NASAdude

1 Kings 7:23 And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.

circumference = pi * diameter

The diameter is given as 10 cubits, and the circumference is 30 cubits.

If the diameter is 10 cubits, then the circumference would be 31.4 cubits, an error or 1.4 cubits.
If the circumference is actually 30 cubits, then the diameter would be 9.5 cubits.

Rounding doesn't really work for the first case, but one could argue that the diameter could have been rounded up from 9.5 to 10 cubits.

Unfortunately, it's clear that measuring in fractional cubits was practiced, so that excuse isn't valid.

1 Kings 7:31 And the mouth of it within the chapiter and above was a cubit: but the mouth thereof was round after the work of the base, a cubit and an half: and also upon the mouth of it were gravings with their borders, foursquare, not round.
32 And under the borders were four wheels; and the axletrees of the wheels were joined to the base: and the height of a wheel was a cubit and half a cubit.

Posted by NASAdude at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

31Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Acually, the mustard seed is not the smallest seed. The orchid, poppy, and wolffia (duckweed family) are smaller.

Posted by NASAdude at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As with most religions, one has to expect a certain amount of disagreement. And if you post an email address, you're going to get hatemail.

I stumbled across a blog that lists the hatemail received by the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

My favorite was a satirical letter with some really interesting quotes:
- The Bible is 100% true- it says so in the Bible
- If you question things your are a tool of Satan
- All of the evidence that exists for [evolution] is actually false and placed there by Satan, and so that evidence really isn't inconsistent with the Bible at all
- As a Christian, I follow Jesus for his teachings of love and tolerance; it is people like you who make me sick, I hope you die...

That guy should be hired as a writer for the Daily Show or the Colbert Report. He has a gift of cynicism and satire that is smart and effective. Read his full "hate mail" post to see it all in context.

Posted by NASAdude at 11:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

A study of more than 1,800 patients who underwent heart bypass surgery has failed to show that prayers specially organized for their recovery had any impact.
-- Reuters

You can read the full details of the study in the American Heart Journal.

The $2.4 million Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer, or STEP, is the sixth and most expensive study to find that intercessory prayer has no real effect on the wellbeing of patients. The nine-year research project was partly supported by the John Templeton Foundation, which also funds Science & Theology News. -- Christine Casatelli, senior editor at Science & Theology News

Prayer itself has no effect. Prayer may have apparent benefits, but that view fails to account for other factors that have a real and significant effect as well as random events. The same could easily be said for meditation and the like; it would be just as effective... or rather ineffective. Clearly the prayer isn't calling into action any supernatural intervention.

Continue reading "Prayer is a waste of time" »

Posted by NASAdude at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I came across this literary piece about providence and wasn't sure what to think. I'll let you be the judge. Just be sure to share your thoughts, ask your own questions, and tell us why you're right and everyone else is wrong. ;)

You cannot understand history without understanding Divine Providence. The whole of history can be looked at from a Biblical philosophy, because there is an overall purpose that unifies all the specific events of history. From a humanistic standpoint, there is no purpose in history and hence no unifying theme that ties the events of history together. Many modern educators deny the Providential view of history and would have us believe that their promotion of one of several "secular" views of history is simply the recounting of brute facts. ...

Continue reading "Divine Providence" »

Posted by NASAdude at 11:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

More than eighty people run through the UC Berkeley library nude, some wearing absolutely nothing, some with a backpack, some doing cartwheels, and the last with "The End" written on her buttocks. Apparently it's a regular event done every finals week. The blog entry where I found this includes a few user comments, and links for downloading a spectator's video of the event. Here are some mirrors of that file (22.7MB):
Mirror 1: YouSendIt direct link
Mirror 2: RapidShare (click the "Free" button and then wait 20sec for the download to start)

The video is in quicktime format (.mov), so you need a compatible player. If you don't want to install Apple's bloated player (33.8MB download), you can get a copy of the freeware Quicktime Alternative v1.67 (11.6MB download). It's what I prefer.

Yeah, 80 of 'em. That's a lot of nude college students running through a library. That's something you'd just have to see for yourself to believe.

I encourage you to view the video. It's "required reading" for the rest of this article. Trust me.

So you're saying to yourself, "I'm not a perv; I don't want to look at naked people." You couldn't be more wrong, my friend.

Continue reading "Nudity" »

Posted by NASAdude at 08:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Here's a follow-up for everyone who enjoyed (or was annoyed by) the Flying Spaghetti Monster article. I came across an essay that gives a clear and pointed description of the debate over having ID taught in science classes. I highly encourage you to read it in its entirety.

