In which I tell you how your religion works

Reblog

Please read this. If you are a Christian please read this. If you are a non-Christian please read this. If you are a human being please read this.

And once you have read it, please, please reblog it.

Luther M. Siler's avatarWelcome to infinitefreetime dot com

christianity_versus_other_religions_blog-horngsawI am not a Christian.  That fact has probably been perfectly clear for a very long time; it doesn’t take a whole lot of reading around here to figure it out.

What may be less clear to non long-time visitors: Chances are I know way more about Christianity than you do.  Is that a guarantee?  No, not at all.  But most of you don’t have a Master’s degree in Biblical studies.  I do.  And I got it from one of the best divinity schools in the country.  So chances are I know more about Christianity and Western religion in general than you do.

I’ve been thinking about Jesus a lot in the last few days.  Maybe I should go full wanker here and call him Yeshua, or something, to rid him of some of the cruft that’s accumulated over the past 2000 years, but the point is I’ve spent a…

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The Round Tower of Kildare

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Fascinating structure
Awesome photographs

edmooneyphotography's avatarEd Mooney Photography

DSC_9702 (426x640)

It has been a long time since I last visited the magnificent Round Tower in Kildare Town. Located a few meters away from St. Brigid’s Cathedral, it really is one of the most impressive Round Towers in the country. In fact at 108 ft. in height it has bragging rights as the second tallest Round Tower still standing in Ireland, and it is also the tallest Tower that can still be climbed. Interestingly the Round Tower in Glendalough which I visited last year holds the record for the tallest Tower in Ireland, standing at approx. 113ft in height. But as Kildare does not have a conical cap, I wonder might this have changed the rankings? This ancient site which has had a long connection with both the Gaelic Deity Brigid, but also the Christian saint whom shared the same name. Sometimes it is quite difficult to distinguish the difference…

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Being Color-Blind is Wrong!

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Read the post BEFORE watching the video …

eddiestarofficial's avatarEddie Star Blog

This is a viral video that is becoming popular on the internet. Every one who wants to emanate social justice and civil rights are sharing and re-tweeting this romanticized video of peace and lily-flowers. Some Utopian fantasy land, where humans are cars, and biases aren’t formed.

Let’s start off with the “Pro’s” of being color-blind. The origin of this argument is from a Dr. Martin Luther King speech where he stated:

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Martin Luther King

I will get to more of that later, the purpose of this is to let you know where this argument stems from. So, a society of this sort would be free of hatred and every one would get along with no…

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Scalzi | Paris

News, Reblog, Social Issues

John Scalzi has summed this up better and more eloquently than I could ever hope to.

I have many thoughts on the Paris attacks but the one I want to point out today is this: there are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world and what most of them want to do is live their lives, love their family, friends and neighbors, and be at peace with themselves, their world and their God.

…

The Muslims I know, and I know more than just a few, are as horrified as anyone by ISIS and what they represent. The Muslims I know are good people, and I am proud if and when they consider me to be their friend. I don’t experience what they feel when events like this happen, which give bigots here, where we live, an excuse to hate and demonize them. But I can see the impact from the outside. It’s stupid what is done to them, and it’s wrong.

  

Please read all of it at: Paris

I am Human

Reblog

My co-worker and office mate is Egyptian and Muslim. Islam is as much a culture and a heritage as a religion. Mohamed, yes his name is Mohamed – a very common Muslim name, is the kindest, gentlest, man I know and I am proud to call him my friend. ISIS does not represent all of Islam, in fact the majority of its victims have been Muslim.

Jane Gundogan's avatarjaneyinmersin

This morning my heart weeps; the world has again been struck by tragedy. Over 150 victims killed in six separate terrorist attacks in and around Paris, France with IS apparently taking responsibility for these attacks.

Paris

As you all know I live in a country that is 98% Muslim.  Most Muslims are ordinary, peace-loving people with their own set of dreams and problems and should be treated with the same respect we give to any other fellow human being. These are not people bred with hatred.

