Fascinating Writing on Scientists and Religion

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:32 pm By Mark D. Roberts

Elaine Howard Ecklund, a sociologist at Rice University, is one of the world’s leading experts on scientists and religion. She has done extensive research on what scientists really think about religion, much of which you can find in her excellent book, Science vs. Religion: What Scientists Really Think. The High Calling website has been featuring a series of articles/interviews of Ecklund written by Christine A. Scheller. Now, Scheller has offered a summary of her effort that I’ll reprint here: In... Read more

Public Service Announcement: A Miraculous Cure for Bug Bite Itching

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:32 pm By Mark D. Roberts

The bugs are bad this year. That’s what I’m experiencing in the Hill Country of Texas. And that’s what I keep hearing from others. More mosquitoes. More ticks. More critters to bother and bite us. Aaaargh! I have already had my fair share of bug bites and stings this year, especially fire ants, mosquitoes, and chiggers. As someone who is particularly allergic to insect toxins, this sort of thing used to be a nightmare for me. I’ve spent many sleepless... Read more

Should We Ban Big Drinks? The Los Angeles Times Wisely Weighs In

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:32 pm By Mark D. Roberts

A few days ago, I put up a post concerning the effort of New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg to ban the sale of sugary drinks over 16 ounces. In the days since his announcement, I’ve been watching the response. Mostly, it has been predictable. Those who lean toward big government applaud Bloomberg’s move, while those who prefer small government decry it. For the first group, the ends justify the means. For the second group, the means are an unacceptable denial... Read more

Lift Up Holy Hands and Praise the Lord! Inspiration from The High Calling

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:32 pm By Mark D. Roberts

Lift Up Holy Hands and Praise the Lord Psalm 134:1-3 Lift up holy hands in prayer, and praise the LORD. Psalm 134:2 When I was a boy, verses like Psalm 134 worried me. Scripture seemed to be clearly calling me and my fellow believers to lift our hands in prayer, but we Presbyterians didn’t do it. That was for “other people,” especially those of the Pentecostal variety who made us Presbyterians very nervous. We tended to view raising your hands... Read more

Why I Will Not Do Archery Anymore

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:32 pm By Mark D. Roberts

I’ve been reading articles recently that testify to the growing popularity of archery. Here’s one, for example. These articles point to the influence of Katniss Everdeen, the main character in the The Hunger Games books and movie. For the uninitiated, Katniss is an exceptional archer. Surely, it doesn’t hurt to have Hawkeye from The Avengers as an expert archer. All of a sudden, archery has become hip, especially among the generations that love The Hunger Games and The Avengers. But... Read more

I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:32 pm By Mark D. Roberts

If you’re as old as I am, you might remember the 1971 advertisement featuring the song “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke.” It was a classic! Well, forty-one years later, you can buy the world a coke just about anywhere. I thought I’d share a few photos from my recent trip to the Mediterranean. Say, since I was drinking Coke Zero, Mayor Bloomberg would approve. I could order a 64 ounce cup of that stuff without guilt or... Read more

Coke Fires Back at Mayor Bloomberg

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:32 pm By Mark D. Roberts

In response to the effort of Mayor Bloomberg of New York City to ban the sale of sugary drinks over 16 ounces, the Coca-Cola Company issued the following statement: May 31, 2012 The people of New York City are much smarter than the New York City Health Department believes. We are transparent with our consumers. They can see exactly how many calories are in every beverage we serve. We have prominently placed calorie counts on the front of our bottles... Read more

Sorry, Sugar!

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:32 pm By Mark D. Roberts

Sugar has been in the news recently, and it hasn’t been tasty. The big headline comes from New York City, where Mayor Bloomberg and his associates are seeking to ban the sale of sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces. That’s right, no more Big Gulps in New York, if Bloomberg has his way. Here’s how the New York Times describes the proposed ban: The proposed ban would affect virtually the entire menu of popular sugary drinks found in delis, fast-food... Read more

Technology: When Great Ideas Have Less-Than-Great Consequences

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:32 pm By Mark D. Roberts

Matt Ritchel, one of my favorite New York Times writers, has a new article entitled “Wasting Time Is the New Divide in Digital Era.” He explores some of the negative consequences of a national movement to get computers into the hands of everyone, especially all children. The article begins: In the 1990s, the term “digital divide” emerged to describe technology’s haves and have-nots. It inspired many efforts to get the latest computing tools into the hands of all Americans, particularly... Read more

Memorial Day Memories

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:32 pm By Mark D. Roberts

Well, I managed to make it through another Memorial Day without sitting in traffic and fighting the crowds in some supposedly secluded spot. I was out at Laity Lodge and spent most of the day in this isolated, idyllic spot, hanging out with my wife and daughter. I was not at a beach so full that you can hardly find a spot to sit, or at a park jammed with celebrants blasting their music and drinking adult beverages. Been there,... Read more