Hergest Ridge

“Believing in God is like believing in Santa Clause. It’s the sort of thing that children do, but we can leave the cry baby phase behind and move on to maturity.”

Alister McGrath claims that Richard Dawkins’ analogy isn’t valid, for “how many people do you know who not believing in Father Christmas at the age of six do start believing in him at the age 18, or 35, or 50.”

I normally don’t make it a point of openly defeating such easy fallacies, but Alister McGrath supposedly knows something about this subject. Sadly, like all of his arguments in “An Analysis of The God Delusion”, this one shatters with but one short paragraph.

Christianity is not the only religion adults convert to (or away from for that matter). Type into YouTube “Islam Conversion” and see the same 18, 35, and 50 year olds converting to something completely different. If conversions into Christianity by adults inject any sort of validity into Christianity, then Islam is just as valid for it too receives its share of adult newcomers.

Back against the wall, his arms around her waist and hers around his neck, time stuttered and forgot its way. If smiles were for bidding, hers would fetch the top price. Smith felt the moment absorb under his skin like ink into paper: the gray October light filling the halls of Gardenia Mall, the water lily scent of her dark long hair, the muted backdrop of sounds and echoes - all of it part of him now and forever.

To those around them, the kiss that followed might seem like a natural climax, and everything that led to the kiss a means to a common and predictable end. But a kiss can be shared with a neighbour, classmate, ones child or parent, a total stranger - it often is a means to an end. In time, it might wash from his memory like footprints on the beach, but the moment that lead will survive until both perish in flame, like ink on paper.

While most search for answers and connections to the universe, Smith understood that the woman before him with her embracing arms was the only connection he ever sought or desired. No position of power, no religion, or bank account could ever bring out the meaning of life with the grace and ease she did.

He liked best about himself the part that loved her so deeply and intricately. This simple truth was a great power, and like all natural forces it had no master. All you could do is hope that it does your bidding, while knowing at the back of your mind that someday it might come for you - a position well worth the risks, for what better way to die than of your own passion?

Her soft sweet lips pressed against his, time again found its composure and pressed on as it always did. Smith would have a lifetime to recall the roles played and cast performing, the stage and atmosphere, even the smell. Throughout his life he’d recall every detail, and when face to face with death, the reels of life’s cinema would spark the memory to life for one last time, this time in black and white. For what is life but a play in which everyone acts a part until the curtain comes down?

My morning walk - face buried in Breaking the Spell - led me to a used books shop, stuffy air and wooden floors mandatory. The place ain’t just a book shop, but that’s the majority of their stock. Some of the other items on offer break the enchantment I strive to create, and I’ll skip those details.

I walked into the store with one book, but came out with two - $12 less in currency. I’m now the proud new owner of a hard cover, illustrated, nicely detailed with art copy of A Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne.

Thus far, my experience with Verne’s books is limited to Treasure Island, a novel read with great pleasure when I was a child. For some reason, I recall that the edition of the book I read was part one of two, and that I’m still not familiar with the second half of the story (it had not been available at the library, and I hadn’t pursued the matter further.)

I find it amazing that these books were written in the 19th century. In my mind they are always as current and relevant as Harry Potter books, but this could be a simple case of limited familiarity with the actual novels - that’ll change to a degree soon.

Adventures aside, I like some of the points made by Dennett in my current reading. He asks the atheist to imagine a new and reputable study which suggests that music in any shape or form is likely to make all, including the casual listener, more violent, intolerant, and immoral. Knowing the bad effects of music, would we still not crave and need it? Most likely - even if claims of the negative effects of music had been proven beyond doubt - few would abstain from it. The urge for music is now built in, and no logic or fact can do much to counter it.

I concede the point, and admit that it’d likely take a long time - perhaps in excess of my lifetime - to curb my own enthusiasm and exposure to music. Maybe Dennett is heading where I’m about to go with saying that I and many atheists have no desire to rid the individual of his or her religion. Simply, we ask the theist to understand the power religion holds over the mind, and that he not force others to adhere to the theist’s beliefs, especially young children. This courtesy should not only extend to fellow citizens, and need include the children of theists. Allow the young mind to make choices on merit, observation, and experience. Nurture their interests, and help them explore all possibilities. Any way you look at it, it seems to be the most admirable thing to do.

Darf Deutsche Geschichte “Hollywoodisiert” Werden kling die Frage bei SWR Contra. Es geht über den neuen Film der im Bremen gedreht wird, mit der Thema von Stauffenberg - den Man das Hitler umbringen versuchte.

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Apologies to Internet Explorer users. The entry dates and titles are displaying funky, courtesy of lazy ass Microsoft. Maybe over the weekend I can find out how to fix it. As always, everything works fine for Firefox users.

While I’ve yet to receive any real threats of my eternal damnation into hell, the spam caught by the filters is doing the preaching. Passages from the bible, empty promises of life eternal, proclamations that god loves me - it’s like having a couple fundamentalist Christians around! Maybe the preaching today is automated. Basic technologies would suffice to achieve the effect, if you know what I mean.

I’ve started Breaking the Spell by Dennett. A bit slow going, but I think it’ll pick up once the spell (religion) is defined. Despite the mundane - but much needed - intro, I’ve already learned a few interesting questions and facts that I hadn’t considered before. To be honest, stuff like this alone would get me through the nearly 400 pages, but an entertainment value is definitely desired and sought.

I’ve placed an Amazon order for Fahrenheit 451 and a hardcover edition of 1984. The former is mainly a means of qualifying for free shipping, but does sound very interesting and I’m looking forward to reading it. The title is the temperature at which paper catches flame (233 °C), and like 1984 is a dystopian novella. The latter title is intended for an upcoming birthday gift to a friend. Unfortunately, it comes with a very generic cover, but I thought it better than a nice looking paperback. Reading hard cover books from the library is having a snobbish effect on me, but it’s a flaw I can live with.

The fourth attempt to get my bumper fixed at Toyota failed. This time they received the right molding, but the wrong colour! Before I could say anything, the head of insurance repairs said that I needn’t come down when the part arrives - they’ll come to me for the installation. All I need do is tell them where and when. Toyota is nice like that. Further in their defense, this is the first screwup I had with them, and they manged to save grace nicely (there is the story of a sleazy salesman, but he disappeared quickly).

The Fringe started yesterday, and I hope to catch a few performances before it ends less than two weeks from now. I’m specifically looking forward to anything like “Heretic” of several years ago, or the couple stand up comedians I enjoyed, but who’s names I not know or am familiar with spelling. I’ll be sure to detail my recommendations for the festival - please do the same.

After Note: Found a much better edition of 1984, one with a nicer hardcover, Animal Farm included, for half the price! Changed my order to get two of those with Fahrenheit 451, which means I’ll get to keep a copy of George Orwell’s classics for myself!

The book covers shown are from the new order.