Theologizing and Philosophizing on the web

South Africa

1. Reciprocal blog linking

This has become slightly less important to me recently. It is largely because I reason my theology blogs, satire and theology and thekingpin68, are not going to receive much more traffic through increased reciprocal linking, as I already have several links. I will still link reciprocally of course. Having reciprocal links does assist with receiving more comments, which I appreciate much.

I still use Blogger next blog and web searches to seek out relevant blogs to perhaps link with, but for the most part blog owners do not reply to my comments. A lot of people seem to stick with their 'online diaries' for awhile and then give up. Yes, I realize many do not have the time for blogging and are not blogging in their career field as I am.


With God's help and human assistance, I think I have received around 500, 000 hits between the two blogs, which is a decent total, but I suppose a lot of Christian bloggers could not benefit at all from linking with me, and interacting with my fine supporters, some of which have their own wonderful blogs in my links.

Do that crusade on your own blogger.



2. Facebook

Facebook blog followers, some of them not Facebook friends, are many of my new blog readers. More so than from new reciprocal links.

Facebook UEFA Champions League Picks
2009-2010: Overall World Rank 232/51066

Facebook FIFA World Cup Picks
2010: Overall World Rank 838/101230

Not bad for a Canadian/British viewer that lives in BC and has to get most of his football news via UK web radio.



3. Technorati

I have the last few months placed more priority on Technorati ranking as the overall amount of links I have around the world seems to be a better indicator of the size of my blogs than does the number of reciprocal links. Technorati rankings are more accurate and consistent than they were years ago apparently, but I find my rankings swing from the 13, 000 to 90, 000 range which is somewhat off-putting.

4. YouTube

Mr. X, Pope Chucklins and Walter Thomas Franklin have all suggested I theologize on You Tube. Well, I have already been working on my blog audio posts for lecturing practice and experience. I am pleased with progress.

I do not currently have video equipment or software, but I may purchase these in the future.

I certainly would not allow public comments as there is an often very crude and abusive culture within YouTube comments. I have seen above average looking young women on YouTube singing and like and commenters suggest procedures such as nose jobs and fixed teeth are needed.

A female presenter often gets compared to the supermodel and Hollywood actress.

I really would not appreciate such comments in comparison to Brad Pitt, some boy band member, or the latest heartthrob.

5. For those of you that missed it, James Leasure interviewed me in October.

Richmond Evangelical Examiner

All for the glory of God

October 18, 9:44 PM Richmond Evangelical Examiner James Leasure

Have you ever considered going to school for a Christian education? How long would you like to attend? How hard would you be willing to work? Only a hand full out of hundreds of people will actually go to school for half of their lives. Some will need to in order to accomplish all they have set out for in preparation for the rest of their life's work. Russ Murray is one of them.

Russ Murray, a citizen of British Columbia, Canada has been in pursuit of the ideal packaged Christian education. He has some very ambitious goals, and he realized long ago he would need the tools to accommodate him. Russ wants to teach The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he is not going to settle for anything less than being an authority in his field of study. Just look at his credentials!

Russ is a PhD. Dissertation candidate of Theology and Philosophy of Religion, University of Wales, Lampeter United Kingdom. He says he will probably wrap that up in the next week or two and have his grades by Christmas.

He has a Master of Philosophy from University of Wales, Bangor United Kingdom.

Russ has a Master of Theological Studies from the Canadian Baptist Seminary at Trinity Western University, Langley, British Columbia Canada.

His BA is in Biblical Studies, Columbia Bible College, Abbotsford British Columbia, Canada.

In Russ' spare time (which he says he really does not think he has) he writes in two successful blogs. One of the Blogs is entitled Satire and Theology. Russ says this blog reflects his personal views. The second blog is Kingpin68. King Pin 68 features Philosophical Theology, Reformed Theology and Philosophy of Religion. Russ is also a student of martial arts. And, as most of us do, he likes to socialize and enjoy the normal affections of life. How all of this is managed is day-to-day for Russ. And, of course, there are unexpected emergencies and occurrences which will demand Russ' time.

Question:
How long have you been a student?

Answer: (Not including primary grades through high school) "Since 1991 with post-secondary degrees with some breaks for not having MPhil and PhD advisers."

Question:
How difficult is it being a student in the British system, within Theology and Philosophy of Religion?

Russ' Answer:
"I live in BC, Canada and so I am a distance learning student (not called correspondence).

I do not have access to my adviser, except by email.
My MPhil was 40, 000 words and my PhD under final review is 125, 000 including footnotes. With a British PhD, in my opinion, it is more work researching and finding enough citations than figuring out the philosophical issues.

