What's Da Buzz?

In this extension of the first entry, let us look at how History checks out in the Bible and do a very interesting exercise. Again, the Bible is minimally an ancient text written so others would understand what was written at that time. Just because today is different than the past doesn’t mean what is described in the past isn’t true. We don’t know as we weren’t there. Standard daily life in the Philippines is often compared to life in the USA 60 years ago minus the cell phones. That is today. Obviously, life is different based on where you live. It is massively different if it is in a different place in the distant past.

How does the Bible stack up to known historical facts? It performs amazingly well. In many cases, the accuracy of the Bible is stunning as it is one of a few texts (and sometimes the only text) in which many kings, princes and locations are mentioned. In many cases such as King Nebuchanezzar, the Bible mentioned them long, long before historical evidence was found in archeological digs. For a while, the Bible mentioning King Nebuchanezzar was considered evidence the Bible wasn’t true – until the evidence was found that the Bible was right. The Bible is so accurate that it has 44 kings recorded in it in correct chronological order and perfect spelling.

One such new proof comes from Jeremiah 38:1 where it mentions Gedaliah son of Pashhur. I can’t begin to even pronounce those names. Now there is concrete archeological evidence supporting it and others mentioned in Jeremiah 37:3.

This could keep going on and on but I’ll let you dig into the topic if you want to. Let us shift to a fun exercise that requires 2 passages in the Bible, a blank piece of paper or two, and a pencil.

Turn to Job 40:15-24 for the first one and Job 41 for the second. Do not decide what it is just sketch it one part at a time. Here is one hint on the Job 40 section. That isn’t a hippo or elephant. The identity is not an animal known today. Job 41 definitely is not a crocodile but some sea creature. Remember, these are texts referring to common knowledge of the times back then.

“ 15 “Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with you; He eats grass like an ox. 16 See now, his strength is in his hips, And his power is in his stomach muscles. 17 He moves his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are tightly knit. 18 His bones are like beams of bronze, His ribs like bars of iron. 19 He is the first of the ways of God; Only He who made him can bring near His sword. 20 Surely the mountains yield food for him, And all the beasts of the field play there. 21 He lies under the lotus trees, In a covert of reeds and marsh. 22 The lotus trees cover him with their shade; The willows by the brook surround him. 23 Indeed the river may rage, Yet he is not disturbed; He is confident, though the Jordan gushes into his mouth, 24 Though he takes it in his eyes, Or one pierces his nose with a snare.”

I would suggest you look up the reports of the Mokele Mbembe in the Congo as the description is nearly the same. What is it? Sketch them and find out. The picture may include what the entry on leviathan describes.

A Leviathan?

Thanks,

Anah

Note: Thanks to Goryo for helping me on this research.

First, I need to define what facts are. Facts are not what someone thinks is true about any given subject. That is an opinion. Everyone has their own opinion

Facts are very simply those things which can be proven with science, validated history, and mathematics. If you do not know something or if there is a gap in knowledge about some event or process or equation, you don’t guess or assume. We know what we do know. What we don’t know we don’t know. Being honest intellectually means telling the truth of what is known and not. History and Science are a process of discovery of more facts.

Opinions are plentiful but the only way of knowing which one is correct requires checking it against the facts whether they be historical, scientific, or mathematical. If we did not do so, progress in anything would be halted because any debate would become an “I’m right. No, I’m right” never ending argument you would expect of 5-year-olds.

“The recipe for perpetual ignorance is: be satisfied with your opinions and content with your knowledge. “ – Elbert Hubbard (1856 – 1915)

“I’m not sure I want popular opinion on my side — I’ve noticed those with the most opinions often have the fewest facts.” – Bethania McKenstry

We focus on facts for incredibly obvious reasons. If you know them, you won’t be suckered by a liar. You won’t be conned into believing obvious lies. You’ll know when something is being done wrong. You’ll know what the heck you are talking about and not sound like a babbling fool to those who know the subject.

Without them, technology of all kinds and all fields of study would have never begun. Progress would not be made in the computer field, chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, medicine, and especially anything that requires a Design Engineer. That’s why we focus on facts. That is why we go to school to learn facts and how to apply them.

“Get the facts, or the facts will get you. And when you get them, get them right, or they will get you wrong.” – Dr. Thomas Fuller (1654 – 1734), Gnomologia, 1732

“Facts are facts and will not disappear on account of your likes. “ – Jawaharlal Nehru (1889 – 1964)

“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. “ – John Adams (1735 – 1826), ‘Argument in Defense of the Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials,’ December 1770

“We can have facts without thinking but we cannot have thinking without facts. “ – John Dewey (1859 – 1952)

If something can be proven to not work or never have worked scientifically, mathematically or historically, those are facts. If the facts do not match up with your opinion, then that is too bad. Time to grow up, be an adult, and admit when you are wrong.

Thank you,

Anah

Disclaimer

Photo credits: http://www.achievemax.com/

continuation of Austrian Economics vs. Keynesian Economics…

Keynesian Economics is the opposite. It focuses on government intervention to try and control the economy by increasing debt, flooding the system with cash to “get it going again” and keeping savings low or non-existent and spending and prices high. Sound familiar? That would be the current housing crisis in the USA and the cause of much of the economic issues of today. For more reading on it, try this definition, this concise description, or a commentary on it here.

To break it down simpler, Austrian Economics is much closer to the economic system described in the Bible. To no great surprise, Keynesian Economics is credited to John Keynes a homosexual Fabian socialist who rejected the Christian virtues. The fiscal conservatives in the USA follow the Austrian Economics system. The Democrats favor the Keynesian Economics system. But courtesy of the Keynesian system, the USA is $54 trillion dollars in public debt and $65 trillion in private debt. This debt is starting to crush the USA from within and will likely be the death of the USA.

To varying degrees, both Obama and McCain are following the Keynesian Economics method despite all of the warning cries from the USA Comptroller all the way down. They both signed that Bailout Bill so many hate in the USA.

The economic issues are created by the government with the Community Reinvestment Act, Sarbanes-Oxley and many more policies. In 1913, the Congress gave in to the bankers and created the Federal Reserve about which you can read The Case Against the Fed. Instead of having money backed by a solid source such as gold which would limit inflation, bankers and government control, they shifted to the fiat money (backed up by pretty much nothing) and just print more money to throw at problems.

Some think you can trust the government to solve the problems created by the government when those in charge are being taught in the schools and universities to ignore morality, codes of conduct and the law. If they ignore morality, what makes anyone think those who created the problem because of blatant theft, bribery, and lying are not going to steal and lie to get what they want and control others? We only have to look to their words to see what is desired.

Does Senator Obama want to push Keynesian economics which is proven to be a failure? Yes as evidenced by his desire to control the cost of energy to force behavioral changes. What about McCain? Heck, his opening statement in the presidential debates about blowing another $300 billion for those who should have homes is proof.

What do I support? Like an immigrant Spaniard has said, I dream of the USA I was told of. The USA is supposed to be a place where you can have the freedom to work your way into creating a better future for your family and your children. You can have success through hard work. I don’t dream of living in a country sinking into oblivion and in the control of a few who think they are wise but history shows them to be fools.

Thanks for reading,

Anah