Horray!
My first attempt at LOL ing a sci fi scene at Set Phasers to LOL is on the front page!
I ROCK!
And so does T Rex
Author Archive for Dr. Jim
Here is what I will be attempting for the BBQ for the conference Meet and Greet tonight:
Recipe:
4-7lb. Eye Round Roast
Large Onion
Olive Oil
Beef Rub
Beer, Apple, Grape Juice, or Water
This is about a 6lb. roast. Prepare the meat as shown. Sprinkle on your favorite Rub. Coat with some olive oil. Sear over high heat on all sides for a minute or two. Put roast in a shallow and grated roasting pan, and then place opposite the hot coals in your 400f-500f covered grill. Add some beer, or apple juice, grape juice, or water to cover the bottom of the pan, but well below the roast. Add a sliced onion. Cover grill and roast for about 45 minutes (7 minutes per pound). Remove cover to quickly lower the temperature of the grill to about 225-250f. Cover again and cook ”low and slow” for about 2-3 hours or until the internal temperature of the roast reaches your desired “doneness” -Rare, Medium Rare, or Well. Remove, and let the Roast rest for about 20-30 minutes before slicing. Serve with grill roasted potatoes veggies, and your favorite beef or steak dipping sauce.
I’ve actually got two 8-9 lb Eye of Round roasts, so hopefully there will be a good turnout.
I recon the best way to die would be to travel the southern states going from BBQ joint to BBQ joint and letting cholesterol have its own sweet way with me…
For the vegetarians, Mary is making marinated tofu/eggplant/Portobello mushroom … Continue reading
It’s Our Tenth Anniversary!
As in previous years, we have a great selection of papers from across the broad spectrum of Religious Studies and its many associated disciplines. This is the second year running that we have nearly fifty papers on the schedule, and their variety and sophistication clearly shows the depth of research conducted in undergraduate and Masters level programs in Canada.
The conference itself has been a tremendous success, developing from a rather humble meeting of around half a dozen students in 2003 to what it is today. In the past several years only about one quarter of the presenters come from Lethbridge, and so our conference is clearly addressing a need for students to find venues for their work outside of the classroom as well as the need to compare notes, make connections and friends in the larger world of academia.
We owe a tremendous debt to Prof. Anne Moore of the University of Calgary and the many students there who have supported our efforts so enthusiastically over the past six or seven years. A quick look at this year’s lineup reveals their investment in the meeting! It is also encouraging to see students travel from the East and West coasts and many points in between.
With the increasing size of the conference came increasing complications in organization and rising costs. A great thank you goes out to Bev Garnett, our admin assistant, for doing so much of the work and putting up with me. And thanks … Continue reading
The NDP made Stephen Harper shave his moustache.
Ah, Stephen Harper, Canada’s Conservative Party Prime Minister and megalomaniacal control freak and increasingly tin-pot dictatorish tea-partier! He’s really outdone himself this time. His latest gaffe was to declare in the House of Commons that the opposition, New Democratic Party (a left leaning bunch) was opposed to Canada joining World War Two against Hitler. Of course, the New Democratic Party didn’t even exist in the late thirties! The National Post reported:
NDP MPs gently reminded Harper from across the aisle that the NDP didn’t come into existence until 1961, birthed by a union between the socialist Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) and the Canadian Labour Congress.
“CCF, NDP, same difference,” Harper responded curtly.
“I guess we can start talking about Reform Party policies,” Mulcair replied, to the delight of the opposition benches.
[The current Conservative Party is a schnozzle of the old Tory party and the right wing "Reform" party].
And the CCF Party was NOT in favour of Hitler or against fighting the Germans. Rather, it was ONLY the party leader who, for reasons of being a pacifist, voted against war. Every other CCF member of parliament voted for joining the war.
It is true that Mr. Woodsworth, leader at the time of the CCF, the party that would become the NDP some 22 years later, opposed Canada’s involvement in the war. Mr. Woodsworth was a pacifist. But he was also the only member of the CCF to oppose the declaration of … Continue reading
We finally got the poster for the Research In Religious Studies Conference (May 5-6) done, and Bev, our admin assistant put our keynote speaker front and centre (well, a little off to the left, but that’s politically OK in my books). And who is it? None other that Biblioblogging’s own James McGrath!
