"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and to my mind the assertion that there is no God falls into the nature of an extraordinary claim."

Paul Alan Cox, an ethnobotanist and a Mormon, contributed his explanation of why he believes in collection of such statements, "Why I Believe" [...]]]> Why I Believe — Paul Alan Cox

"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and to my mind the assertion that there is no God falls into the nature of an extraordinary claim."

Paul Alan Cox, an ethnobotanist and a Mormon, contributed his explanation of why he believes in collection of such statements, "Why I Believe" (BookCraft, 2002, ISBN 1-57008-723-7). Here is my favorite excerpt of his comments that express some of my ideas very well (p. 126).

"During my studies I became aware that some people struggle with apparent contradictions between science and religion. Some scientists are suspicious of those with religious convictions, and some religious people regard science as an evil force. While I don't belittle those who agonize over such issues, I must admit that I personally have found few contradictions between faith and science. What I have learned about science has only increased my admiration for Heavenly Father and His creations.

"Like the Book of Mormon prophet Alma, 'I have all things as a testimony that these things are true.' (See Alma 30:40-41.) The overall harmony and beauty of the heavens and of the earth are to my mind a powerful witness of the reality of God. 'All things denote that there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.' (Alma 30:44.) Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and to my mind the assertion that there is no God falls into the nature of an extraordinary claim. While I respect those who have no religious beliefs, I have never seen anyone produce one shred of credible evidence that there is no God.

"Of all of the sentient beings in the entire universe, surely one is the most intelligent, and is is this Being that I call God. Millions of people can bear the same witness I do: that He lives!"

#lds #religion #faith #mormon #crosspost #blogpost

from Plus Public Activity Feed for Max Walker https://plus.google.com/114853167947244697204/posts/iAyeTWE166v

The Northern Mist Cowl (Susan Newhall, designer) gets lots of “Wow!“‘s as we show it off. The size of the piece and it’s luxurious feel are much enhanced by the wavy effect of the pattern. It’s perfectly designed, knits up well and is an interesting knit, fits [...]]]> Socks and Cowl completed for Justina.

The Northern Mist Cowl (Susan Newhall, designer) gets lots of “Wow!“‘s as we show it off. The size of the piece and it’s luxurious feel are much enhanced by the wavy effect of the pattern. It’s perfectly designed, knits up well and is an interesting knit, fits well and creatively according to the wearer’s preference, is so warm, and makes a huge fashion statement. It's perfect.

For the socks, Justina had been after me to do another slipper sock for her that fit her well like Donella’s. The one’s I’d made Justina were too big in the foot, she said. She gave me the yarn as a Christmas gift and I opted to knit this sock for her. She seems pleased.

#knitting #chezmaxblog

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It seems [...]]]> In the vernacular employed by both secularists and religionists alike during this season, “good will toward all men” should reign supreme, perhaps most especially by those of us who claim to carry on us the name of Jesus whose life, teachings, mission, and sacrifice we are in the midst of celebrating.

———-

It seems even people who ought to know better let themselves get wrapped up around the axles on things, including, unfortunately, some Christmas season traditions.

Some shy away from affirming their beliefs and traditions in the name of inclusiveness, while others aren’t nearly shy enough and become somewhat condescending in affirming their beliefs and traditions.

As in most things, there is a more respectful balance to strike.

Unapologetically

All people of all beliefs ought to stand firmly yet humbly in their beliefs. We are and should be free to express our beliefs, to explain them when asked. We are and should be free to practice our traditions, whatever they be.

Some inadvertently dilute their traditions and beliefs simply because others around them whom they love and respect do not share these beliefs. For example, some believers go to great lengths to try to merge the religious and secular traditions, as if these traditions were in some way in conflict with each other. Such dilution is not reasonable, and reasonable people do not expect it of us. Religious and secular traditions can and do coexist rather easily. And there are better and more sincere ways to be properly inclusive and to lift up those around us.

