GO PHILSSSSS!!!!
sorry Bunje I know we arent suppose to post but this is pretty important:)<3
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Devil's Advocate
Ahh...controversy. Intellectual conversations are rife with it, families are torn asunder by it, school boards thrive on trying to eliminate it. You should probably know that I am not someone who shies away from controversy or controversial topics. Quite the opposite, in fact. I believe that controversy and the topics that define it have much to teach us, and I am confident that the subject of this blog will only serve to reinforce that belief. Remember the golden rule of 204--to disagree is not to disrespect.
Additionally, this topic falls in line with a paper you may be writing, so perhaps this week's blog question will give those of you who choose to write your description paper about this particular topic some unique insight or even a jumping-off point to the paper.
In 1999, a Gallup poll indicated that only approximately 60% of Americans believe that there is a hell. Out of that 60% only 4% were convinced that was their destination. So, first question--do YOU believe that hell exists? If so, do you know what it looks like? Smells like? Feels like? Where did your belief come from? Your parents? Your church? Your friends? What do you have to do in order to get there?
The word that is used most frequently in the New Testament for hell is Gehenna. Gehenna is a reference to the Valley of Hinnom located on the south side of Jerusalem, which served as the city's "garbage dump" during Jesus' time. The fires that burned here never went out. The Old Testament makes a reference to sheol as being a place where spirits reside (Deut. 32:22) and some of them will be resurrected to "everlasting life," while others are bound for "everlasting contempt" (Dan. 12:2) One is a worldly destination, the other spiritual. Which one sounds more realistic to you?
Dante Alighieri was a prolific writer who wrote the epic narrative poem titled Inferno in which the main character, Alighieri himself, travels through nine circles of hell. The main theme of this particular work is that there is a perfection to God's justice. Sinners on earth are relegated to various circles (or levels) of hell depending on the severity of sin. This would seem to indicate, at least in Alighieri's eyes, that there are varying degrees of sin and that each one is punishable in its own way. Do you believe this? If so, what is the worst sin that you can imagine and how should it be dealt with in hell?
Lastly, is it easily reconcilable to think of God as being the embodiment of love and grace yet imagine that it is through his word that people descend into hell, which is, ostensibly, a place of eternal suffering? (50 pts/400 words)
Additionally, this topic falls in line with a paper you may be writing, so perhaps this week's blog question will give those of you who choose to write your description paper about this particular topic some unique insight or even a jumping-off point to the paper.
In 1999, a Gallup poll indicated that only approximately 60% of Americans believe that there is a hell. Out of that 60% only 4% were convinced that was their destination. So, first question--do YOU believe that hell exists? If so, do you know what it looks like? Smells like? Feels like? Where did your belief come from? Your parents? Your church? Your friends? What do you have to do in order to get there?
The word that is used most frequently in the New Testament for hell is Gehenna. Gehenna is a reference to the Valley of Hinnom located on the south side of Jerusalem, which served as the city's "garbage dump" during Jesus' time. The fires that burned here never went out. The Old Testament makes a reference to sheol as being a place where spirits reside (Deut. 32:22) and some of them will be resurrected to "everlasting life," while others are bound for "everlasting contempt" (Dan. 12:2) One is a worldly destination, the other spiritual. Which one sounds more realistic to you?
Dante Alighieri was a prolific writer who wrote the epic narrative poem titled Inferno in which the main character, Alighieri himself, travels through nine circles of hell. The main theme of this particular work is that there is a perfection to God's justice. Sinners on earth are relegated to various circles (or levels) of hell depending on the severity of sin. This would seem to indicate, at least in Alighieri's eyes, that there are varying degrees of sin and that each one is punishable in its own way. Do you believe this? If so, what is the worst sin that you can imagine and how should it be dealt with in hell?
Lastly, is it easily reconcilable to think of God as being the embodiment of love and grace yet imagine that it is through his word that people descend into hell, which is, ostensibly, a place of eternal suffering? (50 pts/400 words)
Sunday, October 19, 2008
F.alse E.vidence A.ppearing R.eal
"You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith."
First, in your own words, interpret that quote from Mary Manin Morrissey.
At this point in your life, what is your biggest fear? Has it always been the same?
What did you fear the most when you were little? How did you overcome it? Why do you think you are afraid of whatever you are afraid of--both now and when you were young?
How often do you stop yourself from doing something because of fear? Do you ever regret not doing what you wanted to do?
When, if ever, is fear a good thing to feel? Why?
(450 words/65pts)
First, in your own words, interpret that quote from Mary Manin Morrissey.
At this point in your life, what is your biggest fear? Has it always been the same?
What did you fear the most when you were little? How did you overcome it? Why do you think you are afraid of whatever you are afraid of--both now and when you were young?
How often do you stop yourself from doing something because of fear? Do you ever regret not doing what you wanted to do?
When, if ever, is fear a good thing to feel? Why?
(450 words/65pts)
Monday, October 13, 2008
A Race Nobody Wins
I want you to really think about this question before you answer it. It requires you to closely examine yourself, your surroundings and your experiences.
From your own perspective, what is your definition of racism?
Does ignorance of racism promote or prevent it from becoming an ideology? By ignorance I just mean the lack of knowledge that it exists. Because, if you were raised in an area that is predominantly white and you're white, odds are, you don't see much evidence that it does exist--right? Or wrong?
If you were never exposed to a multicultural environment, would you be more or less attuned to the cultural differences that exist in society? And for that matter...Do you believe that there ARE cultural differences? If so, what are they?
Do you think people hide behind the definition of cultural differences to excuse rude, inappropriate or obnoxious behavior? This question applies to ALL races, incidentally.
