thoughts out !oud

a Christian’s news, views, opinions and occasional poetry …

When have you simply just trusted in God?

This post of mine is nothing overly profound. But I read a post over at Dead Theologians that discusses the topic of fakeness - the ability to be someone in one instance, but then be able change your spots in another circumstance. In his post he mentions waiting nervously for the guest speaker who was running late and had not contacted the church that he was running late. Not knowing whether or not the guest speaker was going to turn up, and not having a backup plan in case things go pear shaped, is quite a pickle to be in. I’ve been in that situation a couple of times, which is what I’ll share here, and I believe it be one of those moments when… Continue reading When have you simply just trusted in God?

How to get your fear of death to drop dead

I wonder how many of us fear death? If even only on a subconscious level, perhaps? I think it would be fair to say that the majority of people really don’t give much time thinking about death. I mean, why dwell on something that is so morbid and dark, right? Wouldn’t we rather just think of the happier things in life and tend to what is present than to waste our grey matter thinking of death?

Since you’re reading this, do you? Are you scared of death? Or are you somewhat like me … not really fearing death itself but not looking forward to how it might actually take place?

At one point, I used to think that Christians had the monopoly of not fearing death… Continue reading How to get your fear of death to drop dead

Worshipping the iPhone 3G

It’s being touted as the Jesus-phone - presumably, as it’s the 2nd gen model and is practically worshipped, this is a tongue-in-cheek reference to Jesus’ second coming. I’m talking about the iPhone 3G, of course!
iPhone in dock

There is no doubt that there is an air of religious fervour surrounding the impending release of the Apple iPhone 3G. Reading up on various Mac enthusiast websites and forums, there is most definitely a buzzing obsession - not too much disimilar to the opening of Australia’s first Apple owned and run Apple store (which had people queing up 48hrs before the official openening time and attracted not just people from interstate, but international sojourners as well) in George Street, Sydney, last month. But given the… Continue reading Worshipping the iPhone 3G

Lazy Myth: Christians don’t have fun

[Previous Lazy Myth: Religions are all the same]

Christians just don’t have fun. Christians are spoil-sports, party-poopers and kill-joys. Just when you’re starting to really unwind and enjoy yourself at the start of the weekend, your bible-thumping grandmother knocks on your front door and invites herself in for a spot of tea and some spongecake. Christians are boring; and becoming a Christian automatically renders the rest of your life as one big meadow with rolling hills where Julie Andrews sings tirade after tirade of tunes from the Sound of Music. (Disclaimer: okay. I acknowledge that, for some of you out there, that is your idea of fun, but work with me, okay?)

And further, who wants to live forever in heaven? How can that be fun?… Continue reading Lazy Myth: Christians don't have fun

Chimp making a monkey out of the Court of Human Rights

The world is an amazing place. So amazing in fact, that an animal rights activist in Austria is seeking a Court ruling to ascribe inalienable human rights to a 26 y.o. chimpanzee named Matthew. (The naming of this chimp and the author of this article are purely coincidental … besides, following the hypothesis of the literary evolution of personal pronouns, I’ve discarded the extra ‘T’;) ) If the Court rules in favour, Matthew will fall into the legal guardianship of the activist concerned, Paula Stibbe.

According to the article, the sanctuary in which Matthew the chimpanzee resides is closing its doors, and Ms Stibbe is doing her part to protect him. By becoming the chimp’s legal guardian, she’ll be able to take care of him.

I wonder, if… Continue reading Chimp making a monkey out of the Court of Human Rights

Religion only indoctrinates and brainwashes

Here’s my bold statement this morning: religion is the antithesis to all that is good. Religion seeks to indoctrinate and effectively brainwash all those who are put through it’s regimented system of controls, boundaries and misguided logic.

Indoctrination seeks to form a particular pattern of thought in the minds of its target audience at the expense of all other opposing thoughts.

Brainwashing seeks to render any alternate thought out of existence before it can take a foothold and challenge the agenda that is being pushed.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: religion sucks. Religion creates narrow-mindedness, bigotry and incites hatred and creates elitism and ‘holier than thou’ mentalities. Who can’t agree with prominent thinkers like Richard Dawkin’s that religion is, through and through, completely and utterly destructive… Continue reading Religion only indoctrinates and brainwashes

Making Good Friday ‘Better’

The Reverend John Evans, based on comments he made in an article on Thursday 20 March, would have you believe that Good Friday should be done away with. Apparently, it is no longer relevant, having lost any meaning outside of the Christian community. Wow. Talk about insight. Fancy a significant day in the Christian calendar not having much significance to non-Christians! Give the guy a… Continue reading Making Good Friday 'Better'

Last Roll of the Dice for Gary Gygax

Mr Gary Gygax died on Tuesday morning, 2nd March 2008.

My high-school friends (who are also my old Dungeons & Dragons playing co-horts) may know who Gary Gygax is. My church-going friends might not - though I know the odd one or two who may be able to cast their memory back to younger days. For those of you playing at home, Gary Gygax was the co-founder of the… Continue reading Last Roll of the Dice for Gary Gygax

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