No, he is not your new editor. You are blessed.

Greetings, denizens of the Filipino Freethinkers. I have added this new post to announce that a handful of our fellow members have been appointed by admin to be blog editors.

There hasn’t been an official announcement yet – Red’s been pretty busy lately- but I’ve been given the green light to go public with this news.

Aside from me, there are seven more members who have been promoted to editor – I had originally intended to announce their names in this post, but I figured it be best if they made the announcement for themselves. As editors, our responsibility will include the management of any new posts that are being submitted to the blog’s front page for proofreading.

Just so you don’t get the wrong idea and think we’re some sort of thought police, I should clarify that the role of an editor (at least to my understanding) isn’t to stifle or to censor your works. The Filipino Freethinkers blog stands for the free exchanging of ideas after all, and to be frank, a lot of our you guys submit some truly interesting posts.

Regardless of their style, theme, or topic, and whether we agree or disagree with them, your articles share the common thread that they invoke critical thinking. They challenge us to rethink our own perspectives, and force us (intellectually speaking) to always be on our toes, never giving in to complacency or conformism.

But let’s face it – ever so occasionally, in the heat of the passion of creating our next article, even the best of us mistakes. It’s nothing serious; perhaps a misplaced pronoun or two, or a dangling participle, or an abruptly cut off sentence, or maybe even a couple of misplaced commas or apostrophes.

And like a small blemish or wayward scratch, these seemingly small grammatical slips add up, and may distract some readers from the real gem that lies underneath them. And that is where the editors come in.

We’re not here to take anything away from the article. Quite the contrary, our job is to pick away at these blemishes and grime, adding a mirror polish to an already good read so it can be better appreciated by our visitors.

We may be ruthless grammar nazis, but we are your ruthless grammar nazis

Our job is to ensure that the author’s message is sent to the readers as clearly and as coherently as possible. To this end, we will try our damned best to clean up said articles without altering their content, or the writing style its author worked so hard to use as a voice.

The second (and quite admittedly, the more enjoyable) aspect of our job as editors is comment monitoring. Basically, we will also handle any spam troll or inappropriate comments found in the blog, and will deal with it accordingly.

Once again, this job isn’t something the editors can handle alone, and we encourage all readers to report any said spam or trolling to us (in my case, via PM at the forums). Please remember to enclose the name of said offender so we can more effectively zero in on comment, and to purge it with extreme prejudice.

Suffer not the troll to post!

As for the specifics, troll spams are basically posts that have nothing to do with the post, and are posted usually to advertise a product (porn sites, electronics shops, penis enlargement drugs, etc.).

Inappropriate comments are, if I were to use the FFF rules as a basis, include threats of violence, inflammatory, irrelevant or off-topic posts with the intention of offending other members.

Being a freethinker’s site, we welcome debates, but also understand that given the nature of our discussions, things can and will become heated in a very short amount of time. You’re welcome to attack the enemy’s argument – stab at its lack of structure, bludgeon its poor logic, or eviscerate its premise for its sheer insanity. Demand evidence and supporting data. That’s what critical thinking is all about after all.
On the other hand resorting to racial, sexual or cultural slurs or threats of violence is hitting below the belt. Anybody who resorts to these to attack their opponent will prompt us to call upon the Space Marine illustrated above to politely (but firmly) banhammer the living snot out of the poor sod.

That said, we will try to be fair with our moderation, and so long as you play by the rules, regardless of how disagreeable your assertion may be (and so long as you keep it civil), you have nothing to worry about.

Until lately, I’ve tried to convince myself that this country is still worth fighting for, that the supreme sacrifice of our noble heroes from GOMBURZA to Ninoy were not in vain; that pride for my race and people is a badge I would continue to wear. Yet, as I’ve come to terms with the realities that continue to hound and slap me on the face in a day to day basis since my inception into the world of local politics and demagoguery; that after experiencing and witnessing countless, recurring and palpable incompetent, idiotic, indifferent, fraudulent and deceptive practices of every conceivable bureaucratic nonsense in almost every branch, department, agency and political unit of our government, there is very little room for me to doubt that this country is ROTTEN and DESPICABLE!

