Saturday, May 31, 2008

Willow Creek Reinvents Itself

Christianity Today, June, 2008


Willow Creek's 'Huge Shift'
Influential megachurch moves away from seeker-sensitive services.
Matt Branaugh posted 5/15/2008 08:30AM


After modeling a seeker-sensitive approach to church growth for three decades, Willow Creek Community Church now plans to gear its weekend services toward mature believers seeking to grow in their faith.


The change comes on the heels of an ongoing four-year research effort first made public late last summer in Reveal: Where Are You?, a book coauthored by executive pastor Greg Hawkins. Hawkins said during an annual student ministries conference in April that Willow Creek would also replace its midweek services with classes on theology and the Bible.


Whether more changes are in store for the suburban Chicago megachurch isn't clear. Hawkins declined CT's interview request, and senior pastor Bill Hybels was unavailable for comment.
Since 1975, Willow Creek has avoided conventional church approaches, using its Sunday services to reach the unchurched through polished music, multimedia, and sermons referencing popular culture and other familiar themes. The church's leadership believed the approach would attract people searching for answers, bring them into a relationship with Christ, and then capitalize on their contagious fervor to evangelize others.


But the analysis in Reveal, which surveyed congregants at Willow Creek and six other churches, suggested that evangelistic impact was greater from those who self-reported as "close to Christ" or "Christ-centered" than from new church attendees. In addition, a quarter of the "close to Christ" and "Christcentered" crowd described themselves as spiritually "stalled" or "dissatisfied" with the role of the church in their spiritual growth. Even more alarming to Willow Creek: About a quarter of the "stalled" segment and 63 percent of the "dissatisfied" segment contemplated leaving the church.

read more

Willow Creek Reinvents Itself

Christianity Today, June, 2008


Willow Creek's 'Huge Shift'
Influential megachurch moves away from seeker-sensitive services.
Matt Branaugh posted 5/15/2008 08:30AM


After modeling a seeker-sensitive approach to church growth for three decades, Willow Creek Community Church now plans to gear its weekend services toward mature believers seeking to grow in their faith.


The change comes on the heels of an ongoing four-year research effort first made public late last summer in Reveal: Where Are You?, a book coauthored by executive pastor Greg Hawkins. Hawkins said during an annual student ministries conference in April that Willow Creek would also replace its midweek services with classes on theology and the Bible.


Whether more changes are in store for the suburban Chicago megachurch isn't clear. Hawkins declined CT's interview request, and senior pastor Bill Hybels was unavailable for comment.
Since 1975, Willow Creek has avoided conventional church approaches, using its Sunday services to reach the unchurched through polished music, multimedia, and sermons referencing popular culture and other familiar themes. The church's leadership believed the approach would attract people searching for answers, bring them into a relationship with Christ, and then capitalize on their contagious fervor to evangelize others.


But the analysis in Reveal, which surveyed congregants at Willow Creek and six other churches, suggested that evangelistic impact was greater from those who self-reported as "close to Christ" or "Christ-centered" than from new church attendees. In addition, a quarter of the "close to Christ" and "Christcentered" crowd described themselves as spiritually "stalled" or "dissatisfied" with the role of the church in their spiritual growth. Even more alarming to Willow Creek: About a quarter of the "stalled" segment and 63 percent of the "dissatisfied" segment contemplated leaving the church.

read more

Random Musings on St.Paul's Footsteps (4)


Alex: we go here, and here, and here...alamak, we're lost!


Kar Yong: wah..like real only!!


Andrew: No, the curry chicken shop is here, not there


For more photos and comments or add your own, fellow Greekers, log onto Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece 2008

Random Musings on St.Paul's Footsteps (4)


Alex: we go here, and here, and here...alamak, we're lost!


Kar Yong: wah..like real only!!


Andrew: No, the curry chicken shop is here, not there


For more photos and comments or add your own, fellow Greekers, log onto Footsteps of St. Paul in Greece 2008

Random Musings on St.Paul Footsteps (3)

The Meteora is situated in the northwest Plain of Thessaly and is made up of numerous giant rocks amidst a flat plain. Often called a stone forest, these rocks became a wonderful place for ascetic monks to be so that they may be close to God. By the late 11th century, there were records of monasteries being built in Meteora.