Today my Facebook feed is filled with putrid spewings of hatred from people who I have long considered friends.  I am shocked by some of the statements made.  Do you feel that way about all Muslims?  What about The Turk?  Do you feel that way about him as well?  Should he be vilified for his religion.  Of course not.  To one particular person who wrote on their…

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thanks for that, mom

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Yeah, gotta reblog this

Blair (The Shameful Sheep)'s avatarThe Shameful Sheep

You know how parents are ultra embarrassing when you’re growing up? Maybe it’s their undying love of Birkenstocks, or when they try to say trendy things like “that’s cray” and “chillax” or even how they clip their toenails onto their plate after they finish eating. Well, at the ripe age of 28, I’ve come to the realization that this embarrassment never ends. It just evolves into something different.

palmspringspoolsign

(picture taken in Palm Springs, CA this past summer)

Mom: Blair, did you see this sign? Maybe you shouldn’t swim today.

Me: Uh… I’m fine, mom. No diarrhea here.

Mom: But, I saw you rush to the bathroom when I was getting water in the middle of the night. I just assumed it was urgent. Is everything working okay down there? Have you seen a doctor lately? Diarrhea can make you dehydrated. Make sure you drink more water today.

Me: Thanks, mom. I’m good…

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Taking you all to School Friday Giftures

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Ah giftures … I’m eating pizza right now

bensbitterblog's avatarBen's Bitter Blog

This is the kind of week I dream about.  I was off this whole week so I could watch the kids, so my wife could go on a trip.  This was my chance to be lazy.  The chance for me to lay on the couch, watch TV and do not much.  Well, that’s all it turned out to be.  Apparently, even though I didn’t have work, the kids still had school.  So I ended up not so much sitting around, but driving a lot.  There was like 8 trips to the airport, a couple of trips to the grocery store, and way too many trips to the school.  And the learning.  Why do they teach kids so many things these days? Next time you turn around they are going to want college students to know basic multiplication.  All I know was I was like a bus driver, because I took…

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My Heart goes to France.

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Vive la France!

Chris42's avatarAuthor, C A Middleton


No poem, no quip and no word can adequately cover the despicable tragedies that are going on in Paris tonight.

Violence breeds violence and those hurt are always the innocent.

Up to forty Dead, so much more injured and around a hundred taken hostage whilst relaxing at a concert.

A suicide bomber outside the Stade De France during France v Germany friendly.

My heart goes out to all of our French cousins where a state of emergency has been declared and all borders are closed in France.

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Dictation

100 Word Story, Humor, Technology, , , ,

The Mrs has MS (Multiple Sclerosis), diagnosed over a decade ago. It is what it is. We deal with it.

I got an email from a former colleague who also happened to be the father of my son’s best friend from high school. He and his wife are staunch southern Baptists. “How was [the Mrs] doing?” he asked.

Using the dictation feature of my iPad, I dictated:

“OK, but she is currently suffering from an MS exacerbation.”

  

  

Just before hitting send, I decided to proofread the email and read the following:

“OK, but she is currently suffering from excess masturbation.”

  

###################

 

True story. When I tried to read it back to my wife, every time I got to “suffering from” I would begin laughing so hard I had to start over. It must have taken me a half dozen attempts before it could read it all the way through.

Recursion

100 Word Story

“Well … imagine the model train you had as a child. The train went round and round without an obvious beginning or end.”

“OK”

“As the train goes around the track, it passes schools, street crossings, whatever.”

“OK”

“Now imagine that each time the train passes the school or street crossing that some computation is made or some counter is advanced. Do you follow so far?”

“Yes”

“Now imagine that the train saves the output from the calculation or counter and provides it as input the next time it passes the school or street crossing. Understand?”

“Yes, but what is recursion?”

Cake

100 Word Story

She jumped naked from the cake, squealing and shaking her perfect breasts at the middle aged crowd of wide-eyed onlookers.

  

  

Ten minutes earlier …

  

“They should be rolling the cake out any minute.”

  

“I never would have thought of this. Where ever did you get the idea?”

  

“It just came to me and I was lucky to find a local baker who specialized in just this sort of thing.”

  

“I have to hand it to you Beatrice. What better way to wrap up our Bible Study series on Genesis than to have Noah jump out of an Ark-shaped cake.”