I am certain many of my bleeding heart compatriots and the ultra-nationalists, jingoist types will denounce me for expressing such a cruel, unpatriotic and sweeping statement; that Pinoy Pride-bashing—which I doubt if it still has something left to bash—is the last thing we need to recover from the recent shame and condemnation from the international community as a result of last Monday’s hostage fiasco. It’s really comically absurd to hear Filipinos furiously react to racist slurs and criticisms from foreigners particularly from personalities like Adam Carolla, Claire Danes, Jay Leno, Alec Baldwin, Jimmy Kimmel to name a few, and the TV show Desperate Housewives where Teri Hatcher blurted a line about Filipino nurses, as well as the not so distant incident in Hong Kong where a sign was reportedly placed not allowing dogs and Filipinos vis-à-vis in some building or place—where it instantly became mass hysteria to demand for redress and apology while we fail to take note of our own racial insensitive jokes and insults about other people with darker skin color like Africans or Blacks and our very own Aetas by calling them all sorts of nasty pejoratives. This is not to mention how we paint racial stereotypes about other races like Indians, Chinese and Japanese—calling them ‘beho’, ‘bombay’, ‘singkit’ and ‘sakang’. What about our pejorative collective labeling of ‘igorot’ the indigenous people of the cordilleras? What about our discriminatory attitude toward gays, people with physical defects, deformities and disabilities, the ugly, the short, the fat, etc.—often the butt of jokes? Such is our penchant for double standard hypocrisy. We are sensitive to racial slurs against us by other races yet we are desensitized by our own against others. We demand for diplomatic and public redress for every grievance we hold against any foreign nation, state or entity yet we do nothing to improve ourselves.

I have therefore come to the conclusion that we are not inferior because of our skin color, we are inferior because of our culture. I am attacking this inferior culture of hypocrisy, unabashed arrogance for excuse or ‘palusot’; of cosmetic reparation instead of concrete solutions; of putting up rosy and gaudy facades to hide the glaring dystopia; of religious fatalism and passivity instead of educated rational and scientific approach to problems…

The incompetence and stupidity that we continue to witness from time to time from our government officials and personnel (this encompasses the executive, congress, judiciary, military, police and local governments) has cultural roots. It is us—the people—the possessors of knowledge, ideas, and practices—who put them there in the first place are solely to blame for every shame, criticism, condemnation, insult, racial slur and bigotry that we receive from other nations and peoples around the world. It is our own undoing. We can’t blame the people of Hong Kong for venting their ire to the whole Filipino nation for our government’s incompetence in addressing hostage situations that often involve foreigners. (I hope people can still remember what happened to the botched military rescue operation of kidnapped American missionary couple Gracia and Martin Burnham from the Abu Sayyaf where Martin was killed by friendly fire from soldiers of the Philippine army.) Perhaps, we would feel and do the same if our own citizens were taken hostages and killed too in China due to the incompetence of their police and government. Mind you, it was no ‘isolated incident’ as our officials so desperately would like to pass it off. How many more ‘isolated incidents’ of hostage rescue fiascos, bus accidents, sinking ships, kidnappings, massacres and murder of journalists, etc., do we have to count in order for our geniuses in the government to acknowledge their incompetence and stupidity? How many million more Filipinos have to leave and immigrate to foreign countries to become slaves only later to come home abused and murdered in order for the government to act and put up a sensible economic system that would create and generate jobs in this country? We can’t blame other countries for treating us the way they do—a nation of servants and whores—because our very own government is selling and pimping us for the dollars we earn to feed its burgeoning useless and corrupt bureaucracy!

We were led to believe in a delusion that we were a great nation and a chosen people of God, the so-called new Jerusalem—fed by the antiquated, revisionist educational system and the theocratic irrational machinations and mysticisms of the Catholic Church together in cahoots with the other organized Christian denominations that stunted our people’s minds. We became desensitize and dogmatically blind to our own defects and inferiorities. Morally and intellectually stagnated, complacent of our colonial and pluralistic cultural heritage, we refused to submit ourselves to the onslaught of political, social and cultural paradigm shifts that shook the world for decades, to focus on ourselves and improve our culture. As a result, our educational system has degenerated, mass-producing a half-baked educated populace that could not rise to the demands of a highly-sophisticated global economy and community—the same populace that feed and unwittingly perpetuate incompetent, corrupt and stupid politicians in the government. And now the domino has fallen.

The incident is now a wake up call to our nation that we need to improve our ways of thinking and attitudes. It is a glaring amplification of the condition of our culture—a backward, retarded, dysfunctional and inferior one. Notwithstanding the notable accomplishments of countless individual Filipinos in their respective fields and expertise throughout the world and within, our country has remained poor, staggering and left behind in a growing economically competitive and developing Asian region. We’ve been through almost every kind of political upheaval, revolutions, coups, rebellion, wars and insurgency yet our political system has remained stagnant, feudal, oligarchic, rent-seeking, booty-driven and predatory. A nation so obsessed with freedom yet it spits on freedom.

Where would you find a nation who proudly proclaims itself to the world as a bastion of democracy in Asia yet when the constitutional democratic process of transfer of power through electoral suffrage had arrived, a significant number of the electorate would sell their conscience and political right for a measly sum or favor either out of fear or for outright need? For the past 24 years, we have only managed to march on streets as a mob to oust one klepto-dictator only to replace it with a bungling plunderer and an avaricious, hubris-driven, power-grabbing midget who shamelessly manipulated and rigged an election. Ironically, the forces that our people sought to destroy and drive away decades ago are now back and restored to their seats of power—perhaps, just waiting and conspiring for the perfect moment for them to grab and seize to fully restore themselves to their former glory and political power. How distorted could be our sense of history?

