The-sin-that-must-not-be-named

One can't help but notice the lack on conversation on the blog since we've refrained from idle slander. So, here's my attempt to spice things up again.

In our quest to wrestle with real faith issues, the one issue we haven't touched on is that of porn. This has not been suprising when we consider the role shame plays in this delightful temptation. It is not a subject addressed from the pulpit. It is not one covered at family braai's on a Sunday. And it is definitely not addressed in our faith community - to a significant extent as least. And so I have come across 3 general approaches to porn (I have included websites as references):

1 - It is a scourge and should be spat upon. See Blazing Grace.
2 - It is a struggle we all live with, but we should nonetheless confront its habbit forming nature. See Pure Online.
3 - It is a problem that we need to face, in conversation, with an element of fun to stop us from getting too bogged down by it. Check out XXXChurch - I really like these guys: they balance a really serious approach with some great fun, innovation and relevance.

I suppose you might be able to categorise these approaches into conservative, moderate and liberal takes on the subject. These are typical distinctions on any subject, and I'm not sure they are useful.

* So, what is your approach?
* Should we see porn as a problem?
* What harm does it do in comparison to alcoholism?

PS: Ladies, you're included in this discussion as well.

Firefox 1.5 is here- and why you should be interested

Firefox 1.5 was released today-click here or on the image on the left to download it. Firefox is an Internet browser (like Internet Explorer) that has several very useful features. I must admit to being sceptical the first time I tried it out, but I soon found that the new features are pretty convenient and I now find Internet Explorer frustratingly clumsy. Here are some of the things I love about Firefox:

5 reasons to download Firefox
1. It's free and open source- basically this means that it belongs to you once you download it- no fiddly licenses, no registration, no demo period. And you're free (and encouraged) to pass it on to your friends.
2. Tabbed browsing- if you browse multiple windows at once, you can have them as tabs in your browser rather than seperate windwos cluttering up your taskbar. And to open a link in a new tab, just middle-click on it!
3. Pop-up blocking- On the whole, Firefox has dramatically fewer pop-up ads than Internet Explorer- so you don't have to worry about offers for Online Casinos or college degrees
4. RSS feed support- If you like to keep up to date with blogs and news sites, then this feature is for you. When you arrive at a site that has an RSS feed, you will see an orange icon to the right of the address in the address bar. Clicking on this link will let you add what Firefox calls a 'live bookmark'- a list of links that updates itself automatically when new articles are posted to the site.
5. You can run it from a flashdrive! If you find that Firefox works for you, you might be frustrated about a machine you are using that doesn't have it. If so, Portable Firefox is the solution- this version will run from a flashdrive, and can store all your bookmarks and preferences so that you have the same Internet experience wherever you go (Search for 'portable firefox' from the Firefox download page to find the newest version)

van de Laar Farewell

2 drummers, 2 bassists, 2 keyboards, 6 guitars, 14 vocalists ... one almighty blast!

I admit, it was me all along...

UPDATE: Please e-mail me with your T-shirt size if you want a shirt. I hope to place the order next Monday. Final cost will be confirmed once I have numbers

If you have been waiting to reveal your secret identity, this is the perfect way- with the Idle Banter official t-shirt. If we have enought interest we will go ahead with these- they look like costing about R50- leave a comment saying you are interested or not as the case may be.

Urban Trash

Gotta love this guy - Jeremy Nell. Check out his toons at Urban Trash.

Gay rights

Thabo Mbeki

I'm not particularly fond of politics - nor do I keep myself abreast of what is happening. But of late I have been subscribing to Thabo Mbeki's weekly, personal, newsletter. This weeks edition addresses the Zuma issues (yes, yes, I know ... yawn) within the fold of the ANC leadership.

Some excerpts from it:

* By no stretch of imagination could these statements be read as expressing a hostile or malicious attitude towards the Deputy President.
* both the ANC and our Alliance were deeply divided, in a manner and to a degree that threatened their very survival;

Sunbscribe to his letter here http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/anctoday/subscribe.html.

This is why ...

I believe Jesus told parables as opposed to "telling it like it is":

Many great religions started of with a person of high moral worth who tells stories that convery those values in a memorable and moving way and which are also capable of being understood at many levels. A few hundred years later the theoloans arrive and life then becomes more complicated.

Dave Snowden

How does a company grieve?

This has been a terrible week for our company - TGS. Starting off with an employee having a psychiatric breakdown at work, then dismissing an employee and finally today, getting news that one of our Sales guys, Sabelo, was killed in a car accident.

How does a company process these events? How do we grieve?

Barely 30mins since the news people are laughing and seemingly back to their tasks without too much grief being expressed. Perhaps this is a defense mechanism? Perhaps the passing of a colleague is a distant passing - not like that of a family member? Perhaps we're all struggling internally? Perhaps we're fine - after all, the job has to get done.

As an HR Manager this is a first for me. I'd like to hear any suggestions as to how we, as a collective, might remember him and honour his life as a way of grieving.

Life in the margins

I'd like to point you to 37 days. Here Patti explores the question: what would I do if I had 37 days to live (read here for Why 37 days)? A recent posting of hers, Always carry a pencil, raises the metaphor of books and margins in life.

From a narrative perspective, I was hooked. Her metaphor of life in the margins highlights the fact that there is wealth in the margins. Think about it - we write meaningful stuff in the margins of a book! And so much so when it comes to the margins of our lives.

Check it out folk ...

http://dreambrokers.tribe.net/

Dirk & Herc

Where are you guys?

Islam & the threat of Holy War

In recent decades religious fundamentalism has risen to such an extent that the events of 9-11, Madrid, Iraq and recently London are stamped firmly onto our global psyche. Time recently ran an article on how 3rd generation European muslims are turning to extremsim to vent their anger ... read it here. The nett effect is that boarding a plane or train with someone who is olive skinned, donning a long beard and white gown stirs up fear and prejudice. This is a global challenge!

But is also a challenge that Christains are being faced with in a world of religious tolerance and plurality. Half of the time, we do not even know what Islam is about, but we react fervently when faced with extremism in the media. Is Islam a threat? What is Islam really about? Are the extremists truly Muslim?

Join me on the 23rd November 19h30 in the Hope Chapel, Northfield, for a presentation on Islam and the threat of Holy War where we'll explore these questions and issues.

Tech Tags: islam islamic+fundamentalism extremism

Can you raed tihs?

Can you raed tihs? Olny srmat poelpe can.

cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!