Inicio - El Cohete a la Luna Wait a Momen: Part 1 A change is happening in the Baha’i world. Moojan Momen says it’s a necessary, right, and good change of culture. Or, rather, he says the Universal House of Justice says it’s a change of culture, and Moojan Momen confirms this is so. He says a bunch of other stuff too; you can read Momen’s essay “A Change of Culture” here. Clearly, the Universal House of Justice considers that the Bahá’í community is still tainted by certain characteristics that it considers should not be part of the Bahá’í Faith and that it is these characteristics that are holding back the progress of the Faith. These unwanted traits include the passivity implied by the words “member of a congregation.” How’s that for a quick smackdown of the Christian laity? Is there passivity in Christendom, an over-reliance on clergy? Baha’is and Baha’i institutions should think critically about how other religious communities function and learn from them, but these generalities don’t qualify. And what of Baha’is?
Leaked test feedback offers insights into Linden Lab design proc Back, just before Halloween, a Linden Lab staffer accidentally sent an email intended for internal circulation to a mailing list containing quite a number of Second Life users. We were sent a copy a few minutes later, and the email was widely circulated among developers of third-party Second Life viewers by Halloween. What caught people's eye about the email was how harsh it was when it came to describing aspects of the upcoming Second Life Viewer 2.0 user-interface (the key feature of that software). And for just that reason we are, after a little thought, rather heartened by it. The email represents a rather revealing (if accidental) look behind the scenes at the Lab's design and testing processes. If you think the actual users are persnickety about the design decisions the Lab makes, well, the Lab seems to get there the first with the most. Of course, we'll know how much of this feedback has been taken on board once we get our first official look at Viewer 2.0. Is this efficient?
South Korea News and Opinion US looks into report American held in NKorea By AP News Sat, Apr 26, 2014 6:21PM UTC WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department is looking into a new reported detention of a U.S. citizen in North Korea. North Korea’s official news agency reported Friday a 24-year old American man was detained for what it called improper behavior while he was being processed to enter the country as Obama visits South Korea ‘at time of great sorrow’ By AP News Fri, Apr 25, 2014 5:47PM UTC SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — President Barack Obama says he is visiting South Korea at “a time of great sorrow.”
Chinadaily US Edition UCL - Union communiste libertaire Baha'i rift: Baha'is upset with Orthodox Baha'i F May 18, 2009|By Manya A. Brachear, Tribune reporter Every religion has been riven by struggles over authority and authenticity. Buddhism began when a maverick Hindu prince inspired disciples to embrace asceticism. Judaism has sprouted branches from ultra-orthodox to ultra-liberal, even Jews for Jesus. Now the Baha'i Faith, the organization representing the most recent sect to spring from Islam, is struggling to defend its identity in federal court in Chicago, where North American Baha'is have been based ever since believers came to the U.S. about 90 years ago. In the hands of the federal 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, the case could set a precedent for settling religious schisms, doctrinal disputes and claims to truth. "The word Baha'i carries with it implications for a certain sets of beliefs -- and we have to protect that," said Robert Stockman, a practicing Baha'i and religious studies instructor at DePaul University. The Orthodox say that is not a matter for the courts to decide.
Philip Rosedale Unveils New Company: "LoveMachi The mystery around Philip Linden's new company keeps getting, well, mysteriouser. Just announced on his Facebook feed (where he also created an invite-only group for it), the LoveMachine Inc site is pretty sparse so far, except to say, "We believe that the right band of people can work together, have a huge amount of fun, make a bunch of money, and try to save the world." Adding a bit more meat to that mission statement is Philip's help wanted ad for an executive assistant posted to Craiglist, which mentions that "what we are doing is about Artificial Intelligence," then somewhat curiously, says the company will value "freedom, fun, greatness, and the destruction of the ego". (My theology is a bit rusty, but aren't elimination of the ego and massive money making usually considered mutually exclusive?) In any event, it does seem to involve creating, as I first suggested, a mass market version of the original Love Machine, apparently with some AI functionality.
Hip Hong Kong | The Best URBAN CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERIES IN HONG KONG MADHOUSE GALLERY G/F & Mezzanine 8-10 Kau U Fong NoHo, Central 2815-6007www.madhouse.com.hk Hiphongkong's favorite art gallery is the relatively new Madhouse Contemporary Art Gallery. Not only is it fortunate to have a unique location on a quaint alley in NoHo, but it has a cool website, a European loft-like facade and inside, the sparse spacious gallery features two floors of bright young contemporary art. Everytime we visit, there's something we'd love to buy if only we had the wall space. Madhouse shows up-and-coming and established artists from around the region and occasionally from Europe. The space is edgy yet sophisticated and it has been used for private parties and pop-up shops for designer brands like Chanel and YSL. CAT STREET GALLERY 222 Hollywood Road Sheung Wan HK 2291-0006www.thecatstreetgallery.com One of the coolest galleries in Hong Kong, Cat Street Gallery features mostly International artists who are already stars on the global art circuit.
Le Monde Libertaire If Infallible, Why Do We Need to Elect the UHJ? at Baha’i Rants You know, I’m really blessed to have such amazing participants here. Although I may not agree with everyone, I’m thankful that each one of you is here, contributing your thoughts and asking some fascinating questions. Once in a while, a question or comment is so thought provoking that it merits more than a simple reply from me but an attempt, no matter how feeble, to give it the exposition it deserves. So for that purpose (as well as to give it a relevant thread of its own, as the original blog post was on another subject), here is the featured question… “Curious” asked: My first question is why is there a need to go through an election for UHJ members if the complete Baha’i congregation is not suppose to question the UHJ decisions? After receiving a non-answer, Curious tried again: I understand the UHJ members get old and tired and resign. Before I try to answer this question, let me say that the Baha’i community is starved today for such thinking and such questioning. For Pete’s sake!
Is a virtual 'second life' for real, ask religious communicators Is an online alternate life for real, and how does it relate to the life of faith? Christian and other faith communicators plan to discuss the latest web phenomenon at a major gathering in Chicago next year. The hot interactive media topic will be tackled by David Louder, a Lutheran (ELCA) Campus Pastor at Western Michigan University, at the Religion Communication Congress scheduled for 7-10 April 2010. Focusing on the virtual world of Second Life (SL), the presentation and workshop will offer examples of ways in which faith communities are employing SL to share, develop and communicate religious commitment. Participants will consider additional possibilities for using SL as a platform in service to faith communities. The pros and cons of virtual worlds as they may impact upon spiritual development will be explored, concentrating on the relationship between virtuality and reality. Registration for the 2010 gathering in Chicago is now open.