Document Freedom Day

If you think technology should not be controlled by large companies alone, but should be used to empower its users, do read my Document Freedom Day post on my technology blog: Today being Document Freedom Day, I’m taking stock of how unencumbered my digital lifestyle is — both on the consumption as well as on the [...]

Read Full Post »

Welcome news on freedom of conscience

From Howard Friedman’s Religious Clause blog: In a major policy shift, the 47-member United Nations Human Rights Council yesterday unanimously adopted a Resolution on Freedom of Religion or Belief (full text) which omits any reference to the concept of “defamation of religion” and instead focuses on the individual’s right to freedom of belief.  Reuters and [...]

Read Full Post »

FrumForum post on the injustice of capital punishment

If I were a US citizen, I’d find it hard to vote Republican right now, given its capture in recent decades by big business and social conservatives. If only the electoral system allows more than two parties to flourish! But reading FrumForum always gives me reason for hope — there *are* rational voices on the [...]

Read Full Post »

On motivational anti-charity, Old Catholics, and secular monasticism

Starting this Lent, I’m committing myself [stickK] to start attending Old Catholic mass. Now, you might wonder what this “Old Catholic” is about; it’s a long story, so let’s talk about anti-charities first. I first heard about it from Scott Aaronsson, made an experimental short-term commitment to exercise regularly, and proceeded to forget about the [...]

Read Full Post »

First Sunday in Lent: Sin and Salvation

Peccantem me quotidie          Cristóbal de Morales (c. 1500-1553) Peccantem me quotidie, et non me paenitentem, timor mortis conturbat me: Quia in inferno nulla est redemptio, miserere mei, Deus, et salva me. While I am sinning every day, and yet do not repent, the fear of death overwhelms me. For in hell there is no [...]

Read Full Post »