21/06: A Giant Passes
Category: Religion and History
Posted by: an okie gardener
Henry Chadwick, gifted historian of the Early Church, has died at 87. His work exemplifies the genius of British scholarship--careful, thorough, not going beyond the evidence in its claims. While he had a personal agenda, the health and unity of the church, he never let it get in the way of his scholarship. He was devoted to scholarship, the church, and his family. He is survived by his wife of 63 years and three daughters. He was an Anglican priest.
NYT obituary.
RIP Brother Chadwick.
NYT obituary.
RIP Brother Chadwick.
21/06: Real Local Headlines
Category: Frivolity
Posted by: an okie gardener
As anyone who grades high school or undergraduate papers can attest, way too many young people trust spell-check to do their editing and rewrites. These are local headlines from our local TV station. Click the links if you do not believe me.
Motorcycle critically injured in crash.
Mexico recovers pre-Columbian artifacts seized in US, Canada; some looted from nomadic caves
Motorcycle critically injured in crash.
Mexico recovers pre-Columbian artifacts seized in US, Canada; some looted from nomadic caves
Category: American Culture
Posted by: an okie gardener
I am reading the book The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness by Simon Wiesenthal.
In the first part of the book Wiesenthal relates a disturbing experience during his time in a Nazi concentration camp in Poland. While on a work detail outside the camp at a school (his old "high school") that had been converted into a hospital for wounded German soldiers, he was summoned by a nurse. She led him into the room of a dying SS soldier and left him there. The young man had asked that a Jew be brought to him. He then proceeded, in words interupted by pain, to relate his life story, working up to what he wanted to tell a Jew.
He had been a good boy, he said, raised in the [Roman Catholic] Church by a pious mother, and truly believed. Then, he joined the Hitler Youth, and gradually was turned against the Church, giving higher alliegance to the Furher than to his parents. When the war started he volunteered for the SS. Moving east with the invasion of Russia, he and his squad were given an order one day.
"An order was given," he continued, "and we marched toward the huddled mass of Jews. There were a hundred and fifty of them or perhaps two hundred, including many children who stared at us with anxious eyes. A few were quietly crying. There were infants in their mothers' arms, but hardly any young men, mostly women and graybeards.
"As we approached I could see the expression in their eyes--fear, indescribable fear . . . apparently they knew what was awaiting them . . .
"A truck arrived with cans of petrol which we unloaded and took into a house. The strong men among the Jews were ordered to carry the cans to the upper stories. They obeyed--apathetically, without a will of their own, like automatons.
"Then we began to drive the Jews into the house. A sergeant with a whip in his hand helped any of the Jews who were not quick enough. There was a hail of curses and kicks. The house was not very large, it had only three stories. I would not have believed it possible to crowd them all into it. But after a few minutes there was no Jew left on the street."
. . .
The dying Nazi went on: "Then another truck came up full of more Jews and they too were crammed into the house with the others. Then the door was locked and a machine gun was posted opposite."
. . .
"When we were told that everything was ready, we went back a few yards, and then received the command to remove safety pins from hand grenades and throw them through the windows of the house. Detonations followed one after another . . .My God!"
Now he was silent, and he raised himself slightly from the bed: his whole body was shivering.
But he continued: "We heard screams and saw the flames eat their way from floor to floor . . . We had our rifles ready to shoot down anyone who tried to escape from that blazing hell . . .
"The screams from the house were horrible. Dense smoke poured out and choked us . . ."
. . .
". . .Behind the windows of the second floor, I saw a man with a small child in his arms. His clothes were alight. By his side stood a woman, doubtless the mother of the child. With his free hand the man covered the child's eyes . . . then he jumped into the street. Seconds later the mother followed. Then from the other windows fell burning bodies . . . We shot . . . Oh God!"
More below.
In the first part of the book Wiesenthal relates a disturbing experience during his time in a Nazi concentration camp in Poland. While on a work detail outside the camp at a school (his old "high school") that had been converted into a hospital for wounded German soldiers, he was summoned by a nurse. She led him into the room of a dying SS soldier and left him there. The young man had asked that a Jew be brought to him. He then proceeded, in words interupted by pain, to relate his life story, working up to what he wanted to tell a Jew.
