Of Children and Monsters: a Reflection

“Has increased globalization and environmental activism changed the stories we tell our children?” This was the question that I was left with after attending John Lampen’s workshop, “Writing for Children with Respect,” at Quakers Uniting in Publications’ (QUIP) annual conference. It was not a question Lampen asked. It was his analysis of why monsters are presented differently today that caused me to think about it. What I found fascinated me and I hope you will also find it interesting to ponder, whether you agree with me or not.

Quaker Writer or a Quaker, Writing: Reflection

In May of 2022 I attended Quakers Uniting in Publications’ (QUIP) annual conference. It was an uplifting experience, and I came away with much to think about. One of the workshops was entitled “A Quaker Writer, or a Quaker, Writing? A Workshop with Philip Gross.” This was not a question I had spent much time thinking about. I still don’t have a definitive answer, but the workshop did change my perspective. If you had asked me before the workshop, am I a Quaker Writer, I would have said, “no.” Now, I think I would have to say “maybe,” and I would like to explain why.

What I Believe: On being Moral

"What I Believe" is a series of posts on my current personal spiritual/religious beliefs. At least, my beliefs at the point of time of the post. These beliefs are personal and don't represent those of any larger group. I am proudly a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), but this blog is no way endorsed by Friends or meant to represent that community.

If you come across this before reading "On Points and God," you probably want to read that first.

If there is no toll for getting into heaven, no fear of what dreams may come after we shuffle off this mortal coil, then what is to keep us from being rapists and murders? Does moral action only come from the constructs of society? Do you enjoy repeatedly hitting yourself in the head with a hammer?

What I Believe: On Belief and Faith

"What I Believe" is a series of posts on my current personal spiritual/religious beliefs. At least, my beliefs at the point of time of the post. These beliefs are personal and don't represent those of any larger group. I am proudly a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), but this blog is no way endorsed by Friends or meant to represent that community.

If you come across this before reading "On Points and God," you probably want to read that first.

This entire series is about what I believe, but what does it mean to "believe" something? Most people base their belief on evidence, either in the form of science or tradition. I find a place for both in my life, but my belief is not rooted in either.

What I Believe: On the End of a Time

"What I Believe" is a series of posts on my current personal spiritual/religious beliefs. At least, my beliefs at the point of time of the post. These beliefs are personal and don't represent those of any larger group. I am proudly a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), but this blog is no way endorsed by Friends or meant to represent that community.

If you come across this before reading "On Points and God," you probably want to read that first.

Will the universe come to an end? And, if so, what will happen after that? This question has plagued science and religion almost as long as the after death one.

The question is not one of physics or of theology, but of psychology. Can one ever truly understand one's self? God is certainly greater and more complete a being than man, but I believe there is a paradox which prevents God from ever completing the experiment of self discovery. If God were ever to know everything about God then God would need to know what knowing everything was like for the next minute. God would then need to know what knowing everything plus knowing the next minute was like for the minute after that.

Writing: The Web of Future Winds: A Calling

The Web of Future Winds: A Calling

At the Friends General Conference: Gathering of 2019 I took a wonderful workshop called “Being a Modern Prophet” led by Gail Thomas. That inspired this story, which turned out to be an origin story. As such, I have become more interested in the story after this one, but I don’t know when I will have time to write that, so I am sharing this.

She sat down at her desk. It was easily the nicest piece of furniture in the small flat. Well, maybe not as nice as the chair she had just upgraded to. It was far more comfortable than the bed, which doubled as a couch, or the single stool at the counter next to hot plate and microwave. She didn't entertain here and saw no need to improve the accommodations.

She slid her mobile into its dock and the three large screens in front of her came to life. She scanned them left to right. In the top left was the news box where talking heads were going on about the Net Identity Act. She didn't think it would pass, but she didn't really care, she had the money to incorporate and make her identities legal if she needed.

Her eyes moved on to the feeds for her primary identities. A quick scan showed nothing new from anyone important. Although someone had written a nasty note to Gordon about some review of some singer’s last performance. She added a flag and set a reminder to reply later, Gordon had a reputation to uphold.

What I Believe: On Life After Death

"What I Believe" is a series of posts on my current personal spiritual/religious beliefs. At least, my beliefs at the point of time of the post. These beliefs are personal and don't represent those of any larger group. I am proudly a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), but this blog is no way endorsed by Friends or meant to represent that community.

If you come across this before reading "On Points and God," you probably want to read that first.

We are all God. God is everything. For a period of time we are given free will because otherwise we are not points of reference. If we go back to our point; it makes no sense to compare the point to itself. The point being compared to must be distinct and separate. This creates a problem for God, which is solved by giving creation autonomy. This autonomy is most easily illustrated by free will. The idea that we can make a decision and take an action not predetermined by God or anything else.

We look at the world around us and see predictability. If I put the cup down with water in it, there will be water when I pick it up. This sort of object permanence is important to how we organize our lives. But science has already shown that this predictability is a macro thing. On the micro scale probability rules. On the micro scale it is possible that the water may pass through the glass and get someone wet in the next room.