Meteora means ‘in the air’ because it seems to be suspended between heaven and earth. During the peak of monasticism during the 16th century, there were many monasteries. Today there are only six living monasteries left in Meteroa. They are called living monasteries because there are still monks and nuns living and praying in them. These monasteries are open to the public are the Great Meteoron or of the Transfiguration, Varlaam, St. Stephen, Holy Trinity, St. Nicholaos Anapafsa and Roussano. We visited the Great Meteoron and St. Stephen monasteries.



Monastery of Varlaam


Monastery of Saint Nicholaos Anapalsas

Monastery of Roussanou

Monastery of Holy Trinity (where a James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only, has a scene there)


The Monastery of Great Meteoron



The Monastery of Aghia Triada


Monastery of Saint Stephen

I have never ceased to be amazed by the devotion and dedication of the men and women who devoted themselves to God. It must be very costly to build these monasteries in terms of time, effort and of the cost to physical and mental health. Yet these ascetics left behind everything they had, or relate to in the world so that they can spend their days and nights praying, lectio divina, and trying to be close to God. Their life must have been brutally and uncomfortable and harsh. I am told their lifespans were very short.
Immediately after my return to Malaysia, I have to prepare a sermon for the Sunday service, and also have to conduct a funeral service for a church member. Again I am reminded of how precious life is and how it important it is for us to make the right choice of what we do with our lives.
.



Random Musings on St.Paul Footsteps (3)

The Meteora is situated in the northwest Plain of Thessaly and is made up of numerous giant rocks amidst a flat plain. Often called a stone forest, these rocks became a wonderful place for ascetic monks to be so that they may be close to God. By the late 11th century, there were records of monasteries being built in Meteora.

Meteora means ‘in the air’ because it seems to be suspended between heaven and earth. During the peak of monasticism during the 16th century, there were many monasteries. Today there are only six living monasteries left in Meteroa. They are called living monasteries because there are still monks and nuns living and praying in them. These monasteries are open to the public are the Great Meteoron or of the Transfiguration, Varlaam, St. Stephen, Holy Trinity, St. Nicholaos Anapafsa and Roussano. We visited the Great Meteoron and St. Stephen monasteries.



Monastery of Varlaam


Monastery of Saint Nicholaos Anapalsas

Monastery of Roussanou

Monastery of Holy Trinity (where a James Bond movie, For Your Eyes Only, has a scene there)


The Monastery of Great Meteoron



The Monastery of Aghia Triada


Monastery of Saint Stephen

I have never ceased to be amazed by the devotion and dedication of the men and women who devoted themselves to God. It must be very costly to build these monasteries in terms of time, effort and of the cost to physical and mental health. Yet these ascetics left behind everything they had, or relate to in the world so that they can spend their days and nights praying, lectio divina, and trying to be close to God. Their life must have been brutally and uncomfortable and harsh. I am told their lifespans were very short.
Immediately after my return to Malaysia, I have to prepare a sermon for the Sunday service, and also have to conduct a funeral service for a church member. Again I am reminded of how precious life is and how it important it is for us to make the right choice of what we do with our lives.
.



Friday, May 30, 2008

Star Trek Excelsior and Captain Sulu



This is an interesting novel by Michael A. Martin and Andy Mangels on some untold history of the Star Trek universe.


The story is about how the two groups of klingons- smooth forehead and ridged forehead became one group of klingons. It is also about how Hikaru Sulu became captain of the USS Excelsior.

Easy reading and fill the gaps of klingon history that starts in the televison series Enterprise, Star Trek classic and The Next Generation.

Star Trek Excelsior and Captain Sulu



This is an interesting novel by Michael A. Martin and Andy Mangels on some untold history of the Star Trek universe.


The story is about how the two groups of klingons- smooth forehead and ridged forehead became one group of klingons. It is also about how Hikaru Sulu became captain of the USS Excelsior.

