Monday, December 13, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Butterflies Are Free To Fly: A New and Radical Approach to Spiritual Evolution
Butterflies Are Free To Fly: A New and
Radical Approach to Spiritual Evolution
by Stephen Davis
When Nicolaus Copernicus discovered the Earth wasnt the center of the Universe, everything changed. When Isaac Newton figured out the law of gravity from a falling apple, everything changed. When Benjamin Franklin harvested electricity from lightening and Thomas Edison made the first commercial light bulb, everything changed. Today, when quantum physicists realize our physical universe isn’t real, that its just a hologram, everything wait! Nothings changed.Butterflies Are Free To Fly offers a new and radical approach to spiritual evolution based on the recent scientific experiments in quantum physics and brain research outlined in Part One. Given that the physical universe which looks and feels so real to us is actually a unique holographic projection from our own brain, the author examines various models for life and living that are very different than what we have been told and taught.
Thy Kingdom Come
Thy Kingdom Come
by Vernard Eller
Christians the world over pray ‘Thy kingdom come’ daily, but do they know what they are asking for? These short selections will spark a burning expectation for this kingdom to break into this world, here and now.Meet Johann Christoph Blumhardt and Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt, two German pastors who experienced this kingdom as a daily reality, through this compilation of excerpts from their sermons and discussions. This book is not intended to be an analysis of the Blumhardts’ thought, rather an opportunity for the Blumhardts to introduce their thoughts for themselves. ‘If their own words fail to inform, enlighten, or move the reader,’ writes Eller, ‘there are no words of mine that could reverse that situation.
Anni
Anni
by Annemarie Wächter
the name Annie is like a shooting star a wish ,Aquarius-LibraA
Business and public affairs continue to play a big role in your life in November, dear Aquarius, but the pressures and over-activity in these areas you encountered last month begin to dissipate. As a result, you’re more likely to enjoy your increased exposure and recognition on a professional level. Increased responsibilities continue to be an issue in your life, but you feel more in control. Love this month is rather business-like as well, or could be found through professional contacts. Friends and group activities are strong in the last week.
Ladies and Gentlemen…The Redeemers
Ladies and Gentlemen…The Redeemers
by Michael Scott Miller
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"Ladies and Gentlemen" is the first single from Saliva's fifth studio album Blood Stained Love Story. The song reached a peak of #2 on the US Mainstream Rock charts, and is also the band's best-selling single, being certified Gold by the RIAA in 2010. The song is one of the heavier cuts of the album, and is a hard rock song. The music video was released on March 19, 2007.
"Ladies and Gentlemen" is the first single from Saliva's fifth studio album Blood Stained Love Story. The song reached a peak of #2 on the US Mainstream Rock charts, and is also the band's best-selling single, being certified Gold by the RIAA in 2010. The song is one of the heavier cuts of the album, and is a hard rock song. The music video was released on March 19, 2007.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Savage Love
Savage Love
by J. Jenkins
Carolina Conway is well acquainted with loss and abandonment. Therefore, she isn’t looking for a relationship and adopts an outwardly happy persona as a successful business owner having the bittersweet pleasure of raising her orphaned nephews. In lieu of the everlasting romance she had envisioned since being a colleen, she’s resolved to accept measures of comfort from her long-time and uncanny best friend, Patrick Donovan. However, a chance meeting with a forlorn boy and his father, Dylan Savage, a Texas transplant now settled in Ventura, will test her commitment to have an ordinary and uncomplicated life. Long held secrets and wishes will come to the surface as she strives to keep those around her safe, happy and satisfied, while maintaining her sense of security. Will such a tall order be too much for her, or will she take her place in the fanciful love of a lifetime?A note to the reader, this work is intended to be a blending of:Fantasy, Romance and Erotica
The Storm Clouds Rolling In
The Storm Clouds Rolling In
by Ginny Dye
Carrie Cromwell comes of age as the dark clouds of the Civil War swallow the country. Born with a fiery spirit and a strong mind, she finds herself struggling between the common wisdom of the South and the truth she has discovered.The activities of the Underground Railroad and her close friendships with the Cromwell Plantation slaves create difficult choices. But when her decisions put her at odds with her heritage and challenge her dreams, will she be able to give up all that is precious to her?Storm Clouds Rolling In is the first book in the sweeping Bregdan Chronicles saga. As of Sept. 2010 there are 4 books, but many more are coming. They are all available in either print or E-book format.Thousands of people have become fans of the Bregdan Chronicles. Read Storm Clouds Rolling In to discover why they are being pulled into this riveting saga!