The number of revisions is incredible. An idea, a paragraph, is worked over many times. As well, each adviser and reviewer has a different take on one's work."

Question:
What are your plans after your final graduation?

Russ' answer:
"I would like to teach as a professor.
(I would also) Continue with blogging, will provide links (Russ networks among bloggers as a way of studying and sharing his results. "Provide links" is to exchange hosting a link. I.e.; Russ would post Richmond Evangelical Examiner's link on his blog in exchange for Richmond Evangelical Examiner to host a link to Russ' Blog.)

Perhaps interested in other forms of media...
Need to get out of debt."

Question:
Does your academic work influence your everyday life?

Russ' answer:
"Yes. My topic is the problem of evil, and I have found that I can apply theology to everyday problems.

Contrary to what some assume, theoretical theology and philosophy can have practical theological benefits.

The Bible and the historical Christ and his work provides the remedy to the problem of evil and therefore as I live, and as every Christian lives, there is a future. A future free from the problem of evil (Revelation 21-22)".


So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Corinthians 10:31 New International Version .

End

6. Burqa Bans

Daily Mail: Belgium Burqa ban

April 30, 2010

'Belgium became the first European country to impose a full ban on wearing a burka last night.

Its parliament approved a draft law which states women can be jailed for hiding their faces in public.

The bill - which must be rubber-stamped by the Belgian senate - is set to become law by July.

Centre-Right MP Daniel Bacquelaine said last night: 'The notion of recognising people in the street is essential to maintain public order...'

'The move comes as other countries consider bringing in similar legislation. There is widespread support for a ban on burkas, or full face veils, and niqabs, which cover the head and face but leave the eyes visible, in the Netherlands.

In Switzerland, voters recently supported a ban on the construction of new minarets, while France is preparing to vote in July on its own law banning Islamic headwear.'

CNN: France Burqa ban

July 13, 2010

'Paris, France (CNN) -- France's lower house of parliament Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a ban on any veils that cover the face -- including the burqa, the full-body covering worn by some Muslim women.

The vote was 335 to 1.

The measure must still go to the French Senate before it becomes law. The Senate is expected to vote on it in the week of September 20.

Amnesty International immediately condemned the vote.

"A complete ban on the covering of the face would violate the rights to freedom of expression and religion of those women who wear the burqa or the niqab in public as an expression of their identity or beliefs," said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International's expert on discrimination in Europe.

French people back the ban by a margin of more than four to one, the Pew Global Attitudes Project found in a survey this spring.

Some 82 percent of people polled approved of a ban, while 17 percent disapproved.

That was the widest support the Washington-based think tank found in any of the five countries it surveyed...'

End of citations

This political movement appears to be a reaction to the fear that statistically France and other parts of Europe will eventually have a majority Muslim population.

Perhaps those lawmakers in Europe are hoping to drive many Muslims out and discourage other Muslims from immigrating in.

These laws are also aimed at anti-terrorism I reason.





Bahia Honda Bridge, South Florida

The Continents (teaching myself geography)

Statistics from

World Atlas.com

Africa Population: 1,000,050,000 (2009 estimate)

Interestingly, in research for this post, I see that Africa is now estimated to have a population of 1 billion persons, making it the second most populated continent after Asia. Fascinating. The area of Africa in perspective.

Also interestingly, I have heard several times over the years that Europe is roughly half the size of the United States. From my research that is incorrect, as what was probably meant was that Western Europe is roughly half the size of the United States. I did not realize that Europe actually has more area than Canada as well.

Antarctica: Population 

Officially none, but governmental research stations are populated with small groups of scientists at all times. In addition, in 2003, over 13,000 tourists visited the continent.'

I have not visited, but would like to. Basically I would like to step foot on land/ice and then head back to South America. It is dangerous to walk a little too far north here in Maple Ridge because basically it is wilderness, but walking too far in any direction away from civilization on Antarctica would be scary and dangerous. Imagine landing on Antarctica and hearing ice cream truck music. I would like to visit all the continents and in particular, see the British Isles, Eurasia and North America more thoroughly.

Asia: Population 3, 879, 000 (2005 estimate) 

Oceania: Population: 32,000,000

Europe: Population 729,000,000 (2006) 

I lived in Manchester, England for two years. I am a British citizen. 

North America: 'Population: 501, 500, 000' 

I was taught that in grade school that North America consisted of Canada, the United States and Mexico. Now many modern atlases include Central America and the Caribbean as part of North America. It is considered to have 22 countries instead of 3.

