The Daily Detour

Engaging the skeptics among us

I've been teaching an 8-week course on evangelism through the Wabash Institute, an educational organization associated with our Free Methodist denomination. It's intended to provide the participants with not only the theoretical framework for evangelism, but most importantly, the practical implications of evangelism. As a part of that course, I decided to host a "Skeptic Panel" and bring in different friends who are either atheists/agnostics or who have been at some point on their journey.

I had asked our very own Resident Atheist if he would be willing to fly out here to Indy to participate, and he said he would. However, his schedule made it impossible to come. (Which is just as well, since he had asked if we were going to have a rousing game of "burn the heretic". I assured him we were and that he was expected to bring the firewood. :) So, I had two other friends, Nate and Brian, come in to participate.

It proved to be a very good dialogue, particularly given that both Nate and Brian had similar backgrounds/experiences growing up in the church and in Christian families. While in college, both of them rejected the Christian faith for varying reasons. The journey to determine the answers to some of the difficult questions about belief has brought them to two different places. For Brian it meant re-embracing Christianity. For Nate, that has yet to happen.

From my perspective, our nearly two-hour dialogue was extremely beneficial toward helping Christians and non-Christians better understand each other. For Christians it is essential that we understand the legitimacy of many of the difficult questions/issues that skeptics have about the Christian faith. We often dismiss those objections to quickly, thus devaluing the legitimacy of the quest. Tonight's interaction was one small effort to create an environment of empathy and understanding.

So, Nate and Brian, if you happen upon this post, thanks again for your participation and for helping us view the world through a different set of lenses. (Don't be surprised if I come calling again. You either, RA. :)

Having a bad day?

Don't worry...you are not alone. Security cameras caught unsuspecting "Dilberts" having some very bad days. Aaaah, the blessings of technology! (Thanks to brother Doug for sending along this hilarious music video.) Can you relate to this?

Conservative colossus William F. Buckley Jr. dead at 82

William F. Buckley Jr. died this morning at his home in Stamford, CT. He was found at his desk, a place where he has spent countless hours over the years expounding the conservative ideals which have shaped the political landscape of our nation.

In 1955, William Buckley founded National Review magazine, the flagship publication for modern conservative thought and opinion. His career involved a prolific volume of writing--primarily editorial columns and books--along with his hosting responsibilities of the public affairs television series, Firing Line.

As one recognizes throughout the pages of his autobiographical book, Miles Gone By, Buckley epitomized the renaissance man, who established expertise in a myriad of areas. For he was not only a writer, but also a pianist, an accomplished sailor, a former CIA agent and a master of languages.

Buckley's conservative influence cannot be overstated. In fact, like conservative icon, Dr. Russell Kirk, it was the weight of Buckley's intellect, combined with his foundational conservative principles, which shaped the thinking of the masses.

William F. Buckley has been a friend of the unknown and famous alike, and to those of all political persuasions and positions. And it is his immeasurable influence as the recognized founder of the modern conservative movement which will define his legacy. Mr. Buckley will be missed but will not be forgotten.

UPDATE: Dinesh D'Souza writes his tribute to Buckley, and Gary Varvel draws his as well.

"Why Men Are Never Depressed"

I got this gem from Melissa Coleman, one of TDD readers, though she doesn't know it (since she sent it to Jean who forwarded it on to me). I'm not sure who is the original author of this, but I thought you might appreciate this one. In keeping with the "Man theme", here's an ode to...

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED

Men are just happier people--What do you expect from such simple creatures?

Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $5,000. Tux rental - $100. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time.

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes--one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.

You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24th in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

As I said, I don't know who originally wrote this, but how did they know me so well?

The shifting religious landscape

Okay, by the time I received a heads-up here at The Daily Detour from at least three different readers (who sent this from three different sources), I figured it was past time to bring it to your attention.

According to a Pew Forum study which was released yesterday, there is a shifting religious landscape across the United States as many people today have rejected the faith traditions of their upbringing. This shift highlights many current cultural trends. For example, as CNN.com reports,

The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey estimates the United States is 78 percent Christian and about to lose its status as a majority Protestant nation, at 51 percent and slipping.

More than one-quarter of American adults have left the faith of their childhood for another religion or no religion at all, the survey found. Factoring in moves from one stream or denomination of Protestantism to another, the number rises to 44 percent.

One in four adults ages 18 to 29 claim no affiliation with a religious institution.

To illustrate this reality, one need only look at the local level here in Indy. In Sunday's Indianapolis Star, there was a biopic article highlighting the similarities and differences between Andre Carson and John Elrod. They are campaigning in a special election as the Democratic and Republican nominees respectively to fill the recently-vacated congressional seat of Rep. Julia Carson, D-Ind. Here is what The Star had to say about Andre Carson in the "Faith" category of the comparative article:

When he was little, his mother made him read Bible stories and report on them each night before bed. He was baptized in a Baptist church. Through seventh grade he attended St. Rita's, a Catholic school, and considered the priesthood until he hit puberty. As a teen, he read the Talmud, ancient Jewish teachings, and the Bhagavad-Gita, the Hindu scripture. In high school, he became drawn to Islam by the sight of crisply dressed Nation of Islam members in his neighborhood...Carson converted to traditional Islam in the mid-1990s.

