God Either Is or Isn't

When discussing God the conversation normally and quickly turns to theology.  I would like to avoid theology and have an discussion that is outside the confines of theology.  Here is my theorem I would like to discuss (and it's really someone else's theorem that just made sense to me):  Either God necessarily exists and exists regardless of the belief of people. Or God does not exist and cannot exist in any circumstance regardless of what people believe.  Now…I'm not going to arrive on one side or the other of this idea.  I'm just trying to clear this up because I've had conversations with people who thought that God could only exist if people believed in Him/Her (remember...I'm not addressing specific theology).   

In addressing that particular idea, if God only exists when people believe in Him/Her then is that really something worthy of being called God?   Are you going to admire/worship/ponder (whatever you do) something that, if you simply stop believing in It, then It ceases to exist?  Doesn't that put the existence of God on less stable plain than that of humans?  The problems that this view causes are immense.  So it seems pretty obvious that if God exists then He/She exists regardless of our beliefs.  Much the same as you or I still exist even if no one believes we do.  If I kidnap you (which I'm not going to do) and drop you off in the middle of the Jungle and everyone on the planet thinks you are dead…are you dead?  If you were born in the middle of nowhere and everyone in your family dies except for you…no one knows you exist…do you exist?  Yes.  So, if God exists He/She also exists regardless of what people believe. 

Now…the same argument can be made for God not existing.  If God does not exist then no amount of belief or faith can bring about existence.  I can believe, all I want, that a rock is going to sprout legs and walk across my room.  I can even convince others that this is going to happen.  But is that rock going to sprout legs and walk across the room…No.  It seems absurd to think just because we believe in something…that something is automatically true. 

Whether God exists or not is something that you are going to have to decide for yourself in so much as your relationship and interaction. But know that you could possibly be wrong and if you are wrong no amount of faith will cause your belief to manifest into reality. Also, if you think that God only exists if people believe that He/She does…then is that something worthy of being called God?  Is a state of existence based on the belief of people really existence?  I would say no on both parts. 

The Discontent of a Lazy Mind

So this may seem crazy, but I'm going crazy not being in class.  There is something about being challenged and stressed that, in spite of my complaining while it's currently happening, really keeps me going.  My finals were over about 2 weeks ago and I thought Summer semester was starting last Monday.  So I got down to Norfolk and was sitting in front of the classroom but no one else was around.  I finally started thinking that something was wrong.  I rechecked the schedule and saw that they start this Monday.  This week I've felt antsy and edgy because I wasn't in that environment that pushes me to learn.  I know it may seem crazy.  If I had read this when I was 19 I would have thought I was crazy.  So, I'm really glad to have new classes start on Monday.

In High School I took one year of Spanish...twice.  Meaning that I never got my foreign language credit.  So Monday I start learning French.  As I've gotten older knowing other languages and cultures has become very important to me and I chose French...well...basically because I have a built in Teacher.  Jess took 5 years of French in High School and I thought it would be fun to have someone around the house apartment to discourse with.  I'm hoping it's something I enjoy.  If it is I'll probably end up buying the Rosetta Stone series to continue learning after my two semesters of French at ODU are done.  I've heard good things about those. 

In other school related news, I went and observed a High School History class.  And after much thought and consideration I've decided that it was not something I wanted to pursue.  So what now do I major in? Answer...I've kept my major in Computer Science.  I thought teaching was something that seemed ok and that I might have an ok time with it.  But I'm not sure that is a good approach to have when trying to "enlighten" young minds.  I think it should be more of an immediate connection with the job...and I just didn't have that..for History anyways.  But the whole reason I was looking into to teaching History was because I love the Humanities (english, history, political science, philosophy).  I still think its important that I don't just approach my time at ODU as something to get me a better job.  So I went looking for a minor that would suit me.  I really enjoy my Philosophy class, so I concidered minoring in that.  Then I stumbled on an interdisciplinary study called "American Studies".  It combines History, English, and Political Science to try and answer the questions "What is America?", "Is ther still an American Dream?" and "How do American history and culture interact?"  So there you have it...tough decisions made.  And for what it's worth I had a wonderful Professor, Professor Olariu, for my Discrete Structures class and he was able to re-frame the way that I look at the study of Computer Science in a way that clicked with who I am.  So in staying with Comp Sci and I feel better in that 1. I made a decision on what to major in and 2. I'm majoring in something that, now, has interest for me. 

Now...The Replacements...

Sometimes, in order to keep the peace, decisions are made.

Something I am Involved In: Dear Tea Party People

Dear Tea Party People,

I have to write you a letter of concern at this point. You see, I have heard many of you talk a lot about fiscal responsibility, limited government and original-intent constitutionalism. But I have a few questions:

1. (and most importantly) Where were you guys for the 8 years that George Bush and the Republicans were in office? Those dudes spent a ton of money on big government stuff (see No Child Left behind), passed big government legislation (see The Patriot Act), encroached on our personal rights (see The Patriot Act again), expanded the reach of government and government run programs (see Medicare and once again The Patriot Act), and did things that were completely outside the confines of original-intent Constitutional interpretation (see...dare I say it...both Wars.  Since Article 1 Section 8 Line 11ish says Congress not the President has the power to declare war and Congress does not have the power to give The President the power to declare it.  Go read up on some Jefferson to see what he thought about the power of one man to send a nation to war.). Why was there no Tea Party for this?

2. Why did most of you mock and scorn us for voting for Ron Paul only to start preaching his message a few months later?

3. (ok...it's just me re-stating #1) Why is it only now that a Democrat is in office that these things became important to you?

I bring these up out of concern that you may have not thoroughly vetted your cause. Sometimes you seem a little disingenuous.  And until these critical points are addressed, with some seriousness, it is going to be hard for me to take you seriously. Also, a little civility would go a long way. If you believe so much in the ideas of the founding fathers, it may do you a little good to study their style of debating and discourse. It might actually get you some new followers. Well, that's all for now. Good night and good luck.

-scott

What Happened?

I removed my original "What Happened?" post because I realized that I'm not really involved enough to make such grandiose statements. I may or may not be right...but since not actively in it...I'm not going to start point fingers. Because even if it is true...who am I?

Rites of Spring

Good morning all.  As the chill of winter is blowing away we are left with the hopes of the spring weather that is come.  In celebration of this I present Rites of Spring...

5 Coolest Looking Rockers: the Scott list

 For a break from my normally heavier topics, I wanted to make a list of rockers that I think looking friggin' awesome.  My criteria for looking awesome is...well...whatever I look at and go "man that looks awesome."  So in order, here they are:
5.  Buzz Osborne from The Melvins


4.  Mark Arm from Mudhoney

3.  Kim Thayil from Soundgarden

 (yes a pic of kim and buzz...double score)

2.  J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr.

1.  Who else...Hendrix