Mutabilis
Mutabilis
by Drew Wagar
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“When a series of linked murders forces GalCop to outlaw the shadow organisation known as ‘The Dark Wheel’, a mysterious top secret document must be found in order to stave off a galactic conflict. The document contains a devastating secret; the key to domination, power and control. A secret as old as space itself, the location of the legendary planet ‘Raxxla’”.
Lines Of Desire
Lines Of Desire
by Martin Cooper
They are the despair of town planners and the bane of college gardeners. We have all seen them: muddy tracks short-circuiting perfectly dry paved walkways; brown scars bisecting manicured lawns. They are unsignposted, unmapped by the Ordnance Survey. The timid find them frightening and they infuriate the tidy-minded. They are desire lines. The paths we choose, rather than those we are directed to take.Lines of Desire, a second short story collection from Martin Cooper.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Little Data Book 2010
The Little Data Book 2010
Now in its eighth edition, this pocket-sized reference on key development data for over 200 countries provides profiles of each country with 54 development indicators about people, environment, economy, technology and infrastructure, trade, and finance. It is intended as a quick reference for users of World Development Indicators and the Atlas of Global Development.
Friday, October 29, 2010
The Da Vinci Code
The Da Vinci Code
by Dan Brown
The Da Vinci Code is a 2003 mystery-detective fiction novel written by American author, Dan Brown. It follows symbologist Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu as they investigate a murder in Paris's Louvre Museum and discover a battle between the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei over the possibility of Jesus Christ of Nazareth having been married to Mary Magdalene.
The title of the novel refers to, among other things, the fact that the murder victim is found in the Grand Gallery of the Louvre, naked and posed like Leonardo da Vinci's famous drawing, the Vitruvian Man, with a cryptic message written beside his body and a pentacle drawn on his stomach in his own blood.
The novel has provoked a popular interest in speculation concerning the Holy Grail legend and Magdalene's role in the history of Christianity. The book has been extensively denounced by many Christian denominations as an attack on the Roman Catholic Church. It has also been criticized for its historical and scientific inaccuracy.
The Hound of the Baskervilles
The Hound of the Baskervilles
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of the four crime novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle featuring the detective Sherlock Holmes. Originally serialised in the Strand Magazine from August 1901 to April 1902, it is set largely on Dartmoor in Devon in England's West Country and tells the story of an attempted murder inspired by the legend of a fearsome, diabolical hound.
Eragon
Eragon
by Christopher Paolini
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Eragon is a 2006 fantasy-adventure film loosely based on the novel of the same name by author Christopher Paolini. The cast includes Edward Speleers in the title role, Jeremy Irons, Garrett Hedlund, Sienna Guillory, Robert Carlyle, John Malkovich, Djimon Hounsou, Alun Armstrong, Joss Stone, and the voice of Rachel Weisz as Saphira the dragon.
The film was directed by Stefen Fangmeier, a first-time director, who had previously worked as a visual effects director on Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. The screenplay was written by Peter Buchman, who is best known for Jurassic Park III. Principal photography took place at the Mafilm Fót Studios in Hungary, starting on August 1, 2005. Special visual effects and animation were by Weta Digital and Industrial Light & Magic.
Eragon was released worldwide between December 13 and December 15, 2006 by 20th Century Fox. It was the 10th worst reviewed film of 2006 on Rotten Tomatoes, and the 31st highest grossing film of 2006 in the US. A DVD and Blu-ray of the film was released March 20, 2007.
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
by William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet is a 1996 American film adaptation of William Shakespeare's romantic tragedy of the same name. It was directed by Australian Baz Luhrmann and stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in the eponymous roles.
The film is an abridged modernization of Shakespeare's play. While it retains the original Shakespearean dialogue, the Montagues and the Capulets are represented as warring business empires and swords are replaced by guns.
Eldest
Eldest
by Christopher Paolini
Eldest is the second book in the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini and the sequel to Eragon. Eldest was first published in hardcover on August 23, 2005, and was released in paperback in September 2006. Eldest has been released in an audiobook format, and as an ebook. Like Eragon, Eldest became a New York Times bestseller. A deluxe edition of Eldest was released on September 26, 2006, including new information and art by both the illustrator and the author. Other editions of Eldest are translated into different languages.