We are confronted with the argument: let's teach "both sides" in the science classes and let the students decide.

The essay gives a clear answer to that point. In a nutshell, ID isn't science. Just because evolution can be criticized doesn't mean ID should be accepted as its null hypothesis. The ID idea can't ever be proven, so it can't be treated as a proper theory. If anything, an acceptable null hypothesis would be "evolution isn't true." So if someone wants to poke holes in the idea of evolution in science class, good for them. Just keep it at that and don't make any philosophical leaps. Students deserve to learn proper scientific methodology in school.

Posted by NASAdude at 02:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This all may seem a bit silly, but it brings to light the overall silliness of teaching intelligent design (ID) in high school science classes. The key to understanding why this is (or should be) a non-issue is comprehending the scientific method, the basis of modern science.

If ID is to be taught as science, then all forms of ID (any and every creator) must be given equal time in the classroom. Therefore, the FSM must have its time in the classroom.

Certainly ID puts forth a compelling argument that due to improbability of the universe and the existence of life there must have been some intervention by some guiding force. However, over a year ago in my blog article I got lucky, I gave a simple explanation to understand why something improbable happening is not evidence of intelligent intervention. I summarized with: "Simply because something highly improbable occurs does not require luck or the involvement of an outside influence such as God."

Moreover, in the case of the improbability of the universe being the way it is (leading to the existence of life), keep in mind that we are only able to observe it from that specific improbable outcome. That perspective can easily cause bias.

If I make an experiment where the subject is made unconscious, then allowed to survive based on a purely random and unlikely chance, the subject can only observe the outcome after waking up in the off-chance she survives. So if there's a one-in-a-billion chance the subject will wake up, she might think (upon waking up) that there was some intervention (ID). But as an outside observer we know it's random chance. (This relates to idea of quantum suicide, which I also referenced two weeks ago in my faster than light entry.) Science teaches us to look at the evidence as if we were that outside observer.

In the beginning there was the Flying Spaghetti Monster (excerpts)

For a growing band of devoted followers, He is the Supreme Being; creator of the universe and all living things. To the rest of us, the Flying Spaghetti Monster looks like a giant heap of pasta and meatballs topped with eyeballs on stalks. As it turns out, both interpretations are correct.

Continue reading "Flying spaghetti monster" »

Posted by NASAdude at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (1)

This may be old news to some, but the bible has come a long way in the last twenty years. While the content comes more and more into question, there are more and more ways to utilize that content. I've touted the benefits of using electronic bibles like e-Sword for comparative and research purposes. These application-based solutions offer multiple versions, concordances, references, dictionaries, etc. You can also get the text in an electronic book format for various readers including PDAs. Audio books aren't anything new, but now the bible is available in electronic form for your MP3 player and iPod. The following article also brings up the idea of combining audio books and an electronic print version where you can listen and read along at the same time.

The iPod and God
A lot of people worship their iPods. Now they have a new way to use their iPods for worship.

Iowa-based Laridian Inc. last week released the iPocketBible for the iPod, which includes the complete text and dramatized audio of the "Holy Bible, New Living Translation." Unlike some other MP3 bibles, it allows users to read, listen, or do both at once, the company's president said in a statement.

Continue reading "iPod worship" »

Posted by NASAdude at 01:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is in response to Josh's blog post on remarriage. I reposted my comment here just in case it vanishes over there. :)

Continue reading "Remarriage" »

Posted by NASAdude at 07:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Even if you don't believe in heaven, you can still be a minister.

May 30, 7:09 AM EDT

Rev. Who Denied God Exists Back in Pulpit

By JAN M. OLSEN
Associated Press Writer

TAARBAEK, Denmark (AP) -- A Danish Lutheran minister who publicly denied the existence of God said Sunday he was glad to be back in the pulpit, but refused to speak about the case that led to his brief suspension last year.

Rev. Thorkild Grosboell was showered with flowers, hugs and kisses after holding a service in a church in this village eight miles north of Copenhagen.

"It was great, great," Grosboell said after the service, but refused to speak to reporters about the case, which he described in his sermon as "nonsense."

The country's Evangelical Lutheran Church suspended him in June 2004 because he said in an interview that "there is no heavenly God." Earlier this month, he was reinstated after renewing his vows, but will remain under the supervision of a bishop.

Continue reading "No God? That's ok." »

Posted by NASAdude at 03:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From Matrix Revolutions, I was pondering our perception of good and evil.

