Definition of Eclectic

Sounds about right...

eclec·tic \e-ˈklek-tik

adjective

1: selecting what appears to be best in various doctrines, methods, or styles

2: composed of elements drawn from various sources; also : heterogeneous

noun

: one who uses a method or approach that is composed of elements drawn from various sources : one who uses an eclectic method or approach


Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dictionary

From the Paleolithic to the Axial Age

Bellah's Religion in Human Evolution is strong piece of work...

Robert N. Bellah has assembled an imposing cathedral of a book, drawing, brick by brick, from cosmology, paleontology, archeology, biology, neurology, anthropology, mythology, philosophy, theology, politics, and literature to address the role of religion in human history.  I found it very challenging to read and remain engaged with - it took me five months to complete its 606 pages - but I think it will sink in and become part of my thinking on the issues examined.  Others were less stunned when they finished reading this masterwork have written elegantly about it.  

Whew!

Easter, the In-group, and the Out-group

Sometimes Easter does not evoke foil-wrapped chocolate bunnies, pastel candy eggs, and marshmallow peeps...

It being the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox it's the weekend of Christian Easter, and (by a related calculation) it's precursor, the Jewish Passover.  For many folks attending services Saturday or Sunday this will be one of those half dozen visits to their house of worship this year.  A blog post and subsequent comments at Homeland Security Watch, of all places, provoked me today.  It's worth a read, especially because it drew out a variety of responses and possible directions.  Here's the orbit it knocked me into.

There is certainly human wisdom to be found in many religions, but they are also repositories of human weakness. At their worst, religions represent the institutionalization of In-group Out-group distinctions. Fear of the Other is an instinct older than humankind, but we have outlived any selective advantage it once conferred. We must remember that for much of their histories the major monotheistic religions enforced their calls to universality and transcendence with the sword and with fire.

These past ten years our country's Global War on Terror has drawn its strength, funding, and authority from Fear of the Other. We have killed the innocent and betrayed our commitment to justice to defend the interests of those in authority. While doing so, these authorities cloaked killing, torture, and lies in the rhetoric of Fear of the Other. In our pride and conceit, with moral certitude that our cause is just and preeminent, we have made sharing a ride, or a meal, or a roof with a high value target a death sentence for many women and children, whose numbers go uncounted because they are Other.

Our taxicabs are driven, our meals are prepared, and our roofs are repaired by brown-skinned poor people who don't speak English very well.  Some Americans know their own and would rather these Other people not be here.  Alone among Western countries, in the USA the quality of our health care is determined by whether we have a job and by our ability to purchase benefits and pay deductibles.  There are Americans who think that is the way it should be, because they have theirs and the Others could have their own if only they worked hard enough.

When you celebrate the story of the angel of death passing over your home to instead kill other children is your faith community celebrating its In-Group status?  When you rejoice in your savior's victory over death (which should have been a forgone conclusion if the rest of the story is true) as proof that the only path to eternal salvation is to worship your particular god in your particular way have you drawn a line between Us and Them?


Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_National_Cathedral

Goodreads

It's like Facebook for people who read books...

Actually, GoodReads combines some of the friendlier features of the movie rating system used at NetFlix with Reading List by Amazon as found at LinkedIn.  Of course there's an app for that.  Anyway, you'll find my read, reading, and to read lists there.  Come join me.

Adjustments, Tweaks, Revisions, and Recissions

Change is the only constant...

After 425 posts I have again resorted the labels I use to describe my posts.  The list now comprises: civics, critical thinking, education, ethics, firearms, friends, history, humor, hunting, law, leadership, movies, outdoors, politics, religion, risk, science, security, service, and skepticism.  I could probably reduce the list further by merging more synonyms. 

Is civics as well described under ethics or leadership?

Is critical thinking the same as skepticism?

Is ethics a subset of leadership?

Must law have its own category?

Your ideas - for more words or fewer - are welcome.



Image found at http://tanyagrove.wordpress.com/2011/02/