  

Fear | 100 word story

100 Word Story, Fiction, Horror, , ,

Why am I afraid? What am I afraid of?

  
The night is dark. Cool not cold, yet chills run up and down my spine. What was that? Footsteps? I turn to look behind me, but see nothing. The next working street light is least fifty paces ahead.

  
“Is someone there?” Leaves rustle as a gust of wind answers my question. I pick up my pace.

  
On my right I see the door. In the dark I fumble with my keys. By touch alone I get the key in the lock and turn the knob. I open the door.

  
Run … NOW

ITER | 100 word story

100 Word Story, Fiction, Reblog, Science Fiction, Technology, ,

The sun appeared on the horizon, startling the birds sleeping in the trees.

  

  

Ten minutes earlier …

  

The night sky over the southern French countryside was cool and quiet, yet the interior of the ITER control room was anything but. Engineers and scientists jabbered into their headsets in a multilingual cacophony as beads of sweat pooled on the balding heads of their supervisors. Wall clocks changed to midnight in unison. Nine minutes to the first full power up. 

   

ITER is Latin for “the way.” It was also an acronym for International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor … the world’s first hydrogen fusion power reactor.

  

iA Writer

100 Word Story, Review, Technology, Writing, ,

I have had iA Writer for a while now and have used it off and on with satisfaction. It is extremely minimal. Nothing to distract the writer from his or her words. Best of all – for 100 word stories – in includes word and character count prominently at the top. Enhanced keyboard as well.

  
iA Writer is the quintessential writing machine for iOS, Mac and Android. Writer is designed so you can keep your hands on the keyboard and the mind in the text.

 

   
   

Available for iPad, iPhone, Mac, and Android.

https://ia.net/writer/ios

HAL | 100 word story

100 Word Story, Fiction, Relationships, Science Fiction, , , ,

“Open the pod bay door Hal.”

  
“I’m sorry Dave, I can’t do that.”

  
“What’s the problem?”

   
“I think you know what the problem is … just as well as I do.”

  
“What are you talking about Hal?”

  
Halle opened the window and threw Dave’s clothes down on top of him. “Boring conversation anyway,” she muttered. Then she threw down his laptop, tablet, cell phone, and Firefly collectibles. The sound of breaking glass echoed up from the street.

  
“Have I shown you my Alpha Echo Three Five Unit?” Frank whispered seductively into Halle’s ear as he led her back to the bedroom.

NASA | 100 word story

100 Word Story, Fiction, Internet, Science Fiction, Space Travel, Writing,

“Lies, lies, lies. It was all faked.”

“Come on, you know you can’t believe everything you read on the Internet.”

“I don’t care what you say. I know what I read. NASA faked the moon landings. That many bloggers can’t be wrong.”

“It’s bullshit and you know it.”

“Whatever …” she replied angrily and slammed the lid of her laptop closed. She was homesick and decided to walk over to the observation lounge. She needed some time alone. “I really miss home,” she thought as she gazed out the portal at the blue green marble hanging low above the lunar horizon. 

Hello, It’s Me: Why I Am Basically Adele

Reblog

So as you can see in the comments, I snagged Adele’s 21 off iTunes and have been listening on my commute. I like her and I can see (or rather hear) why she is so popular.

So far my top three songs on 21 are:
Lovesong
Rumour Has It
Set Fire to the Rain

Meg's avatarCrummy Cooks & Cats

Wolfie is generally a pretty easy-going cat.

Clearly a model. And clearly a model.

He tolerates being picked up and belly rubs, seldom scratches the furniture, and barely bats a whisker when his brother bulldozes into him. Which is good, because Jupiter is OBSESSED with Wolfie. (Don’t get me wrong, I love my sweet Orange, but he is ANNOYING.)

*gazes adoringly* *gazes adoringly*

Jupe follows Wolfie everywhere and has no social skills to speak of. I think I speak better cat than Jupiter does. He flops onto Wolfie when Wolfie is sleeping, grooms him the wrong way, and is such an incredible pest that I think most other cats would have eaten him already.

Basically, Wolfie’s a saint.

