Monthly Archives: December 2010

Plato and Religion

In my introductory course in philosophy at Penn State those many years ago, we read a lot of Plato, but not until recently did I realize Plato’s importance in religion.  Perhaps this aspect would have been too controversial back in … Continue reading

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Two Gods

In the religions of the world, there are two distinct concepts of God, even within Christianity.  The first is the personal God that is common today.  “Personal” usually means “belonging specifically to someone,” as in “my personal computer,” but in … Continue reading

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Opening Exercises and Psalm 8

Grade school in East Lansdowne began in my third grade (maybe second).  The old school had burned down, and for the first two years, we went to Yeadon’s Fernwood School, just on the other side of Baltimore Pike. By the … Continue reading

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Comparitive Religion 101

During my 25 years of retirement, I have been frequently asked what I do with all my time.  I don’t remember ever giving the correct answer, which would scare off many good people.   I study the world’s religions, even … Continue reading

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Any Two Women Redux

I recently tracked down a New Yorker article in my complete collection on DVDs that I remembered from long ago.  It was a piece from November 13, 1978, by a prolific author, Arturo Vivante, who wrote fiction, but so convincingly … Continue reading

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Any Two Women

John Updike once famously said that invited to a dinner party, he would much rather sit between any two women than any two men.  When I first retired, I totally agreed. I retired early, so most men I met at … Continue reading

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Logan Circle—or Logan Square?

At last, I have found the answer to a perennial Philadelphia question: Is it Logan Circle or Logan Square? When William Penn laid out Philadelphia, he set up five public squares precisely arranged as the five spots on dice. In … Continue reading

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I Saw It on TV

My wife often tut-tuts over some bizarre new trend she heard about.   Is this something you saw on TV? I ask her.  Most always the answer is Yes, and I explain of course it is bizarre—that is why it is … Continue reading

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Manly Etiquette

The other morning, about 7 am, I was in line at our Dunkin’ Donuts, which is within easy walking distance from home.  At that early on a workday, there is always an equilibrium of about six people in line.  It … Continue reading

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