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Posts from the ‘Culture’ Category

6
Dec

Getting to know you…

This is a recreation of a post I lost due to a database crash. So if you saw it previously and are wondering, “What the heck?” that’s what’s up.

Something occurred to me recently. I’ve blogged in some form since 2004(ish). I registered my domain in 2008, and have written at CulturalSavage ever since. In all that time I have never had the foggiest idea of who is actually reading my ramblings. I figure now is as good a time as any to change that.

So, here is your chance to tell me all about you. Do you blog? Do you like bacon? How much coffee do you drink? Do you have a family? What are your ideas on double predestination? Where are you from? What are your spiritual beliefs? How awesome are you? What is your name for crying out loud!?

I’ve said enough on this blog  already. Now it’s your turn. Who the heck are you?

26
Nov

A good Advent resource

Jason Vana is this random dude on the internet that I met and have come to consider a friend.  He heads up a group called Ignite. He also is one of those design type people.

For advent (which starts tomorrow FYI) he has put together a devotional book/calendar that is defiantly worth your time and energy to check out. You can down load them free here. I’ve looked over the book, and am very excited to walk through Advent with this resource…well, try to anyways. I usually get about a week in and then suddenly it’s New Years. Like three or four weeks just disappear in a blink of an eye.

So, what resources are you using to celebrate and explore this Advent season?

23
Nov

Book Review: A Question of Faith

I found Tor Constiantino‘s book A Question of Faith a refreshing change in the comparative religion discussion. Too often no meaningful conversation comes from these attempts because of mischaracterization, vilification, and this weird need to empirically and definitively prove that “my religion is right”. I’m not against apologetics, nor do I think that all religions can all be right. However, if we are going to have an honest discussion, we need honesty about both sides. Too often people load the dice when talking about religion. What kind of honest talk about religion can come from that?

The entire book revolves around one question:

Q: Which of the major world religions listed below is the best for someone to believe?

  • a. Buddhism
  • b. Christianity
  • c. Hinduism
  • d. Islam
  • e. Judaism
  • f. Sikhism
From this basic question, Tor begins to guide the reader through the basic ideas of each religion. The whole concept of this book is comparing religions and facilitating a discussion about what should humanity believe. I appreciate that Tor does not try to proselytize the reader. Yes, he has his biases, and yes he makes a case for them. however, his goal does not seem (in my opinion) to be trying get everyone to think like he does. He genuinely seems interested in the discussion, the journey, in what people believe and why.
As I said, I found the book a refreshing read. I think that for anyone interested in comparative religions, this book is a great primer in the discussion. For people who might be exploring world religions trying to find their place in it all, this book may offer some tracks to run on. All in all, it is a resource that I would recommend.
Full disclosure: I received an e-book of Tor’s work for the purpose of review. All opinions stated are mine, uninfluenced by Tor or anyone else. There is no check in the mail. That’s not how I roll.
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