Just in case the type is too small on the poster, here is the text:
“Religion in Star Trek and Doctor Who: From a Gallifreyan God to the Enlightened Enterprise”
The treatment of religious themes and ideas in science fiction has been a focus of significant scholarly attention in recent years. Doctor Who (the longest running science fiction TV show in history) and Star Trek (a close competitor in terms of longevity when sequels and spin-offs are considered) provide an opportunity to trace how the intersection of sci-fi and spirituality has changed and evolved over the past half a century. Both shows tend to elevate scientific perspectives and regularly feature characters offering science as an antidote to superstition. And yet both depict scenarios in which mythical entities are encountered, albeit under the guise of aliens. So is the message of these shows that science triumphs over superstitious religiosity and mythology, or is it instead that we as viewers want to enjoy the same sorts of classic mythical stories, set within the framework of an updated worldview?
We already have just over forty papers accepted for the conference, from across Canada. As usual, we did extend the deadline
… Continue readingA candidate for the Alberta Provincial Election (on Monday, April 23) from the right-wing nutcase Wildrose Party (which is probably going to win) has shown himself to be a fucking bigot. According to the Edmonton Journal today:
I think as a Caucasian I have an advantage,” Ron Leech told a radio station on the weekend. “When different community leaders such as a Sikh leader or a Muslim leader speak, they really speak to their own people in many ways. As a Caucasian, I believe that I can speak to all the community.”
Leech, a longtime pastor running in the multicultural riding of Calgary-Greenway, has previously been at the centre of controversy for some of his religious views against homosexuality and abortion.
The Journal’s story goes on to say that Leech apologized but can anyone really take that seriously? Honestly, can anyone who really does not believe that “White is Right” even generate that kind of BS in the first place?
Of course, the Wildrose party leader, Dannielle Smith charged to the rescue of decency and egalitarianism Leech, refusing to condemn the remarks. Instead, she tried to explain their correct interpretation spin-doctoring them into something else entirely:
“I think every candidate puts forward their best argument for why they should be the person the way represent the community,” she said in Calgary. “I know Dr. Leech runs a private school that has a large number of people from cultural communities, he has an ethnically diverse riding, he’s made great friendships … Continue reading
OK, a little un-American snark about the US election. Sue me. I couldn’t resist… I guess I’m just a little lefty.
May’s Biblioblogger’s carnival is supposed to be hosted by Phil Long at Reading Acts Reading Acts but I received an email from him the other day saying his PhD defence is now scheduled for May 30, the day before his (infinitely more important) carnival should hit the inter tubes. I would fill in for him, but that will be my anniversary and The Real Mrs. Dr. Jim and I will be out of town.
I originally posted this to ask if any other blogger would care to step in, but Rodney at Political Jesus agreed to swap. In any case, wish Phil all the best on the defence!
Also, I will need some more volunteers for the carnivals in the latter part of the year. HEre is the lineup
April (early May): Jonathan Robinson at ξἐνος
May: (June 1)Rodney from Political Jesus
June: Michael Kok: Euangelion Kata Markon
July: Phil Long, Reading Acts
Here is my latest Public Professor article in the Lethbridge Herald, published yesterday (March 24). For background see my earlier post:
The paper labelled the column “It’s difficult to label Religions”
My last column for Public Professor (Feb. 4) stirred up a bit of a controversy. One letter writer expressed shock that a “teacher of religious wisdom” would label the Bible’s creation stories “mythology.”
The word “myth” is frequently used to disparage as false, or deceptive, stories held to be true by others. I presume the letter writer thought I had meant this. In scholarly contexts, however, “myth” denotes stories which are foundational to a group’s sense of identity or understanding of the world. By using the term, scholars do not judge a story as inferior or childish, but as important and sacred to others, regardless of how those people may label it themselves.
In this light, the biblical creation accounts and the gospels themselves can be labelled “myth” since they are central stories in Christian theology. Some (but not all) Christian scholars are resistant to this because it puts the Bible on the same level as other religions. Yet, a common cross-cultural academic vocabulary is necessary for Religious Studies. Given the great number of religions throughout history, it is rather arbitrary to protect one tradition from the critical analysis directed at all others or to adopt the judgments of one tradition over others. For example, I cannot count the times I have had students from an evangelical background … Continue reading
Goes to Sharron who posted a comment in response to an anti-fluoridation letter in the Lethbridge Herald today.
