The Language of Science: Science and Islam

This is a FANTASTIC series which I highly recommend

(Episode 1)
Physicist Jim Al-Khalili travels through Syria, Iran, Tunisia and Spain to tell the story of the great leap in scientific knowledge that took place in the Islamic world between the 8th and 14th centuries.
Its legacy is tangible, with terms like algebra, algorithm and alkali all being Arabic in origin and at the very heart of modern science - there would be no modern mathematics or physics without algebra, no computers without algorithms and no chemistry without alkalis.
For Baghdad-born Al-Khalili this is also a personal journey and on his travels he uncovers a diverse and outward-looking culture, fascinated by learning and obsessed with science. From the great mathematician Al-Khwarizmi, who did much to establish the mathematical tradition we now know as algebra, to Ibn Sina, a pioneer of early medicine whose Canon of Medicine was still in use as recently as the 19th century, he pieces together a remarkable story of the often-overlooked achievements of the early medieval Islamic scientists.

Child Devolopment 101 Simple Question

If you have visited here recently you might have read that I've gone back to school to take Child Development courses to get my Pre-school certification. Our professor sets up scenarios all the time and tonight asked us to set up our own multiple choice question for class next week concerning discipline. So, I thought I'd share mine here.

A very SIMPLE question, Child Development 101, what do you do with a toddler who
keeps doing what you have supposedly asked him not to do? Lets say he keeps
getting in the paint bucket and graffitis the facade of your condo over and over again. You are telling him you want him to stop, but thus far your "discipline" has been utterly non-effective. It just might be that the toddler doesn't really think you mean what you have said because you haven't exactly been consistent in your "discipline". Choose the option below which you think is best.

A. Continue telling him every so often, "No no, don't do that, paint isn't for the facade of our house honey". Leave the paint up there because your toddler is just SO cute and you've figured out what a rascal he is. You might even leave a little
graffiti note along side his paint job saying what a rascal he is!

B. Remove the paint from the facade of the house, remove the bucket of paint so
he can't do it again.

C. Just ignore it because you are too busy to bother. Maybe he will grow out of it, but then again, maybe not. It's so hard to keep your eye on a toddler! Why is it that people expect SO much out of parents these days?

D. Kick back and enjoy it. Tell your toddler you know he's just showing you how much he loves you. Granted, it isn't very nice behavior and he seems to be addicted to it. You COULD always tell the toddler that you hope he doesn't grow up continuing bad addictive behavior like Michael Jackson. For good measure,you could maybe blast the song "Beat It" out your front door but secretly you hope he moonwalks while he keeps on "painting".

Child Development 101, which option do you think would be the most effective choice?
When making your decision you SHOULD keep the homeowner's association in mind, because you are leasing from them and they have even posted a little sign in the office giving directions to your condo because they think it is so nice.

Rick Warren: "Christian" Wolf in Sheep's Clothing Adresses ISNA At Their Convention

Oh yes, Pastor Rick Warren was there alright, last night speaking at the ISNA convention. He gave a rousing keynote speech that was applauded by all so it seems. Only................................Let's compare and contrast what he spoke last night to a blog post he wrote just last week to his flock explaining why he is mingling with Muslims.

Last night:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/warren-convention-muslims-2483889-interfaith-want
and
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090705/rick-warren-to-muslims-talk-is-cheap-let-s-work-together/index.html

Last week's blog post which HE wrote addressing the naysayers in his flock:
http://www.saddlebackfamily.com/blogs/newsandviews/index.html?contentID=2625

Last night:

“I will tell you that I am not interested in interfaith dialogue. I am interested in interfaith project. There is a big difference,”

Blogpost to his flock:

No one is ever converted by labeling, condemnation, or anger. James 1:20 (KJV) says, “For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” We must LOVE people into God’s family and overcome evil with good. Again, Jesus is our model. He said, “If anyone hears me and doesn't obey me, I am not his judge—for I have come to save the world and not to judge it.” John 12:47 (NLT) Judgment will come later. If we want to have a Christ-like ministry, we must not waste any time judging unbelievers (Jesus didn’t), but instead, do everything we can to build relationships of love and respect and trust with unbelievers. For many unbelievers, the barrier to salvation is not the credibility of Jesus but our own lack of credibility and love for them."

