An alternative
A person engaged in the ongoing theological debate occurring in these pages recently stated that “predicted prophecy” being fulfilled is evidence “that only an all-intelligent being could have inspired the predictions of the Bible.”
I have an alternative theory. Maybe someone read a holy book written decades earlier, picked up on a prophecy that appealed to them, and worked for it to come true. Like when Timothy McVeigh read the Turner Diaries and bombed the Federal Building in Oklahoma City.
People are inspired by the written word. Some read Kerouac and decide to abandon the daily routine for adventure. Some read Marx and start a revolution. Others read the Bible and find faith.
It has nothing to do with divine intervention. It’s just people reading and being inspired. Some choose to act on those feelings. And please don’t say that inspiration is what a “higher power” had in mind, as it is not measurable qualitatively.
Here’s an idea, be patient. We all have an inevitable end, despite the path we take. Until then we should focus on leaving the world a better place for the next generation.
Allen Carter, Lakeport
Obvious?
On February 11, 2015, Bill Kettenhofen wrote: “only an all-intelligent being could have inspired the predictions of the Bible”.
Here’s a prediction from Matthew 24 supposedly from the mouth of Jesus: “the sun [shall] be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven…Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.”
How can it be that at least 50 generations have passed and this prediction (prophecy) from Jesus, made 2,000 years ago, has not happened? Many people remain blissfully unaware that many more “prophecies” can be shown to be false or down-right wrong in the Bible but if even only one can be shown as incorrect, as the one from Matthew above, than the whole idea of inerrancy of the Bible loses its argument.
Greg Blinn, Kelseyville
Shame on us
This recent uproar with news anchor Brain Williams has brought to the surface an issue that needs to be addressed. I for one know and understand that we, every one, makes mistakes during our lives. I have seen and watched Brian over the years and found him to be kind, intelligent, honorable, and nearly always a source of factual information. Reliable information has mostly disappeared these past years in our news media. So much inaccurate news has been foisted upon us, that resulted in wrongful actions and disasters for our country, by those in higher places. These dwarf his mistake by comparison. He’ll not be responsible for spreading hatred for us or the maiming or death of anyone. They are punishing him while letting George W., Chaney, and their crew off scot free for the lies they told.
I also believe, in watching who is screaming for his hide, members of the GOP being the most outraged with him. I believe that it is their party’s desire to take him down any way they can find to do so for something he reported in the past. Ever since Nixon, the GOP members have tried to come up with someone to shame as much as Nixon did. In time, I think this will be brought out.
Another issue to my shame and yours that bothers me greatly, is how so many folks relish treating once admired folks with disdain during their waning years, caused by ageing, or lost popularity. Guess it gives us a feeling of superiority . It still sickens me how Willie Mays was treated by the local fans as his skill level fell off during his last years in baseball, just like Babe Ruth was treated, Joe Louis, Judy Garland, Rock Hudson, and so many more. In the case of Willie Mays, please know that this comes from a diehard Dodger fan from way back. The same can be said when we are informed that someone who gained great wealth goes broke. Its like there is something in our make up as human beings that causes us to do it, like watching a car race or boxing match, with that inner desire to see violence, but hide that inner feeling in saying it’s their skills that we came to see. It gives great truth to the saying that winning at all costs is the right path we should follow to be a good, respected person.
Maybe it is our inner need to justify the fact that we have not done as well as others did. I know it shows a lack of compassion for our fellow man or woman who are going through hard times. I point the above out in hope that others might fight the negative side of our inner beings, and use a greater degree of compassion when future such events effecting our fellow man is experienced. I know that I gain great pleasure from so many points in time during my life, remembering Willie’s great catch in the 1954 World Series, seeing footage of Joe Louis winning over Hitler’s favorite son, or watching Judy Garland singing down the Yellow Brick Road. Their talents gave all of us great joy and should never be belittled for any reason.
The same can be said for how Lake County has changed over the years. So many of us remember its greatness in the past, then it went through a downturn for many years, which so many newcomers have put down the quality of life here, and now so many of us are seeing a return to the greatness of living in such a wonderful place. It will likely offer even more enjoyment in the future for those who will be living here. The real challenge will not be to win at all cost with new changes, but to retain those qualities of the grand years for the future to enjoy, by not changing the lifestyle and natural assets that brought so much joy to all who were lucky enough to have lived here in earlier times.
Jim Hall, Clearlake Oaks
