GQ Magazine 'Dump the Bible'

The Word of God, Sacred Page, Good Book, Good News, Scripture, etc, these are some of the ways people have described a collection of ancient texts detailing God's salvific work in the life of human beings. This collection of ancient texts is commonly called the "Bible" or "Holy Bible." It is a collection of books which has been valued throughout the centuries. In fact, it was the first book ever printed via mechanical means via the Gutenberg press. To date, it is the best selling book of all time, the most translated and the most printed.

The texts were written by numerous authors in Jewish and Catholic history. They tell the stories of the ancient Hebrews, Jesus and the early Catholic Church. In 397, the official list of books or canon was approved via the Council of Carthage under Pope Damasus I with 46 books comprising the Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament
and 27 in the New Testament. Its contents have been quoted and referenced in numerous works of art, including music.

The Bible is even used in secular universities as a reference and even as a focal point in the areas of theology, biblical studies, history and literature. Many professors respect the Bible, including those who are not religious at all.  The Bible is even used to swear in jurors, presidents and others.  Despite this, GQ magazine publish an article claiming that the Bible should not be read. In the article "21 Books you don't have to Read Before You Die," the Bible was listed at number 12. GQ calls the Bible and the other 20 books "overrated."

This news has Jews, Christians, Muslims and even Atheists and others upset. The article is extremely stupid in my opinion. As an avid reader, I do not think any book is "overrated." Each book has something to offer.  The Bible is one of those works and is a collection of books that is unique. As an atheist reading it and studying it at CUNY when I took the English course Bible as Literature taught by Dr. Sedore, I noticed something different with this book(s). The Bible does not come across as a typical book or novel. It is a "living" text, so to speak. When one reads it, one can get a sense of the writer and scenes portrayed. The texts speaks deeply to human behavior and the nuances of the human experience. Unlike a typical historical text, the Bible shows humanity deeply. We can see the psychologies of the characters involved, the temporal surrounding of the stories and the evolution of the human species in relation to God.  This is why so many relate to the Bible.  Moreover, the fact that the books of the Bible were not written simultaneously and were written centuries apart and by different authors adds to the mystique of the Bible. I became convinced that the Bible truly is inspired by someone beyond humanity; someone who knows humanity and transcends space and time.  I think Dr. Albert Einstein experienced the same when he said this in an interview:

“Unquestionably. No one can read the Gospels without feeling the actual presence of Jesus. His personality pulsates in every word. No myth is filled with such life. How different, for instance, is the impression which we receive from an account of legendary heroes of antiquity like Theseus. Theseus and other heroes of his type lack the authentic vitality of Jesus.” 

Einstein is not the only one who has held the Bible in high regard. Both Dr. Carl Sagan and Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson have shown esteem for the Good Book. Dr. Sagan had it on his list of books to read. Dr. Tyson said the Bible is one of the books an intelligent person must read (see: http://www.sacerdotus.com/2015/04/bible-on-carl-sagans-undergrad-book-list.html). I agree wholeheartedly! The Bible is an awesome collection of text. It has history, myth, poetry, allegory, passion, prose, and even "adult" content in the Song of Songs. It truly captures the human experience and how God has worked with and around it. The Bible has even recorded historical and astronomical events (see: http://www.sacerdotus.com/2017/11/scientists-bible-records-actual.html).

For GQ Magazine to claim the Bible is overrated and should not be read is ludicrous. I think many intelligent people will be adding GQ Magazine to their "overrated Don't read list" after their gaffe.  I have several translation of this awesome book and enjoy reading it every day.  Whether one believes in the contents of the Bible or not, any intelligent and educated person can appreciate it as sound literature that fosters critical thinking, discussion and changes in life.