Ok, anti-fluoridation hype is pretty stupid, too, but here is the prize winner:
Fluoridation needs to GO into the never, never land that will not be used again. Drinking flouride makes people sick, and does not help the teeth. If it’s in your gut, how can that help the teeth? Stupid people believe anything don’t they?
This Sharron person is a constant source of amusement and amazement. A real joy to read, especially if one is feeling a bit depressed or if you just did something stupid. It’s nice to know there is always someone worse off than you! Here was my reply:
My shattered nerves. How can the calcium in milk be good for one’s teeth and bones if it is one’s gut? Heck, how can any food be good for any part of the body if it is only in one’s gut? It seems that the tummy is connected to the other parts of the body, This is surprising, I know, but apparently this includes some magical connection to the mouth, which secretes saliva which is in contact with the outside of people’s teeth.
“Stupid people believe anything don’t they?” Sharron, take a reality check once in a while!
You can add your own reply here: Reply
It seems that James McGrath is having trouble with Star Trek and Dr. Who references for the the talk he is to give here in Lethbridge in early May as Keynote Speaker for the 10th annual Research In Religious Studies Conference.
He’s been making a few Sci-Fi Lol pics to express his frustration and wondered if anyone else has been. So here is one I just whipped up.
And as far as the conference is going, we are getting some great paper proposals from Calgary, B.C. Ontario, and Nova Scotia! It runs May 5-6 and its open to Masters and Batchelor’s students with a good academic paper on anything to do with the analysis of religion(s) past or present.
A terrible CRIME has been committed!
A few days ago, She Who Must Be Obeyed and I came home only to find that the quilt we received as a wedding present from SWMBO’s mom had been the helpless victim of a BRUTAL ATTACK!
The Culprit is none other than GOLIATH who, in petulant hissy fit because we had dared to go out without taking him, managed to stick his surprisingly long snout out of his kennel far enough to snag said helpless wedding prezzy, drag a bunch of it into his lair, and savagely brutalize it for several hours.
The victim is badly traumatized and is currently in intensive care, unlikely to make a full recovery. Goliath was sent to Psychological Counselling and cookie denial therapy.
Here is the upcoming list of Bible Bloggers Carnivals.
How girded should loins be?
March posts (featured in very early April) will be featured by Jim West at Zwinglius Redivivus. So send in your faces! Especially post with biblical LOLcats. LIke this one.
April (early May): Jonathan Robinson at ξἐνος
May: (June 1) Phil Long, Reading Acts
June: Michael Kok: Euangelion Kata Markon
July: Rodney from Political Jesus
I still need volunteer to host the rest of the year. I will do one, but November is right out of the question: 2 conferences to go to.
Great news!
The Society of Biblical Literature has approved a new program unit called:
METACRITICISM OF BIBLICAL SCHOLARSHIP
Description: This unit critically evaluates suppositions in and underlying biblical scholarship, including how an explicitly non-religious approach differs from what is even now represented as historical-critical scholarship, especially when compared to other secular disciplines within the Humanities (history, classical studies) and the Social Sciences (e.g., anthropology, sociology).
The unit grew out of discussions with SBL over a Secular Biblical Criticism unit, and other than the name change and a bit of tweaking, our most recent application was accepted. Or chair is Hector Avalos who worked quite hard on this, and I’m grateful for the support of John Kutzko and others in the SBL. For a while there I think the program committee and we were sort of talking past each other but we all seem to be on the same page now.
We are now in the official SBL program book for 2012′s meeting in Chicago in November with two sessions! And here they are, with my abstracts:
Session A: Frauds, Pious Frauds and Biblical Origins
Presiding, Stephanie Louise Fisher, University of Nottingham
Paper 1: Jim Linville, University of Lethbridge, “The Royal Scam: Josiah, Joseph Smith and Believing one’s own Pious Fraud.”
Paper 2: K. L. Noll, Brandon University, “A Portrait of the Deuteronomistic Historian at Work? How Theology Invents the History of the Bible”
Paper 3: Robert Price, Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary, “Pious Fraud and Imposture in the New Testament”
Paper … Continue reading
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