“Science” Takes on Creationism

Perhaps you saw the headline popping up on various world news outlets this weekend about Leeds University’s plans to include mandatory anti-Creationism seminars for students reading biological sciences. Well, there’s of course a lot of noise about it from people. Very unhappy people. Only the fuss isn’t erupting from the Christian quarters as one might think: No, the people up in arms this time are those all-too-prevalent denizens of Academe who consider the idea of an intelligent designer to be so contrary to scientific principles that they won’t even stand for it to be discussed or even soundly trounced in a one-sided debate for the entertainment of impressionable young minds. To them, the mere suggestion that perhaps science is interpretting evidence the wrong way on a few issues is such a threat, that they can’t even afford to give it the time it would take them to laugh it down in a formal educational setting. Someone potty might misunderstand and actually pick up a book on it, perhaps?

So instead of a more accurate headline like: “U.K. University Reveals Blatant Intolerance for Discussion of Long-Held Religious Views,” or “NEWS FLASH GOD! 150 Years of Digging in the Dirt Says You Never Existed,” we are fed things like, “Scientists Worldwide Unify Against Creationism,” and “Survival of the Fittest Origin Theory Plays out at Uni.”

Aaaah, but it’s not just in the halls of higher learning that Creationism is being attacked with no option for Christian defense: it’s daily in our schools, and it appears to be on the way toward legislation worldwide. Read for yourself these opening lines from an article in the June 22nd edition of the U.K.’s Independent Online:

“The world’s scientific community united yesterday to launch one of the strongest attacks yet on creationism, warning that the origins of life were being
“concealed, denied or confused”.

The national science academies of 67 countries warned parents and teachers to ensure that they did not undermine the teaching of evolution or allow children
to be taught that the world was created in six days.”

Read that again, will you? Is that supposed to be a threat? Of course it is! They’re telling parents of all faiths what they can and cannot teach their children regarding the origin of the universe (an event which none of us were around to observe in the first place!!). Wow. And this is all of SCIENCE coming against us full-tilt?! Do you feel threatened yet?

“The aim of all investigations of the external world should be to discover the rational order and harmony which has been imposed upon it by God and which
He revealed to us in the language of mathematics.” – Morris Kline, Mathematics: The Loss of Certainty (New York: Oxford University Press, 1980), p. 31.

“This most beautiful system of sun, planets, and comets could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being. This Being
governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord over all, and on account of His dominion He is wont to be called Lord God, Universal Ruler.” – Sir Isaac Newton (physicist and mathematician): Mathematica Principia, 1686.

“the phenomena of nature, whether mechanical, chemical, or vital, consist almost entirely in a continual conversion . . . into one another. Thus it is that
order is maintained in the universe- nothing is deranged, nothing ever lost, but the entire machinery, complicated as it is, works smoothly and harmoniously
. . . the whole being governed by the sovereign will of God.” – James Joule (physicist)

“Certainty! Joy! Peace!
I forget the world and everything but God! . . .
I submit myself absolutely to Jesus Christ my Redeemer” – Blaise Pascal (mathematician)

“The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator.” – Louis Pasteur (microbiologist)

“I believe, with the Westminster Divines and their predecessors ad Infinitum, that ‘Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him for ever’” – James Clerk Maxwell (physicist)

“When with bold telescopes I survey the old and newly discovered stars and planets Y when with excellent microscopes I discern Y the inimitable subtlety
of nature’s curious workmanship; and when, in a word, by the help of anatomical knives, and the light of chemical furnaces, I study the book of nature
Y I find myself oftentimes reduced to exclaim with the Psalmist, How manifold are Thy works, O Lord! in wisdom hast Thou made them all!” – Robert Boyle (Chemist, physicist, etc.)

“In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God’s existence.” – Sir Isaac Newton: (Quoted in Des MacHale, Wisdom [London, 2002].)

“Jesus Christ is end of all, and the centre to which all tends. Whoever knows Him knows the reason of everything.” – Blaise Pascal

“I give you thanks, Creator and God, that you have given me this joy in thy creation, and I rejoice in the works of your hands. See I have now completed
the work to which I was called. In it I have used all the talents you have lent to my spirit.” – Johannes Kepler (astronomer)

Once, Twice, Eighty-Four Times a Lady

Caroline had another good meme. I couldn’t resist. Who doesn’t want to know how much of a ‘lady’ she is?

You Are 84% Lady

No doubt about it, you are a lady with impeccable etiquette You know how to put others at ease, even if their manners aren’t the greatest.

Are You A Lady?

Strum your pizza and eat your guitar

And God said, Let there be pizza! … I mean … he must have. Because it’s so good!

