Marvel8ed
Webdesigns
This section is exclusively for old writings that are no longer posted on the home page. I could have called it an archive, but I like "thoughts" better.
American Charity
I have read and heard so much lately about how immoral it is for a government to take money from the rich and give it to the poor. The far right loves to spread fear and dissention about all government programs to help the poor. In their minds, wealth flowing toward the poor is socialism. Wealth flowing to the affluent is their due as devout capitalists. Government spending for the poor is labeled class warfare. This hatred of government sponsored charity has been repeated so much by so many that it frightens me. I have especially started to hear it from Christian folks who should know better. Sadly, they don't, which is the reason for this long (5,500 word) article. Read my thoughts <here>.
Did God Punish Haiti With An Earthquake?
Television evangelist Pat Robertson recently told his viewing audience that Haiti's current devastation is God's punishment. He claims that, back when the French ruled Haiti, the Haitian leaders made a pact with the Devil to serve him if he would drive out the French. Robertson said,
"They were under the heel of the French, you know Napoleon III and whatever. And they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said ‘We will serve you if you will get us free from the prince.’ True story. And so the devil said, ‘OK it’s a deal’. And they kicked the French out."
Robertson claims that God just poured out his wrath on Haiti for this grievous sin. Do you agree with Robertson? Or do you think Robertson is misguided? Let's see if we can figure out if his claim is valid or not. Read my thoughts <here>.
Objective Truth: Who Can Know It?
The big firestorm of modern theology is the assertion that "objective truth" exists. I strongly believe in objective truth despite the philosophical arguments against it. But I seriously doubt that it matters, practically speaking, nearly so much as many theologians claim it does. The argument against it mattering all that much also proves that something else is far more important. Read my thoughts <here>.