A History of God

A History of God by Karen Armstrong is one of the books I am currently reading. It is about the evolving and elusive idea of God in the three monotheistic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). It is almost impossible to follow the evolution of these ideas of god, through the wars, the infighting and the politics involved and not end up at the conclusion that it is an entirely human invention.

Mass fight breaks out between monks at Jesus’ birth site in Bethlehem

The Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem is the place where Jesus is believed to have been born. The site is shared by the Roman Catholic, the Greek Orthodox and the Armenian churches. Reportedly, dozens of Greek Orthodox and Armenian monks were cleaning with brooms when a fight broke out over encroachment of territorial boundaries within the church... Jesus must be so proud! Hmmm... This type of behavior over territorial disputes reminds me of something...

To XMAS And Beyond!

From The Thinking Atheist:

Merry Christmas! People would be amazed that 1) many non-Christians celebrate the holiday season and 2) many Christians unknowingly implement pagan traditions into their commemoration of the baby Jesus.

Massive Cloud 'Waves' Roll Over Alabama

It's interesting when you are faced with real-world examples of how similar our atmosphere is to our oceans. The atmosphere is really just a less dense version of the the ocean and the same principles of fluid dynamics are at work in both. Ocean waves and currents can look remarkably like these cloud currents and flocks of birds can have the same ballet-like performances as schools of fish...
I guess that makes us humans bottom feeders.

Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011)

Christopher Hitchens was one of the great minds of our time. I feel sorry for anyone on the opposite end of an argument with him. This video is  a collection of some of his finer moments. He will certainly be missed. 

Ethan Nadelmann: Opening Plenary Speech (2011 International Drug Policy Reform Conference)

One of the best speeches I’ve ever heard on the subject of drug prohibition policy.

 Ethan Nadelmann, DPA's founder and executive director, opens the 2011 Reform Conference with a sincerely rousing speech that captures the current state of the drug policy reform movement.

The Sense of Flying

These wingsuits that people have been designing are really intriguing to me. This video takes the viewer alongside the insane guy who jumped off a cliff and soared 2.5 Kilometers at speeds up to 250 Kilometers per hour and then landed safely exactly on a road where his ground crew was stationed.

SENSE OF FLYING from Goovinn on Vimeo.

Krampus: The Anti-Santa

Now this is a Christmas tradition I can appreciate.

From Wikipedia:

 Krampus is a mythical creature recognized in Alpine countries. According to legend, Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas during the Christmas season, warning and punishing bad children, in contrast to St. Nicholas, who gives gifts to good children. When the Krampus finds a particularly naughty child, it stuffs the child in its sack and carries the frightened thing away to its lair, presumably to devour for its Christmas dinner.

In the Alpine regions, Krampus is represented by a beast like creature, generally demonic in appearance. Traditionally young men dress up as the Krampus in Austria, southern Bavaria and South Tyrol during the first week of December, particularly on the evening of 5 December, and roam the streets frightening children with rusty chains and bells.

The Banker