes some more sense. Well, Curtis: the point of the murder example and counter-point was to show that, even though people might say others should be allowed to do what makes them happy, it’s clear that that cannot always be the case. So, we come to one conclusion, namely that my happiness can’t interfere with you in any way.

The point of the ice cream example is exactly what you said: the child is not capable of making such a decision. There, I wanted to show about the need to recognize proper authority in guiding us towards happiness. An interesting questions occurs to me: do people seek the momentary, fleeting happiness because they no longer know how to get that higher happiness? That’s the problem with the child, and why the child needs a good parent.

I hope that makes some more sense.

]]> Comment on Atheism - Hitchens v. Hitchens by Samuel Skinner http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/atheism-hitchens-v-hitchens/#comment-30327 Samuel Skinner Sun, 27 Jul 2008 06:23:07 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2210#comment-30327 The word wishful thinking comes to mind... after all, the Germans ALSO believed God was watching them... and approved. The word wishful thinking comes to mind… after all, the Germans ALSO believed God was watching them… and approved.

]]> Comment on Why the rights culture robs us of happiness by Curtis http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/07/25/why-the-rights-culture-robs-us-of-happiness/#comment-30326 Curtis Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:47:34 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2216#comment-30326 I completely agree with your sentiments, our efforts to gain moment-to-moment "happiness" seem to often result in a sort of malaise instead. There have been times in my life where I took the easy road and times where I chose the hard road. I'm more proud of and fulfilled from the journeys down the hard roads. However, regarding the two examples you gave - you bring up the murder thing and acknowledge the counterpoint, then go nowhere with it. Your follow-up analogy about the ice cream doesn't much relate at all do the murder one. Furthermore, we don't all know that eating ice cream doesn't lead happiness. A child doesn't have the life experience and perspective to make that sort of judgment, which is why we guide the child's choices and access. An adult who murders someone is legally presumed (with exceptions, of course) to have the life experience to understand the nature of their actions, even if it's something that "makes them happy". I completely agree with your sentiments, our efforts to gain moment-to-moment “happiness” seem to often result in a sort of malaise instead. There have been times in my life where I took the easy road and times where I chose the hard road. I’m more proud of and fulfilled from the journeys down the hard roads.

However, regarding the two examples you gave - you bring up the murder thing and acknowledge the counterpoint, then go nowhere with it. Your follow-up analogy about the ice cream doesn’t much relate at all do the murder one. Furthermore, we don’t all know that eating ice cream doesn’t lead happiness. A child doesn’t have the life experience and perspective to make that sort of judgment, which is why we guide the child’s choices and access. An adult who murders someone is legally presumed (with exceptions, of course) to have the life experience to understand the nature of their actions, even if it’s something that “makes them happy”.

]]> Comment on Atheism - Hitchens v. Hitchens by Matt http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/atheism-hitchens-v-hitchens/#comment-30324 Matt Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:11:23 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2210#comment-30324 I would highly suggest for you, and any one else interested to read the book "<a href="http://jaajoe.com/Books/Book-Review-The-Devil-s-Delusion-Atheism-And-Its-Scientific-Pretensions.html" rel="nofollow">"The Devil's Delusion: Atheism and its Scientific Pretensions."</a> by self-professed secular Jew and mathematics/philosophies teacher David Berlinski. This tells the story of a Jew who was forced to dig his own grave prior to being shot by a German soldier. Prior to being shot, the old Jewish man advised the German that “God is watching what you are doing.” The Jewish gentleman pointed what i think is the real problem with atheism. "<a href="http://jaajoe.com/Books/Book-Review-The-Devil-s-Delusion-Atheism-And-Its-Scientific-Pretensions.html" rel="nofollow">If you have the time please check the book out</a> I would highly suggest for you, and any one else interested to read the book ““The Devil’s Delusion: Atheism and its Scientific Pretensions.” by self-professed secular Jew and mathematics/philosophies teacher David Berlinski.
This tells the story of a Jew who was forced to dig his own grave prior to being shot by a German soldier. Prior to being shot, the old Jewish man advised the German that “God is watching what you are doing.” The Jewish gentleman pointed what i think is the real problem with atheism. “If you have the time please check the book out

]]> Comment on Why the rights culture robs us of happiness by Kolbe Wolfe http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/07/25/why-the-rights-culture-robs-us-of-happiness/#comment-30321 Kolbe Wolfe Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:06:54 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2216#comment-30321 Well written, sir. The idea of running away from our problems can be seen in many things... This society values "happiness" (mostly a false sense of it) over such things as Honor, Virtue, Chivalry, Intelligence, etc., without actually realizing these things give joy to the soul... We have forgotten Socrates... "The important thing is not to live, but to live well." Well written, sir.

