tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post786623980121241621..comments2023-10-03T11:41:21.191+01:00Comments on The Truth About Lies: Stick Out Your TongueJim Murdochhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-88486284432413621762009-06-01T09:11:15.422+01:002009-06-01T09:11:15.422+01:00It comes down to your definition of 'evidence'. An...It comes down to your definition of 'evidence'. An atheist certainly wouldn't agree that there is any evidence what so ever for faith.<br /><br />The bible definition comes from Hebrews 11:1 - faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. <br /><br />But I know where you're coming from, I certainly see nature around us as 'evidence' for the existence of God and in that sense no one is without excuse whether they have heard the gospel or not.<br /><br />Also the bible is full of instances where God reminds the Israelites of what He has done for them in the past as evidence that He'll fulfill his promises to them in the future. So in that sense He doesn't ask us to have blind faith.<br /><br />But none of this matches up to hard and fast evidence so it still takes a leap of faith to believe it!Marion McCreadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04657757253873577465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-63170121819686158472009-06-01T05:10:46.497+01:002009-06-01T05:10:46.497+01:00I see where you're coming from , Sorlil, but I don...I see where you're coming from , <B>Sorlil</B>, but I don't agree with that definition. I have no religious act to grind – I stopped caring about spiritual matters a good while ago – but let me just state the Christian view as it was taught to me. <br /><br />Only an idiot will exhibit faith in anything without proof that that faith was not going to be misplaced. You can believe and you can hope but the Bible defines faith as an "assured expectation" and so it's fine to have faith that God will do the right thing but we can only hope that what we think is the right thing is also what he thinks is the right thing. <br /><br />Faith is based on evidence. What Christians accept as evidence is another matter. When talking about the people of the nations who might never hear the good news about the Christ, Paul (if memory serves me right) said that for them not to at least believe in a god was "inexcusable" because there was overwhelming evidence of his existence in creation itself. Those lucky enough to have access to the word of God, the Bible, are presented with a detailed account of God's doings from creation on. One might argue that it might take a leap of faith to accept that "all scripture is inspired of God" but students of the Bible would say that the evidence comes from a close study of the book. Indeed the deeper one's appreciation for its internal harmony the greater one's faith will become. Eventually a Christian will come to understand the character of who they're putting their faith in especially through the example of his son.<br /><br />Now, a lot of Christians think what they have is faith in God because they believe in God but when that faith is tested it becomes pretty apparent that they're really built their houses on the sand and their 'faith' collapses.<br /><br />When I used the word in my comment I was, however, thinking in purely secular terms. My wife has complete faith that no matter how poorly she gets in the years ahead I will take care of her, if not out of love (not that she doesn't think that I love her), but out of duty because she has amassed a certain amount of evidence that demonstrates to what extents I will go when I know what my duty is. Now, in any given situation, she can make an educated guess what I'll do. And that is re<I>assuring</I>.<br /><br />People used to believe the earth was flat and that the sun orbited it and they believed it with a passion … but they were wrong. Beliefs are not always wrong and that's where they lull us into a false sense of security but I guess a false sense of security is better than no sense of security at all.<br /><br />Just to finish, let me just make it clear that I'm not arguing the case for religious faith. Despite all the 'evidence' which has come my way over the years I no longer care enough to let my life revolve around spiritual concerns. People are presented with evidence of things all the time and still go their own weary way; they make lifestyle choices and sometimes their choice is not to choose. If all I'm offered for dessert is strawberry ice cream then I'll just do without, thank you very much.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-42166191901289547672009-05-31T23:38:08.074+01:002009-05-31T23:38:08.074+01:00To be honest, the concept of the sky burial doesn'...To be honest, the concept of the sky burial doesn't bother me in the least. Doesn't mean I'd like to read a visual account of it though!