Eldest begins following several important events in Eragon. The story is the continued adventures of Eragon and his dragon Saphira, centering around their journey to the realm of the Elves in order to further Eragon's training as a Dragon Rider. Other plots in the story focus on Roran, Eragon's cousin, who leads the inhabitants of Carvahall to Surda to join the Varden, and Nasuada as she takes on her father's role as leader of the Varden. Eldest ends at the Battle of the Burning Plains, where Eragon faces a new Dragon Rider, Murtagh, and a new dragon, Thorn.
Reviews pointed out the similarities between Eldest and other works such as The Lord of the Rings, while praising the themes of the book, such as friendship and honor. Several of these reviews commented on the style and genre of Eldest, while others considered the possibility of a film adaptation similar to the adaption of its prequel Eragon.
Brisingr
Brisingr
by Christopher Paolini
Brisingr, or The Seven Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular, is the third book in the Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini. It was released on September 20, 2008. Originally, the novel was intended to be the last in the Inheritance Cycle, but this changed when Paolini decided that the series was too complex to conclude in one book. A deluxe edition of Brisingr, which includes removed scenes and previously unseen art, was released on October 13, 2009.
Brisingr focuses on the story of Eragon and his dragon Saphira as they continue their quest to overthrow the corrupt ruler of the Empire, Galbatorix. Eragon is one of the last remaining Dragon Riders, a group that governed the fictional continent of Alagaësia, where the series takes place. Brisingr begins almost immediately after the preceding novel Eldest concludes.
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, the book sold 550,000 copies on its first day of sale, a record for a Random House children's book. The novel debuted at number one on USA Today's top 150 bestsellers list. Reviewers criticized the book for its length, while commenting on Paolini's growing maturity in his treatment of characters.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tower of Babel
Tower of Babel
by Robert T. Pennock
Robert T. Pennock is a philosopher working on the Avida digital organism project at Michigan State University where he has been full professor since 2000. Pennock was a witness in the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial, testifying on behalf of the plaintiffs, and described how intelligent design is an updated form of creationism and not science, pointing out that the arguments were essentially the same as traditional creationist arguments with adjustments to the message to eliminate explicit mention of God and the Bible as well as adopting a postmodern deconstructionist language. Pennock also laid out the philosophical history of methodological and philosophical naturalism as they underpin to science, and explained that if intelligent design were truly embraced it would return Western civilization to a pre-Enlightenment state.
Why I am Not a Christian
Why I am Not a Christian
by Russell, Bertrand
Russell begins by defining what he means by the term Christian and sets out to explain why he does not "believe in God and in immortality" and why he does not "think that Christ was the best and wisest of men", the two things he identifies as "essential to anybody calling himself a Christian". He considers a number of logical arguments for the existence of God, including the cosmological argument, the natural-law argument, the teleological argument and moral arguments following what he describes as "the intellectual descent that the Theists have made in their argumentations". He also goes into specifics about Christian theology, alleging defects in Jesus's teaching and his moral character, in particular because Jesus believed in hell and everlasting punishment. He argues ad absurdum against the "argument from design", and favors Darwin's theories
The Dawkins Delusion
The Dawkins Delusion
by Mcgrath, Alister & Joanna Collicutt
The Dawkins Delusion?, subtitled Atheist fundamentalism and the denial of the divine is a book by Christian theologian Alister McGrath and psychologist Joanna Collicutt McGrath, written as a critical response from a Christian perspective to Richard Dawkins's book The God Delusion.
Alister McGrath, the primary author, studied chemistry and molecular biophysics at Oxford University, and moved on to study Christian theology, earning doctorates in both science and theology. He is also the author of Dawkins' God: Genes, Memes, and the Meaning of Life. Joanna Collicutt McGrath is his spouse and a deacon at Oxford with background in experimental psychology and Christian theology, specializing in biblical studies. Currently a lecturer in the psychology of religion at Heythrop College, University of London, she has made a particular contribution to the sections on biblical studies, and the relationship of religion with psychology and the neurosciences. Her book, Meeting Jesus: Human Responses to a Yearning God, co-written with Jeremy Duff, was published by SPCK in 2006.