About 28 minutes in, Neo consults the Oracle, who tells him about her role.

Oracle: You and I may not be able to see beyond our own choices, but that man [the Architect] can't see past any choice.
Neo: Why not?
O: He doesn't understand them; he can't. To him they are variables in an equation, where in time each variable must be solved and counted. That's his purpose: to balance the equation.
N: What's your purpose?
O: To unbalance it.
N: Why? What do you want?
O: I want the same thing you want, Neo. And I'm willing to go as far as you are to get it.
N: The end of the war. Is it going to end?
O: One way or another.

If we take the Architect to be god, then the Oracle would be satan. The Oracle strives to change the Architect's plans, thinking they aren't right, trying to throw the equations off balance.

In this view, the god-figure is following a static plan. Intervention is only required to balance out what changes the Oracle might instigate. So if satan doesn't directly affect our world, neither will god.

Or we can take the Oracle to be god, and the Architect as satan. The Architect seeks to make sure that all equations balance, that for all the good that might be desired, an equal amount of evil is required.

Here the god-figure is always trying to unbalance the good/evil status quo towards good.

Must good and evil be actively opposed to one another? Can't it simply exist for the sake of existing? Good things happen; bad things happen. It doesn't mean that there is active intervention in either case.

Continue reading "Good and Evil, Matrix style" »

Posted by NASAdude at 05:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It basically comes down to the fact that no one can win the argument. God can't be proven to exist or vice versa. Even so, I thought it would be worthwhile to take a look at some of the key arguments made on both sides. Much of the information is paraphrased from this site.

Let me know if I need to add or edit anything.

Continue reading "Existence of God" »

Posted by NASAdude at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I've gone on about how to hear God speaking (here and here). I'd like to get past the how and move onto what to do when it happens.

First, how do you differentiate between all the voices? One probably won't be so lucky to hear instruction from an "I am" claimant. But even if there is a claim made, is it truly God? Perhaps it's the government's mind-control rays. Or maybe it's your telepathic neighbor. Or your telepathic pet. ("The great I-am says to make some bacon for your dog. Now!") Mmmmm... bacon.

Continue reading "Listen to the voices" »

Posted by NASAdude at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yes, folks, now you don't need to impatiently wait for answered prayers. A new saint is here to serve your every whim and wish. Prayers are answered within 24 hours. Don't waste your time praying to other saints who dawdle and take their good old time.

Whatever.

This article got me thinking about prayer again. I wrote about it two months ago in the entry "How to pray (and hearing God)" a.k.a. "Are you there God? It's me, NASAdude."

In the previous entry, I pondered the idea of a "God frequency" that we tune in to when we pray. If we want to pray to a saint, how is that done? Do we just say the name of the saint and abra-ca-dabra, our brain is tuned to the correct frequency so our prayer is only heard by that dead person? I don't know... this prayer thing seems dubious if not downright hokey.

The original wired.com article follows.

Continue reading "Finally, a saint to whom we can pray who doesn't waste our time!" »

Posted by NASAdude at 01:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I found this an interesting engineering application to meet religous needs. Also, it can get us to think about our own adherance to rules and the basis for those rules.
The source of the paragraph below also includes user comments. Some of them are interesting as well.

How do modern Jews survive after sun-down on Friday given they can't use electricity? They buy Star-K-approved devices. These devices include a "sabbath mode" in which they won't turn on as a direct result of human intervention. Flip a switch, the light doesn’t turn on. However, it may turn on randomly 10 second later, not as a direct result of the switch flipping. Open the fridge, the light doesn't come on and the compressor doesn't immediately compensate. So if you're looking for a kosher oven, look for the Star-K.

Continue reading "Kosher appliances observe the sabbath" »

Posted by NASAdude at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Source Slashdot discussion

Researchers provide concrete evidence about how the human eye evolved
When Darwin's skeptics attack his theory of evolution, they often focus on the eye. Darwin himself confessed that it was "absurd" to propose that the human eye, an "organ of extreme perfection and complication" evolved through spontaneous mutation and natural selection. But he also reasoned that "if numerous gradations from a simple and imperfect eye to one complex and perfect can be shown to exist" then this difficulty should be overcome. Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory [EMBL] have now tackled Darwin's major challenge in an evolutionary study published this week in the journal Science. They have elucidated the evolutionary origin of the human eye.

Continue reading "Evidence of evolution" »

Posted by NASAdude at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Where physics meets faith, by Robert C. Cowen.  Source.

