thoughts out !oud

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

Quote: Former atheist speaks on cruelness and injustice

My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust? If the whole show was bad and senseless from A to Z, so to speak, why did I, who was supposed to be part of the show, find myself in such violent reaction against it? A man feels wet when he falls into water, because man is not a water animal: a fish would not feel wet. Of course, I could have given up my idea of justice by saying that it was nothing but a private… Continue reading Quote: Former atheist speaks on cruelness and injustice

On arguing apologetics

Arguing apologetics really can be fun. Seriously. You should try it, if you haven’t already. For an even healthier dosage of fun, try it on an internet forum … as the internet has no mercy. You can easily get lost in an apologetic dialogue for days on end. I’m convinced you need a lot of stamina to endure such discussion.

Now typically, arguing religion on any internet forum can be a frightful exercise. The ‘net is full of examples of discussion threads that have gotten out of hand, typically by nutters on both sides. Over the course of the last couple of weeks, I’ve been in dialogue with a couple of humanists who began with the premise that the God of the Bible is… Continue reading On arguing apologetics

God’s a real ‘devil’?

We look around us and see all the evil in the world and those incited by the mass injustice (whether personally against them, or against groups of others) brings with it a cursing of God. God’s the real devil of it all, apparently. After all, if He is as good and all benevolent as some believe Him to be, how can he let the things that have ravaged human history and cause pain and suffering to millions to this very day?

I was reading an address on this earlier today, and the following proverb was mentioned:

A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD. (Prov 19:3)

This goes as much as to say that our own poor choices are the ones that make our life… Continue reading God's a real 'devil'?

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

Next stop: Karma Central

It’s a subtle reference, to be sure. Unless you’re in the clutches of the menace that is Melbourne’s public transport system, you are probably blissfully unaware. Fare evasion is nothing new to any transport system, but in Melbourne’s beloved train, tram and bus network, Metlink believe it’s a big deal. A big enough deal to presume guilt on its patrons before innocence. A big enough deal to launch a quasi-spiritual campaign against the ticket evaders and freeloaders that must ’surely be the reason’ for our failed and troubled transport system. A’la karmacentral.com.au.

Their whole campaign revolves around the simple notion that if you don’t buy a ticket or otherwise avoid paying your way on public transport, somewhere, somehow, something bad is going to happen to you… Continue reading Next stop: Karma Central