And finally, do you think that the division of class "levels" within schools (AP, Honors, CP, General) promotes or prevents a racial divide?
(450-500 words/60pts)
From your own perspective, what is your definition of racism?
Does ignorance of racism promote or prevent it from becoming an ideology? By ignorance I just mean the lack of knowledge that it exists. Because, if you were raised in an area that is predominantly white and you're white, odds are, you don't see much evidence that it does exist--right? Or wrong?
If you were never exposed to a multicultural environment, would you be more or less attuned to the cultural differences that exist in society? And for that matter...Do you believe that there ARE cultural differences? If so, what are they?
Do you think people hide behind the definition of cultural differences to excuse rude, inappropriate or obnoxious behavior? This question applies to ALL races, incidentally.
And finally, do you think that the division of class "levels" within schools (AP, Honors, CP, General) promotes or prevents a racial divide?
(450-500 words/60pts)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Our Secret Selves
Last week's blog question had you ruminating over why any of us care what others think about us. The question, it seemed, had one, unanimous rejoinder: for whatever reason, we just DO.
Your posts, in all of their hearbreaking honesty, brought me back to what life was like in high school; the beautiful, bizarre and at times bitter exsistence that for better or worse, will leave its mark on each one of you. Long after the doors behind you have closed, the teachers have been forgotten, and the caps and gowns have been stored, the scar of these four years will be yours to keep, forever. The real question is--how will you display that scar? Prominently--in all its disctinction and beauty? Or will you cover it up, heap layer upon layer of protective outer-coating over it so as to mask any trace of what you gained?
***Actually, that's not the REAL question, but it is something I would like you to be mindful of during the remainder of our time together. We can talk more about it another time. Now, onto this week's brain bleeder...
Over the summer, I read Robert Greene's exceptionally well-punctuated blog: "Power, Seduction and War." There are things about it I dislike, things I love and things that have me thinking for days on end. Incidentally, he wrote The 48 Laws of Power, which, Meg Reese, I think you would LOVE and also The Art of Seduction, which, is also quite interesting.
Anyway, I was reading an older post called "In Praise of the Bad Guy" and it was one of the ones that really had me musing for quite some time.
The theme of this post is that we are drawn to what we perceive is the dark side of human nature, and presumably, the dark side of ourselves. He cites certain examples of classic "villains" both real and fictional and in those we are not talking about ritualistic serial killers or people who harm animals or children per se. From virtually every standpoint, that type of "dark side" is reviled, as of course it should be.
However, there exists, in all of us, an unmistakable desire to do "the wrong" thing (his assertion), and the more we call those people who act on that desire out on it, the stronger the pull is either to the person or to the act. In his exact words: "The strength of their denunciation equals the strength of their attraction."
He goes on to say, in what may be the most controversial opinion in the entire piece, that we are drawn to certain villainous characters such as the pimp, the seducer, the hustler etc because they are more GENUINE than we are. They recognize their dark side and rather than try to hide it or deny it completely, they act on it.
We will be reading this entire piece in class I think, because I want you to get the full context of what he is saying and I am really curious to hear what you all think. For now though, taken only what I've said here into consideration, do you agree with Greene or disagree? Also to be considered of course is: Do you have a dark side?
Naturally, you must support what you are saying with thoughtful and relevant examples.(450 words/65pts)
Your posts, in all of their hearbreaking honesty, brought me back to what life was like in high school; the beautiful, bizarre and at times bitter exsistence that for better or worse, will leave its mark on each one of you. Long after the doors behind you have closed, the teachers have been forgotten, and the caps and gowns have been stored, the scar of these four years will be yours to keep, forever. The real question is--how will you display that scar? Prominently--in all its disctinction and beauty? Or will you cover it up, heap layer upon layer of protective outer-coating over it so as to mask any trace of what you gained?
***Actually, that's not the REAL question, but it is something I would like you to be mindful of during the remainder of our time together. We can talk more about it another time. Now, onto this week's brain bleeder...
Over the summer, I read Robert Greene's exceptionally well-punctuated blog: "Power, Seduction and War." There are things about it I dislike, things I love and things that have me thinking for days on end. Incidentally, he wrote The 48 Laws of Power, which, Meg Reese, I think you would LOVE and also The Art of Seduction, which, is also quite interesting.
Anyway, I was reading an older post called "In Praise of the Bad Guy" and it was one of the ones that really had me musing for quite some time.
The theme of this post is that we are drawn to what we perceive is the dark side of human nature, and presumably, the dark side of ourselves. He cites certain examples of classic "villains" both real and fictional and in those we are not talking about ritualistic serial killers or people who harm animals or children per se. From virtually every standpoint, that type of "dark side" is reviled, as of course it should be.
However, there exists, in all of us, an unmistakable desire to do "the wrong" thing (his assertion), and the more we call those people who act on that desire out on it, the stronger the pull is either to the person or to the act. In his exact words: "The strength of their denunciation equals the strength of their attraction."
He goes on to say, in what may be the most controversial opinion in the entire piece, that we are drawn to certain villainous characters such as the pimp, the seducer, the hustler etc because they are more GENUINE than we are. They recognize their dark side and rather than try to hide it or deny it completely, they act on it.
We will be reading this entire piece in class I think, because I want you to get the full context of what he is saying and I am really curious to hear what you all think. For now though, taken only what I've said here into consideration, do you agree with Greene or disagree? Also to be considered of course is: Do you have a dark side?
Naturally, you must support what you are saying with thoughtful and relevant examples.(450 words/65pts)
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