Easy reading and fill the gaps of klingon history that starts in the televison series Enterprise, Star Trek classic and The Next Generation.

Random Musings on St. Paul's Footsteps (2)

What makes the spiritual director goes Ahhh in Greece?



now find out


What makes the ladies go Ohhh in Greece ?

Random Musings on St. Paul's Footsteps (2)

What makes the spiritual director goes Ahhh in Greece?



now find out


What makes the ladies go Ohhh in Greece ?

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Indiana Jones is back in Indy 4


Indiana Jones is finally back on the big screen! Indy 4 is named Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Dr Henry Jones II, Junior was last seen in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade which is still my favourite Indiana Jones movie even though the trilogy is now a tetralogy. I guess nothing can beat a Harrison Ford and Sean Connery teamup.
[this review may contain spoilers]
We last saw Indiana Jones in 1938 (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade).
This movie was set in 1957, many years after the last movie and Indiana Jones is a tenured professor of archaeology. In the time between the last movie and this, Jones was involved as a spy for the United States.
The enemy now is not the Nazis but the Russians. The 1950s was a time of Communist paranoid and the movie reflects this. The Russians want a particular crystal skull that when returned to its owner will reward the one who do so with incredible power. What is fascinating is that the skull belongs to an alien (yes, Indiana Jones finally meets X-files) and the kingdom of the crystal skull is El-Dorado-the city of God of the Mayan legend in Peru.
Skulls are humanity's foremost symbol of death, and a powerful icon in the visual vocabularies of cultures all over the globe. Thirteen crystal skulls of apparently ancient origin have been found in parts of Mexico, Central America and South America, comprising one of the most fascinating subjects of 20th Century archaeology.

These skulls, found near the ancient ruins of Mayan and Aztec civilizations (with some evidence linking the skulls with past civilization in Peru) are a mystery as profound as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Nazca Lines of Peru, or Stonehenge. Some of the skulls are believed to be between 5,000 and 36,000 years old. (read more about crystal skulls)
While the beginning of the movie was slow moving, it finally erupted into the Indiana Jones magic on screen. There are clever references to the previous three movies. And of course all the ingredients are there; fear of snakes, Jones being beaten up, fantastic fights on moving vehicles, use of his whip, ancient buildings with traps, Jones' familiarity with ancient languages, his ability to solve encrypted puzzles within a few minutes, and falling down tall cliffs or waterfalls without any crippling injuries. Knowing that he will not be injured or killed leaves one able to relax and enjoy all his escapades. Clearly Harrison Ford's age have not masked but instead enhanced his acting as Indiana Jones.

Two things come out clearly in all Indiana Jones movies which makes us love this character. First is his sense of morality. For him, something is either good or evil and there are no gray areas. Another is his sense of loyalty to his friends; even those who betrayed him. He would reach out to them to try to save them.
I love the final piece of the puzzle of El-Dorado which has to do with exegesis of the ancient Mayan language. El-Dorado is often translated as city of gold. However as Jones explained, it may also be translated as city of treasures and the greatest treasure is knowledge.
It is incredible fun for Indiana Jones fans. However some of the settings and violence may not be suitable for young children.

Indiana Jones is back in Indy 4


Indiana Jones is finally back on the big screen! Indy 4 is named Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Dr Henry Jones II, Junior was last seen in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade which is still my favourite Indiana Jones movie even though the trilogy is now a tetralogy. I guess nothing can beat a Harrison Ford and Sean Connery teamup.
[this review may contain spoilers]
We last saw Indiana Jones in 1938 (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade).
This movie was set in 1957, many years after the last movie and Indiana Jones is a tenured professor of archaeology. In the time between the last movie and this, Jones was involved as a spy for the United States.
The enemy now is not the Nazis but the Russians. The 1950s was a time of Communist paranoid and the movie reflects this. The Russians want a particular crystal skull that when returned to its owner will reward the one who do so with incredible power. What is fascinating is that the skull belongs to an alien (yes, Indiana Jones finally meets X-files) and the kingdom of the crystal skull is El-Dorado-the city of God of the Mayan legend in Peru.
Skulls are humanity's foremost symbol of death, and a powerful icon in the visual vocabularies of cultures all over the globe. Thirteen crystal skulls of apparently ancient origin have been found in parts of Mexico, Central America and South America, comprising one of the most fascinating subjects of 20th Century archaeology.

