Toyah

Archaeologists in the Holy Land have found an ancient tomb that may be the burial place of Simeon, the old Jew who came to the temple to see "the Lord's Christ" in Luke 2:25-35. Evidently, the tomb held an inscription that matches Luke 2:25. The inscription reads "Simeon who was a very just man and a very devoted old (person) and waiting for the consolation of the people."

The AP report mentions that the tomb may also belong to Zachariah, the father of John the Baptiser. Very cool.

Have you checked out TalkingPresidents.com yet? You should. (...the question you ask, however, is not a question I can answer...)

The key to being "conservative" is reluctance to change long-established cultural, social, and political norms. Conservative resistance to change is not based on some irrational, homophobic, money-grubbing fear of things and people different from ourselves. The resistance to change is based on reason--namely, an understanding that things are the way they are for a purpose. Modern social institutions are the result of centuries of trial and error which have developed patterns of living that produce efficient, ordered societies largely composed of happy and productive individuals and families.

These traditions reflect an acquired recognition that life and happiness are better achieved through institutions that support liberty, community, and family. These are the foundations of prosperity and peace in the western commercial states. Partly on this understanding, Jefferson wrote, "Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes." Just so, centuries of valuable human experience should not be rejected lightly.

Homosexual behavior is dangerous. The average homosexual has had multiple partners and few stable monogamous relationships. The homosexual lifestyle is self-destructive and leads to disease, drug abuse, and depression. I have not read any studies about the effects on children of being raised in gay homes, but it is my hunch that the mountain of evidence that children are much more likely to grow to be well-ordered, productive adults if raised in two-parent homes did not consider gay two-parent homes. To throw away such an institution just to ease the consciences of a few individuals incapable of a modicum of self-control is foolish. I have news for homosexual activists: social recognition of your lifestyle will not assuage your guilt.

Constitutionally, I believe only state legislatures are authorized to decide the question. Neither federal courts, Congress, nor sister-state courts should decide whether a state must recognize or allow gay marriage. Only the people of the states themselves can decide. Nevertheless, to the extent that I believe the courts will co-opt the decision for themselves, I support the Federal Marriage Amendment as a way to protect the states and marriage from runaway courts.

Next post, I'll let you know how I really feel. ;-)

Update: I believe that some things are important enough to our national societal health that they should be made a part of national policy. There is nothing unconstitutional about a properly ratified constitutional amendment, whether it seemingly restricts personal liberty or not (BTW, all laws restrict liberty). If anything qualifies for federal regulation, marriage does. A house divided against itself cannot stand.

Update 2: Good defense of legal recognition of traditional marriage by J. Budziszewski.

Great Movie! (see my previous post) I am not a sailor, (the last time I went deep-sea fishing I got seasick!) but I am attracted to tall ships. This movie fed my attraction. I look forward to seeing it again – the sooner the better. Here are some of my thoughts.

I'm not a naval historian, but thanks to some heads up from a few critics I was on the lookout for M&C’s details of seamanship--details that most modern movie makers neglect to include. From removing the panels in the Captain's cabin to set up for battle to measuring speed in "knots," M&C offers multiple glimpses into the actual workings of early 19th-century naval warfare. I saw some things that I knew of but had never seen reenacted, and several things that I didn't know about. What a lesson.

And the story. The M&C's lessons of friendship, leadership, and character were all told in a believable and attractive fashion. Russell Crowe and the rest of the cast remain real and believable—something that becomes more difficult the longer an actor like Crowe remains in the limelight. The movie was also clean, which is always a plus for me.

I like what the Chicago Tribune said: “"...probably the best movie of its kind ever made.� Good flick. See it.

Matt has now begun a blog. Sam has decided to close his. I am not sure what our (the blogging community's) intent is in blogging. I think it is in part our deep-seated need to confess our wrongs. The blog allows this, though I'm not yet sure it's the best way to confess. Of course, I know that the confession that matters is confession to God. He's the one to whom we need to be reconciled. I think that the blog can be a good supplement, though it should certainly not be a substitute. I am a fairly prideful person and not very open to sharing faults, so I don't suppose there will be much confessing from me on this page. Any confession will probably be cloaked. Time will tell.

I do know that for those of us receiving the confessions, we owe the confessor a proper response; true concern, forgiveness, humor (at the right time and to the right degree), and prayers.

"Toyah" is the name of a creek running out of the Davis Mountains near Balmorhea, Texas, where our family farm sits. Toyah Creek is usually dry. Rain clouds seem to be a biannual event in Balmorhea. Occasionally Balmorhea and the mountains get a good rain, and for a day or two Toyah Creek and the gullys that run into it are flowing with water, and for the week after, much of what once looked dead comes to life.

I am starting a web log, mostly as a way of keeping in touch with friends, several of whom also have blogs. I am a Texan, but the other members of Toyah are from all over, though our association was begun in the midwestern town of Hillsdale, Michigan.

Like Toyah Creek, our posts will often appear dry and lack a certain verve. Nevertheless, it is possible that some occasional rain of grace will give us some insight, or at least something interesting to say.