And a very pretty one, at that. And a very pretty one, at that.

EXCEPT when I play Adele or sing.

First, Wolfie stares at me. Then he meows. Then he runs (which is a sight to behold because we are still working on getting his…

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Barometer | 100 Word Story

100 Word Story, Humor, Reblog, Satire, ,

States the Professor, “Using a barometer, determine the height of the Physics building.”

Answers Student One, “Determine the atmospheric pressure at the top and base of the building. From the density of air and the pressure difference, calculate the height.” 

Answers Student Two, “Throw the barometer off the roof and time how long it takes to fall. From the acceleration of gravity and simple calculus, calculate the height.” 

Finally Student Three answers, “Find the superintendent of the Physics building. Tell him that you will give him this really nice barometer if he tells you the exact height of the building.” 

###############

Observation: The hardest part was keeping track of the word count and juggling to get exactly 100 words.

This is a famous story with several variations. I first heard it many many years ago. See:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barometer_question

http://www.snopes.com/college/exam/barometer.asp

The 100 Word Story

Fiction

One hundred seems perfect. It’s the basis of percentages, the perfect test score, the boiling point of water (Celsius), purity. Pythagoreans considered 100 as divine because it is the square (10 x 10) of the divine decad (10). Even a Scrabble set has 100 tiles.

And yet 100 is a fragment. It’s an arbitrary marker, like the “First 100 Days” of a president’s term—merely a promise of what’s to come, or a whiff of what has passed.

The whole is a part and the part is a whole. The 100-word format forces the writer to question each word, to reckon with Flaubert’s mot juste in a way that even most flash fiction doesn’t. At the same time the brevity of the form allows the writer “to keep a story free from explanation,” as Walter Benjamin wrote.

For life doesn’t lend itself so easily to our elucidations. “Incoherence is preferable to a distorting order,” said Roland Barthes.

None of us will ever know the whole story in other words. We can only collect a bag full of shards that each seem perfect.

From   [ 100 word story ]

This is surely old news to any actual writers reading this, but the concept is new to me. I credit Matt On Accident for my enlightenment. Think I will give it a try …

HAL | 100 word story

100 Word Story, Film, Writing, ,

“Open the pod bay door Hal.”

  
“I’m sorry Dave, I can’t do that.”

  
“What’s the problem?”

  
“I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do.”

  
“What are you talking about Hal?”

  
Halley opened the window and threw Dave’s clothes down on top of him. “It was a boring conversation anyway,” she muttered. Then she threw down his laptop, tablet, and Firefly collectibles. The sound of breaking glass echoed up from the street.

  

“You need to look at my Alpha Echo Three Five Unit,” Frank whispered in her ear as they headed back to the bedroom.

A Plug for “The Strength of A Thousand Men”

Reblog

maggie0019's avatarmaggiesblog0019

This is my young human’s blog: http://www.tophat17.wordpress.com

If you go to his page, which he had a hard time setting up, you will see a computer and the word, “blog”. Please click on this word to see the story. It’s a sci fi adventure about blobs (like, jellyfish creatures) vs. robots in a civil war on the moon, Sesiqui.

Please give it a look! Any and all comments are appreciated! Constructive criticism is welcome, he is a first-time writer.

Thank you, Woof! Love, Maggie

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We Are Here

Reblog, Science, Video,

Reblogged with video

For the Global Warming deniers 

http://youtu.be/FDRnH48LvhQ

Jack Flacco's avatarLooking to God

Our waterways are a mess. Our infrastructure is crumbling. The idea of a society connected through a common medium has rendered us isolated. What’s more? We’re on the brink of total environmental collapse. How do I know? Let’s find out and file this Monday Mayhem post under pending doom. No fear mongering here. Just fiction. Or is it?

The Blob [Photo Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] The Blob [Photo Credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] The other day I came upon an article in the news describing of place in the ocean where no life exists. Apparently, science has labeled the phenomenon a “blob” If you’re familiar with the 1950’s movie that goes by the same name, the condition is relatively dissimilar in concept but still scary. The blob has taken over a good chunk of ocean and is growing. No one knows where it came from, and no one knows when it will stop consuming vital…

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