Source:

https://www.gq.com/story/21-books-you-dont-have-to-read

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/best-selling-book-of-non-fiction/

https://www.statisticbrain.com/bibles-printed/

http://www.gutenberg-bible.com

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2018/04/23/todd-starnes-bible-gets-bad-review-from-gq-magazine-although-its-bestselling-book-in-history.html

http://www.woodtv.com/news/national/gq-lists-bible-among-books-you-dont-have-to-read/1136039465

http://abc11.com/religion/gq-magazine-includes-the-bible-on-dont-have-to-read-list/3382566/

http://www.nbc4i.com/news/u-s-world/gq-facing-backlash-after-putting-holy-bible-on-list-of-21-books-you-dont-have-to-read/1136674875

https://www.sfgate.com/books/article/gq-don-t-have-to-read-bible-literature-twitter-12857735.php

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/04/23/gq-magazine-puts-bible-list-classic-books-not-worth-reading/541325002/

http://www.einsteinandreligion.com/einsteinonjesus.html

Cosmos with Neil Degrasse Tyson is back for Spring 2019!

Dr. Sagan's famous series "Cosmos" (see: http://www.sacerdotus.com/2014/03/cosmos.html) was rebooted in 2014 with Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson as the host. The series was successful but did not return for another seasons. Many expected that the series would continue with Dr. Micho Kaku. However, those rumors have turned out to be false.  Neil Degrasse Tyson has announced via Twitter that he and the Cosmos reboot will be returning in 2019 on Fox and The National Geographic channel.

Yup. We got the band back together. Another season of Cosmos is officially real. “COSMOS: Possible Worlds” To air on @FOXTV & @NatGeoChannnel in a year — Spring 2019. Be there. pic.twitter.com/BGFJG11Pim

— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) January 13, 2018

This is exciting news!  I hope parents will watch with their children so that they can learn science.




Source:

http://variety.com/2018/tv/news/cosmos-season-2-national-geographic-1202663444/

Bible On Carl Sagan's Undergrad Book List

If you know me personally you will know that I am a bibliophile. My love of books has been around since I was a baby when my mom read to me and then I took the on the habit on my own. I personally own over 5,000 books on a variety of subjects, especially science, philosophy, classics, music, sports, and religion. Anyhow, the Library of Congress acquired recently a collection of the writings of the late Carl Sagan. In this collection was found his reading list from 1954 when he was an undergrad at the University of Chicago. The list was posted and ironically the Bible is listed as one of the books to read among philosophy and science books.

In another ironic twist, his protege Neil Degrasse Tyson also listed the Bible at number 1 in his list of 8 books to read. It still bugs me to hear or read comments from some atheists putting down the Bible as some irrelevant book, or more accurately; a collection of books. The Bible is a collection of books that not only tell the salvific history of God and humanity; it also gives a glimpse of humanity itself. In my opinion, it is the only book that captures humanity perfectly. As an atheist, this was what I noticed as I studied it. This collection of books has something unique and special about it. You can tell it truly is inspired by God as only an eternal being who knows the human mind and heart can inspire such a work of art that captures humanity throughout the ages perfectly since no man can live thousands of years.

Sagan and Tyson both know the value of this collection of books and rightfully listed it as one of the books intelligent people must read. While they may not agree with the theological or religious aspects of the texts, they both agree that this collection of books is important and a treasure for humanity. It has inspired great thinkers, scientists, philosophers, musicians, artists etc etc.  The Bible was the first book printed in western society and is the best selling book of all time. It is a collection of ancient texts that still speak to today and tomorrow.  





Source:

http://www.openculture.com/2012/07/carl_sagans_undergrad_reading_list_from_plato_and_shakespeare_to_huxley_and_gide.html

http://www.openculture.com/2011/12/neil_degrasse_tyson_8_books_every_intelligent_person_should_read.html

Pale Blue Dot -25th Anniversary

Today is the 25th anniversary of the photo Nasa's Voyager 1 took on February 14, 1990 at roughly 4.5 billion miles from Earth.  This photo is considered the first ever photo of the solar system.  In the photo, Jupiter, Venus, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn and Earth can be seen.

