God vs. Science?

Last updated on: March 24, 2013 at 12:38 pm By James F. McGrath

I want to quote David Hayward’s helpful comments about today’s cartoon before sharing the cartoon, since, as David himself emphasizes, the cartoon depicts a misconception and not the way he thinks things ought to be viewed: This cartoon was inspired by Neil Tyson’s famous quote: “God is an ever-receding pocket of scientific ignorance that’s getting smaller and smaller and smaller as time goes on.” You know he said this in response to the naive statement believers often make: “You can’t... Read more

Willing to Learn?

Last updated on: March 24, 2013 at 7:58 am By James F. McGrath

The heart of the matter, when it comes to evolution and young-earth creationism, is this: If you think that young-earth creationism offers cogent and insightful criticisms of mainstream science, then you do not know enough about science to evaluate things that you hear. If that is your situation, then I would encourage you to learn more about biology, genetics, paleontology, geology, and other relevant fields. But there is more learning you should do. because, if you genuinely think that it... Read more

Butler’s Performance

Last updated on: March 23, 2013 at 11:26 pm By James F. McGrath

I only caught the nail-biting final half hour or so of the Butler vs. Marquette basketball game. That was because I was watching another Butler performance. At Clowes Memorial Hall, the Butler Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with a number of other individuals and groups, performed several pieces: Michael Henson’s “We Didn’t See Them As Human,” Sergei Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No.1, and Maurice Duruflé’s Four Motets and Requiem. The last piece is one of the most beautiful choral pieces of the 20th century.... Read more

WHONA

Last updated on: March 23, 2013 at 7:42 pm By James F. McGrath

Today I visited WHONA – Who North America – for the first time. They have open houses once a month, but you can visit on other days with an appointment. WHONA is the major distributor of Doctor Who merchandise for North America, and it is based right here in Indianapolis. For sale they have just about everything a Doctor Who fan could want to buy: all the episodes on DVD, audiobooks, other books, soundtracks, LEGOs, action figures, a Doctor Who... Read more

Runaway Sheep

Last updated on: March 23, 2013 at 1:27 pm By James F. McGrath

Here’s the latest cartoon from David Hayward: Read more

Doctor Who: The Bells of St. John Prequel

Last updated on: March 23, 2013 at 11:23 am By James F. McGrath

HT Doctor Who TV and IO9 Read more

Young-Earth Creationists vs. the Parables of Jesus

Last updated on: March 23, 2013 at 10:04 am By James F. McGrath

A commenter pointed out something which I've also said in the past, but which bears repeating. Young-earth creationists are adamant that there must be one creation story in Genesis, and it must be chronologically coherent and factually, historically, and scientifically true. Ironically, Jesus, the one whom most of them claim to follow, taught primarily in parables – that is to say, through stories which were not factual, historical, or scientific, but which conveyed an important truth nevertheless. The young-earth creationist... Read more

Alincolnism

Last updated on: March 22, 2013 at 12:45 pm By James F. McGrath

Scott Bailey drew my attention to a wonderful parody page on Facebook, taking a mythicist approach to Abraham Lincoln. Here’s one example of what you’ll find there: I also like the parody book cover, Lincoln is Not Great: How Belief in Abraham Lincoln Poisons Everything. 🙂 Read more

Metropolitan Youth Orchestra 2013 Concerto Concert

Last updated on: March 22, 2013 at 11:59 am By James F. McGrath

Here’s video footage from the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra’s Concerto Concert, which was held this year at Broadway United Methodist Church here in Indianapolis. The MYO is an educational program of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Read more

What Does Transcribing a Manuscript Look Like?

Last updated on: March 22, 2013 at 11:31 am By James F. McGrath

Steve Caruso shared an image to let those who may have wondered see what it looks like. In case it isn’t obvious, this is from his work on the Mandaean Book of John project! Read more

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