Like most government institutions, the institution that was mandated to implement and oversee this democratic process (COMELEC) is itself spurious. It has never been the people’s ally but rather a complicit tool and co-conspirator to the designs of the power-obsessed oligarchs, plunderers and scrupulous criminals that walk from our corridors of power down to the grassroots colonies of the disenfranchised clueless ignorant village folks. I am privy to almost every sinister secret election fraud committed since I grew up and was raised in a politically active environment. Yet, it seemed every crime was committed with impunity and buried under the rubbles of apathy and indifference. We allowed this to happen. We committed mistakes, regretted them, only later to commit them again with appalling disconnect to the errors and horrors of the past. Despite of these experiences and knowledge, we allowed these things to become ingrained in our psyche to become what we call culture. We failed to discard the bad ones and retain the good ones and instead did the opposite.

If Rizal were alive today, he would be horrified to witness the country he yearned and fought for ruined by its failure to grasp his teachings and ideology—drowning in a cultural quagmire. Whether we can lift ourselves up from this bog of moral bankruptcy or not, a significant damage has already been done to our image and status as a nation. It would take generations more, if ever, granting our people and culture would improve to cast off ourselves of the stigma that mars us as a nation and as a people. It’s high time that this nation should stop supplicating the air it exhales and polishing the tiled floors and wooden pews of the church with their knees through pointless praying and instead start working, learning and educating itself.

We sometimes hear our friends say when they’re angry with someone, “Ka-karmahin din yan” or “Karmahin ka sana.” But when they tell it that way, they think of it as some sort of curse or bad luck happening on the person concerned. If we put it that way, they are actually saying, “Malasin ka sana.” As if the God they believe in will punish that person for doing them wrong. But that is not the case. For those who don’t believe in God, you know why.

In this world, the wrongdoers don’t always get what they deserve. We might see a few who are punished publicly but that’s it. But why be invested in what is happening to your enemies? For now, let us focus on our Personal karma.

For those unfamiliar with karma, the first thing you have to know is that we are born with karma. The environment you were born into is part of your karma. That is the start of your karma. And for people who believe in reincarnation, your current life is just a continuation of your karma from a previous life or lives. Putting an end to personal karma is a part of the work of Buddhists.

You must realize that you are not alone and there are other people in this world with you. Everybody is creating his/her own karma that affects the rest of us. For example, Person A murders Person B. It is Person A’s karma that led to him being murdered. Then it is the Person B’s karma that leads him to be sent to jail.

Karma means that our actions bring about consequences that affect us in the long run. “You reap what you sow” as they say. Think about it, every move we make will start a chain of events that will keep on going through everybody until it reaches us again. I guess it is similar to Chaos Theory. That’s just my opinion.

Karma is not done by some supernatural force that chooses to give it to you when it wants to although when karma gets you, you won’t be able to escape it. It was just meant to happen that way to you. So what must we do? The only way is to change your bad karma into good karma. If you don’t then you will continue to make bad karma for yourself. Karma will not feel like a single event and it is not totally your fault. It is the result of a combination of many different factors, you and your environment. Karma is neither good nor bad, it is an experience that just does what it is supposed to do in your life. And it is up to you to try to deal with it.

Karma can also be applied to any group. The actions of each member contribute to the karma of the group. You might notice that your Family has its own karma. Higher than that is the karma of your Community. Next to it is the Country karma. Our beloved Philippines is now feeling the effects of the karma produced by the past generations. The last is the karma of the whole planet. So create good karma for others and not just yourself.

If we don’t do something about our own karma, others will continue to suffer as a result of our ignorance. We can find a way out of our ignorance by being better informed of what is going on around us. Learn to anticipate different situations that may come. Make friends with the right kind of people who really know. And lastly, get to know yourself as an individual human being apart from the people around you so you can put your whole trust in yourself. Do something about your life.

What you are experiencing at this moment is your karma, whatever has happened in your past has brought you here to be on this site and read this right now. There are things you just can’t control but the future is not written so use your free will to make the right moves in your life.

It’s been a very sad week for most of us skeptics, given the recent updates that have been coming in regarding Christopher Hitchens’ condition. For those of you reading about this news for the first time, noted skeptical author Christopher Hitchens was recently diagnosed with oesophageal cancer during his book tour for Hitch-22 last June.

The cancer has since spread to his lymph nodes and lungs, and while we’re all remaining optimistic, we’re also being realistic, as is Hitchens, who’s taken the opportunity to lend his trademark rhetoric to contemplating his condition.