These skulls, found near the ancient ruins of Mayan and Aztec civilizations (with some evidence linking the skulls with past civilization in Peru) are a mystery as profound as the Pyramids of Egypt, the Nazca Lines of Peru, or Stonehenge. Some of the skulls are believed to be between 5,000 and 36,000 years old. (read more about crystal skulls)
While the beginning of the movie was slow moving, it finally erupted into the Indiana Jones magic on screen. There are clever references to the previous three movies. And of course all the ingredients are there; fear of snakes, Jones being beaten up, fantastic fights on moving vehicles, use of his whip, ancient buildings with traps, Jones' familiarity with ancient languages, his ability to solve encrypted puzzles within a few minutes, and falling down tall cliffs or waterfalls without any crippling injuries. Knowing that he will not be injured or killed leaves one able to relax and enjoy all his escapades. Clearly Harrison Ford's age have not masked but instead enhanced his acting as Indiana Jones.

Two things come out clearly in all Indiana Jones movies which makes us love this character. First is his sense of morality. For him, something is either good or evil and there are no gray areas. Another is his sense of loyalty to his friends; even those who betrayed him. He would reach out to them to try to save them.
I love the final piece of the puzzle of El-Dorado which has to do with exegesis of the ancient Mayan language. El-Dorado is often translated as city of gold. However as Jones explained, it may also be translated as city of treasures and the greatest treasure is knowledge.
It is incredible fun for Indiana Jones fans. However some of the settings and violence may not be suitable for young children.

Random Musings on St.Paul's Footsteps (1)

Arrived back to Johor Bahru last night after a long tiring journey from Athens-Dubai-Kuala Lumpur-Johor Bahru. Was with the "Following the Footsteps of St.Paul" Greece Study Tour 2008 organised by Seminari Theologi Malaysia (STM) under the spiritual direction of Dr Lim Kar Yong (anyone who take photos of his food is okay in my books) .


Itinerary:
Sunday May 18: Athens arrival
Monday May 19: Athens-Corinth-Cenchreae
Tuesday May 20: Athens-Delphi
Wednesday May 21: Delphi-Meteora-Kalambaka
Thursday May 22: Kalambaka-Berea-Thessalonica
Friday May 23: Thessalonica-Philippi-Kavala-Thessalonica
Saturday May 24: Thessalonica-Athens
Sunday May 25: one day cruise to the Greek islands of Poros, Hydra and Aegina
Monday May 26: Free day (I took a side trip to Mycenae)
Tuesday May 27: depart Athens
Wednesday May 28: Arrive KL


in front of Panathenian Stadium in Athens

I have had a wonderful trip with a group of wonderful people. It is wonderful to feel the love of Christ experienced through his people. I believe the apostle Paul would have had the same experience travelling with Silas, Luke and Timothy along these routes. Coincidently we also have a few medical doctors in this tour.









I shall be blogging about my musings about the tour over the next few weeks.

There were 28 of us in the tour. We visited the following places and the links are to Kar Yong's posts.
Kavala
• Philippi (part 1, part 2[Lydia], Part 3, part 4, part 5)
• Thessalonica (part 1, part 2)
• Berea
• Kalambaka
• Meteora
• Delphi
• Athens
• Corinth and Cenchreae
• Greek islands of Poros, Hydra and Aegina

Random Musings on St.Paul's Footsteps (1)

Arrived back to Johor Bahru last night after a long tiring journey from Athens-Dubai-Kuala Lumpur-Johor Bahru. Was with the "Following the Footsteps of St.Paul" Greece Study Tour 2008 organised by Seminari Theologi Malaysia (STM) under the spiritual direction of Dr Lim Kar Yong (anyone who take photos of his food is okay in my books) .


