On Dawkins

"As a scientist," Richard Dawkins writes in The God Delusion, "I am hostile to fundamentalist religion because it actively debauches the scientific enterprise. It teaches us not to change our minds, and not to want to know exciting things that are available to be known. It subverts science and saps the intellect."

I do not agree with his views on religion, but I think he has just echoed what I think is a big problem with many Christians today. I don't think it is the fault of 'fundamentalist religion' per se though. Fundamentalist religion, if studied correctly, should tell us that God has given Man a responsibility to discover the natural world, and that there is tremendous value in Science and and its knowledge worthy to be known. The problem thus, I feel, is a sheer apathy of non-theological subjects in fundamentalist religion caused by the individual himself. This, I feel, is not only not glorifying to the Creator, but also makes the Christian culture weak in the area of Reason, a consequence entirely unintended by a correct understanding of Scripture. Needless to say, it is also one of the greatest obstacles to the intellectuals' consideration of Christianity as the truth, a stumbling block between them and Christ.

Deal Or No Deal

So I watched this show last week in bunk, with my bunkmates, my first time watching. I think it is a rather cool concept. Probabilities and all. I actually asked my friends what if there is a mathematician as the contestant, and it would be real funny if the whole show he would only use a pen and paper to calculate, no need to guess. Most of the contestants, if not all, just hantum one la. Gut feeling. I think I would zhao if I'm offered $10,000.

Halfway through my friend asked me if I know why Girl No. 10 (Andrea Fonseka) is still there. According to him, she is almost always not chosen to open her suitcase. I replied, 'Is it because they thought she's famous that's why think they think the 250k is with her?' To which my friend answered, 'No la. They don't choose her because they want to see her. Once you choose her, she's GONE!' Hur hur.

My friend seems to know everything about her. She's 22, some Miss Malaysia pageant winner and apparently Miss Fonseka is studying at NUS Law. My Law bunkmate is a very happy man.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Played by blind musician Jeff Healey. Amazing.




New White Stripes Single from new album - Icky Thump

Can't wait.. As usual, their contagious guitar riffs...

On The Role Of Reason In Influencing The Philosophers' Deviation Towards Unorthodox Christianity

The more I read about philosophy (which is very little, but enough, I feel, to form some sort of premature conclusion), and especially philosophers who had background in Christianity or Roman Catholicism, the more I am persuaded that Reason leads many of them to adopt a Christianity that is peculiar, weird and ultimately unorthodox.

There is a philosopher by the name of Soren Kierkegaard, a great mind of Denmark. I read a little introductory book about him. In the 20 or so pages, he struck me as a very original and unique individual. He is nothing unlike any other people you have seen. So convinced was he of his own philosophy that he actually lived it out. I have remarked, that if I become a film director (which is not very plausible), the first film I will make is on the remarkable life of this person. I still know very little of his philosophies.

According to Kierkegaard, 'faith is irrational'. He means it in a very positive light, quite unlike the people nowadays who meant it in the negative light. Faith is irrational, and that makes faith all the more the harder to produce and act upon. This, of course, is rather unorthodox belief, though you cannot deny the good intention of it. It went the way of extremity, away from the goodness of his thinking. The common understanding (which I may call Orthodox) is that Faith and Reason can be reconciled in Christianity, the position I currently hold, yet have much trouble really achieving it.

A lot of people keep saying how easy it is to achieve that. But I suspect they do not understand how hard it is to do that. If anything, history shows that one who holds reason in a high position (which is what we should do as rational beings) often has problems reconciling it with faith. Even your beloved C.S. Lewis should find it hard to do so, judging from the books he had written, and I do not wonder.

What so troubles me is that there is vast ignorance on this subject (I include myself among the ignorant). Scores of Christians keep saying 'Faith and Reason are compatible' without really making an effort to reconcile them. It is like saying 'Sola Scriptura' a million times and then refusing to flip the pages of your bible. I do not apologize for saying there is vast ignorance, even among Christian circles that is plain to see. Yes, even among ourselves. These are people whom if Augustine is still alive today, would plead that they reject such nonsense, theological or scientific in nature. How do you tell people heavenly things, if you accept such nonsensical earthly things?

You do not, so far, understand what I am really trying to get at. I do not find a need to post what is the main problem I am facing. Anyone who is interested in truth would have already troubled their souls with it. I very well forsee that it will shake your faith, and not mine alone! To give Reason its place as an important part in religion (as a Science student) already gives me problems big enough to shake the foundations of my very own faith. It is the words of a wise man who said that true religion cannot contradict true science. And I believe my entire life will be spent to reconcile Faith and Reason.

Whether or not, at the end of the day, I still retain an Orthodox Christianity...

My PC Interview

Talked a lot of personal things to my Platoon Commander today. No, no, didn't complain about Army. Hahha... Turns out he closed the interview book and asked me very personal questions.

PC: So what are you occupied with in bunk?
Me: Mainly reading books.
PC: What kind of books do you read?
Me: Hmm... a bit of philosophy and religion.
*I stressed "a bit" because I scared I ban men nong fu.*
PC: Oh?
Me: ...
PC: Learnt anything?
Me: Yah. A lot.
PC: Tell me about it.
Me: Wah...a lot leh....
PC: Tell me about it...

Turns out I explained what I learnt of the Penitent Thief to him. I explained why this guy has the greatest faith. He believed in Jesus and His Kingdom at a point of time when Jesus seemingly was totally defeated at the cross and could not even save himself. Actually the Good Friday message talked about this. But I read it once again in 'Holiness', and John Calvin actually said the same thing. He didn't know who Calvin was, nor what was the Reformation. He knows a bit of the penitent thief story though.