As for good news, Proposition 8 has recently been overturned in California. It may be a continent away, but I can only wish that the people in the Commission on Elections can take a cue from some of the sterner words that Judge Vaughn Walker, presiding judge over the case, had to say about Prop 8:

For the reasons stated in the sections that follow, the evidence presented at trial fatally undermines the premises underlying proponents’ proffered rationales for Proposition 8. An initiative measure adopted by the voters deserves great respect. The considered views and opinions of even the most highly qualified scholars and experts seldom outweigh the determinations of the voters. When challenged, however, the voters’ determinations must find at least some support in evidence. This is especially so when those determinations enact into law classifications of persons. Conjecture, speculation and fears are not enough.

Still less will the moral disapprobation of a group or class of citizens suffice,no matter how large the majority that shares that view. The evidence demonstrated beyond serious reckoning that Proposition 8 finds support only in such disapproval. As such, Proposition 8 is beyond the constitutional reach of the voters or their representatives.

Proposition 8 is a symbollic victory for gays in the sense that it has shown that a person’s core civil rights, as enshrined in the constitution, is not something that should be put up to a majority vote.

Speaking of gay news, Greta Christina has an hour-long speech at the recently concluded Secular Students Alliance conference in Ohio. The talk discusses what the atheist movement can learn from the LGBT when it comes to furthering our cause.

In any case, if you find any other interesting news for the week, make sure to post it at the News Thread.

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Iran’s Mahmoud survives IED attack blames the usual suspects (via Yahoo News) Link

Old men in dresses throw hissy fit over Israel gay pride march (via Huffington Post) Link

Sudan punishes suspected gay cross-dressers…with a public spanking? (via news.com.au) Link

Iran’s Ayatollah says music against Islamic Law. I blame you, Justin Bieber (Via Guardian) Link

Porn invades Indonesian parliament – personnel so shocked they let it play for 15 minutes before cutting the feed (via BBC) Link

California overturns Proposition 8 (Via Pam’s House Blend) Link

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/16935/prop-8-is-overturned

Forsaken Lives: Criminalization of abortion leads to massive human-rights crisis in Philippines (via Pinoy Press) Link

http://www.pinoypress.net/2010/08/02/forsaken-lives-criminalization-of-abortion-leads-to-massive-human-rights-crisis-in-philippines/

Greta Christina: What Atheists Can Learn from the LGBT Movement :: (via SSA conference 2010) Link

The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories (via Wired) Link

Hitchens on cancer diagnosis: ‘Why not me? (via Anderson 360) Link
‘http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/05/hitchens-on-cancer-diagnosis-why-not-me/

Greetings stranger, and welcome to another round of the Filipino Freethinkers Blog’s weekly news updates

Among the hot items of this week include a special report on one of the female casualties of the Taliban’s brutality. It’s a very moving read, though I do warn the readers that the link contains some rather shocking pictures. It will haunt you for weeks.

In local news, we’ve got the local gov’t getting a thorough bollocking for their inability to curb the trend of deaths related to illegal abortions. Here is a little trivia to the pro-lifers out there: How the hell do you promote a society that has less abortions when you’re railroading the very measures meant to prevent such abortions from happening in the first place?

Moving on to something lighter (and downright silly), we’ve also got Iranian president Mahmoud picking a fight with his latest victim…Paul the Octopus. Yes, the same Paul that predicted Spain’s string of victories in this year’s World Cup. Apparently, Mahmoud is upset that something that belongs on a sushi bar is getting more respect from the world than he is. Stay classy, Mahmoud!

Another science topic for this week’s news thread is a humorous deconstruction of Edward Cullen of Twilight. The basic premise of the article is that Edward’s not really a vampire, but something else entirely. A word to the author: I hate to break it to you, but most of the world already knew that Edward wasn’t a vampire well before you published your painstaking research:

But still, kudos to providing some solid science to our theory. In other news, there’s also the matter of the recently concluded repairs to the International Space Station, and the third article from Greta Christina dissing how current stereotypes of men are damaging to both males and females.

That’s the short on this week’s hot items. If you find anything of interest, be sure to drop by the News Thread to drop us a link!

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Reproductive Rights groups disses RP gov’t for medieval anti-abortion laws. (via PDI) Link

Conclusive proof that the Taliban deserves an Exterminatus (via TIME) Link

Five Stupid, Unfair and Sexist Things Expected of Men…as told by a feminist (via AlterNet) Link

I knew it – Edward Cullen is not a vampire (via Crossed Genres) Link

Big Brother is watching you via Facebook. Remember to friend them. (via Gizmodo) Link

A little something for the Star Wars fans: Imagine Stallone as Han Solo. No, really. (via Yahoo News) Link

Gamma rays kill the green. Hulk, Dr. Banner disappointed. (via Wired) Link

Cerebral palsy victim goes to Lourdes for miracle cure, goes home with not-so-miraculous broken legs (via Telegraph UK) Link

First it was Israel, and then the Holocaust. Now, Mahmoud sets his sights on his toughest opponent yet: Paul the Octopus (via Telegraph) Link

Is it hot in here or is it just me? ISS undergoes cooling system repairs
(via Yahoo News) Link

Hello, and welcome to another segment of the Filipino Freethinkers’ weekly news updates! It has been a very busy week on the net, compounded by a mix of some truly interesting, and truly depressing news.