He had been a good boy, he said, raised in the [Roman Catholic] Church by a pious mother, and truly believed. Then, he joined the Hitler Youth, and gradually was turned against the Church, giving higher alliegance to the Furher than to his parents. When the war started he volunteered for the SS. Moving east with the invasion of Russia, he and his squad were given an order one day.
"An order was given," he continued, "and we marched toward the huddled mass of Jews. There were a hundred and fifty of them or perhaps two hundred, including many children who stared at us with anxious eyes. A few were quietly crying. There were infants in their mothers' arms, but hardly any young men, mostly women and graybeards.
"As we approached I could see the expression in their eyes--fear, indescribable fear . . . apparently they knew what was awaiting them . . .
"A truck arrived with cans of petrol which we unloaded and took into a house. The strong men among the Jews were ordered to carry the cans to the upper stories. They obeyed--apathetically, without a will of their own, like automatons.
"Then we began to drive the Jews into the house. A sergeant with a whip in his hand helped any of the Jews who were not quick enough. There was a hail of curses and kicks. The house was not very large, it had only three stories. I would not have believed it possible to crowd them all into it. But after a few minutes there was no Jew left on the street."
. . .
The dying Nazi went on: "Then another truck came up full of more Jews and they too were crammed into the house with the others. Then the door was locked and a machine gun was posted opposite."
. . .
"When we were told that everything was ready, we went back a few yards, and then received the command to remove safety pins from hand grenades and throw them through the windows of the house. Detonations followed one after another . . .My God!"
Now he was silent, and he raised himself slightly from the bed: his whole body was shivering.
But he continued: "We heard screams and saw the flames eat their way from floor to floor . . . We had our rifles ready to shoot down anyone who tried to escape from that blazing hell . . .
"The screams from the house were horrible. Dense smoke poured out and choked us . . ."
. . .
". . .Behind the windows of the second floor, I saw a man with a small child in his arms. His clothes were alight. By his side stood a woman, doubtless the mother of the child. With his free hand the man covered the child's eyes . . . then he jumped into the street. Seconds later the mother followed. Then from the other windows fell burning bodies . . . We shot . . . Oh God!"
More below.
Category: American Culture
Posted by: an okie gardener
Disturbing data from a study in Memphis. The answer is clear. Demolishing the large housing projects in the inner-city, and dispersing their residents throughout the city using rent vouchers also spread violent crime.
Full story in The Atlantic. Link from Instapundit.
Full story in The Atlantic. Link from Instapundit.
Category: Religion & Public Policy
Posted by: an okie gardener
The Los Angeles Times has this story the other day on the religious debates surrounding same-sex marriage. I want to engage some of the ideas found in the article.
Nonsense [speaking against the idea that moderns must be bound by the literal message of the text] , says the Rev. Mel White, a former Fuller professor and evangelical author who married his partner of 27 years in a ceremony Wednesday at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena.
White calls the Bible a living document that must be understood in its historical context -- a view shared by reform-minded clergy and theologians from other faiths.
A major issue in the religious debate over homosexual practice is the interpretation of the Bible, specifically, how the Bible is to be interpretted and implemented. The two sides in the issue correspond roughly to the political debates over the U.S. Constitution and its interpretation. On one side are those who think we are bound to follow the text as written, on the other are those who think the Bible is a "living document" whose meaning and application must change as circumstances change. The problem for biblical conservatives is that few are truly conservative in their reading and application of Scripture: witness the NT teachings that women are not to have authority over men, that we are to be content with what we have, are not to remarry after divorce, or that charging interest on loans is a sin. Small wonder that polls show that for young evangelicals, homosexuality is just not an issue. The problem for biblical liberals is the danger that a person or group can make Scripture appear to bless any sort of behavior or practice. One could argue, I suppose, that due to the current situation of world overpopulation we should reexamine those passages that state we should feed the hungry, etc.