The Cambridge Companion to Atheism
The Cambridge Companion to Atheism
by Michael Martin
Michael Martin's Companion is an excellent survey of a wide range of topics with which the phenomenon of atheism is concerned. It will be a valuable resource for courses on the philosophy of religion and belief and unbelief today. Nevertheless, one drawback of the volume is the sense that one is often drawn into the tug-of-war between atheism and theism rather than in the attempt to move beyond the well-trodden paths of these binary oppositions. In both negative and positive forms atheism sometimes emerges as sharing some of the traits of fundamentalist religions. If atheism is to move forward as a belief system it will have to negotiate the winding curves of a postmodern world which mixes and matches much more eclectically than some of the voices in this fine volume seem to want to believe.
- The Philosophy of Humanism
The Philosophy of Humanism
by Lamont, Corliss
The Philosophy of Humanism is a scholarly work, tracing the influence of Humanism from the ancient Greek philosophers through the Enlightenment and the Bill of Rights to the twentieth century. It is very well documented with reference notes and bibliography for those who prefer sources, yet it is written in a most readable style.
I heartily recommend this book to anyone who truly wishes to investigate and understand this often misinterpreted philosophy. They will learn that Humanism certainly does not promote witchcraft or the worship of human beings, nor does it advocate selfishness, as in the "me" generation, or for conscienceless materialism and ruthlessness, as is often falsely asserted by those who fear and misunderstand the principles of Humanism.
The Atheist's Bible
The Atheist's Bible
by Joan Konner, Andrew
A book that carries the title of "The Atheist's Bible" sounded interesting. Based on the title alone, I was expecting an essay on atheism. But it is not - it is nothing more than a series of quotes, organised into ‘books’ along the lines of the Bible. Literally nothing but quotes, with no commentary on the quotes themselves and no information on the people (or fictional characters) that uttered or wrote the words or into the context in which these quotes where uttered. So it is certainly not essential reading, unless you have a good memory and frequently get into arguments with Jehovah's Witnesses. That being said, the quotes are quite extensive and I enjoyed this light read
History of the Conflict Between Religion Science
History of the Conflict Between Religion Science
by John William Draper
For a socio-historical theory with a similar name, see Conflict theory.
Conflict: Galileo before the Holy Office, by Joseph-Nicolas Robert-Fleury, a 19th century depiction of the Galileo Affair, religion suppressing heliocentric science.
The conflict thesis proposes an intrinsic intellectual conflict between religion and science. The original historical usage of the term denoted that the historical record indicates religion’s perpetual opposition to science. Later uses of the term denote religion’s epistemological opposition to science. Also denominated as the Draper–White Thesis, the Warfare Thesis, and the Warfare Model, the conflict thesis interprets the relationship between religion and science as inevitably leading to public hostility, when religion aggressively challenges new scientific ideas — as in the Galileo Affair (1614–15).
The historical conflict thesis was a popular historiographical approach in the history of science during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but in its early form is mostly discarded. Despite that, Conflict Theory remains a popular view among the general public and has been recently publicized by the success of books such as Professor Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion.
God is not Great
God is not Great
by Hitchens, Christopher
God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (2007) is a book critiquing of religion by author and journalist Christopher Hitchens. It was published in the United Kingdom as God Is Not Great: The Case Against Religion.
Hitchens contends that organised religion is "violent, irrational, intolerant, allied to racism, tribalism, and bigotry, invested in ignorance and hostile to free inquiry, contemptuous of women and coercive toward children", and that accordingly it "ought to have a great deal on its conscience." Hitchens supports his position with a mixture of personal stories, documented historical anecdotes and critical analysis of religious texts. His commentary focuses mainly on the Abrahamic religions, although it also touches on other religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
God Wants You Dead
God Wants You Dead
by Hastings, Sean and Paul Rosenberg
In 1997, Hastings worked on cryptographic protocols and tools free of U.S. cryptographic export restrictions with Vincent Cate, who started the International Conference on Financial Cryptography in Anguilla that same year.
Main article: HavenCo
Hastings founded HavenCo in 2000, originally incorporating in his country of residence, Anguilla, before a second incorporation in the Channel Islands. Hastings was the CEO; other co-founders included Ryan Lackey and Sameer Parekh. Immediately following its public launch, HavenCo was the subject of a great deal of press coverage, including Hastings appearance, along with several cofounders and the "royal family" of Sealand, on the cover of Wired's July 2000 issue.