Uncondescendingly

We should absolutely not brow beat others with our beliefs and traditions! There is no room for being condescending about our beliefs and traditions. Too many people get all wrapped up around the axles about a particular aspect of their tradition and become so rabid about advocating it that they can even turn off fellow believers in that tradition.

For a current example, some of us Christians get so spun up about keeping Christ in Christmas that they end up disrespecting and rendering cliché the sacred nature of the name of Christ in their various rants. They also end up disrespecting their fellow man as they criticize, either by implication or overtly, traditions that they deem less worthy of the season. Some Christians condemn other Christians for enjoying the tradition of Santa Claus and the Christmas Tree. Some get all bent out of shape about celebrating Christmas in December instead of what some hold as a more accurate date in the Spring near Passover. The irony of figuratively beating someone over the head with our “Merry Christmas” is thick indeed, and not a little sad.

But believers are not alone in this. Some atheists, though obviously not all, get so spun up about not practicing any Christmas tradition that they become equally condescending. While some certainly celebrate it sincerely, it seems others are now rushing to adopt Winter Solstice as a means to celebrate their non-celebration. Here, too, the irony is thick, and not a little sad.

In the vernacular employed by both secularists and religionists alike during this season, “good will toward all men” should reign supreme, perhaps most especially by those of us who claim to carry on us the name of Jesus whose life, teachings, mission, and sacrifice we are in the midst of celebrating.

Unfortunately, to do that requires the socially awkward and mildly offensive act of “unfriending” people on Facebook and rebuilding that network on LinkedIn. I made a huge point [...]]]> There. I’ve made the first pass at separating Professional social networking and personal social networking. I’ll do a little more of that over time, I think.

Unfortunately, to do that requires the socially awkward and mildly offensive act of “unfriending” people on Facebook and rebuilding that network on LinkedIn. I made a huge point tonight of sending new LinkedIn invites to anyone I “unfriended” in Facebook tonight, and I trust that these really cool people from my professional life are equally as busy and will understand the shift.

Of course, I make a fun rant at the game posts, etc., but the real driver here is that I really have trouble sorting through the longer style FB posts to see my family things. I prefer Twitter for its forced brevity — evidence notwithstanding.

And now that I’m shifting more professional network to LinkedIn, I need to expand my active participation in that network, too, lest I be guilty of not shifting that network but abandoning it. I am more active on Twitter than any other social network, and that remains my preference by far.

So, if you’re from my professional life — come see me on Twitter (@MaxWalkerPMP) or LinkedIn (/in/MaxWalker)!

If you’re from my personal network, you probably still ought to follow me on Twitter (@MaxWalker), ’cause child, I still hate this Facebook thing and you won’t see a lot of me here. You’ll see more on Twitter.

Ciao!

First, the official version:

I get [...]]]>

I’m an open software guy. I make no apologies for that. Proprietary has its time and place — I get my paycheck from proprietary — so I’m not a complete purist, eh. And I’m a reasonably competent and comfortable computer user, which certainly skews my thinking and opinions. There. End disclaimer.

I get amused at computer users, even professional computer users. We latch on to something and will find all manner of justification to hold on to it and not change. And if we do have to change, form over substance always wins. We are, after all, consumerists, and form (image) is substance, no?

Using Microsoft Office vs LibreOffice.org

Specifically, every computer user has to upgrade things from time to time. I hear all day long why users just cannot use OpenOffice (LibreOffice). It’s too hard. Things aren’t in the same place. It’s different. The file format is different. Things don’t convert right.

And then those same MS Office (MSO) users upgrade from their own version of MSO to new newest MSO. And guess what? It’s hard. Things aren’t in the same place. It’s different. The file format is different. Even my old MSO files don’t convert right.

Ah, but it has the MSO label. It must be better. And easier. . . . Only, not so much. (I know; I hear them swearing at their computers.) But we’ll happily walk through that learning curve, while kvetching loudly if anyone even mentions the possibility of using an alternative.