More below
Nonsense [speaking against the idea that moderns must be bound by the literal message of the text] , says the Rev. Mel White, a former Fuller professor and evangelical author who married his partner of 27 years in a ceremony Wednesday at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena.
White calls the Bible a living document that must be understood in its historical context -- a view shared by reform-minded clergy and theologians from other faiths.
A major issue in the religious debate over homosexual practice is the interpretation of the Bible, specifically, how the Bible is to be interpretted and implemented. The two sides in the issue correspond roughly to the political debates over the U.S. Constitution and its interpretation. On one side are those who think we are bound to follow the text as written, on the other are those who think the Bible is a "living document" whose meaning and application must change as circumstances change. The problem for biblical conservatives is that few are truly conservative in their reading and application of Scripture: witness the NT teachings that women are not to have authority over men, that we are to be content with what we have, are not to remarry after divorce, or that charging interest on loans is a sin. Small wonder that polls show that for young evangelicals, homosexuality is just not an issue. The problem for biblical liberals is the danger that a person or group can make Scripture appear to bless any sort of behavior or practice. One could argue, I suppose, that due to the current situation of world overpopulation we should reexamine those passages that state we should feed the hungry, etc.
More below
Category: America and the World
Posted by: an okie gardener
Here for the recent post.
The Indian Army so far is responding non-violently to Chinese border incursions, forming human chains by having men link arms so that Chinese troops cannot simply walk over the border. And, the Indian Army is taking more serious steps such as deploying artillery.
Full story from The Times of India.
The Indian Army so far is responding non-violently to Chinese border incursions, forming human chains by having men link arms so that Chinese troops cannot simply walk over the border. And, the Indian Army is taking more serious steps such as deploying artillery.
Full story from The Times of India.
Category: Religion & Public Policy
Posted by: an okie gardener
The Infidel Bloggers Alliance posts this essay which is well worth reading.
It begins with a quotation from the Ayatollah Khomeini whom we'll regard as an expert on Islam, or at least an authority of Shia.
Let me begin with a quote from a fatwa by the late and unlamented Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran.
"A man can marry a girl younger than nine years of age, even if the girl is still a baby being breastfed. A man, however is prohibited from having intercourse with a girl younger than nine, other sexual acts such as foreplay, rubbing, kissing and sodomy is allowed.
A man having intercourse with a girl younger than nine years of age has not committed a crime, but only an infraction, if the girl is not permanently damaged. If the girl, however, is permanently damaged, the man must provide for her all her life. But this girl will not count as one of the man's four permanent wives. He also is not permitted to marry the girl's sister."
The Ayatollah is not simply giving a personal, idiosycratic opinion. For Muslims of all branches, the life of Muhammad serves as a prescriptive example of how a man should live. His is the exemplary life. And, he married his last wife when she was still a child, having sex-play with her until he had intercourse when she was nine. Since The Messenger of God did these things, then no good Muslim can disavow the practice.
Multiculturalism, what a crock.
It begins with a quotation from the Ayatollah Khomeini whom we'll regard as an expert on Islam, or at least an authority of Shia.
Let me begin with a quote from a fatwa by the late and unlamented Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran.
"A man can marry a girl younger than nine years of age, even if the girl is still a baby being breastfed. A man, however is prohibited from having intercourse with a girl younger than nine, other sexual acts such as foreplay, rubbing, kissing and sodomy is allowed.
A man having intercourse with a girl younger than nine years of age has not committed a crime, but only an infraction, if the girl is not permanently damaged. If the girl, however, is permanently damaged, the man must provide for her all her life. But this girl will not count as one of the man's four permanent wives. He also is not permitted to marry the girl's sister."
The Ayatollah is not simply giving a personal, idiosycratic opinion. For Muslims of all branches, the life of Muhammad serves as a prescriptive example of how a man should live. His is the exemplary life. And, he married his last wife when she was still a child, having sex-play with her until he had intercourse when she was nine. Since The Messenger of God did these things, then no good Muslim can disavow the practice.