The tech geeks among you will probably have heard of the prototype touch pad that has been unveiled in India recently. At just $35 dollars, it’s definitely going to be a serious competitor for the likes of the iPad. Its inventors explained that the device was intended to be used for the education market, so if Dick Gordon’s still serious about using the Kindle for classrooms, you might want to give him a ring.

In other good news, we also have historian Ambeth Ocampo’s ongoing series of talks over at the Ayala Museum. The second talk just concluded this Saturday, but you can still catch up for his August and September lectures.

There’s also the matter of Phil Plait’s upcoming show on Discovery Channel, Bad Universe. I have no details yet, but based on the trailer that was recently taken down by youtube (Booo!), it will cover some of the more prominent theories on how the universe can destroy earth (killer asteroids, alien invasions, etc.) Doubly awesome is that the format will use copious amounts of Mythbusters-style explosions.

As for the bad news, Desmond Tutu has recently announced his plans for retirement. I’m not a very big fan of religion, as many of you know, but I have come to respect Tutu for his progressive thinking and tolerance. It saddens me that he is stepping down at a time when the religious community need people like him the most.

There was also the matter of the three near-simultaneous earthquakes that recently rocked Southern Philippines, and the passing of pinoy comedian Redford White. In any case, just click on the links below for more details, and be sure to visit the News Thread at the forums for further updates.

Oh yeah, and before I forget: Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty is launching this July 27.

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Friendly Atheist interviews Burn-a-Koran-Day founder (via The Friendly Atheist) Link

Desmond Tutu announces retirement (via The Daily Beast) Link

How to Convert an Atheist (via Greta Christina’s blog) Link

Three intensity 7 earthquakes rock Philippines, Moleman wanted for questioning (via The Hindu Business Line) Link

WBC trolls San Diego Comi-Con. Where’s your Batman now? (via Comics Alliance) Link

India’s $35 iPad contender (via BBC) Link

New Discovery Channel show: Bad Universe (via Discover Magazine) Link

How Sexism Hurts Men (via The Blowfish Blog) Part 1 Link, Part 2 Link

Ambeth Ocampo does Ayala (via The Philippine Star) Link

R.I.P., Redford White (via Yahoo News) Link

We all abstain from doing certain things in life, the difference is just in what individuals choose to abstain from. Depending on what it is, it can be easier for some people to abstain from it than other activities. But, to anybody, abstinence remains a difficult trick to master because of the sacrifices it involves. It takes some self-discipline and commitment from a person, moreso for those who plan to do it long-term. That’s why most people don’t even try to practice self-control but instead easily give in to doing their spur of the moment ideas. It is the exact opposite of over-indulgence. Part of the problem could be that we were born in a time of instant gratification so we are not used to waiting. Another reason I see is that, what is available to us from our environment doesn’t allow much room for making plans outside what is commonly practiced. I keep hearing that it’s hard to be a vegetarian because of the lack of choices in non-meat foods to eat. Atheists practice a form of abstinence too, it is an abstinence from any kind of religious activities.

Abstinence is done by many for religious reasons but it can also be done for other reasons such as for good health or someone’s personal views. The difference when anything is done out of religious tradition is that in traditions, somebody just told them to do it. They don’t even know why they should do it. There are even religions that require people strict adherence to a code of practice. You should feel lucky that we are not in the same situation. Here, in this country, you are allowed to make your own choices of whether to practice abstinence or not. We have been given some free will, after all.

I’m no expert on abstinence, in fact, I don’t really try to abstain from anything except for things that I just can’t bring myself to do. But I’m just trying to give you guys an answer of what I think ‘abstinence’ is all about from my own experience. I’m just now learning about this myself the more I dig deeper.

Abstinence can come from the anywhere. Like from a vegan who refuses to eat meat to a pacifist who will not commit violence even when they are threatened or an ascetic who escapes from a life of pleasure. And don’t forget about those people who wait to have sex until the time is right. Why do these people do these things? Are they so masochistic that they want to torture themselves with self-deprivation? No, they are none of those. But each does have his/her own reasons. I realize that is it not about depriving yourself from eating food like in fasting, nor saying goodbye to sex or any kind of pleasure. It is a way for someone to find out and test the limits of what they will or will not do. It is a stepping away from our excesses and over-indulgent ways to finding out what is really more important in life. It’s about sticking up for what you believe in.

So should any of us practice abstinence? That’s up to you and not for somebody else to decide.