For those seeking spirituality in physics, there's wisdom in an old song lyric: "You can't get to heaven on roller skates 'cause you'll roll right past those pearly gates." It also puts into perspective the buzz surrounding "What the Bleep Do We Know!?" - a recent film that links spirituality and quantum physics.

Continue reading "Where physics meets faith" »

Posted by NASAdude at 01:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In a news article today, the idea that homosexuality is primarily an inherited trait is revisited with new evidence.

This got me thinking... If homosexuality is an inherited trait, why would God deem an act that is resultant from that inherited trait a sin?

Continue reading "Is biblical prohibition of homosexual acts man's law?" »

Posted by NASAdude at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sam brought up the idea of the purpose of dating. He proposed that dating is for when "you have aspirations to marry, and want to test if you and that other person compliment each other in a relationship."

I think that is a fine functional definition.

Continue reading "Purpose of Dating" »

Posted by NASAdude at 05:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've been pondering the definition of a miracle, since miracles were the topic of this past Thursday's study.

A miracle is something that can't be explained through natural phenomena. That is, it's God intervening in the workings of the world to affect change. That's not to say that some of God's interventions can't be explained by natural phenomena... they just can't be identified and described as miracles so easily.

What about a miracle that isn't clear-cut; how does one determine if it's a miracle?

Continue reading "Exploring miracles" »

Posted by NASAdude at 05:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A few friends brought up the topic of flirting. The primary question seemed to be, is it appropriate for Christian friends to flirt? Also, how can one have fun with friends without the talk and actions being misconstrued as flirting?

Personally, I tend to hesitate to make physical contact with my female friends, to avoid the possible mis-perception (and yes, sometimes it might be a true perception that I like them) to keep the relationship simple. First, I don't want to confuse and lead someone on with whom I am not romantically interested. Second, (to make matters even more complicated) for those who I might find interesting and especially attractive, I hesitate out of shyness and the risk of damaging a friendship.

Continue reading "Flirting 101 for Christians" »

Posted by NASAdude at 11:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

I was pondering how one goes about praying. It's a very unusual form of communication.

When speaking to someone directly, I can observe their body language to sense if they are listening, interested in the topic, showing understanding to prompt me to continue, or ready to respond to some point that I just made.

When I talk on the phone or two-way radio, I can't take advantage of body language, but I can use vocal cues that might be verbal or simple sounds (mmmm-hmmm). This keeps the conversation flowing.

But these are typically forms of two-way communication. Both people take turns sharing their thoughts and ideas. What about other forms of communication that might be more like prayer, where the communication is one-way and perhaps omnidirectional?

Broadcast types of communication such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and some types of internet information all have many listeners and one speaker (at least conceptually). How does this form of communication function? For print media, there are subscriptions or other evidence that the information is being delivered. For radio and television, some might be by subscription, but others utilize Nielsen ratings to determine if the information is delivered. Even without ratings, a transmitting station can go out and test to see if their signal is being broadcast. It doesn't guarantee viewership, but at least confirms the message has been sent. Are similar tools available for prayer to verify that the message has been sent, or to know if the message has been received?

In all forms of terrestrial communication mentioned so far, there are some obvious means by which one can provide feedback. It's easy enough when speaking with someone to use body language or verbal cues. For print media, one can contact the publisher to give comments. Similar means are available for television and radio.

The means of feedback are either explicitly defined, or at least implicitly understood. We can use a phone or mail to contact printed and aired media, which are explicitly understood tools. We have been trained how to use them. When body language is used for feedback, we have implicitly learned the appropriate body language from our culture. It's understood (usually) what we mean. We don't have to be trained to use body language.

Feedback is the primary means to know that the message has been received. Whether it's implicit or explicit, the feedback is usually obvious to the one receiving it. That is its purpose. How do we hear God? How do we get feedback from prayer; is it obvious?

Continue reading "How to pray (and hearing God)" »

Posted by NASAdude at 07:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By David Adam, science correspondent, The Guardian

They call it the God particle: a mysterious sub-atomic fragment that permeates the entire universe and explains how everything is the way it is. Nobody has ever seen the God particle; some say it doesn't exist but, in the ultimate leap of faith, physicists across the world are preparing to build one of the most ambitious and expensive science experiments the world has ever seen to try to find it.

At a summit meeting in Beijing yesterday, 12 experts from countries including Britain, Japan, America and Germany announced they have agreed on a blueprint for the new experiment - a gigantic atom smashing machine called the international linear collider. Now they must convince their respective governments to meet the anticipated £3bn price tag.