Of course there are valid arguments and concerns for migrating. Overall compatibility can be an issue, and there are some features that certain Excel power users and even fewer PowerPoint power users may need in their proprietary suite. But amusingly enough, those things only come after we’ve reviewed the real concerns: “hard and different.”

Windows vs Linux Desktop

The exact same scenario plays out when upgrading the OS from XP to Win7. Oh, I just couldn’t go to linux. It’s hard. It’s different. Things aren’t in the same place. Yadda Yadda. The same chorus repeats itself once the upgrade to Win7 happens. It’s hard. It’s different. Well, you get the idea.

Now for desktop there are much more valid concerns about application compatibility, but many folks aren’t even aware of those, though they should be. They’re just stuck on “hard and different.”

The Facebook Angle

Now, if we could integrate Farmville to LibreOffice or right onto the Suse desktop, then I bet it’d sell like wildfire.

Oh, the world we’ve created for ourselves…..

I am absolutely not a polygamist, neither by ideology nor by practice. Nor do I have any mistresses. I am a blissfully happily married man blessed with one sublimely lovely [...]]]> Why is it illegal to practice polygamy, but legal to have a wife and mistress and to father children with several women at once?

I am absolutely not a polygamist, neither by ideology nor by practice. Nor do I have any mistresses. I am a blissfully happily married man blessed with one sublimely lovely wife who is gracious enough to love me back.

But I’m confused by 2 current news stories.

1. Right now, the Lehi, Utah police are investigating a polygamist family who is the subject of the TV show, “Sister Wives.” Practicing polygamy is illegal.

2. Right now, there is also a news story about Governor Schwarzenegger having had a relationship with his live-in housekeeper and having fathered a child by her. She gave birth to a child a week before his wife also gave birth to a child. And it’s not illegal. It’s politically inconvenient. It’s a moral affront. But it’s not illegal.

How do we as a society justify legal action against one but not the other? Are we really prepared to argue that fathering a quiver full of love children outside the bonds of marriage is better, more noble, more stable, more honorable than being a polygamist? Really? With a straight face?

These are not the only troublesome family trends.

One variation is what some refer to as “serial monogamy.” Men moving from girlfriend to girlfriend, often leaving children in the wake. Or, men marrying and divorcing over and over, leaving wife after wife, again often leaving children in the wake. All legal. Destructive to the lives of everyone involved, but perfectly legal. Again a moral affront, but perfectly legal.

Another variation of the serial monogamy are those couples who set up housekeeping for as long as it’s convenient, but avoiding the responsibilities and commitments associated with being married, as if somehow a future split-up will be easier on themselves and their children since there is no legal divorce to pursue.

Rubbish.

But by all means, let’s condemn and go after the polygamists, the truly dangerous hundreds among the hundreds of thousands law-abiding citizens who hook up and shack up and parent children to and fro.

Yes, by all means, protect us from the polygamists!

*sigh*

Elijah and Ben headed over to a friend’s house after they got home today. Carter wasn’t quitr home yet, so Elijah (7) left this note. Too cute!

SKye has been after me to post the contents of the produce box from my local fruit market produce box. Cy’s Market on 700 East in Sandy does a weekly co-op produce box for $18. We’ve been really happy with it. And we like dling regular business with our [...]]]> Co-op produce box
2010.11.30 

SKye has been after me to post the contents of the produce box from my local fruit market produce box. Cy’s Market on 700 East in Sandy does a weekly co-op produce box for $18. We’ve been really happy with it. And we like dling regular business with our local shop. Cy’s is less than a mile from our house.

Here is what this week’s box included:

1 bunch of bananas
1 head of red leaf lettuce
1 cucumber
2 red bell peppers
1 green pepper
1 bunch asparagus
2 small bunches of broccoli
1 2-pound bag of carrots
1 avocado
4 limes
6 clementines
1 spaghetti squash
4 oranges
1 small grapefruit
2 apples

1 mango