South America:  Population: 379,500,000 

Facebook

A friend gave me a Paranormal Encyclopedia

I live here and my friend Walter Thomas Franklin lives that way...

As noted on my other blog, thekingpin68, I am recovering from a vitrectomy, and have a temporary gas bubble in my eye. So my vision is 'abstruckted' obstructed.

The other day, my good friend and frequent blog commenter, Bobby Buff/Walter Thomas Franklin and various other aliases, gave me a gift, a castoff book given to him that he wanted to get rid of. However it may suit our purposes.


What an attractive cover. I could take a picture of myself with black eye presently, with my Blackberry and still be prettier than Wolfgang in the bottom right corner. And I have the alien freak beat, no problem.

MATTHEWS, RUPERT (ed.) PAUL ROLAND, KAREN FARRINGTON, LUCY DONCASTER, ANDREW HOLLAND, (2009) The Encyclopedia of the Paranormal, London, Arcturus.

Blackburn states that paranormal is phenomena supposedly beyond the powers of the mind. These phenomena are attempted to be understood scientifically. Blackburn (1996: 277).

BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press.

So, I suppose I can discuss a section, at least, of this book and see what the public response is.

Ouija Boards

The volume suggests the word ouija comes from a combination of French and German words for yes. (p. 26). The board was produced as a parlour game in 1898 by the Field brothers of Baltimore. (p. 26). Today there are various versions of the game.


U.S. Patent D056449 (PDF). Design patent for toys (D21/813) which was filed May 26, 1920. Issued Oct 26, 1920. Patentee was Clifford H. McGlasson.
From: New World Encylopedia

The board has numbers, the letters of the alphabet and some 'mystical symbols' to make it look scary. (p. 27). Participants place a finger on the pointer/planchette which moves on casters. (p. 27). It is supposedly moved by spirits. The participant asks a question and the answer is spelled out as the planchette moves on the board.

The ouija is seen as a channel for a person that is not a medium, in order for that person to make contact with the spirit world. This is seen as the case whether a spirit or person is actually primarily moving the pointer. (p. 27).

Now, quite obviously, this game could be used by someone who psychologically makes the board state what is desired. The game could also be used in order for a participant to deceive observers.

The occult as with religion can be used for psychological purposes which leads to unintended deception. The occult as with religion can also be used for the purposes of intended deception.

I would not assume that every use of this game/tool will lead to a paranormal experience. I would not assume that it would be a regular occurrence with the game. However, I am not an expert on the topic.

The text states that detractors suggest that supposed spirit messages could come from a participants unconscious. (p. 27).

Demonic Forces

The book states there have been an alarming number of violent attacks and teenage suicides involving certain disturbed impressionable persons who claim to have been following the instructions of demonic forces contacted via a ouija board. (p. 29).

The game can become dangerously addictive and a problem for those that are psychologically disturbed. (p. 29).

The book postulates the board may not be itself 'intrinsically bad' but should not be used by the irresponsible and immature that cannot handle what they receive. (p. 29).

I doubt deceased persons are taking part with the ouija board as deceased persons/spirits are disembodied by nature and should not be a threat to living persons.

I have doubts that disembodied spirits would even have the natural control or ability to respond to such a game. God had Samuel respond to a medium (1 Samuel 28), but that was a rare case.

So, the demonic forces suggestion is a reasonable one made by the text.

Further:

Demonic beings are opposed to God and are very evil.

They can Biblically harass all persons and in some cases heavily influence persons which is seen in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament.

Therefore, no person is responsible or mature enough to reasonably be dabbling with any kind of ouija board.

Further:

I am not some 'crazed fundamentalist' that the mainstream media can reasonably mock, but I reason that if a person is interested in spiritual life, the paranormal, and the supernatural, it is far more reasonable to have dealings with the infinite triune God of Scripture than his finite evil fallen demonic creations which serve his purposes, even as they oppose him (Job).

Guru Chucky lives that way...

Guru Chucky arrives this evening. The glowing guru.

Classic statements (If I were famous)

Bristol, England (photo from trekearth.com) My good friend and basically neighbour Bobby Buff, also known as Walter Thomas Franklin, has stated that I should put together a post with some of my statements/quotes. Jeff Jenkins has stated he keeps track of some of my statements. So, yes this is like a television episode where they use a lot of footage from old episodes.

 

However, since my readership is slowly growing, much of the material should be new to the reader.

And comments are a huge part of my two blogs, and they almost always contain new content.

