Elsewhere: A New-Earth, Cussin', Submission, and Ayn Rand on Symbolism

Every week, our writers will be sharing some of their favorite finds from around the internet. Check back every week for great articles, insane news items, and interesting diversions.

Alan

Are we at war with Islam? No, and according to the Assistant Defense Secretary for Homeland Defense, to spread that idea is “to aid and abet that effort to advance [al-Qaida’s] propaganda goal.”

What’s a symbol? Why do authors use them? What do they mean? A sixteen-year-old kid asks Jack Kerouac, Ayn Rand, Ralph Ellison, Ray Bradbury, John Updike, Saul Bellow, Norman Mailer these questions in 1963. Check out their answers.

What has the most significant effect on how soldiers transition into civilian life? Their faith.

Luke

We’re finally getting a new Jesus movie (should we be happy about this?). Based on the book Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt, the movie is about Jesus’ life from ages 7-8.

The mysterious software, Carrier IQ, that was allegedly tracking information like text messages, who you called, and other vital information on a large amount of smart phones has finally been brought to light. Sort of.

Although very little of it was talked about, apparently Russia almost fell into civil war this week during their recent election.

A new Earth-like planet was found and although its too far away to plausibly ever get to, its still a pretty interesting thing to think about!

Drew

In a last ditch effort to garner votes from the Religious right, Rick Perry vows to “end Obama’s war on religion.” He also laments that kids “can’t celebrate Christmas” in our country anymore … huh?

Our very own Rich Clark has wrote an interesting review for Epoch. for Kill Screen:

Is there a danger of forgetting basic human assumptions in the face of cold, hard logic and technology? Sure. But Epoch suggests that when faced with the marvel of machines and their destruction of mankind, it’s the little things that matter: love notes, cries of protest, and human creativity.

Shameless plug time–I wrote a critical response to Sony’s “Long Live Play” ad campaign for Paste Magazine’s mPlayer. I think the article might be helpful for helping mature Christians appreciate videogames.

Also, Paste posted their top 20 games of 2011 this week which includes contributions from Luke Larsen, Rich Clark, and myself.

“Cussing Christians” Kurt Willems explains why he agrees with Mark Driscoll on his use of language.

Jason

Russell D. Moore wants women to stop submitting to men, especially women in the Church.

Did you know that The Muppets film is trying to teach your kids to hate the rich and embrace a leftist, pro-environmentalist agenda?

Is it really “artistic rape” when they make a Watchmen tie-in or when George Lucas releases yet another version of Star Wars? Catecinem doesn’t think so:

Fans do not own a particular comic property. They may be responsible for whether or not it is a commercial success, but what Moore promotes is the idea that the perception of what the artistic object — in this case, Watchmen — is trumps its actual place in reality.  Those suggesting that the original Watchmen would be “raped” by prequels, sequels, or what-have-you are provably false; what they mean to say is that their feelings of what the work means to them would be exposed as a mere, fallible construction.

The Vatican is going to start cracking down on ugly church architecture.