Question: He says he's not interested in interfaith dialog, just what IS his "project"? He's "LOVING" people into "God's family" (his version) and he's going to overcome EVIL with "good", say what? What "evil" is he overcoming?

Last night:

"Tolerance is not enough," Warren said. "People don't want to be tolerated, they want to be respected, they want to be listened to. They want to be valued."

Blogpost to his flock:

Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Luke 5:31 (NIV) If you want to have a Christ-like ministry, you have to associate with the people Jesus did – unbelievers!..... Every time I speak to any non-Christian group, I get criticized by well-meaning believers who don’t really understand how much Jesus loves lost people."

Boy, that sure sounds like "respect to me"! The "non-believers" that he is co-mingling with are "lost" and "sinners"!

Last night:

“You know what I discovered is when you walk down the middle of the road you get hit coming and going,” the evangelical pastor said. “Actually, it is easier to be an extremist of any kind because then you only have one group of people mad at you. But if you actually try to build relationships, like invite an evangelical pastor to your gathering, you’ll get criticize for it, so will I. But that is not what matters,” he said.

Question: What matters to Rick Warren?

Blogpost to his flock:

Both Jesus and Paul were very strategic in who they spoke to, what they said, and how they said it. Jesus used a style of speaking unlike any of the religious professionals. “The common people heard him gladly. (Mark 12:37 KJV) The NIV translation of this verse says, “The large crowd listened to him with DELIGHT.” If Jesus preached today, a lot professors and preachers would criticize his communication style, but he said, “The Father who sent me commanded me what to say AND HOW TO SAY IT.” John 12:49 (NIV) I’ve been studying Jesus’ sermon style for 35 years and the more I learn HOW he said things amazes me at his insight into human behavior and receptivity."

Question: Just what is his underlying motivation that he wants "recepted"? Note the use of the word "hate" in both

Last night:

"You can disagree with someone without hating them, without being afraid of them," Warren said.

Some are taking Warren's participation Saturday as a sign of Islam becoming more accepted in America, according to a recent article on the event by the Associated Press.

Blogpost to his flock:

"Just know the goal of every speaking engagement is always the same: The global glory of God. We build bridges of love – from our hearts to hearts of even those who hate us – so that Jesus can walk across! You cannot win your enemies to Christ. You can only win your friends.

"

Soooo.......there he is, saying "Christians" need to not hate anyone but he needs to evangelize to those who "hate us"

Un-FREAKING believable. There he is in bold print writing to his flock that he is approaching the "lost", the "sinners", those who need to be "healed" and those who "hate us" and this is seen as a feather in the cap of Muslim groups such as MPAC and ISNA because they have snagged him to come and speak at their events. I am VERY concerned about this. There are so many Christian speakers who are truly respectful of Islam and seek interfaith understanding. This man is about as far from that as you can get, yet there he is. Wonder what he will tell his flock about his latest speaking engagement, that you can catch more flies (Muslims) with honey than with vinegar? How is he going to be able to continue selling this evangelism to his own flock? They are going to want SUCCESS which means Muslim converts to Christianity. For the life of me, I cannot understand why Muslim organizations would want to touch this man with a ten foot poll.

Caveat: I am AMICABLY divorced from a Muslim and am writing this post out of respect and concern for my Muslim brothers and sisters in peace. I personally feel that if this man comes knocking at your door, you need to be aware of not only his motivation
but also how he views you as his "project" to save as in his spoken word you all need to be saved. This is HORRENDOUS thinking in my mind. His "flock" is expecting results. Believe you me, he is too.

Sarah Palin's "Tina Fey" Resignation Speech

Ok, I've heard it all now. She's quitting because she doesn't want to spend Alaska's money by remaining governor until her term is up. Yep, all those lame duck governors oughta be put on notice, QUIT now. Un FREAKING believable, so here goes, the LINK to her full speech. "Enjoy" LOLOL

Calling TINA!!! That's all I have to say:)

HERE you go, watch Sarah Palin doing the Tina Fey resignation speech. (video)

As this story unwinds with the pundits chiming in, we now have Dick Morris whose penchant for having his toes sucked by mistresses saying Sarah Palin "took a big risk" in resigning!!! This is getting more absurd by the minute. PaLEEEEZE! Come on Saturday Night Live, ya GOTTA do this one.

Oooh Boy, HERE is an interesting morsel. (ps stalker, you're still considered automatically deleted-you sure do spend a whole lot of time spinning your wheels here)