KnifeHandStrike is dead! Long live Fightme.org!

I’ll be rolling out a redesign in the next few weeks @ fightme.org. the ‘knifehandstrike’ moniker, which is unwieldy at best, will be retired. so get ready to update your bookmarks and RSS feeds (both of you). Look forward to some new features, some old friends, and a new tiled background.

Still Debating with Plato Is Math discovered or invented? The Fancy Dutch vs. the Plain Dutch. Fight! The End of the Word As We Know It “Conclusion: the Bible is the most revered book never read.” What’s your biblical literacy? Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas Where to find meat that’s not mostly corn. Guerrilla Gardening churn that silt up! Free Will discussion on Slashdot. Run to Your Grave - the mae shi Vimeo is kind of like youtube with a cleaner design and a community focus. the mae shi is kind of like punk/spazz/noise rock with a community focus. Wikipedia: Anonymous Christian “a Buddhist monk — who, because he follows his conscience, attains salvation and lives in the grace of God; of him I must say that he is an anonymous Christian.” Potentially offensive to everyone! Theist vs. Atheist in Illinois Assembly Davis: Fight me! Top 10 Best Coffee Houses in America #7 Alterra in Milwaukee! Calvinism vs. Arminianism Tshirt. LA Ink - Carlos gets a christian tattoo Paul goes on the sleeve. Rural Studio Auburn University’s Rural Studio in western Alabama draws architectural students into the design and construction of homes and public spaces in some of the poorest counties in the United States. Theodore Watson, Interactive Artist Laser tag! VADS: the online resource for visual arts A portfolio of visual art collections comprising over 100,000 images that are freely available and copyright cleared for use in teaching, learning and research… I wish my lawn was emo… Tshirt. Lawsuit Alleges Religious Censorship “…a policy for the [art] class that prohibited any violence, blood, sexual connotations or religious beliefs in artwork.” Atomic Records - Record Store Day Celebrate the awesomeness of record stores: a massive sidewalk sale, live performances from many local bands. Wisconsin Farmers Health Cooperative One year old. Surpassed it’s one-year goal in the first 3 months. First of its kind in the nation. Jude Simpson - ‘Not Cut Out For Religion’ British slam-poet and BBC contributor Jude Simpson riffs on God and consumer churchianity.

[UPDATE: There is apparently much controversy surrounding the writing and publishing of this book. The Wikipedia article on Antony Flew contains many links that both confirm and deny the controversy. Having read much of this it is hard to believe that Flew himself wrote There is a God. I’m not sure how this qualifies the validity of the arguments contained within the book, but the caveat is worth keeping in the front of your mind.]

There is a God, How the World’s Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind is the journey of renowned philosopher Antony Flew** (renowned in the halls of academia… i had never heard nor read of him) as he moves from proponent of atheism to theism. Flew’s infamy stretches back a long way, setting the stage for much of the so-called “new atheism” of the 21st century with his 1950 essay Theology and Falsification (which argues that ideas about God need so much qualification that they cease to be valid ideas). In There is a God Flew begins by telling us about himself: his philosophical history leading to atheism and storied career. Part memoir and part philosophy 101 Part I of the book is a bit slow. The pace starts to accelerate with Part II which is subtitled “My Discovery of the Divine.” Flew’s** point that he arrived at theism “based on the evidence” and that his journey is a “pilgrimmage of reason” rather than faith outlines many of the leading ideas in what is traditionally called “natural theology.” That God can be discovered (”God” as defined as a “supreme omnipotent and omniscient intelligence”) apart from revealed religions (ie. Flew is not a Christian) and apart from any supernatural, miraculous, or even personal experience is an idea that does have biblical antecedents (Romans 1.19-20 specifically), but it is also an idea that I believe will eventually lead the adherent to a revealed religion (in Flew’s** case he is dangerously close to becoming a christian*).

Flew** builds his case for theism on Science. He is not a scientist, but he leverages a basic understanding of biology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics with a towering philosophical intellect to make some very strong points. Unfortunately the vanguard of Dawkins, Dennett, Harris and their ilk have discounted Flew’s** conversion — going so far as citing his “old age” as an explanation. By focusing on the conceptual undercurrents of Science rather than the Science itself Flew** logically defends his newfound beliefs by asking four fundamental questions:

1. Why is nature organized into laws?
2. Why is the universe finely-tuned for our existence?
3. What is the source of Life (ie. consciousness or Self)?
4. What is the source of the universe?

The answer to all four questions is “God.” But the subtleties of the answers is where Flew’s** genius lies. With curiosity, passion and humour Antony Flew** quietly outlines why theism is the only answer to the question of our existence. At a scant 158 pages the book speeds through some very complex ideas, but Flew** often uses parables and thought-experiments to flesh them out. It is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in how Science and philosophy without the “baggage” of theology, still point to a Creator God.

* Flew includes an appendix by N.T. Wright whose work, in Flew’s own words**, “comprise[s] the most powerful case for Christianity that I have ever seen.”

** Many of Flew’s peers do not believe he actually wrote this book. (see update at top)

Granted, we were about as high up as you can get at the Pabst, but it was still a great show. We got in towards the 15 minute mark of Lichen’s [apparently] only song, a long, droney, ambient affair which was probably an amalgam of “songs” from the Omns disc. I like instrumental post-rock, but this guy’s a bit much for me even.

The thing about Explosions in the Sky: they know how to build tension and they understand the dynamics of music. The layer after layer of effects is almost always interesting and hearing them pull a melody out of chaos is very cool. I love the louds and the thunder, but the quiets can get boring. I’m just being honest. Still, it’s worth sitting through the quiets to get to the louds. But ultimately it’s that dynamic of loud/soft, chaos/control, rhythm/ambience that makes EITS so enjoyable. Kind of a metaphor for life really.

Enjoy: It’s Natural To Be Afraid from Explosions in the Sky (album: All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone)