James McWilliams recently asked whether the digitization of communications decreases empathy, and thus potentially our empathy with other humans and animals. He talks about e-mail between students and professors, “butchered” grammar in e-mail being used to substitute for the student and the professor actually having a conversation, and wonders where this is all headed. Yes, the new media enable vegans to promote their cause more effectively (Earthlings), but it also enables the bad guys to push their case with equal or greater effectiveness. Continue reading “Does Digitization Decrease Empathy?”
“Be the Change” — where did this saying come from?
“We must be the change we want to see in the world.” This is one of the most widely quoted sayings attributed to Mahatma Gandhi. But did Gandhi actually say this? In June 2009 I posted an article questioning whether Gandhi actually said this. While this statement is everywhere on the internet, tracking down a reliable print source is much more difficult. Now, I have a better idea of where this saying comes from, and the answer certainly surprised me. Continue reading ““Be the Change” — where did this saying come from?”
Vegetarianism and Christianity
If you want to promote vegetarianism among Christians, there are basically two schools of thought. (1) Some people cite the Bible, admit that Jesus wasn’t vegetarian (Luke 24:42-43), but say that vegetarianism is still a good idea because it is the original best diet for humans (Genesis 1:29), and Jesus wouldn’t like factory farming even if he ate meat. (2) Others cite historical evidence and argue that Jesus disrupted the animal sacrifice business in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13, John 2:13-16 and parallels), was vegetarian himself, and taught vegetarianism (the views of James in apostolic times, and the Ebionites thereafter). Continue reading “Vegetarianism and Christianity”