Multiculturalism, what a crock.
Category: Religion and History
Posted by: an okie gardener
So far, the news from Europe is not good.
Suspected Al Qaeda leader Abu Qatada is celebrating his release from prison [in the U.K.] with the release of a book in which he urges Muslims to commit terrorist attacks in the West.
In the 71-page tract, published in English translation on the internet, he repeatedly claims that fighting jihad, holy war, is obligatory for all Muslims and urges them to 'terrorise' non-believers.
Full story from The Daily Mail.
Abu Qatada is not an aberation. The Koran itself urges Muslims to fight against unbelievers until the unbelievers feel themselves to be subdued.
"But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever you find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them, for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." Qur'an, Sura 9:5
"Fight those who do not believe in Allah or the Last Day; nor hold that forbidden which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger; nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued." Qur'an, Sura 9:29 The Jizya is the tax paid by Christians and Jews living in Muslim lands.
"O you who believe! Fight the Unbelievers who gird you about, and let them find firmness in you: and know that Allah is with those who fear Him." Qur'an, Sura 9:123
The above quotes from the English translation of The Qur'an by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, published in Istanbul, 2002.
It is well to remember that Islam spread through military conquest from Arabia west across North Africa and the Iberian Penninsula, north into central Asia and into central Europe, and east to India.
Suspected Al Qaeda leader Abu Qatada is celebrating his release from prison [in the U.K.] with the release of a book in which he urges Muslims to commit terrorist attacks in the West.
In the 71-page tract, published in English translation on the internet, he repeatedly claims that fighting jihad, holy war, is obligatory for all Muslims and urges them to 'terrorise' non-believers.
Full story from The Daily Mail.
Abu Qatada is not an aberation. The Koran itself urges Muslims to fight against unbelievers until the unbelievers feel themselves to be subdued.
"But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever you find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them, for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." Qur'an, Sura 9:5
"Fight those who do not believe in Allah or the Last Day; nor hold that forbidden which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger; nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued." Qur'an, Sura 9:29 The Jizya is the tax paid by Christians and Jews living in Muslim lands.
"O you who believe! Fight the Unbelievers who gird you about, and let them find firmness in you: and know that Allah is with those who fear Him." Qur'an, Sura 9:123
The above quotes from the English translation of The Qur'an by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, published in Istanbul, 2002.
It is well to remember that Islam spread through military conquest from Arabia west across North Africa and the Iberian Penninsula, north into central Asia and into central Europe, and east to India.
Category: America and the World
Posted by: an okie gardener
China has stepped up its incursions into Indian territory. Here, from The Times of India.
And, we are not the only ones the Chinese are targeting with cyber-warfare. India reports daily attacks. Story here.
So what? This is the what. First, we must judge a country's intentions in the world by what it does, not be its rhetoric. China is showing itself to be something of a bully, shoving its weight around its area of the world. The question for us is this: what will it do when it feels itself stronger?
Second: India is a natural ally for us, much more so than many nations. It also is a democracy, has some Anglo institution from the British, and is a force in the marketplace.
And, we are not the only ones the Chinese are targeting with cyber-warfare. India reports daily attacks. Story here.
So what? This is the what. First, we must judge a country's intentions in the world by what it does, not be its rhetoric. China is showing itself to be something of a bully, shoving its weight around its area of the world. The question for us is this: what will it do when it feels itself stronger?
Second: India is a natural ally for us, much more so than many nations. It also is a democracy, has some Anglo institution from the British, and is a force in the marketplace.
Category: Politics
Posted by: an okie gardener
David Carlin, writing in Commonweal, makes a most persuasive case for McCain against Obama (or Hillary), and does so as a life-long Democrat.
McCain is not the perfect presidential candidate, but I think he is miles ahead of Obama. When it comes time to vote we vote for who we have on the ballot, not an abstract perfect candidate.
McCain is not the perfect presidential candidate, but I think he is miles ahead of Obama. When it comes time to vote we vote for who we have on the ballot, not an abstract perfect candidate.