The past few weeks have been rather hectic for me lately, and it’s admittedly a bit tough trying to keep the News posts updated.

In any case, be sure to visit the News Thread at the forums!

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God and the Pope under Attack (Part 1) (via PDI) Link

Irony: HIV-resistant antibodies found in gay man (via Wall Street Journal) Link

Britain to pay 20 million quid for Papal visit (The Independent) Link

B-movie goodness: The Sharktopus trailer (via The Hollywood Reporter) Link

Parents and sex education (via PDI) Link

Vatican: Women priests = Child rape = Logic FAIL (via guardian.co.uk) Link

Same-sex marriage passes in Argentina (via Joe.My.God) Link

Senate allows one more Space Shuttle flight (via Popular Science) Link

Scientists develop Malaria-free mosquito (via Popular Science) Link

Get your copy now: The Periodic Table of Irrational Nonsense (via Crispian Jago) Link

That the universe is designed by an ‘intelligent creator’ as it exhibits balance and order has prevailed for centuries as the ‘most robust argument’ in defense of theism in the philosophical realm of old. Even in the present century, theists recurrently invoke the classic Design Argument as proof of god’s existence. This argument was torn down, however, when David Hume put forward his criticism of the Argument of Design – a treatise that sparked further acerbic debates for many centuries on the subject of god’s existence (Gaskin 1993). Although many attempted to dispute his arguments, the sagacity and decisiveness of Hume’s critique, until today, are difficult to challenge.

Cleanthes vs. Philo and God’s ‘Work of Art’

The “Critique of the Design Argument” is presented in Hume’s book Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion in which he puts forth a discourse between fictional characters, Cleanthes and Philo. The discourse begins when Cleanthes brings Philo’s attention to the world around them, asserting that the world is but one great machine, with its tiniest parts attuned to each other and with accuracy worthy of admiration and contemplation (Gaskin 1993). Cleanthes further adds that the creator’s ‘larger faculties’, parallels the minds of men as they manifest wisdom and intelligence and thus, it is only logical that an intelligent ‘maker’ shaped them (Swinburne 1991). This argument, Cleanthes believes, ‘proves the existence of a Deity’.

Using the house and the universe as analogy, Philo asserts that the universe does not show any relationship to a house as this is a flawed logic. The universe is a manifestation of nature while the house is man-made as he emphasizes the complexities we fail to clarify in the works of nature. Philo contends that men’s capability to understand ‘infinite’ relations is inadequate and it is “impossible for us to tell, from our limited views, whether this system contains any great faults” or merits any justifiable adulation when “compared to other possible, and even real systems” (Hume 1739).

Through Philo’s character, Hume contends that order and purpose are perceived only when they are the consequences of design. However, we see some kind of order all the time manifested in seemingly unconscious occurrences like vegetation and generation. Thus, design constitutes only a tiny fragment of our perception with regards to ‘purpose’ and order. Assuming that the design argument is feasible, Hume argues that it is not enough to surmise or prove the existence of a deity from the conclusions gleaned from our knowledge of the universe’s configuration which bears a distant resemblance to human design – cursory and sometimes unintelligent – a world which Hume states is “the only and the first rude essay of some infant deity, who afterwards abandoned it, ashamed of his lame performance” (Hume 1739).

Hume believes that god’s intellectual or mental order and faculties need to be understood in order for the design argument to be decisive and reach a logical finality. Otherwise, we could not create a parallel explanation of order, or actually define it, leaving the notion too arcane and inscrutable. Hume also argued that if an orderly and balanced natural world necessitates a special maker or designer, then God’s mind as it is well ordered, likewise requires a creator. Thus, this maker would similarly need another maker, and so on. The comparison with nature and the various things found in it, Hume adds, is ineffectual as things present in the universe are set apart from human material items as they exhibit considerable disparity (Hume 1739).

The Degradation of the Creator

Cleanthes further argues that ‘the works of nature bear a great analogy to the work of art (Sober 2003) insisting that the resemblance which exists between this world and human products is quite significant. Hence, god is somehow ostensible in human intelligence. Hume argues that this leads to a degradation of the creator. He suggests that we know nothing about the nature or the attributes of god as everything about the deity is unknown and there exists only a distant analogy among the diverse operations of nature. These comparisons do not suggest that the basis of the emergence of the universe is the mind or human intelligence. The aforementioned analogies, according to Hume are so feeble and distant that god’s nature cannot be explained nor understood (Poidevin 1996).

An Argument against All Odds

For a many decades, Hume’s treatise has been challenged using modified arguments from the intelligent design proposition. Scholars in the field of religion and philosophy have concocted innovative extensions borne out of the design proposition. These counter-arguments however, fell apart as Hume’s critique stands robust amidst attacks from different schools of philosophical thought.