What was that pizza we had last night, Betty? It was our favorite (ham and pineapple), but I can’t remember the cool name of the place. I’ve been having some of the best pizza ever here in Milwaukee.

Then, at work yesterday, some of us office peeps ordered delivery from Schlotzky’s, that amazing deli near my place. Check out the menu! I had one of their yummy 8” pizzas. Thai chicken! And I normally hate chicken on pizza. But, what do you do when presented with ‘Grilled chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, basil pesto, Thai peanut sauce, julienne carrots, cilantro and green onions on our seasoned Sourdough crust.’? That’s right, you order it. And you eat it in 3 bites!

So yeah, I was over at Betty’s last night. She’s one of the ladies from baby church, and she’s quickly becoming one of my dearest friends. It’s a little scary how much we have in common. She’s gotta talk on my podcast sometime. Then you’ll understand. We ate and talked and went to the basement for a gospel/hymn sing. She’s teaching me some worship songs (my worship repertoire is pathetically non-encompassing. ) And she’s letting me borrow her guitar, people. I’m gonna learn how to play the guitar! Maybe even with my eyes shut! We’ll see. … … Well, I won’t .. but, some of you already do, so …

Speaking of guitars, have yourself some really inspiring Blind Cool Tech audio of a guitar being run over by a car.

Well, I guess I’d better get in the kitchen. That’s right, I’m gonna have a break from pizza tonight. I’m making an enchilada pile-up in the crock pot. I’ve been cooking quite a bit lateley, and enjoying it far more than is warranted! It’s called life without a life because your brother is the only person you know — but he happens to have a life, so you’re on your own, baby!

Go eat things,
Sarah

Weekend to end all weekends

The weekend to end all weekends is behind me. Not only was it Father’s Day weekend, but also, it was both the weekend of the 37th triennial WSVH Alumni reunion, and the weekend of Kristin’s high school graduation party! I was all over the place this weekend!

You can read the basics of the alumni bash at Caroline’s, so I won’t get too deeply into it. I will add, however, that by some strange turn of the wind, I was elected with two other people to represent WSVH Alumni on the Wisconsin Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired. As well, they voted me to serve on the board of alumni directors for the next 9 years. This was quite a surprise. I can’t say what it is that people know of me that would make them choose me over the Braille Note guy with the pages-long bio, for instance (who came in dead last in both races). I hope it’s not just my mom’s name (she’s been active in the blind community for years), but if it is, I’m looking forward to finding some sort of unique contributional outlet. And thanks to those of you who voted for me. Please expect to be asked lots and lots of questions about how this all works!

I had loads of fun this weekend! I thought I’d only be depressed meeting up with people who are either doing nothing with their post-grad lives or are so super-accomplished and fulfilled that I’d feel like a beggar in comparison. Well, there wasn’t time for either of those feelings. I was too busy practicing for the concert on Sunday or running errands for people, or practicing for the concert on Sunday, or sitting worshipfully outside the radio station while Dennis and Chris did their thing, or practicing for the memorial service when I finally found out the concert wasn’t my only gig on Sunday.

I stank in the concert on Sunday, btw.

Kristin’s grad party went well. We rented out Mocha Moment for the occasion. I think everyone enjoyed themselves. I only know there was a lot of inter-mingling of people among each varied circle of Kristin’s acquaintances. It wasn’t quite as crowded as expected, which might have had something to do with the fact that it was pouring and the tornado sirens were going off for a while there. LOL [favorite line of the day: Laurie {as we get more comfortable on the leather couches} - "Hmmmmm. The radio just said 'Take shelter immediately.' That might indicate a serious situation."]

As for Father’s Day, I think we’re celebrating that later. We must be, because nothing was done for Dad!! And he’s the one who made this weekend (and many many others) so successful for the Heesen clan and all their undertakings. THE SHAME! THE INDECENCY! I have an idea about salvaging Father’s Day, but Dad reads this, so …

Busy Intersection Receives Bad-for-You Rating

The WAFTPSOBP (Wisconsin Activists for the Physical Safety of Blind Pedestrians) earlier today declared the intersection of Greenfield and Highway 100 to rate a “really really bad for you” on an as-yet undefined and highly subjective sliding scale. In today’s random test conducted at 4:09 CST by WAFTPSOBP, the West Allis conflux of Greenfield and 100 (affectionately dubbed ‘Hell’s Driving School’ by the group) scored a big fat ‘0 in 15 out of all 7 determining criteria.

“We crossed it today for the very first time,” said Sarah Hees*n, the little-publicized group’s President and Interim Sergeant at Arms. “We took the bus home from work, and we had to cross Greenfield in order to catch the 28. Well, I felt safer asking the nice bus driver to help me across, meaning the intersection fails accessibility testing hands-down.”