In 2002, Hastings began work on seasteading with Patri Friedman, a project aimed at building floating communities free from the restrictions of current governments. This collaboration continued through 2009, including a talk by Hastings at the Seasteading Institute's annual conference.
Hastings is the cofounder, with Eric S. Raymond, of Green-Span, an open source infrastructure for trust and reputation management, begun in March, 2009.
Hastings is also the author, with Paul Rosenberg, of a book, God Wants You Dead which takes a look at the lighter side of atheism and anarchy.
The End of Faith
The End of Faith
by Haris, Sam
This important and timely book delivers a startling analysis of the clash of faith and reason in the modern world. The End of Faith provides a harrowing glimpse of mankind’s willingness to suspend reason in favor of religious beliefs, even when these beliefs inspire the worst of human atrocities. Harris argues that in the presence of weapons of mass destruction, we can no longer expect to survive our religious differences indefinitely. Most controversially, he maintains that “moderation” in religion poses considerable dangers of its own: as the accommodation we have made to religious faith in our society now blinds us to the role that faith plays in perpetuating human conflict. While warning against the encroachment of organized religion into world politics, Harris draws on insights from neuroscience, philosophy, and Eastern mysticism in an attempt to provide a truly modern foundation for our ethics and our search for spiritual experience.
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Letter to a Christian Nation
Letter to a Christian Nation
by Haris, Sam
Letter to a Christian Nation is a non-fiction book by Sam Harris, written in response to feedback he received following the publication of his first book The End of Faith. The book is written in the form of an open letter to a Christian in the United States. Harris states that his aim is "to demolish the intellectual and moral pretensions of Christianity in its most committed forms." The book was released in September 2006. In October it entered the New York Times Best Seller list at number seven
Monday, October 25, 2010
The 48 Laws Of Power
The 48 Laws Of Power
by Robert Greene
Greene uses anecdotes from historical figures such as Louis XIV, Talleyrand, Otto von Bismarck, Catherine the Great, Mao Zedong, Haile Selassie and various con artists in order to illustrate real-world application of the 48 rules. Greene's modern courtship theory was inspired by the writings of Baltasar Gracian and Niccolò Machiavelli. Greene also often uses an amoral approach, mimicking Machiavellian language, leaving the reader to weigh the ethical implications of the laws
Sunday, October 24, 2010
How to be a Good Atheist
How to be a Good Atheist
by Nick Harding
Nicholas Mark Harding (b: London 1964), is an author and British screenwriter who has written for film, television, magazines, newspapers and computer games. He is also a published poet and short story writer. He is the author of the cult classic and critically acclaimed How to Start Your Own Secret Society. He has appeared on ITV’s This Morning, has been a contributor to TV documentaries on secret societies including one for Channel 4 and has made over fifty appearances for both local and national BBC radio. He co-wrote The Notebooks of Cornelius Crow and Folie a Deux with director Sean Martin and Reality Horror Night with Doug Elford Argent. In 2008 OMNI Communications / PAWS awarded him a bursary to develop a television series. He also has four film projects in development as well as several novels. He is active in the Mendip Caving scene and was a co-discoverer of the Lost Cave of Loxton made famous by Alexander Catcott and Upper Canada Cave in Hutton near Weston super Mare. He is a member of the Axbridge Caving Group. He is an atheist, skeptic and a registered Bright. He was recently one of the interviewees on BBC Radio 4's Weston's New Pier presented by Chris Ledgard. His novel Sunsphere will be published 2010
Misquoting Jesus Bart Ehrman
Misquoting Jesus
by Bart Ehrman
Ehrman says the modern Bible was shaped by mistakes and intentional alterations that were made by early scribes who copied the texts. In the introduction to Misquoting Jesus, Ehrman writes that when he came to understand this process 30 years ago, it shifted his way of thinking about the Bible. He had been raised as an Evangelical Christian.
How We Know What Isn't So
How We Know What Isn't So
by Gilovich, Thomas
There is a plague if illogical reasoning today. Mr. Gilovich says this is because “. . . there are inherent biases in the data upon which we base our beliefs, biases that must be recognized and overcome if we are to arrive at sound judgments and valid beliefs.” The cost of these biases is real and severe. We are naturally prone to wrong thinking, and this book shows us how we can combat this.
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