Best Artificial Life Form

Well we've had some debate on this blog over the best starship captain on Star Trek. But who can forget that other staple of the Star Trek universe (and the most theologically interesting): artificial life forms. That's right: from nanites to exocomps to the Enterprise itself, we've seen a plethora of forms of humanly created life (which often wind up so heavily anthropomorphized that it becomes necessary to attribute them human-type rights). Sometimes the artificial life is mechanical (e.g. Lore, Data's evil brother, B4, Data's idiot brother, or Lal, Data's endearing but fated offspring); sometime's it's virtual (e.g. Vic Fontaine, DS9's Lounge Singer, or Professor Moriarity, Sherlock Holmes'/Data's adversary).

But for me, the two most memorable are Data himself (smart, possessing incredible strength, and "fully functioning, programmed in multiple techniques" -- how cool is that?) and the Doctor on Voyager (with an acerbic, ironic wit, operatic temprament and an ego to match). What do you think? What do the kinds of life created by humans say about humans themselves?

Pray for Christian Peacemakers in Iraq


I've just received the following from Louise Slobodian at CPJ:

Citizens for Public Justice is responding to the call from Christian Peacemaker Teams to write statements of support for their organization and, particularly, their four colleagues held in Iraq: James Loney, Tom Fox, Norman Kember and Harmeet Sooden.

CPT is asking organizations to distibute these statements widely and especially where we have contacts in the Middle East.

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF CHRISTIAN PEACEMAKER TEAM'S WITNESS OF FAITH

Citizens for Public Justice supports the work of solidarity, witness and presence of the Christian Peacemaker Teams in areas of the world affected by conflict.

As a Christian public policy organization, based in Canada, we share the convictions of Christian Peacemaker Teams that faith demands action for justice and for peace. In Canada and elsewhere, there are people who believe that those who act from faith have a goal of converting others to Christianity or that faith is used to hide other motives. That is not our motive and it is not the motive of Christian Peacemaker Teams. Instead, faith calls us to work for peace and justice for all.

We have full confidence in the motives and actions of CPT as coming from faith and moral convictions and acting solely in the interests of peace and humanity. The four members held captive are honourable people. They are not spies. They deeply oppose the war. They have never acted in the interests of the countries which brought war. They have acted only in the interests of peace and supporting those affected by war.

Citizens for Public Justice also opposed the war in Iraq which began in 2003. We wrote to the Prime Minister of Canada to tell him so. We wrote, "As a Christian organization committed to peace and justice for all people, we experience deep spiritual distress over the prospect of this war in Iraq. We do not believe this war is just." Christian Peacemaker Teams go much further in their convictions about peace and offering support to those who endure lethal conflict.

Citizens for Public Justice is holding in prayer: James Loney, Norman Kember, Harmeet Sooden and Tom Fox. We hold in prayer the members of the Swords of the Righteous Brigade. We hold in prayer the people of Iraq who have endured so much. And we hold in prayer Christian Peacemaker Teams and all those working for peace, especially those willing to risk their lives to do so.

In peace, for all at Citizens for Public Justice,
Louise Slobodian

CPT's Iraq website is http://www.cpt.org/iraq/iraq.php

"Living in God's Time"

Many Christians are rediscovering the significance of the liturgical year. A great aid in this is a liturgical calendar, one which is tied not to our seasons of spring, summer, fall, and winter, but to the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. For several years, I've ordered a fabulous calendar from University Hill Church in Vancouver, BC. (It's also been a regular Christmas gift for friends). Here's a blurb from their website:

After five years of unique timekeeping, the highly acclaimed Salt of the Earth, a Christian Seasons Calendar has taken on a new shape. Re-designed for easier use, Salt of the Earth 2005/2006 now opens to 11” x 17” and contains larger squares for writing dates.

This year the calendar begins on November 27, 2005, the first day of Advent. The Christian New Year’s Eve is Saturday night, November 26^th. Since its first issue in 2001, Christians all over North America and in parts of Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand have made use of the Salt of the Earth calendar to foster the alternative living that the story of the Christian year intends. Users of the calendar love the constant reminder that they are living between times - between life according to the world’s clock and life in the kingdom of God. Vital to the calendar’s value are the inclusion of scripture readings for each Sunday and the exciting contribution made by contemporary artists whose work envisions and interprets the biblical story on each page.

We pray you have found living in God’s time with Salt of the Earth a fulfilling experience in your life. And we urge you to order this year’s calendar before the Christian New Year. Calendars are now available for sale. The price (not including shipping or applicable taxes) remains: $12 (Canada) or $9 (US). A 40% discount is provided for orders of 25 or more calendars. To order Salt of the Earth - A Christian Seasons Calendar 2005/2006, phone 604-696-1295 or visit www.thechristiancalendar.com

Yours in Christ, Direct line: 604-224-3391 or edsearcy@shaw.ca