Friday Philosophy

In my blog-reading rounds at lunch, I came across what I can only see as very good advice for living a good life.

From True (http://glass.typepad.com/journal/2007/06/making_happy.html) via Rob Donoghue

• Complaining is silly. Either act or forget.
• Thinking life will be better in the future is stupid. I have to live now.
• Being not truthful works against me.
• Helping other people helps me.
• Organizing a charity group is surprisingly easy.
• Everything I do always comes back to me.
• Money does not make me happy.
• Traveling alone is helpful for a new perspective on life.
• Assuming is stifling.
• Keeping a diary supports my personal development.
• Trying to look good limits my life.
• Worrying solves nothing.
• Material luxuries are best enjoyed in small doses.
• Having guts always works out for me.

And... to put it really simply...

All Sheep Must Be Shot On Sight

A frequent topic of my nightmares are the premillennial dispensationalists. These wacky fun folks have their tentacles in far too many high government places, and they scare me. Lots. I'm terrified and appalled that something along the lines of the Left Behind series is not only wildly popular, but taken as fact by something like 29% of the public.

The quote in the title is from The Slactivist's extensive analysis of the Left Behind series. To wit:

They've gotten so caught up in guarding against wolves in sheep's clothing that anything in sheep's clothing is viewed as the enemy. So all sheep must be shot on sight.

Ayup... that's what scares me about these people. That, and the disproportionate political and economical power they wield. They're even scaring other religious people.

I really don't want them bringing about global warfare and disaster just to bring on the End Times they believe are just around the corner. My world too, you wingnuts!

If You Talk To God...

If you talk to God, you are praying.
If God talks to you, you have schizophrenia.
-- Thomas Szasz, "The Second Sin"

Pat Robertson, ever known for his levelheadedness and Christian compassion, has predicted that God told him that He will permit a massive terrorist attack on the US for our sins, causing great loss of life. Of course, that might affect Reverend Pat's flock as well...

My money is on schizophrenia.

Weather Words

This just in: All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.