Naturally, the Earth is focused on more and inspired the late Carl Sagan to write in 1994 his book, "The Pale Blue Dot" where he reminds humanity of its place in the cosmos or the recycling of the "Copernican principle" which posits that Earth/Man is not the center of the cosmos.






Some atheists and those in the scientific community erroneously believe that religion makes man into the main focus of this universe. He is the "special creation," as they often describe the human being. However, the idea that man was created by God and given dominion over nature does not mean he is a "special creation" etc (Genesis 1:26). It means that human beings are unique because we have the life of God in us. It does not mean that we are better than this universe. Before Sagan made his "Pale Blue Dot" analogy, the Bible already mentioned that we are nothing but dust (Genesis 2:7, Psalms 103:14). The Bible has always reminded man his place in the cosmos (Psalms 8:3-4, Job 7:17).   

While we seem to be just a "Pale Blue Dot," we are much more than that.  To date, we have not found any other intelligent life elsewhere.  This is odd considering that we are all made of "star stuff," and the fact that our galaxy has the same materials to repeat the same creation of life as it took place on Earth.  This begs the question: why does Earth only have life?  So far, the Bible is winning on this question since it clearly places Earth as "God's Ant Farm" where He created life and sustains it.  Nevertheless, the "Pale Blue Dot" photo reminds us that while we were created by God, we are not God.  We must care for one another and our world because it is the only place we have called home.    




Source:

http://www.space.com/28564-voyager1-pale-blue-dot-photo-25-years.html

Carl Sagan

Yesterday, November 9 was the birthday of one of the world's greatest scientists, Carl Edward Sagan. He was in the year 1934 and passed away on December 20, 1996 at the age of 62.  He would have been 80 today had he not died of pneumonia due to many years of suffering with myelodysplasia.

Sagan was an astronomer, cosmologist, astrophysicists and astrobiologist.  He wrote over 600 scientific papers and many books. Sagan loved science and felt he had a mission to promote scientific knowledge. He contributed greatly to the studies of planets and search for extraterrestrial life. This search effort consisted of sending physical messages into space; namely the Pioneer plaque and the Voyager Golden Record. In the 1980's, he produced and narrated "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage." This show at the time was the most watch series in the history of public television.

He taught at Cornell University and also directed the Laboratory for Planetary Studies.  As a scientist, he believed strongly in the Copernican mediocrity principle which posits that human life is not unique or special in the universe. His "Pale Blue Dot" is testament to his view that the Earth is just a dot among the numerous celestial bodies.  This is a notion some atheists push today in their attempt to disqualify God as being responsible for the cosmos. Sagan was not an atheist despite many false quotes of him on the internet. He was an Agnostic and was open to the question of God. In an interview, he said:

"An atheist is someone who is certain that God does not exist, someone who has compelling evidence against the existence of God. I know of no such compelling evidence. Because God can be relegated to remote times and places and to ultimate causes, we would have to know a great deal more about the universe than we do now to be sure that no such God exists."

Earth as the "Pale Blue Dot" from the view of Voyager

In the beginning of this year, the Cosmos series was restarted with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson as the host and narrator (see: http://www.sacerdotus.com/2014/03/cosmos.html). Ironically, a young Tyson met Sagan and presented an autographed book in the pilot episode as he recalled the zeal and inspiration Carl Sagan exhibited. I personally own books by Sagan and they are wonderfully written and truly knowledgeable in the sciences.



Happy birthday Carl Sagan, rest in peace.  Thanks for reminding the human race that they are made of "star stuff" and are the means from which the "cosmos can know itself."

More info: http://www.carlsagan.com/  

Cosmos

Tonight the pilot episode of the remake of "Cosmos" has aired and was very well made for the most part. The series is a continuation of the 1980s version hosted by famous scientist Carl Sagan.  In this new version, Neil Degrasse Tyson is the host.  He is known for his zeal and charismatic tone in regards to science.