The idea of running away from our problems can be seen in many things… This society values “happiness” (mostly a false sense of it) over such things as Honor, Virtue, Chivalry, Intelligence, etc., without actually realizing these things give joy to the soul… We have forgotten Socrates…

“The important thing is not to live, but to live well.”

]]> Comment on Atheism - Hitchens v. Hitchens by Curtis http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/atheism-hitchens-v-hitchens/#comment-30319 Curtis Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:37:06 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2210#comment-30319 Fascinating, but I could have stood for it to be at least 3 times as long. I side with Christopher on most points, of course, even though I'm not really an atheist. :) Fascinating, but I could have stood for it to be at least 3 times as long. I side with Christopher on most points, of course, even though I’m not really an atheist. :)

]]> Comment on Atheism - Hitchens v. Hitchens by Samuel Skinner http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/atheism-hitchens-v-hitchens/#comment-30318 Samuel Skinner Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:56:23 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2210#comment-30318 The family reunions must be... interesting. The family reunions must be… interesting.

]]> Comment on Believe Me, It’s Torture by Denis E. Ambrose, Jr. http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/believe-me-its-torture/#comment-30317 Denis E. Ambrose, Jr. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:00:16 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2208#comment-30317 I imagine quite a lot, considering the amount he usually drinks. I imagine quite a lot, considering the amount he usually drinks.

]]> Comment on Believe Me, It’s Torture by ambrose http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/07/21/believe-me-its-torture/#comment-30316 ambrose Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:17:30 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2208#comment-30316 I bought the new Vanity Fair in the HK airport this morning (Monday being my 36-hour day) because I wanted to read the piece on Beijing. I wasn't expecting this Hitchens thing. I wonder how much Scotch he had to agree to this. I bought the new Vanity Fair in the HK airport this morning (Monday being my 36-hour day) because I wanted to read the piece on Beijing. I wasn’t expecting this Hitchens thing.

I wonder how much Scotch he had to agree to this.

]]> Comment on PtM at the Movies: The Dark Knight by Denis E. Ambrose, Jr. http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/07/18/ptm-at-the-movies-the-dark-knight/#comment-30315 Denis E. Ambrose, Jr. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:41:45 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2202#comment-30315 I agree Curtis, that's why I tried to understand the movie a little more generally. I agree Curtis, that’s why I tried to understand the movie a little more generally.

]]> Comment on My pictures from Rome by Curtis http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/07/20/my-pictures-from-rome/#comment-30314 Curtis Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:51:50 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2205#comment-30314 Wow, you really saw a lot. Looks like a great trip! There's nothing quite like seeing those places in-person, I was only 10 when I visited France and saw many amazing things (Chartes Cathedral, Mont Saint Michel, Paris, Omaha Beach) but the experience was indelible. Wow, you really saw a lot. Looks like a great trip! There’s nothing quite like seeing those places in-person, I was only 10 when I visited France and saw many amazing things (Chartes Cathedral, Mont Saint Michel, Paris, Omaha Beach) but the experience was indelible.

]]> Comment on PtM at the Movies: The Dark Knight by Curtis http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/07/18/ptm-at-the-movies-the-dark-knight/#comment-30313 Curtis Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:34:42 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2202#comment-30313 The movie was excellent, but I can't wholly buy the Batman-Bush comparison. Batman is a (scarily self-appointed) unilateral force that in spite of his good deeds, is not required in any fashion to report to the people or account for his actions. Bush's administration should not have the same luxury of secrecy as Batman has, but they have shown us time and again that we're "not to worry about the man behind the curtain". When, as our highest public servant, he should be showing us as much as he possibly can of what's behind that curtain. I don't think this has been the case. Nobody elected Batman, which might make him a little scarier, but our people did elect Bush and his responsibility to us goes beyond mere policy decisions. Also, by virtue of the DC universe being fictional, we probably know more about the real nature and motivations of Batman/Bruce Wayne than we ever will about a real person like Bush, and that's a distinction that cannot be discounted. The movie was excellent, but I can’t wholly buy the Batman-Bush comparison. Batman is a (scarily self-appointed) unilateral force that in spite of his good deeds, is not required in any fashion to report to the people or account for his actions. Bush’s administration should not have the same luxury of secrecy as Batman has, but they have shown us time and again that we’re “not to worry about the man behind the curtain”. When, as our highest public servant, he should be showing us as much as he possibly can of what’s behind that curtain. I don’t think this has been the case. Nobody elected Batman, which might make him a little scarier, but our people did elect Bush and his responsibility to us goes beyond mere policy decisions. Also, by virtue of the DC universe being fictional, we probably know more about the real nature and motivations of Batman/Bruce Wayne than we ever will about a real person like Bush, and that’s a distinction that cannot be discounted.