It's difficult to know what the implications might be concerning such religious affiliations. On the one hand, it may appear that Andre Carson is a man open to all faiths. On the other hand, it could very well indicate that he is a man who actually has no real religious convictions. After all, as the saying goes, "He who believes in everything, stands for nothing."

Regardless, from my own experience, this trend toward a more eclectic approach to faith cannot be overlooked. This is especially true for those of us whose lives are dedicated to connecting with people at a spiritual level. Just as I've been teaching in the evangelism class on Thursdays nights, it is important that we become cultural anthropologists who, like the apostle Paul in Acts 17, study the culture in order to know how to connect with the people in the culture more effectively.

Letters from the Front: A 30th birthday to remember

On Saturday afternoon I was pleasantly surprised to talk with brother Stephen again while he enjoyed a special liberty reprive from OCS training. He told me that they let them actually go off base to a hotel. The biggest luxury, he said, was actually being able to sleep in (since they usually start waking the candidates up at 4:00 a.m.). He sent me another email summary of the latest highlights of training, including his 30th birthday "party" with Major Kroll. So, here's the latest installment from the front (another lengthy novella):

Sun., February 24, 2008

Hey brother,

So I figured I'd toss you a written follow-up to the good conversation we had yesterday.  Glad to hear about a bit of normalcy from this abnormal existence.  Nothin' like IU basketball to realign priorities. Ol' Sampson has nobody to blame but himself though, from the sound of it, which is dissappointing since he had such promise. C'est la vie.

Anyway, life around here is, well, "normal". This past week was a bit lighter than normal actually, as far as physical training was concerned. Mind you, we still managed to get out and do a confidence course, a Tarzan course (which was sweet, and involved a bunch of highwire ropes, ending with a zip line at the end), and an endurance course, which consisted of a 3 1/2 mile run in our boots and fatigues. We also ran with our M-16s which definitely added to the cumbersome crusade.

Similar to last week, the temperatures were hovering around freezing. But because we were running and keeping our core temperatures high, once we reached all the water obstacles, they didn't seem nearly as debilitating. I think it helped that we were only chest-high in them, as compared to last week when it was almost total submersion. But all in all, that run was actually enjoyable, since we were negotiating various obstacles along the way (ya know, the usual ... razor-wire crawls, the rope-assisted hill climbs, cargo nets, and the like). We ran this one with our squads, and the yells of enthusiasm increased with every obstacle overcome.

That run actually happened on my birthday, which coincided with the second day of my rotation as "candidate company commander," another birthday present for me that brought nothing but stress and hypertension. In that position, I was required to report to the actual company commander, Major Kroll, at various times throughout the day. He's an intimidating figure who, by all appearances, has no emotion, but rather a subtle scowl permanently affixed to his face. Needless to say, I "looked forward" to every occasion I could report to him.

By the evening of my birthday, which was my last day with the billet, I went to his office to report the numbers of the company. Well, my report turned into a 25-minute, one-sided "conversation" about me and my role in today's United States Marine Corps. The question wasn't "do I have what it takes," but rather, "do I WANT to have what it takes." Despite the lecture, it was a quality conversation. I was thankful for the feedback, cuz you know I live for those times when people drop to the level, and he certainly did that.

This week also brought the five-week board reviews. This is the half-way mark for our training, so this is the time they begin cutting off the proverbial "fat" from the platoons. Then, every other week, they do the same once again ... week 7 and week 9. In this round, my platoon lost 8 people, putting our number at 30 at this point. When you figure we started at 54, that number is staggering, and in fact, the platoon sergeant even mentioned that this was one of the smallest platoons he's encountered. And we're going to lose more too, so it'll be interesting to see who remains by the end.

Following this round of cuts, that same platoon sergeant made sure I was aware that "Crane, I've got my eye on you! You're in my scope! So you better be walking that fine line, Crane!" Nothing like losing the bottom dwellers to pull others under the lens of the microscope. I'm still not sure whether he likes me or hates me, cuz everything here is a test. So he's either testing me to see if I maintain my bearing and confidence despite the pressure, oooor, he really does hate me. Either way, I'm gonna keep on keepin' on. Good ol' Gunnery Sergeant Ream. :)

Little does [Gunnery Sgt. Ream] know, a group of us candidates were gathered outside the squad bay yesterday just after liberty had sounded, and we saw Gunnery Sgt. Ream drive away in his Honda Civic. Take a guess what I saw on the back of his bumper ... you got it, a Jesus fish! Hahahaaa! He's busted, and this symbol exposed a side unseen. While he may need to ask forgiveness this week, and in weeks prior, for the potty mouth he projects on a regular basis, I now know he's on the level. And I'm sure he wishes we remained unaware. But this fish sighting has given me a new perspective on this most intimidating character. Only time will tell how this mini-saga plays out. The Lord certainly works in mysterious ways.