Neil Degrasse Tyson was born on October 5, 1958.  He is often invited to speak on science programs.  Tyson is the director of the Hayden Planetarium at the Rose Center for Earth and Space and also works at the department of astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.

He was born in Manhattan and raised in the Bronx from a family of scientists.  His mother was a gerontologist and father a sociologist.  While in the Bronx, Tyson attended the public school system. He went to PS 36, PS 81, MS 141 and the Bronx High School of Science.  As a child, he loved the stars.  Astronomy was his fixation.

This dream eventually brought him to meet Carl Sagan who tried to get Tyson to Cornell University but Tyson opted to go to Harvard instead.  Tyson holds a Bachelor of Arts in physics, Master of Arts in astronomy, Master of Philosophy in astrophysics and a Doctor of Philosophy in astrophysics.

Tyson has been in some debates with religious folks in regard to intelligent design which he
disagrees with claiming that the universe is "out to kill us" and that this can't be reconciled with a 'loving God-creator.'  I recently countered his claims here: http://sacerdotvs.blogspot.com/2014/02/atheism-is-stupid-v.html

Nevertheless, he does not identify with atheism, but agnosticism. When I heard that they were going to remake Cosmos I was ecstatic.  Moreover, when I heard Neil Degrasse Tyson was going to be at the helm, this added to the excitement.  He is one of my favorite scientists and a fellow Bronxite.  As a student of science myself who has studied physics, biology and psychology, I endorse this program.  I hope many people tune in to Cosmos to learn more about science.  Science is not perfect, but it can help us understand the wonders of God's creation.  It will never replace religion and philosophy, but will clear it from superstition and sophistry.  While I disagree with Tyson's views on religion and how it relates to science, I still have great respect for him.  He is an example for young people today, especially in the Bronx and other communities where the youth feel pressure to find a "career" in crime instead of in science and academia.

I am not sure how many tuned in to watch tonight, but I am assuming the ratings were high.  The time slot is a bit risky though with AMC airing "The Walking Dead" at the same time. Nevertheless, #Cosmos was trending on Twitter and Facebook.

My Review:

The show is well done in regards to scientific facts.  However, it did present inaccurate accounts regarding history and religion.  The story of Giordano Bruno was misconstrued.  It tried to present Bruno as a hero and martyr for science.  This is not true.  Bruno was a religious philosopher, not a scientist.  Ironically, the show pointed out that Bruno had no scientific evidence or basis for his ideas.

Giordano Bruno is often cited by atheists in an attempt to make the Catholic Church as this institution out to silence science.  However, Bruno was executed not for his scientific views, but his theological ones.

Many in the Catholic Church already held and taught the idea that the universe is vast and that the sun was just a star among many with Earth revolving around it before Bruno.  What the Church had issue with was Bruno's heretical views on dogmas.  History shows that the Catholic Church created science as we know it today.  She has funded it since the beginning and has always supported scientific research.  

Nevertheless, the show is pretty good despite its inaccurate representation of science, the Church and Giordano Bruno.  It is interesting to note that Bruno was presented in a "crucified" form speculating that this may be a jab at Christianity.  Hopefully future episodes will be more careful when going into the historical/religious realm.



More info:

http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/tyson/

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/cosmos-resumes-exploring-universe-article-1.1711769

http://www.businessinsider.com/young-neil-degrasse-tyson-met-carl-sagan-2014-3

http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2014/03/cosmos-review-neil-degrasse-tyson-brings-brilliant-science-questionable-history-to-the-world.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/cosmos-a-fond-return-to-the-vastness-of-space/2014/03/06/be7e48f8-a303-11e3-8466-d34c451760b9_story.html

http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/03/09/cosmos-then-and-now-the-personal-voyage-of-carl-sagan-the-hollywood-cool-of-neil-degrasse-tyson/