]]> Comment on Travellin’ Man by Curtis http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/travellin-man/#comment-30309 Curtis Mon, 07 Jul 2008 06:04:55 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2196#comment-30309 Nice, but, were the cupholders large enough for a Big Gulp? Nice, but, were the cupholders large enough for a Big Gulp?

]]> Comment on All Too Easy by Curtis http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/06/21/all-too-easy/#comment-30305 Curtis Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:46:27 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2192#comment-30305 Haha that's great! Haha that’s great!

]]> Comment on Acton University 2008 by Denis E. Ambrose, Jr. http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/06/12/acton-university-2008/#comment-30296 Denis E. Ambrose, Jr. Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:02:34 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2187#comment-30296 Yep, I did. Kinda cool, though I don't read his blog much. Yep, I did. Kinda cool, though I don’t read his blog much.

]]> Comment on Acton University 2008 by ambrose http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/06/12/acton-university-2008/#comment-30295 ambrose Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:55:13 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2187#comment-30295 Fr. Z is there. Did you see him? Fr. Z is there. Did you see him?

]]> Comment on Morality and Authority by Curtis http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/05/30/morality-and-authority/#comment-30291 Curtis Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:16:24 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2181#comment-30291 I agree with what he says about knife crime not really being about knives, but the Atheism thing is very, very tired and sadly mis-characteristic. You know me, I'm not a Christian. I'm not exactly an Atheist, either, but I understand the point of view. I tire of the notion that because one doesn't follow a deity it must mean that they are immoral, and that without the fear of God and eternal punishment that we're all privately evil wanna-be's. It's unfair and inaccurate, and makes anyone who espouses that point of view sound incredibly ignorant and bigoted. I know plenty of Christian and other religious people who are insufferable, ignorant, selfishly amoral windbags, and I know plenty of non-religious people who are kind, empathetic, and generous (I know plenty of the opposite in both categories, too). I'm glad that Christians have a strong sense of their morality, I just wish they didn't somteimes have stand so high upon it and look down on the rest of us. I agree with what he says about knife crime not really being about knives, but the Atheism thing is very, very tired and sadly mis-characteristic. You know me, I’m not a Christian. I’m not exactly an Atheist, either, but I understand the point of view. I tire of the notion that because one doesn’t follow a deity it must mean that they are immoral, and that without the fear of God and eternal punishment that we’re all privately evil wanna-be’s. It’s unfair and inaccurate, and makes anyone who espouses that point of view sound incredibly ignorant and bigoted. I know plenty of Christian and other religious people who are insufferable, ignorant, selfishly amoral windbags, and I know plenty of non-religious people who are kind, empathetic, and generous (I know plenty of the opposite in both categories, too). I’m glad that Christians have a strong sense of their morality, I just wish they didn’t somteimes have stand so high upon it and look down on the rest of us.

]]> Comment on An Important Announcement by Gashwin http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/05/19/an-important-announcement/#comment-30285 Gashwin Sat, 31 May 2008 00:49:54 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2177#comment-30285 Hey -- you don't know me (and vice versa!), however I read your cousin Jen Ambrose's blog and just wanted to say: a) Congratulations and b) All the very best! Thanks for saying Yes! to the Lord who has a special task for each and every one of us. Now fasten your seat belt and get ready for the ride! Hey — you don’t know me (and vice versa!), however I read your cousin Jen Ambrose’s blog and just wanted to say: a) Congratulations and b) All the very best! Thanks for saying Yes! to the Lord who has a special task for each and every one of us. Now fasten your seat belt and get ready for the ride!

]]> Comment on I’m a “Man on the Moon”? by Curtis http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/im-a-man-on-the-moon/#comment-30283 Curtis Tue, 27 May 2008 09:51:03 +0000 http://deambrosejr.wordpress.com/?p=2179#comment-30283 Yeah bud, you could do a lot worse than some R.E.M. Yeah bud, you could do a lot worse than some R.E.M.

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