Anyway, I'm off for now. I'm going to go jump in the hottub on this beautiful Sunday morning and enjoy a rare relaxing morning. Give my love to all, and I'll talk to you soon.

Love, Stephen

P.S. I've include a link to the OCS website where there are pictures of our training. The visual may help ground my descriptions with more detail than the written word allows. Here it is. Any pics you see where the candidates are wearing clothes with the C2 insignia are from my platoon. And I think there are a couple where I'm lookin' like deer in the headlights too. Happy viewing!

One final word before I sign off. Reading through this latest letter from Stephen reminded of the many men and women who spend their holidays, including birthdays, overseas away from friends and family. And they do so in order that I, and the rest of us here in America, can safely celebrate the birthdays of our 3-year olds here at home. Thank you all for that gift!

The middle munchkin turns the Big 3

This evening we celebrated Andrew's 3rd birthday. Guru Dave and "Aunt Norky" (a.k.a. Aunt Courtney) came down from the Windy City and joined Jean's Mom and Dad, other family members, and a few friends to pull out all the stops for Andrew. It was a "Rescue Heroes"-themed party and he submerged himself in his presents, cake and ice cream with great gusto. He didn't come up for air until he was stuffed to the gills. I must confess, he did look pretty cute in his little birthday hat while we sang a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday!"

The birthday party then turned into a slumber party of sorts as "the cousins" (brother Doug and Natalie's 4 kids) stayed over at our house for the night. So, right now we have 7 kids five and under who are tearing around the house. Jean and I have barracaded ourselves in the bedroom. We aren't coming out until morning. I hope the house is still standing. :) All in all it's been a great day.

TDD Poll: Are you an "angry white male"?

Last year I put a question out to our woman readers about their reaction to then-presidential candidate John Edward's announcement that his wife Elizabeth was going to continue campaigning with him despite her having cancer.

Now, I wanted to bring a an question to a different, often forgotton, demographic... "the angry white man". I had heard about this article by and then had someone give it to Jean to give to me.

On February 8th, Aspen Times columnist Gary Hubbell posed this idea, "In election 2008, don't forget Angry White Man". So, guys, do you consider yourself to be an "angry white man"? (No racism intended, obviously.) And, secondly, do you think Mr. Hubbell has a point worth considering here?

I.U.'s Kelvin Sampson is sent packin'

As we pointed out last week, Indiana University's basketball coach, Kelvin Sampson has come under renewed scrutiny for improper calls he made to basketball recruits. Indiana University has concluded its investigation into the allegations of rule-breaking that have been levied against basketball coach, Kelvin Sampson. After that investigation athletic director, Rick Greenspan announced today that Sampson has been ousted as coach. He signed an agreement today that he will not file a suit against the school. Moreover, he has agreed to a $750,000 buyout. Assistant coach Dan Dakich took over the team as an interim head coach.

Given his track record, this inevitability came none too soon. Perhaps I'm in the wrong line of work? I find it ironic that someone who has demonstrated a history of cheating and rule-breaking walks away with $750,000. What's wrong with this picture? Call me old-fashioned...

Discrimination against Christians, is it really as bad as you think?

This writer from the Arkansas Times staff doesn't seem to think so.

I'm assuming from the content of this piece that the author is of a non-religious bent, and it's certainly difficult to determine whether or not his/her assessment of discrimination against the religious and non-religious is based on verifiable statistical facts, or simply anecdotal observation from his/her experience and others who share a similar worldview.

It's easy to allow our observation of reality to be clouded by our own underlying biases. This is the theme I introduced earlier this week. And lest you think I'm simply responding against this person's perspective, I'm not. That bent toward bias approach to life extends to people of every stripe, including Christians.

I would be very interested to see if there is actual scientific data out there to confirm/deny this claim. Being a Christian, I suppose there are ample evidences of discrimination against non-Christians, just as there are against Christians.

I do take some issue with aspects of his/her analysis. For example, he/she writes,

Religious discrimination exists, certainly, but not against the Christian majority. Let a candidate for any public office in America confess to being a nonbeliever, as many Americans are, and he's not only assured of defeat and ostracism, he's likely to be physically assaulted.

I agree that there are numerous examples where someone with a worldview different than our own faces ostracism, but the idea that someone is "likely to be be physically assaulted" seems to indicate more of this author's bias than actual reality. After all, it's the religious about whom he/she is speaking. Granted, I can't speak for the Islamic believers among our nation, but it is the extremely rare case for a Christian in this country to actually physically assault another person based on differences about their beliefs.

Anyway, I bring this to your attention for analysis and dialogue. I do know that there are folks from all ends of the worldview continuum who regularly visit The Daily Detour. So, I would encourage you to engage on this from your perspectives, but be sure to keep it civil and productive.