And turns out I discovered he is also a Christian attending an 'Anglican-charismatic' church. Also he is a musician who believes that he should influence the younger generation to "experience God". I talked for about 20 minutes with him. He did sound quite biblical...

He lamented at many people's taking life for granted, and believes music is a gift from God for him to influence some people. At one point I commented that I lead a 'regular, ordinary life', to which he remarked that I cannot live a regular, ordinary life when the Spirit of God is in a person. I nodded my head.

I guess I too have a responsibility to teach the younger generation in church. Even if it is just one person.

On Dr. Stephen Tong

This is the second time I saw him. This is an intellectual who holds onto the Word of God very tightly. We know how easy it is for intellectuals to forget about the WOG and start embracing human philosophies. Dr Tong, on the other hand, studies human philosophies and use the bible to show why God's wisdom is always superior. As he said, Reason cannot be above the word of God.

He unapologetically names philosophers and quotes philosophies, presuming that the audience understand it. I believe some of us were indeed lost. Kant's categorical imperative as an alternative to traditional arguments for God's existence. Barth's revelation in Christ and his denial of common revelation. Hegel's dialetics shown in history. Aristotle's belief in a single source of life. He just quotes all these philosophies as if you know them. Indeed, if one has not at least has some idea of what these philosophies are about, he might easily be lost. Above all, Scripture (particularly reformed theology) is shown to be true with the test of time and influence of cultures through history.

And I have concluded. That his teachings are hard to understand. But what is even harder, is to know what to do. The implications are so great, so universal, so transcending all cultures (as the topic is really about). Yet the irony is that we are stuck here in a tiny culture of our own, and we must think how to influence this culture, and then the next. It cannot be anymore ironic than the fact that many who will listen to what Dr Tong preached, shall go out of that church with much knowledge, but no more as to what they can do to shape the culture. The culture will very likely remain as it is. This is what is bothering me as I left yesterday. You realize that it will take you much effort and diligence, not of a single man, but of entire nations, to shape cultures. What can it be done?

Nevermind. I hope to get more insight tonight.

Two Types of Christians

One, who think they must stand against falsehood in the battle for truth. The other, who thinks they are the truth.

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Exercise Tourmaline this week. I have been on exercise from last, last Thursday. Nonstop, except only the weekends. Thankfully still have the weekends, if not I am going insane. One more week to go. But have to book in at 7pm tonight. Pushing off at 2am Monday. Probably end on Friday night...and then its over. Aiming to complete Pilgrim's Progress and read a bit of Holiness over there. The rest of the time... feeling uncomfortable and sweating profusely in the intense heat (doubly hot inside the fully camouflaged vehicle).

I can smell my ORD date though... I can smell it.

Give me a stage
where this bull can rage.
And though I can fight,
I'd much rather recite.
That's... entertainment.

Scarface

Got myself a hideous scar about 10cm long on my right cheek. As if I am already not ugly enough. It was a very freak accident. I could do that 1000 times and 999 times come out unhurt. But pian pian this one time I was cut by a zinc sheet while on army exercise. I know you know. How to be cut by a zinc sheet?!? Don't ask me. All I know is that my status has just turned from 'Ineligible' to 'Utterly Hopeless'.

All my bunk mates who saw me return ask me, 'Oei! What happened to your face?!' Some others add (half-jokingly), 'Siao liao. You gonna find it hard to find girlfriend...' Thanks ah.

Probably I was the coolest about it. I don't think it was so bad. Maybe I am trying to comfort myself, but come on, who has suffered such severe acne breakout and still come out undefeated and smiling? Me! Who has endured such bad skin and still come out strong and joking about it? Me!

I know aesthetics is important too. But I kind of lost that sense of beauty. Especially in myself. And especially when you know beauty is fleeting, and temporal. And you know if Nature does not take it away, God might. I think of burn victims and I see their faces. They don't groan as much as I do, so why should I, with such a tiny little scar?

I might only groan when God takes away the might of my right hand. Or the sight of my eyes. These two I cannot imagine myself losing.

Oh, The Sweetest Dream

The phantom of the opera. I remember she watched the play too. She must have loved it as I did. Somewhere... I think I must have read it from her blog. I'm a distance from her. Always unable to reach her. I'm a third person. I don't exist in her world. Too far away from me.

Now the song is playing. Wouldn't it be strange if I should find her here, of all places? Yet here is where we must meet.

And I went in. It was like a dream. There she was, the same old girl whom I haven't met for ages. Of course it was only a few years, but I felt an eternity past when I haven't heard the sound of her voice.

If I could hear your voice I don't think I need to see at all...

Oh, how beautiful she is! Just like the first time I saw her. Just like the first time I was captivated by her. Her hair was untied and was let down unto her shoulders. A brown top, and she was sitting like a princess on a chair so unworthy of her. Strangely enough I didn't tremble. I didn't feel excited. But there was a kind of peace which I could not understand. Didn't I always feel anxious in front of her? Today an unexplainable calmness took hold of me.

And then she smiled. It was the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. For some strange reason I smiled too. I think I was happy.

Everything is weird and... unnatural. Things wouldn't happen like this normally. Then the most peculiar thing happened: I spoke. I started the conversation. I didn't know I could do that. It's been a long time since I did that. And I talked with her, and I listened to her. She talked with me, and she listened to my words. I asked her how she had been. We joked, and we laughed together.

It was pure honesty. It was emotional nakedness. Nothing as beautiful as that. Where the opinions of the hypocrites mattered not, where there was no voices but ours, and where there were no one else but the two of us.

I wish it wouldn't end. But I know it is an impossibility.

Window in the Skies

Oh can't you see what our love has done?
What it's doing to me?

Love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize.