Author Archives: victormorris

Delightful Impracticality

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One morning when I had to go to the store very early. Thankfully our Harris Teeter grocery store opens at six o’clock. I pulled into the parking lot about 6:45. As I got out of the car, I looked up to see the dawn sky displayed in a delicate beauty. It was not one of those overwhelming sunrises, just a subtle yet elegant display of purples, grays, rose hues and amber tones. Just lovely. And it made me think, so many of the best things in life are beautiful—yet impractical. They serve no utilitarian purpose, but who would want to live without them? Continue reading →

Why does God allow evil?

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Question: “If God is real, and He is good, then why does He allow evil to exist in the world?” P in Virginia.

My Answer: This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions in the fields of philosophy or theology. It is a major obstacle to many people in their seeking after religious truth. It is an argument often used by skeptics, agnostics and atheists to question the goodness and/or reality of God Himself. Why is there is evil? And how can a good God allow it?

This is not a question that can be answered fully in this short space. However, we can give a partial answer that will hopefully offer some insight to anyone wrestling with this issue. Continue reading →

Words

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I like words. All kinds of words.

Silly words… like chicken. Did you ever stop to think how goofy a word that is. And just take a moment to reflect on the sound of words like ostrich, elephant, avocado, buzzard, gizzard, orangutan. The words themselves sound ridiculous. (Any chickens, ostriches, et alia who may be reading this… please do not take offense. I don’t mean to take away from your dignity as a species. I am just commenting on the name you have been tagged with by us human types.) Continue reading →

Snapshot: Soka Gakkai/Nichiren Shoshu

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Recently someone brought me a flyer that had been posted on a public bulletin board at the University of Virginia. It was advertising a meeting of those interested in learning about Soka Gakkai. The flyer promoted an “Engaged Buddhism for a Changing World” and “The Key to Unshakable Happiness.” This meeting was to be the kick off for a Soka Gakkai club, and attendees were invited to “join other bodhisattvas on our shared journey toward enlightenment.”

Okay, I can hear you now… Huh? Let me explain. Continue reading →

What is a cult?

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We live in a culture where the word cult has become pretty much anti-PC. We not supposed to call any group a cult… unless it is some really wacked-out fringe group obviously controlled by a total nut job. Jim Jones? Cult! Heaven’s Gate? Cult! David Koresh? Cult! But the Mormons? Oh, my… let’s not be unkind. Jehovah’s Witnesses or Christian Scientists? Well, maybe misguided… but really not such bad folks. Let’s not label them with the “C” word. UGH!

In this religious climate, it is important to once again consider what a cult really is. Continue reading →