reflections: the god delusion

Wow. That's all I can say. Reading a review of Richard Dawkins' book The God Delusion on amazon I was stunned by the harshness of the words of one particular reviewer, whose screen name is actually "Mellow Mel". Interesting. So what brought Mellow Mel into such an eloquent fury? Something as simple as - Atheism.

Mel states that... atheists come across as a curious breed. They place themselves firmly within the animal kingdom so by definition are non-human. They have no future except death. They believe life appeared by chance so they serve no practical purpose. They have no real concept of love, which is reduced a chemical/hormonal response in the body to encourage mating and family building. They have no accountability to a higher authority and therefore possess no moral or ethical obligations. Justice and a sense of right and wrong have no material foundations. Neither is there any responsibility to feel compassion as it conflicts with Darwin's `survival of the fittest' law. `Free thinkers' is how they describe themselves but abuse is meted out to anyone who doesn't think their way.

I beg to differ, as the attentive reader might have anticipated. Although I have recently discussed with my sociology studying friend how people abhor labelling themselves in this fluid, changing time, I am going to dare. Not a thoroughbred (yet), I do consider myself to be bordering on atheism. I do not believe in God, I do not believe in a greater purpose, I do not believe in punishment for our sins (other than what our conscience metes out). However, what I do believe in is the good in people. I needn't have that linked to a deity for it to be important and true to me.

For me, having a god in the picture confuses things. It's not about "God". It's about being a decent person that can be proud of her actions at the end of the day, at the end of life. It's about doing as well as possible, about creating a better place for all of us. Why do we need a god meddled into that? He doesn't live it, doesn't feel the shame of acting dishonestly ('cause he's never tried it you see...).

I haven't figured it out just yet. But my belief is based on the idea of individual growth and realisation as a means to improving the condition of the world. Big words, I know.

It's really late and I feel that there are so many more things to say about this. But it'll have to wait. I need sleep. More later, I promise. Perhaps when I have read the book.

mahatma

A tribute to Gandhi stands in a leafy square near my uni. Actually, he graduated from UCL. The last few times I was there to discuss some uni work, he just sat there, peaceful and calm, reminding me of the great things he worked for. (I'm assuming he'll be there for a while).

If only more people would seek to look inside themselves so as to try to create a better, more equal order in society. Equal treatments for people, equal opportunities. Walked through a part of Hackney the other day, and was appalled by what I saw. Council estate after council estate after.. You get the picture. None of the houses appeared to have actual frontages onto the street - who would want their frontage onto a bleak, lifeless street with potential crime around the corner? All that I saw was brick walls, buildings set back from the road and boring, under-utilized lawns littered with plastic bags and candy wrappers. Actually, I fear that a lot of the council estates in more peripheral locations in London are in a much worse state of upkeep. Anyway, my point is that continuing to place people in utterly uninspiring and disjointed urban settings is not a fair nor equal thing to do. Yes, I do realise that they get a place to live for a cheaper price than the rest of us on the private market. But can we as a society really afford to have people living in a physical environment that restricts their social mobility? Maybe in stead we ought to subsidise people that need the help (god knows London's an expensive place to live in) in a manner that allows them to be a part of the city life around them. Spend the subsidies on topping up what they pay in rent in a "normal" flat. Mix people of different social classes, so we can potentially get rid of this horrid term, or at least not have a bad taste in our mouth when thinking of the way the lowest in society are treated.

Naturally I think in urban design terms. It is my profession. This is just one small, but important thing that can be done to alleviate the troubles of an unequal society.

Gandhi went to my uni. Look at what he achieved. Perhaps if you put your weight behind your good thoughts...

London:PINK

Springtime, clear blue skies and the soft touch of a sun ray on your cheek. Ahh!


BTW. I've only recently begun wearing pink comfortably. As far back as I can remember, the color pink was a cause of great dispear. My mom would try to dress me in all sorts of pink garments, and I would object as loudly as I could and in the most obnoxious way possibly. I in particular recall a pink corduroy oshkosh b'gosh overall dress that would cause a tearful fit whenever she brought it to the fore. Now, I think it would be absolutely adorable for a 4-5 year old... Does that give me reason to not have kids of my own? I mean, being so disconnected from even my own experiences as a kid, how would it ever turn out should I (in due time, mom, don't get excited - there's no hidden agenda in this!) manage to spawn some?

London:RED

Photo shot during the total lunar eclipse just minutes ago. The total eclipse lasted from 22:44 to 23:58 GMT, March 3rd 2007.

The pictures turned out beautifully, but the redness was less evident on the London sky - here the moon took on a brownish-grey tone.

Here is a pic of the shadow of Earth cast by the Sun onto the Moon. It was taken prior to the total eclipse this evening.

all bloody right. so i've been tagged

As you may gather from the title, I'm not exactly thrilled about being thrown into any sort of self-exposing infantile games. But, since I've been tagged by Nurul (which I'm taking for some bizarre show of affection) I'd better get on with it. So here are the rules with which I was endowed:

Rules & Regulations:
Each player of this game starts out by giving 6 weird things about themselves. People who get tagged need to write in a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state the rules clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. After you do that, leave them each a comment letting them know you tagged them and to read your blog!’

So, just for the record. I'll write about myself, but will not bother others to participate in this game.

Here goes:

Numberrrr 1!
My main oddity/weakness/strength has to be an undying belief in the good in all! Some call me naïve, I prefer the slightly more positive "idealist". Any of my friends will know that I'm always up for finding the up-side of things, no matter how bleak it all looks. I just prefer happy people and a positive outview. How else is everything going to be allright?

#2
I like to eat Danish "salty" licorice, which in the mouth of anyone from outside Denmark tastes like ammonium chloride with a twist.

#3
I happily mix and match literally any kinds of candy - aforementioned salty licorice & winegums (but that's and all-time-favorite in our family), chocolate muffins and winegums, peanut m&ms and licorice. I'm just curious, and as a matter of fact, if you don't mix things up a bit, how're you ever going to experience something new (and tasty)?

#4
I like to go to school, study, read any sorts of books, newspapers, articles. Ok, maybe it was weirder in grade school, but still. I take a genuine pleasure in it.

...This is going a lot easier than I thought it would be...

#5
I sincerely feel like I'm still 25. Not just because that's what I "want" to feel like (as in: refusing to grow older), but my mind simply cannot get onto the fact that I'm not 25 anymore. When I look in the mirror, I see "me, 25". When people ask me how old I am, I reply, "oh, me? I'm 25!". I wonder how long this will go on. My birthday was in October. :.)

...and for the grand finale, nuu-uumber 6!
For over 2 years of my life I didn't feel like chocolate. This one speaks for it self.
(Unfortunately/luckily, that's all over now...)

So, that's all. I hope you enjoyed the show. Just realized how much of this is about eating. Candy. Surprise, surprise!