My blogs posts are never ever really duplicated. There is some new content with this post, in the main body, as well. From satire and theology:

How to blow-up your blog without thinking too much

'When someone leaves a comment on your blog, either completely ignore the comment, or better yet erase it later after it has been published. Make sure you come across to your readers with that 'What the hell do you want', type of attitude. Treat your blog commenters like they are telemarketers while your favourite television show is on.'

Remember, 'Stranger Danger'! (June 4, 2010) 'Use plenty of ad hominem personal attacks in all your articles and comments. If someone disagrees with you make sure you state that they must hate you and what you stand for with your blog. Imply you are the Blogosphere's Mother Teresa/Gandhi/non-resistant Mennonite as you use vicious ad hominem attacks against your readers that disagree with you in any major way. Reason that it is okay for you to viciously attack your critics, because you are 'right' and since they are 'wrong' as they disagree with you, and they obviously must hate you.'

From satire and theology

Theocracy

'I am not suggesting theocracy, but the need for more rational common sense ways of looking at humanity and therefore how government should be run.'

'I would not desire for one religion to be favoured as those citizens outside of the religion could face persecution, and in the extreme case of a state church be considered to be committing treason.'

'I do not support any primarily human attempt at establishing theocracy. A primarily human attempt at theocracy does not guarantee Biblically based rule through the guidance of the true God.'

'In the present age, I favour democracy over theocracy.'

From satire and theology

The non-conformist of the year awards

'Mr. Jackson is wisely not a supporter of the theory of macroevolution, however, if he saw my hairy friends Chucky and Deeaaaan, he may reconsider.'

From satire and theology

Recent comments on other blogs (because that is how I roll)

'Is gay the new black?

Biblically, it is natural to be black, but not natural to be homosexual.

Blacks are not condemned for being such, but homosexual acts are condemned.'

So, no gay is not the new black. (June 4, 2010.)

From thekingpin68

No surprise this is Canada

'I would have preferred to see the court state the obvious, that marriage traditionally has encompassed a man and a woman, and for good reasons. The union of a man and woman can, if normal health (and if they are of childbearing age (June 4, 2010)) is present, lead to the sexual production of a family. Homosexual marriage cannot lead to the production of a family unit, even if both partners are completely healthy. This is clearly a difference between heterosexual and homosexual unions, and as one critic argued, the latter are really homosensual unions.'

From thekingpin68

Arminianism and Free Will

'

Pelagianism It must be noted that Arminianism is not Pelagianism. Pelagianism believes that human beings can achieve salvation from their own powers. It is believed that human beings can choose in free will, good or evil. Original sin was a bad example, and not inherited. Yarnold (1999: 435).' 'Arminianism holds to original sin and human corruption and that people are not able to do good without prevenient grace. Grider (1996: 80). Prevenient grace could be explained as preceding grace.'

'In my understanding the fallen human being has a limited free will that freely rejects God, and through the salvation process God enables the believer to freely follow Christ.

By limited free will I accept the idea that a fallen human being is free in the sense that he/she can be restored by God if elected (and regenerated (June 4, 2010)), but not free in a way the he/she could be saved through prevenient grace.' 

From thekingpin68 Begging the question 

'Begging the question would be if a person specifically argued the conclusion of an argument within a premise.' 

Here are some additional sayings of mine:

'Life is fatastic'.

'Life is flabulous'.

'My floaters are a real problem of evil' (They will be gone very soon).

'Bloggers that do not want to reciprocally link can enjoy writing their own personal online diaries, unless they are already well-known in the field they are blogging about.'

'Excuse me, this is the web and you have a public blog, this means strangers can read your posts and comment.'

'Stranger Danger!'

'You can always turn comments off, and/or make your blog private'. 'You are a gentleman and a skull hair'. 'The radical fundamentalists and radical liberals tend not to support my work. My support mostly comes from moderate conservatives and moderate liberals. Mostly conservatives.' 'I am a moderate conservative.' 'I am so muscular I have a twelve pack.' 'Let's see, here in BC, we do not have a lot of police, do not have a large military, do not have a lot of hospitals, do not have a lot of freeways, and do not have a lot of rapid transit. Yet we pay close to half of money earned to governments for taxes, plus sales taxes and other fees. Where does all this money go? I think something is wrong.' 

GRIDER, J.K. (1996) 'Arminianism', in Walter A. Elwell (ed.). Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Books.

YARNOLD, E.J. (1999) 'Pelagianism', in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.

Happiness is a spice from Rick Beaudin. Below is some of Jeff Jenkins' work for my blogs over the last few years.