Itinerary:
Sunday May 18: Athens arrival
Monday May 19: Athens-Corinth-Cenchreae
Tuesday May 20: Athens-Delphi
Wednesday May 21: Delphi-Meteora-Kalambaka
Thursday May 22: Kalambaka-Berea-Thessalonica
Friday May 23: Thessalonica-Philippi-Kavala-Thessalonica
Saturday May 24: Thessalonica-Athens
Sunday May 25: one day cruise to the Greek islands of Poros, Hydra and Aegina
Monday May 26: Free day (I took a side trip to Mycenae)
Tuesday May 27: depart Athens
Wednesday May 28: Arrive KL


in front of Panathenian Stadium in Athens

I have had a wonderful trip with a group of wonderful people. It is wonderful to feel the love of Christ experienced through his people. I believe the apostle Paul would have had the same experience travelling with Silas, Luke and Timothy along these routes. Coincidently we also have a few medical doctors in this tour.









I shall be blogging about my musings about the tour over the next few weeks.

There were 28 of us in the tour. We visited the following places and the links are to Kar Yong's posts.
Kavala
• Philippi (part 1, part 2[Lydia], Part 3, part 4, part 5)
• Thessalonica (part 1, part 2)
• Berea
• Kalambaka
• Meteora
• Delphi
• Athens
• Corinth and Cenchreae
• Greek islands of Poros, Hydra and Aegina

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Johor Church gets okay to convert land after 16 years

The Star Newspaper
Wednesday May 21, 2008


Johor church gets okay to convert land

JOHOR BARU: The congregation of Holy Light Church here had reason to rejoice last Sunday – they finally received approval from the Johor government to convert its land from agricultural to religious use after a 16-year wait.


The state executive council met on April 9 and approved the application, said Bar Council member Roger Tan, who is also a congregation member of the 56-year-old English church.

Last Sunday, Tan handed the official letter of approval to senior pastor Rev Nicholas Yeo.
“We are grateful that the Mentri Besar personally intervened in this matter,” said Tan who had highlighted the church’s plight to Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

“Within two hours, the mentri besar called back and asked me to inform the church that the government would consider favourably our application after the election. True to his word, our application has been approved.”

In 1989, the church bought the agricultural land in Mukim Plentong, next to the Ponderosa Golf Course. When they applied for the conversion of the land use, they discovered that the state government had other plans for it.

The church then filed a suit against the government in 1995, and the government subsequently withdrew from the land acquisition.

In 1999, the church applied again for the use of the land, which was sub-divided into two lots, to be converted for institutional and religious purposes. In 2000, the state government only approved one piece for institutional use.

source

Johor Church gets okay to convert land after 16 years

The Star Newspaper
Wednesday May 21, 2008


Johor church gets okay to convert land

JOHOR BARU: The congregation of Holy Light Church here had reason to rejoice last Sunday – they finally received approval from the Johor government to convert its land from agricultural to religious use after a 16-year wait.


The state executive council met on April 9 and approved the application, said Bar Council member Roger Tan, who is also a congregation member of the 56-year-old English church.

Last Sunday, Tan handed the official letter of approval to senior pastor Rev Nicholas Yeo.
“We are grateful that the Mentri Besar personally intervened in this matter,” said Tan who had highlighted the church’s plight to Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

“Within two hours, the mentri besar called back and asked me to inform the church that the government would consider favourably our application after the election. True to his word, our application has been approved.”

In 1989, the church bought the agricultural land in Mukim Plentong, next to the Ponderosa Golf Course. When they applied for the conversion of the land use, they discovered that the state government had other plans for it.

The church then filed a suit against the government in 1995, and the government subsequently withdrew from the land acquisition.

In 1999, the church applied again for the use of the land, which was sub-divided into two lots, to be converted for institutional and religious purposes. In 2000, the state government only approved one piece for institutional use.

source

Went to Greece and bought Achilles' Armour











Went to Greece and bought Achilles' Armour











Monday, May 26, 2008

The Future of Education

The excellent report THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION by Thomas Frey is the result of a study done by the DaVinci Institute.