The intersection’s failing comes as no surprise to other disability groups around the state.

“I’m glad it failed,” said Sarah Hees*n, 25 of West Allis, member at large of the city’s first and only League of People Who Hate Hwy 100 and Greenfield. “This announcement gives our club a reason to exist.”

“Oh, it’s a crazy place,” said Sarah Hees*n, 3rd Executive Vice Regent of the Wisconsin chapter of the National Advisory on Issues Related to the Emotional and Mental Wellness of Poor Sheltered Blind Girls With No Social Life Despite Living in Large Metropolitan Areas. “There’s … like … cars everywhere, and they’re moving and stuff. There’s islands and right-turn lanes by the dozen at that one intersection. It’s pretty much like it’s a potentially fatally busy place or something. So, you have to pay attention to what the traffic’s doing probably. And maybe try to take cues from your dog guide. Add that plus the fact that you’re blind, so you don’t know if there’s even a mall at the other side to make it worth the hassle. That’s a lot on your psyche right there. A whole lot to deal with.”

Hees*n, (single white female, 25, 5 foot 9, glorious long auburn hair and barely-blind-looking clear blue eyes), admits she’ll be crossing Greenfield 5 days a week now that she has a job. “It really is a job for the professionals, and now that I’m a professional with a life and such … well, I have no choice. But, I only want them to know that I do it for them — only out of wanting to make the world a better place. Because I willingly suffer on the median at 100 and tell the world about it, they, the poor, mobility-challenged blind people of Milwaukee and of the world, can maybe one day learn how to cross the more rewarding streets by the malls on their own.”

Really good Wand Quiz

I’m slightly staggered to realize that really, I do have more in common with Cho than with Harry, Hermione, or even Neville. Ish. But this is a good test on a very sleezy sight for mature audiences. You’ve been warned.

 

10″, Willow, Veela You scored 42 wisdom, 27 bravery, 31 emotional, and 11 martyrdom!

A willow wand signifies that you care deeply about emotions, art, and intuition, and that you have a particular knack for charms. The veela hair as a wand core means that you are slightly unpredictable but very powerful.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 41% on wisdom You scored higher than 33% on bravery You scored higher than 77% on emotional You scored higher than 11% on martyrdom

Link: The Harry Potter Wand Test written by sputnik845 on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

’splain this

We decided to swing in at McDonald’s before church yesterday morning. What did we get with our McMuffs and coffee? Workout DVDs. 4 of them each. Free. Somebody wanna explain what Micky D’s is thinkin’ by handing out workout DVDs with the food? A sudden spasm of grease guilt? A cholesterol-fueled bout of fit-friendly marketing? And this, just on the heels of the release of their dilicious Asian salad. McDonalds! Your healthy living evangelists!

Don’t get me wrong. I’m kind of digging it.

Maine Coon

Yay! They’re beautiful.

 

What breed of cat are you?

You are a Maine Coon! You are larger than life, a gentle giant.
You are independent, but very affectionate with your friends and family.
Take this quiz!

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Quiz snagged from Caroline’s new blog!

Quiet

It’s too quiet around here. I just got back from the baby church. We get carried away with food and talking after the study. Tonight they were talking about random business and someone suddenly asked if everyone knew how to get a hold of Sarah. Before I could think of anything to say, someone was ripping off tags of note paper, writing my cell number down and handing it out to everyone. Man, I love these crazy people!

But I came home to quiet, and I’m a little worried. Steve’s in the hospital.

He got a very bad burn last Sunday night. We were drinking coffee at baby church, and he was transferring his from between his knees, when it slipped and spilled into his shoe! And I mean it was hot! Luckily there are two nurses in the congregation, and they swooped down immediately with ice and got his sock off. By then, he had already kicked his shoe off so forcefully that it hit one of them.

Steve was in such pain: I felt so helpless squeezing his arm. His voice didn’t even shake, but that was all he could do.

At the hospital, we learned it was a vicious 2nd-degree burn around the top of his foot, and a 3rd degree over the heel where the coffee puddled in his shoe before he was able to kick it off. We were especially worried because his diabetes makes his feet that much more vulnerable in general. Infection could be a bad, bad thing.

But ‘Oh no.’ They assured him no end that an antibiotic would probably not be necessary. Just a change of dressings twice a day for 5 days, and with care, he’d be fine. This sounded reasonable to me, a complete nil in the medical knowledge department, but our nurse friends were skeptical. They told the doctor so at the second hospital visit … and the third as well, on Friday, when it was looking kind of grim. They thought the chances of infection were extremely high.