<br /><br />I'm unsure why you see faith as being built on evidence when by definition faith supercedes evidence.Marion McCreadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04657757253873577465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-72255453496531300992009-05-30T02:23:41.188+01:002009-05-30T02:23:41.188+01:00I think Conda makes a good point, Sorlil, what we ...I think Conda makes a good point, <B>Sorlil</B>, what <I>we</I> consider gruesome these Tibetans regard as matter of fact and that's where belief systems get in the road. And the problem I find with belief systems is that beliefs do not need to be true. I see faith a little differently as being built on evidence but I think a lot of time the words are treated as interchangeable when they shouldn't be. Because things have been done a certain way for many years is something that many people regard as evidence that a certain course of action is right and in this way tradition can be even more harmful than belief because there you're not alone, there are others willing to offer you reinforcement; it could just as easily be evidence of how wrong can perpetuate itself. Lastly I suppose we come to "lifestyle choices" an expression that has got a bit its own cult following these days equating rightness with choice as if there could possible be six billion right ways of doing things simply to suit every individual. <br /><br />So I'm really not sure what the answer might be to the Tibetan problem. My hope would be that change could be sparked off by reasoning with people but that's where we get back to the difference between faith and belief, beliefs don't need reasons and so it's very difficult to convince other people, it's much easier to force them to do things your way and hope that in a couple of generations it will become their norm. Which is why I have no ambitions to be a world leader.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-38395462757629118812009-05-28T10:30:45.581+01:002009-05-28T10:30:45.581+01:00Fascinating post, yes the book sounds rather grues...Fascinating post, yes the book sounds rather gruesome and it's good to read Conda's contribution.<br />The opening ceremony was spectacular, the Chinese really know how to put on a show! Though, as you mention, the scandal here in the west about the little girl is a bit hypocritical considering the images of 'perfection' that surround us. <br />I'm fascinated by Everest and ascents so I've read a lot about Tibet but only from that perspective. Tenzing Norgay's book on his Everest ascent is an excellent read - 'Touching My Father's Soul'.Marion McCreadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04657757253873577465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-18776932973427919322009-05-28T06:35:56.811+01:002009-05-28T06:35:56.811+01:00Glad you liked it, Dick. It was a really fascinati...Glad you liked it, <B>Dick</B>. It was a really fascinating subject to research and yet, as my discussion with Conda shows, with all diligence it's still possible to present a skewed analysis.<br /><br />And, <B>Ken</B>, your point and the Eurovision Song Contest is well taken. We live in an air-brushed society. Just look at movie posters for God's sake. The actors look more like wax dummies. I'm thinking about the poster for <I>X-Files: I Want to Believe</I> here. I mean Gillian Anderson is a beautiful woman who only needs touching up in the biblical sense. What were they thinking? Maybe the kids living now will be known as the Photoshop Generation. I don’t know.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-6902962111498387252009-05-27T23:05:50.147+01:002009-05-27T23:05:50.147+01:00I spent days going around speaking in awe-struck t...I spent days going around speaking in awe-struck terms about those damn firework footprints and then they turned out to be CGI! Then the girl was miming. Damn.<br /><br />I know I'm a mile off topic but there was an interesting twist on this in The Eurovision thing a week or two back. In one entry, a glamorous front-lady (careful positioning of hyphen) mouthed the lyrics while, quietly in the background, a little lady sang the song.<br /><br />I hate that!Ken Armstronghttp://kenwriting.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-36229057721022429562009-05-27T11:21:47.451+01:002009-05-27T11:21:47.451+01:00Yet another entirely absorbing post, Jim, this one...Yet another entirely absorbing post, Jim, this one supplemented by an interesting exchange of comments.Dickhttp://patteran.