Monthly Archives: June 2008

Discussion Topic: Social Networking

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by Bill

I’ve recently reduced my presence on social sites to nearly zero, using them now only to keep track of the doings of younger family members.

The people I know who seem happiest and most serene seem also to be those who are not into the twitter and poke scene. Those who are, on the other hand, seem harried and always distracted from mindfulness by the cell, Blackberry or smart phone. In addition to what this takes away from face to face intimacy (and good manners), how in the world do they have time to find out who they are?

What’s your take on this? How does the social networking scene add to or detract from spiritual development in your opinion — and experience?

Biofuel use ‘increasing poverty’

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BBC NEWS | Europe | Biofuel use ‘increasing poverty’

Oxfam says so-called green policies in developed countries are contributing to the world’s soaring food prices, which hit the poor hardest.

The group also says biofuels will do nothing to combat climate change.

Its report urges the EU to scrap a target of making 10% of all transport run on renewable resources by 2020.

Oxfam estimates the EU’s target could multiply carbon emissions 70-fold by 2020 by changing the use of land.

Blackwater: crash lawsuit governed by Islamic law

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Blackwater: crash lawsuit governed by Islamic law

RALEIGH – To defend itself against a lawsuit by the widows of three American soldiers who died on one of its planes in Afghanistan, a sister company of the private military firm Blackwater has asked a federal court to decide the case using the Islamic law known as Shari’a.

The lawsuit “is governed by the law of Afghanistan,” Presidential Airways argued in a Florida federal court. “Afghan law is largely religion-based and evidences a strong concern for ensuring moral responsibility, and deterring violations of obligations within its borders.”

If the judge agrees, it would essentially end the lawsuit over a botched flight supporting the U.S. military. Shari’a law does not hold a company responsible for the actions of employees performed within the course of their work. …

A life spent learning to be happy and useful

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A life spent learning to be happy and useful

SOME readers may recall that a full decade of this column was written while racing around the world doing a variety of work related to Tibetans and Buddhism, a subject that still fails to bore me.

So I was very pleased to be able to attend the Dalai Lama’s recent teachings at Sydney’s Olympic Park in Homebush.

Wiccian weddings and other things that make for an interesting weekend

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Two days ago my older sister got married in a semi-traditional Wiccian ceremony, it was definetly interesting but more importantly it was completely beatiful. It was all outside, you walked down this winding path down a hill into this circular area that was mowed out in the middle of an expansive meadow. Seriously gorgeous. Now, while I’ve been looking forward to this wedding for months; she is my sister and I was the Maid of Honor, what I was most looking forward to, perhaps in a perverse sort of way, was seeing how my conservative mormon father would react to a wiccian cermony. I was not dissapointed.
Wiccian weddings and other things that make for an interesting weekend « A day in the life of a Ginger

I would have loved to be there to see the father’s face. My older daughter just got married in a non-traditional ceremony. I loved it. I can’t imagine anyone who would bother to attend at all acting the way Ginger’s father did. I mean, what’s more important — keeping good relations (with the possibility you might “save” the person later)* or simply displaying non-compassionate self-righteousness?  He made his choice…and it’s likely to cost him in the long run.

*Don’t get the idea I think she needs saving.  I’m simply positing the most logical rationale if you really feel it’s necessary.

Buddhist Geeks

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Buddhist Geeks is a weekly audio show that presents ground-breaking interviews and discussions with Buddhist teachers, scholars, and advanced practitioners. Combining ancient wisdom with modern technology, Buddhist Geeks aims to catalyze a community of practice committed to awakening. Discover the emerging face of Western Buddhism.

Podcast: Buddhist Geeks – Seriously Buddhist, Seriously Geeky

Conservative Anglicans Plan Rival Conference as Split Over Homosexuality Grows

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Once a decade, hundreds of bishops of the international Anglican Communion meet in Canterbury, England, for the Lambeth Conference.

This summer, in the most tangible demonstration yet of the church’s divide over homosexuality, more than a quarter of the invited bishops are expected to boycott the conference and attend a rival meeting for conservative Anglicans in Jerusalem, called the Global Anglican Future Conference.

Setting the tone for the meetings that begin next week, the conservatives released a strongly worded theological manifesto on Thursday, declaring that they see no possibility for reconciliation with the Episcopal Church in the United States and the Anglican Church of Canada, which have accepted a gay bishop and same-sex unions. …
Conservative Anglicans Plan Rival Conference as Split Over Homosexuality Grows – NYTimes.com

The Exorcism of Bobby Jindal

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Exorcisms are apparently coming back in style. Utne Reader has some interesting commentary and links to more information about this … ah … unusual throwback to the Middle Ages.

“To the people who come to see me, I first advise them to go see a doctor or a psychologist,” the official exorcist of the Diocese of Rome, Father Gabriele Amorth, told the Spanish newspaper La Razon, but there are still enough possessed people to keep him busy. At 82 years old, Amorth has performed an estimated 70,000 exorcisms in his lifetime, he continues to work seven days each week, and his schedule is full for the next two months. Amorth also gave some insight into the roll of exorcisms in politics, telling La Razon, “the devil likes to take over those that hold political positions.”

The Exorcism of Bobby Jindal

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