From ISKCON, Dallas Tx temple

In my constant journey into wierdness, I watched this discussion and I recognized one of the speakers from another series of videos (yes, I'm hitting ISKCON pretty hard...just for variety) and about 10 minutes in Ind. Swami talks about the BYU Hunger event. Interesting thoughts from a different perspective on those crazy mormons.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8ECD3Pap5A

I did get a kick about the "Elders...the guys with the beards". Ummmmm BYU doesn't allow beards. I can't recall any leadership that has them either. No wonder the world has misconceptions.

Around 50 minutes, he mentions that he sat next to the dean of BYU and the discussion they had. It sounds like they had a good discussion.

From Facebook, keep for the ages

 Barry, I want the world to know how much I love you. After 21 years of marriage, I still get butterflies every time you walk in the door. With every breath I take, I am filled with gratitude for the day I realized I love you and wanted to spend forever with you. Thank you for working so hard to make a beautiful life with me. You're an amazing husband - happy anniversary!

Should America Bid Farewell to Exceptional Freedom

Rating:	★★★★
Category:	Other

http://biggovernment.com/publius/2010/04/04/should-america-bid-farewell-to-exceptional-freedom/

Very good read. I highly recommend it.

Some more on the atonement

For those who question why or how the atonement works.

http://www.mormonapologetics.org/topic/48711-why-did-god-dying-as-a-sacrifice-to-himself-satisfy-the-demands-of-justice/

I really liked this specific entry.

This question presumes that the atonement was an act that satisfied the punitive nature of "justice" in quid pro quo fashion. This is a false notion. If the atonement had been quid pro quo, there would be no need for mercy as justice would have been satisfied in the same way that one pays for a loaf of bread - an even exchange of medium.

The question also supposes that it is God who demands justice on His own behalf. This is another false notion. God metes out justice and is perfectly just but it is not He that demands it.

The NT account of the woman taken in adultery perfectly illustrates why the atonement was necessary and is a key to understanding. The sinner, unclean, appears before her accusers about to be sentenced to death. Christ reminds all present that they too need saving and convicted by their own hearts, they put down their stones. The woman now has no accusers and is spared. Christ could not spare the woman - her accusers had to spare her. What Christ did was remind the accusers that they also needed mercy.

He will do the same as our advocate. He will stand before our accusers and they will remember how He willingly and with selfless love suffered an infinite injustice on their behalf. With a vivid recollection of their own need for mercy, they will lay down their stones and we will be spared.

The atonement allowed Him to claim the rights of mercy or in other words, to become the only being in whose presence none of us could dare demand justice.

There are some other links very worthy of note. From my favorite apologists, no less.

http://www.newcoolthang.com/index.php/category/theology/atonement/

http://bycommonconsent.com/2009/03/28/atonement-stew/

http://www.blakeostler.com/docs/AtonementInMormonThought.pdf

I really like Blake Ostler's take.

http://darthbill.multiply.com/reviews/item/9

 

No Limits to Federal Power

My seed for this entry is http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/03/no_limits_on_federal_power.html. It is a good read, and highlights my concerns about the constitutionality of what is happening with healthcare. I had these concerns when the Repubs kept talking about insurance across state lines. That would have opened up insurance just as the passed bill did. We would have ultimately been in the same position. Once the Federal Government  ( Death Be Unto It ) gets its hands on power, it wont release it. The Courts wont enforce the 10th amendment anyway, but with the commerce clause and the supremacy of federal law in the main text of the constitution, I don't know what we can do aside from pass another amendment, which the courts will then ignore.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but amendments trump the text of the constitution. Why doesn't the 10th abrogate any fed assumptions of power that these clauses allow? Surely those that passed this amendment intended it to do SOMETHING, didn't they?

BTW, Stossel is on Hulu. Here's the link to the "Atlas Shrugged" episode. http://www.hulu.com/watch/123216/stossel-thu-jan-7-2010. Good book.

Five Questions for Clarity

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

http://www.utahkrishnas.org/ondemand/sundaytalks/2009/purposefullifeseries/8%20-%20Five%20Questions%20for%20Clarity.mp3

What I found interesting here is why they started the Krishna Temple in Utah Valley. Ultimately, it was because they sold books there. It seems the Mormons are open to new ideas, or as the speaker says, they want to hear about God.

Made for a mission - utahkrishnas.com

Rating:	★★★
Category:	Other

http://www.utahkrishnas.org/ondemand/sundaytalks/2009/purposefullifeseries/7%20-%20Made%20for%20a%20Mission.mp3

I thought this was interesting, considering their location in Utah County. Several references to the LDS church as well as keeping covenants to those LDS attendees.