Hume’s arguments persist until today as his objections to the prevailing idea that an orderly universe exists are strengthened and supported by science. Although knowledge of the universe during Hume’s time is not as advanced as of late, Hume exhibited deeper understanding of the universe we live in.

To be continued…

The need for sex (education!) has been on my mind lately. You see this current furor about sex education to be done in schools. I don’t know what the fuss is all about – I remember being in Grade 5 or 6 and my homeroom teacher writing the words “penis” and “vagina” on the blackboard and proceeding to talk to the whole class about sex. And that was in a Catholic school run by Jesuits at that. I’ve been thinking about sex lately because of close friends having problems with their teenage daughters. I for one believe parents should talk to their kids about sex (please be more specific than just going on about the birds and the bees!). In these modern times when sexual promiscuity and having kids out of wedlock is no longer something to raise eyebrows about, I think the debate in the news about sex education in schools is way too much hype. For one, talking about sex does not mean condoning a sexual lifestyle. We can’t deny the fact that we live in quite modern times, and yes, more and more people are having sex (starting at a younger age than my 25 years!ahem.abstinence until absolutely, cannot completely control!). I remember a TV show about the sex education debate and a panelist putting it quite succinctly, “If you put a swimming pool in your backyard, shouldn’t you teach your kids how to swim?”

At a practical level, kids need to be taught about sex for their own good and protection. With sexual molestation and sexual perversion on the rise, sex education at its most basic level starts with telling kids that parts of their bodies are private. In a sense, I was teaching sex education to my Grade 2 students when I was handling Guidance classes as a Counselor several years ago (yup, me as a Sex Ed teacher!). The topic was teaching 8-year old boys about cleanliness and hygiene, but I segued the discussion to talk about how you keep your privates to yourself (the pressing incident at the time was that the kids were comparing their “soldiers” in the CR= funny, curious kids!). But on a serious note, I also tried explaining (ever so tactfully) how important it is that he is in control of his body, and that he has permission to refuse any unwanted touch. That if anyone does touch him, and it makes him feel uneasy or uncomfortable, he needs to tell that person, whether it’s someone his own age, someone he knows, or even if it’s an adult he might know, to stop. Then, he must go to a parent or someone older that he trusts, and tell about what happened. Horror stories abound about strangers in the mall, even older relatives, or cousins playing seemingly “innocent” childhood games, that I think such a talk is one a parent should have with one’s kids.

But what about teen-agers? Take out all the talk about spirituality and morality (though these are important mind you!) but at a practical, reasonable level, and what for me are my own personal views, I would stress 3 things about sex:

(1) It’s normal that we think about sex. Growing up means we have all these sex hormones (testosterone and estrogen) raging inside us, and sex is nature’s beautiful way of keeping the human species alive and reproducing. I remember a co-teacher in HS (a Guidance Counselor) asking me (since I studied psychology daw = as if I had all the answers!) what he should tell students in Guidance Class about masturbation. I forgot what I told him exactly (!). But I do believe kids should be told that what they feel is normal, and that all those feelings are not “sinful” or not be taught to see sex as dirty.

(2) Take responsibility. Since the very nature of sex is for reproduction, then getting pregnant or getting someone pregnant IS a consequence when having sex. Basically, my personal take on the matter is (moral issues not withstanding), have sex if you believe you are old enough, mature enough, financially responsible enough to have a child! If there’s one thing that irritates me to no end aside from the question of sex education, is that other debate about birth control. I do remember Theology class on marriage and being taught about the Catholic Church’s premise on the rationale for natural family planning methods (and to a certain extent I do agree). But I also think we should be realistic. I believe women should have a choice about their own bodies, and that they be taught about other methods as well, so in this case, yes I am pro-choice (stopping short of abortion, I have seen from personal experience with close friends how the guilt one goes through is just not worth it). Girls, birth control is also your responsibility (don’t leave it up to the man! and I’m telling you – a month’s set of Trust birth control pills costs only Php49!). I also strongly believe Filipino men would do well to be informed about using condoms! (tsk, tsk, there ARE condoms of the ultra-thin variety where you can still feel pleasure!). So be safe!

(3) What about feelings? Ahh, a note of caution here. Sex increases attachment with someone so choose your partner carefully. Studies show the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin are released during orgasm, hormones that deepen feelings of attachment and make couples feel much closer to one another after they had sex. In a sense, sex does confuse the issue, in that you might not be sure altogether if you really love the person. Physical intimacy should be an expression of love, not the other way around. Sex definitely does complicate men-women relationships. Yup, maybe the old folks had it right: fall in love, get married, then have sex. Yeah right.

I really don’t profess to be an expert on sex. Or even love for that matter. But the above sentiments are indeed something I feel very strongly about. At the end of it all, all I can say is, instead of having sex….. Make love!