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-88711235041737694352009-05-26T02:53:14.978+01:002009-05-26T02:53:14.978+01:00No, Conda, I never thought you vociferous. You wer...No, <B>Conda</B>, I never thought you vociferous. You were just adding your tuppenceworth and I'm very grateful for it. The danger in writing any review – and this is the problem I think with many reviewers – is that one can come across as a little too authoritative at times. I'm not fit to be an authority on anything much but I have opinions on a great many things some of which are even worth hearing. I think what you've made clear – and to a certain extent I also suggested in the article – is that this book shouldn't be the beginning and end of our understanding of the issues concerning Tibet. When finding out more or even actively protesting will make a damn bit of difference at this point I can't speculate. This was a book review, All the rest of the stuff in the article was to try and provide a little context, no more.<br /><br />I had a wee look at the IMDB entry for <A HREF="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0169388/" REL="nofollow"><I>Windhorse</I></A>. It sounds interesting. The trailer is also available on <A HREF="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-dlGYfvWBs" REL="nofollow">YouTube</A>.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-60045173950795195682009-05-25T23:39:57.006+01:002009-05-25T23:39:57.006+01:00Boy, I didn't mean to sound quite so vociferous, J...Boy, I didn't mean to sound quite so vociferous, Jim! Of course you mentioned in your review the very human, and therefore complex, Tibetans. And it does confuse me...what exactly did the author intend? Yes, China insists "no problem, completely assimilated" but the ex-pat Tibetans say otherwise (and some inside Tibet as well). <br /><br />A good movie about Tibet's struggles and culture is "Wind Horse." And a great review is one that gets the reader thinking and opining, like this one, Jim!Conda Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12972790965426924941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-17664178163639705672009-05-25T21:32:50.009+01:002009-05-25T21:32:50.009+01:00Soapbox away all you like, Conda. I freely admitte...Soapbox away all you like, <B>Conda</B>. I freely admitted that I knew next to nothing about Tibet in the article and even though I did some research – quite a bit of research actually – there's only so much time I can devote to a book review no matter how interesting or worthy the subject. <br /><br />I have to say I had some doubts about the ritual rape scene – it's only a part of the story – and I guess I was a bit too keen to buy into this as a work of faction. These are stories and in stories anything can happen.<br /><br />I think the point you make about China banning the book so that people <I>would</I> read it is an interesting point of view. They're certainly not going to come out and say that though. My feeling – and it is only a feeling – is that China would like the world to believe that Tibet is now all shiny-shiny and that the "malevolent peasants" have now been fully and gratefully assimilated into China.<br /><br />As for the sky burial, your point is certainly valid. And that's the problem with different cultures. I cannot pretend that the concept of cutting up a loved one like that, even taking into consideration the practical considerations, didn't appall me. I seriously expected that the funeral would involve a pyre.<br /><br />I have no doubt that Tibetans are human. Were I to suggest anything else than I would be guilty of the same attitude that the Germans developed towards the Jews. And that's where Jian's book puzzles me – if it was designed to be anti-propaganda I'm not sure he's not done them a disservice.Jim Murdochhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786388638146471193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6327348657265652781.post-45851241316485914242009-05-25T17:26:28.130+01:002009-05-25T17:26:28.130+01:00Jim--as a film editor the first project I worked o...Jim--as a film editor the first project I worked on was a film on the Dalai Lama. I also participated in the Tibetan Resettlement Project. I know a lot of Tibetans. That having been said, I believe that China banned the book so it would be more widely read (reverse psychology).<br /><br />For example, sky burials: If the body is not broken up and fed to the birds, the soul will not be reincarnated. Yes, the brothers were honoring their wife, in a final act of love. It's akin to being horrified that some devout Jews don't embalm their dead and bury them in 24 hours in a plain box and leave them to rot.<br /><br />The nun: were nuns every ritually raped? Maybe--about 800 years ago. <br /><br />Communism has no place for religion. The Chinese have no place for other cultures. After decades of genocide, destruction of monasteries with their writings,destruction of their lands, the Tibetans are still Buddhist.The Chinese have always insisted that the Tibetans are malevolent peasants that have fooled everybody. <br /><br />Sure, Tibetans are human and I don't mean to soapbox, I'm just speaking from my experience.Conda Douglashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12972790965426924941noreply@blogger.com