Meanwhile, Steve was walking happily around in flip-flops so the bandage wouldn’t get irritated. I had to fight to get him to stay home for the 2 and a half days he did take off of work. He was up and around on that foot much more than he should have been. Most times, he was either medicated out of the pain, or so loopy he didn’t care. But, one morning, he had to literally crawl in pain into the bath tub. He couldn’t stand in the shower, or even get back out of the tub, from the sound of it. All this made me wonder what he was actually doing to his foot when he walked around because he was feelin’ no pain.

He really should have been in some sort of a regenerative cocoon on Saturday. But, no, he was off to a wedding. LOL! Yeah. A wedding. Did you see him? He was the only guy wearing flip-flops with his $800 suit! And he danced, too.

I’m told his activeness wasn’t the problem. Sure. Maybe not, but the repeat visits to the hospital did just happen to occur the day after each of his active spells.

And after the wedding, he was informed he was now infected.

So, thanks to the know-it-all doctors who insisted an antibiotic would be over-kill, he’s in a hospital bed right now, with an IV stuck in him for 48 hours. Laurie’s there, of course. That’s good. But, I’m here. And I miss him. Please pray for him.

Life Begins in West Allis

Yesterday was terrible. it took me half the day just to wake up, and the other half to realize I wasn’t gonna get a nap anytime soon. Luckily, after a quick word with the anti-Christ, I was able to convince him to alter his schedule so that 06-06-06 could go by uneventfully so I could at least sleep last night instead of reading/blogging endlessly on the mind-numbing fall-out of a potential apocalyptic development. So it’s more superfluity on the blog today … and tomorrow … and for as long as I can not feel guilty about it.

I really shouldn’t though. My life is actually getting more interesting. We’ll call those stories more fodder for my next podcast, though, because I’d rather talk about them and do a few sound-scenes than try to cover all the bases in letters. Besides, I’ve got a lot of good stuff on my Eddy that’s due to get published sometime. All I need to do is figure out with Steve where to set up my computer. That’s where Studio Recorder is, along with all my pod-safe music and such. So, there will be a 2nd podcast. I want to get it done before work starts on the 19th. As always, I do appreciate the continued saintly forbearance on your part.

These days running up to my job have been relaxing. I’ve been slowly unpacking my stuff and putting it all in place. I’ve been chillin’ with Steve while Laurie was in Utah learning the ropes in her new position as head of states and states full of deaf-people phone stuff. We went for Chinese with Laurie’s parents. I did lots of laundry. Today, I finally did some dishes. I also spent the better part of an hour reconfiguring the cord tangle draped tackily around the entertainment center. Thank you, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, for not bothering to feed the wires through the back of the cabinet when you hooked up my TV. It was great fun disconnecting, feeding through, and reconnecting each individual four-foot cord in and out amongst the digital box, the television, the DVD player and so on so they weren’t all hanging out the front.

Now you know who my real friends are, don’t you? I’ve referenced both the Anti-Christ himself, and You-Know-Who, and I’m not even done with this post.

The most enjoyable aspect of life here so far has been Risen Savior Bible Church. They began as a Bible study out of a local Evangelical-Free church. Not happy with the recent trend toward a Purpose-Driven Church mentality and a growing deemphasis of the Bible taking place in the congregation, — and unable to affect change after months of trying — this group began a Bible study on Sunday nights which is now in the process of becoming a new congregation of its own. I’ve never had the privilege of observing the birth of a new body of believers. It’s a little like walking into an elevator with a bunch of long-lost family members and finding out that you’re all getting off on the same floor, but you don’t know where you’re going after that. So you pray, you read Scripture, you have some refreshments, and you take a vote.

Steve was elected as a deacon, btw, as well as head of the committee to find us a permanent building. Some of the people in the elevator must really have a lot of faith.

I think we’re still technically a Bible study for the next few weeks, although we did get our first piece of church mail this last Sunday. We meet Sunday and Tuesday nights either in someone’s home or in a Baptist church that’s been loaned to us for $50 a month. Right now, it’s quite informal: there’s no written order of service, people speak right out during the message, and there’s plenty of eating and drinking through-out.

The people I’ve met in this baby church have been some of the most gracious, truly genuine Christians I’ve ever met. I knew this right off the first night, when I realized I’d been talking happily with 20 people, and I hadn’t felt one … not even one slight instance of blind burden syndrome or the all-too-common complete invisibility phenomenon. More on the people later, though. I’m still getting to know and love them all.

I guess that’s it for this post. I could write much more, but I’d rather try to fix the TV just now. I kind of sat on the remote and got into a menu or something that’s got it muted. It’s not the mute button though. Could be that it’s just not on speaking terms today. Hmmmmm.