Well, it’s been another interesting week at the Filipino Freethinkers blogs, to say the least. The community’s been abuzz with Nancy’s article discussing the matter of Vegan Ethics. It’s a new topic for many of us freethinkers, and while it may draw disagreements, in the end, it’s still going to challenge us to think outside our comfort zones, which is a good thing.

And the timing of the article – along with the Benj’s recent post describing Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” event here Manila – couldn’t have been more perfect. This week, UAE has announced its plans to build what will be the world’s largest solar thermal power plant.

Once completed in 2012, the plant will cover a span of one square mile, and will generate 100 MW of power through its arrays of collecting mirrors and oil pipes. Just to clarify, the plant isn’t a traditional solar plant many of the readers may imagine; it’s not just a collection of solar panels linked up to a giant battery, as in most households.

The plant uses solar thermal energy, which uses the sun to superheat an insulating liquid such as molten salt or oil to power a traditional steam turbine. It’s more energy efficient than panels on a large scale, but I’m digressing here – feel free to ask me more about this in our next meet this Saturday; I can go on and on about the tech XD. The point is that it speaks volumes when one of the world’s largest oil producers has decided to embrace the concept of green energy.

In more current event news, We have South Korea’s new idea of psychological warfare being conducted on Nokor forces at the DMZ. It involves several large speakers, and a couples of tracks of Korean pop sensation 4minute.

Yes, dear readers – SK has decided to torture the North with K-pop music.

Odd? Definitely. But before you go dismissing this plan, keep in mind that history has proven that when you’re outnumbered and outgunned, all it takes is one soulful ballad to destroy an enemy alien fleet that is literally bred for war, chaos, and violence. Just ask Lynn Minmay.

Of course she had the help of a city-sized space warship, and a squadron of transformable fighters loaded with tactical nukes, but that’s not the point.

In any case, enjoy this week’s tidbits, and be sure to drop in at the forums’ News Thread if you find any interesting topics you might want to bring up!

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UAE Announces Plans for World’s Largest Solar Plant (via Popular Science) Link

Inventor of Photosynthesis-Based Solar Cells Wins Millennium Tech Prize (via Popular Science) Link

New Vatican campaign to clamp down on ‘liberal opinion’ (via Independent.ie) Link

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/new-vatican-campaign-to-clamp-down-on-liberal-opinion-2210401.html

What happens to women? (via Philippine Daily Inquirer) Link

Study: Children of Lesbians May Do Better Than Their Peers (Via TIME) Link

Stereotyping women right out of science (via Pharyngula) Link

South Korean Propaganda Blasts (Via Yahoo News) Link

Stephen Hawking on Religion: ‘Science Will Win’ (Via ABC News) Link

Adult Breastfeeding Establishes “Maternal Relations”…
(via Salon) Link

6 Companies That Make Money Solving Problems (They Made Up) (via Cracked) Link

Suffice to say that the recent Saturday meet was a success. While a couple of the regular guys didn’t make it, it was overwhelming to see so many new faces. Our small community is definitely growing, and if you happen to be reading this news update as a newcomer to the Filipino Freethinkers blog, welcome aboard!

This time around, I’ll be toning down the usual politics and religion news for some other truly bizarre, and utterly nerdgastic tidbits. For one, there’s an article on a War Machine cosplayer whose costume is actually made of stainless steel components, features a fully functional (BB) minigun, and a motorized visor and working LEDs. There’s also the working hover board replica for the Back to the Future fans (that includes me), but why spoil the fun – you can visit the links for the full details.

In more serious news, you’ve all probably heard of the giant sinkhole that has appeared in Guatemala City as a result of the tropical storms that have drenched the region:

For all the destruction that nature can rend to cities, it’s amazing how we can find beauty in the most unlikely of places. In this case, the birds-eye view of this sinkhole is leaves me in awe. And a bit worried mind you, because as any Marvel fan will tell you, stuff like this only happens when some really crazy stuff is about to happen, of the world-destroying sort.

In any case, enjoy this week’s updates, and be sure to post any new stuff you encounter over at the News Thread!

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Giant sinkhole appears in Guatemala City – Silver Surfer unavailable for comment (via New York Times) Link

Maldives citizen may be sentenced to death for leaving Islam (via Minivan News) Link

Vatican invites atheists to open dialogue…unless their name happens to be Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens (via The Independent) Link

CBCP vs, Sex education, round two (via Philippine Star) Link

Fordham University: Another reason to think Jesuits are awesome (via Fordham Observer) Link

Living in denial: Why sensible people reject the truth (via New Scientist) Link

Anti-vaccine doctor struck off UK medical register (via BBC) Link

He may be a cosplaying geek, but he’s a cosplaying geek…with a minigun (via Popular Science) Link

Not what you think it means: Hippo licking the crocodile (via Nat Geo Kids) Link

And you thought the wakeboard was and accident waiting to happen (via Popular Science) Link