Continue reading "Is this the answer to God, the universe, and everything?" »

Posted by NASAdude at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You've heard of "Pope on a rope".  How about Pope on a pager?  Now you can get a daily text message on your cell phone from the Pope.  All joking aside, it's an interesting idea.  No, the service isn't free; you'll be charged $0.30 per message ($110/yr).  The site doesn't indicate where the money goes from the Pope's message. The funds raised by the similar Muslim service in the UK goes to charity.

Cell Phone Users Are Finding God, By Elizabeth Biddlecombe, Source

Once merely a useful tool for keeping in touch on the go, the mobile phone is fast finding a new niche as an instrument of spiritual enlightenment.

From Muslims who use their phones to point them toward Mecca, to Roman Catholics who collect text messages from the Vatican, religious observers across the globe are turning to their cell phones for aid and inspiration in practicing their faith.

Continue reading "Cell Phone Users Are Finding God" »

Posted by NASAdude at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Two articles came out today that were a little off-beat, and seemed to be thematic.  The first indicates that the Quran doesn't necessarily promise 72 virgins to Muslim martyrs in parasise.  The second introduces the idea of cuddle parties, where people get to cuddle with each other but sex and kissing is not permitted.

Continue reading "Apparently it's not all about sex" »

Posted by NASAdude at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

By Jacqueline Ali, Source

New analysis by UK astronomers suggests our own planetary system may have formed in a very different way to those spotted orbiting other stars.

The findings suggest that one formation mechanism may not fit all planetary systems, as other astronomers have previously suggested.

Continue reading "Solar System could be 'unique'" »

Posted by NASAdude at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Chinese court has sentenced three Christians to up to three years in jail for leaking state secrets.
By Louisa Lim; BBC correspondent in Beijing

Xu Yonghai, Liu Fenggang and Zhang Shengqi were found guilty of passing on information to a US-based magazine.

The Beijing government is becoming increasingly alarmed at the rise of Christianity in China, a communist and officially atheist nation.

Continue reading "Three Chinese Christians jailed" »

Posted by NASAdude at 09:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Follows are two articles off the web. The first is Brian Madsen's response to the question, "Do you believe in God?". The second is an interview with Douglas Adams.

Each article brings up lots of good questions. Have at 'em!

Continue reading "Interviews and Articles" »

Posted by NASAdude at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Is there a point in asking difficult questions in life?
ie: questions to which one likely won't ever find an answer in this lifetime.

Continue reading "Asking questions" »

Posted by NASAdude at 07:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Is chance the same as luck? By no mean does chance equal luck. Luck implies the odds are unnaturally biased in your favor. Chance is random and unbiased.

Obviously many things have to happen for most events in the world to occur. Does that prove that luck was involved?

Continue reading "I got lucky!" »

Posted by NASAdude at 02:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

There are about 20,000 - 30,000 Christian denominations around the world. In the US there are about 1000 recognized Christian denominations, a few of which are Amish, Baptist, Brethren, Catholic, Christian Science, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Methodist, Mormon, Pentecostal, Quaker, Schwenkenfelder, Swedenborgian, Unitarian, and The Way. Within each denomination factions and discord exist. That's a general perspective of the politics within each church, but the same is true on an interpersonal level as well.

Continue reading "Interpersonal unity" »

Posted by NASAdude at 06:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How much of our lives does God want to control? It could be that we have total control and free will in all parts of our lives. Conversely, the free will we are burdened with might only apply to a small part of our lives?

I came across an interesting article on prayer and free will.

Continue reading "Free will" »

Posted by NASAdude at 07:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nate led tonight's bible study, based on Philippians 2:1-11. We talked about what we value and cherish in our lives and what goals and ambitions we have.

Phi 2:3-4 GW Don't act out of selfish ambition or be conceited. Instead, humbly think of others as being better than yourselves. (4) Don't be concerned only about your own interests, but also be concerned about the interests of others.

Our unscheduled tangent took us to the concept of making decisions in our lives, and how we can discern God's will since God doesn't speak directly to us.

Continue reading "Making a decision" »

Posted by NASAdude at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today's sermon included the scripture of Luke 10:1-20.
Luk 10:3 GW Go! I'm sending you out like lambs among wolves.

Are many Christians behaving as sheep? It all depends on what one means by the term "sheep".

Continue reading "A world full of sheep" »

Posted by NASAdude at 03:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)