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Perhaps one of the most difficult questions posed to Christianity is how a good and all-powerful God can allow great natural disasters to occur. This, I would say, is a mystery that most Christians (including myself) have a really hard time dealing with. However, on the flip side, the way people have responded to recent crises has, for me, given a hefty argument for the existence of God. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Christianity, Ethics, Immanuel Kant, Japan, Theology
Last week, I attended a two-day conference at Birmingham University in honour of the philosopher John Hick. If you are not familiar with the man, he considers himself a liberal Christian and claims that “the different religions, with all their manifest differences and undeniable incompatibilities of belief, can be on an equal level as different complexes of belief and practice within which their adherents can find salvation.”[1] In other words, Jesus is not the only way — people can reach salvation through other means. On the first day of the conference, scholars from around the world discussed the philosophy of this man, most in great admiration. To begin the second and last day, Hick himself began a session by asking the delegates to discuss the question of social concern. In the 1970s, when he first came to Birmingham, he was an activist who brought together people of all faiths to resolve the prevalent racial tensions of his day. It is perhaps in this context that the man’s personal theology moved from an “evangelical” conviction to where he is now.
Now, throughout that session, several delegates discussed this question and repeatedly there was the critique against “conservative Christians” or “evangelicals” who have not cared about society. On the one hand, as an evangelical myself, I was a bit offended by the attacks levied by those in attendance. On the other hand, I must confess that conservative Christianity has not been on the forefront of the social problems this world faces. Historically speaking, conservatives have shunned away from social reconstruction and emphasised an individualised, spiritual reconstruction. This world is fleeting and not of our concern — we must simply save souls. What I find additionally interesting is that, while I cannot agree with Hick’s thinking, I have to say that his theology has given him the philosophical impetus to engage the society and work towards remedying the groans of the cosmos (Romans 8:22). Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Christianity, Ethics, God's creation, Theology
For many of you who do not know, ever since I lived in Vancouver, I have grown to love the nature around me. In my last place, my landlord — a pastor and his family — had a compost bin in his back garden. We would fill the bin with all sorts of rubbish (vegetable clippings, tea leaves, egg shells — I even threw in some pork bones which I later found you are not supposed to do) and, after a few months, it would all turn into this very rich soil (bones included). Aside from the fringe benefits of having stuff to plant with, it was also a means to minimise the amount of waste thrown out for the garbage trucks. Afterall, things that could be composted are usually tightly wrapped in plastic bags and added to landfills – a place where worms, slugs and other friendly critters could not help in the decomposition process. Read the rest of this entry »
The day after Apple introduced the iPad, Macmillan went to Amazon to negotiate the pricing of their products. Amazon was selling their ebooks at $9.99, when their print versions normally go for between $5.99 and $14.99. Amazon was also taking a huge cut of commission, but Macmillan basically wanted to get the same deal they were getting with Apple. So, as a result, Amazon stopped selling Macmillan books. However, on Sunday, Amazon said it would start reselling Macmillan books because they have a “monopoly over their own titles.” [1]
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Ethics, Technology
A French parliamentary committee has recommended banning Muslim headcoverings. The committee’s report claims that it “is the symbol of the repression of women, and… of extremist fundamentalism.” [1]
BBC reports that many in the UK also want this ban, claiming that it is “not British.” There is obviously a racist underpinning to such a statement, but I’m not even going to go there for now. What really unnerved me was what the journalist was implying about freedom of religion: “In a country [France] where the separation of state and religion is enshrined in law, a parliamentary committee report ruled the veil as “contrary to the values of the republic’…” [2]
And now begins my rant. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: China, Christianity, Ethics, United Kingdom, USA
I just watched the UK’s most recent episode of Ugly Betty, and I was pretty shocked by it. I know it’s TV and all, and I hope there’ll be a good redemption episode upcoming, but I was pretty appalled by the way people acted in this episode.
1. Betty made a ‘terrible’ mistake in befriending a competing magazine rival. She was betrayed by that person who impersonates her and steals something precious from Betty. Okay, this does unfortunately happen in real life.
2. Betty and colleague go and basically steal that precious thing back and are praised for it by their boss. What’s with that? I know, once again it’s TV and I suppose it’s entertaining but still! I wonder if this would happen in real life.
3. And then all these affairs happening, not exactly affairs and I suppose relationships have all these layers of issues. But this part, I was not as surprised by, which makes it even more sad because now I’m numb from hearing/seeing people basically betraying their loved ones.
Maybe I’ve been a little sensitive today. I’m just sad to find the state of our society’s morals… albeit in the virtual world of the television.
Tags: Entertainment, Ethics
November 4, 2008 was a historic date.
For me, as an American living in the UK, I am pleased with the democratic process that has chosen Barack Hussein Obama to be the next president of the United States, the first black president. I heard on CNN a report that many Iraqis believed Barack would never be voted in since all elections were rigged — I guess they were proven wrong. But more than a race, the voice of America has chosen a replacement of a former administration, demanding a change to the previous regime. Whether or not the change will be substantial enough, only time will tell. But, the people demanded and the people were satisfied.
For me, as a Californian living in the UK, I am pleased with the democratic process that has voted for Proposition 8. Preliminary counts say the result is “Yes”, though millions of absentee ballots still need to be counted — mine included. However, Los Angeles County has already suspended the issue of same-sex marriage licenses. This is due to a California State Constitutional provision that says a proposed amendment “shall be submitted to the electors and if approved by a majority of votes thereon takes effect the day after the election.”* Again, seemingly, the democratic voice has spoken.
But is this the democracy we want?
Tags: Canada, Christianity, Ethics, United Kingdom, USA
I began this morning with my usual routine of reading the latest news through Google Reader (LOVE this product, by the way) and so many articles were stimulating my thoughts. Among them, writings honoring the legacy of Bill Gates, great tidbits about Legos, and a seminary in prison.
Many who know me well know that I have a special interest in China. Many who know me even better know that my parents were part of the Chinese diaspora in Burma (known to some as Myanmar). Ironically, until recently, I have taken up little interest in the disasters that have recently rocked the Asian world. Perhaps it was due to the busyness involved in planning a wedding and attending a honeymoon. Or maybe I needed to devote more time to nurture a new marriage while balancing the other demands of life. I remained quite disinterested until the company I work for part-time did something like this (see link):
My CEO explains in his blog the very essence of Liferay’s existence: bless others as we too are blessed. That is what I want all non-Christian institutions to embrace. It is the gospel message. It is the Abrahamic calling. In fact, it really lies at the core of why us humans were made.
This reminds me of the parable of the good Samaritan. Aside from religious and cultural status, what makes the Samaritan different from the others? The others were too busy with other things. The others were too much in love with their own lives to sacrifice some of their precious time to love one who was in need. The others are me.
Tags: Burma, China, Ethics, Liferay, Philantrophy, Technology
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