I’m reading a book called “Seven Types of Atheism” and it’s pretty interesting. The central premise is that many of the various atheistic views are actually religious in their approach to “truth” and “progress”, but if this sounds like some Christian apologetics text, it actually isn’t: it’s written by an atheist who seems tired of […]
Couch Economics
It’s been about 6 years since I bought my couch. When I first moved away from my parents and into my own apartment, I went to a nice furniture store and found it. It was so comfortable that the first time I sat down on that model in the showroom, I knew it was very […]
Christian Attitudes Toward Other Religions
During late high school and then college years, I went through a deep and sincere struggle with what I believed about the world. I had seen some convincing elements in Christianity, but I was also deeply troubled by literal interpretations of Genesis (among other books like Jonah), various aspects of Christian over-proof (dismissing challenging questions […]
Arguments, Debate, and Ego
I wish it was easier to disagree with people. My first reaction when I happen upon a disagreement with friends is to sweep it under the rug, to simply not say anything, or to leave a brief counter-point that summarizes my disagreement. Beyond that, disagreement is uncomfortable and awkward, and I wish it wasn’t. But […]
The Search for Truth
I was praying to the Christian God in a Buddhist temple when I felt like God revealed a part of my calling to me. He said that he would make me like a bridge between people. I don’t know the full significance of all that I heard there, but I’m eager to find out. It […]
Why I was Vaccinated Against HPV
This is something I’ve been meaning to write about for a long time, but it’s kind of a sensitive topic. Back in high school health class, I remember hearing about an early version of a vaccine for HPV. Not much was really said about it, and it wasn’t until I was well out of high […]
Adventures in American Healthcare: The Cost of Vaccination
In preparation for my trip to Nepal this past month, I received quite the course of vaccinations, which I mostly arranged at my local Walgreens. Highest on the list was hepatitis A, which is a concern in Nepal but not something people are typically vaccinated against here in the mothership, as well as typhoid, Tdap […]
Propaganda for What Really Matters: Reflections on Buying Nepalese Art
My stay in Nepal has shown me the surface of what may be deeper structures, namely that a system of reciprocity and support underlays many, if not perhaps most, interactions. Today, a guide showed me to 3 difference cultural sites. This guide is employed by a very reputable trekking agency, but he also knows several […]
Expertise and Death
Many years ago, I traveled with my parents back to the Land of Corn to visit relatives. While there, we stopped by the house of an older couple. While my dad talked with the husband about guns (one of the least interesting subjects in existence, IMHO), I took a look at the man’s bookshelf and […]
Spending: Judgement, Envy, Arrogance
My first year in college, I lived on campus, and one of my friends in the apartment stairwell went out and spent $1,300 on a sound system for his junk ass car. It made me angry because I couldn’t believe so much money could be spent on something so unnecessary, but only years later would […]