The pace of change mandates that we produce a faster, smarter, better grade of human being. Current systems are preventing that from happening. Future education systems will be unleashed with the advent of a standardized rapid courseware-builder and a single-point global distribution system.

Information is growing at exponential rates, and our ability to convert that information into useful knowledge and skills is being hampered by the lack of courseware. We refer to this phenomenon as a courseware vacuum. The primary reason we lack courseware is because we haven’t developed a quick and easy system for creating it.

Once a rapid courseware-builder has been created, and the general marketplace has put its stamp of approval on it, a series of standards will be developed.

With tools for producing courseware becoming widely available, people around the world will begin creating it, and we will see a courseware explosion similar to the dramatic rise of content on YouTube and iTunes.

As part of the rapidly developing courseware movement we will see education transition from:

  • Teacher-centric to learning-centric
  • Classroom-based teaching to anyplace, anytime learning
  • Mandated courses to hyper-individualized learning
  • A general population of consumers to a growing population of producers


Learning will become hyper-individualized with students learning what they want to learn, when they want to learn it. Most of today’s existing learning impediments will eventually go away.

As a result of this shift we will begin to see dramatic changes in society. The speed of learning will increase tenfold because of a combination of the following factors:

  • Confidence-based learning will significantly increase learning speed and comprehension
  • Learning what we want, when we want - shifting away from a prescribed course agenda to one that is hyper-individualized, self-selected, and scheduled whenever a student wishes to take it will dramatically change levels of motivation
  • Technology improvements over time will continually improve the speed and comprehension of learning


The speed of learning will increase tenfold, and it is possible that the equivalent of our current K-12 education system will be compressed into as little as one year’s worth of learning.

In the future, we predict students entering the workforce will be ten times smarter than they are today.



read about THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION

The Future of Education

The excellent report THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION by Thomas Frey is the result of a study done by the DaVinci Institute.

The pace of change mandates that we produce a faster, smarter, better grade of human being. Current systems are preventing that from happening. Future education systems will be unleashed with the advent of a standardized rapid courseware-builder and a single-point global distribution system.

Information is growing at exponential rates, and our ability to convert that information into useful knowledge and skills is being hampered by the lack of courseware. We refer to this phenomenon as a courseware vacuum. The primary reason we lack courseware is because we haven’t developed a quick and easy system for creating it.

Once a rapid courseware-builder has been created, and the general marketplace has put its stamp of approval on it, a series of standards will be developed.

With tools for producing courseware becoming widely available, people around the world will begin creating it, and we will see a courseware explosion similar to the dramatic rise of content on YouTube and iTunes.

As part of the rapidly developing courseware movement we will see education transition from:

  • Teacher-centric to learning-centric
  • Classroom-based teaching to anyplace, anytime learning
  • Mandated courses to hyper-individualized learning
  • A general population of consumers to a growing population of producers


Learning will become hyper-individualized with students learning what they want to learn, when they want to learn it. Most of today’s existing learning impediments will eventually go away.

As a result of this shift we will begin to see dramatic changes in society. The speed of learning will increase tenfold because of a combination of the following factors:

  • Confidence-based learning will significantly increase learning speed and comprehension
  • Learning what we want, when we want - shifting away from a prescribed course agenda to one that is hyper-individualized, self-selected, and scheduled whenever a student wishes to take it will dramatically change levels of motivation
  • Technology improvements over time will continually improve the speed and comprehension of learning


The speed of learning will increase tenfold, and it is possible that the equivalent of our current K-12 education system will be compressed into as little as one year’s worth of learning.

In the future, we predict students entering the workforce will be ten times smarter than they are today.



read about THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION

Questions about a creating a "human-animal" Hybrid


In Greek mythology, Chimera is a monstrous creature of Lycia in Asia Minor, which was made of the parts of multiple animals. It was said to have the head of a lion, body of a goat, and tail of dragon. Chimera was one of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna and a sibling of such monsters as Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra.

A Chimera is however made of parts of multiple animals. What if we mix 50% human genetic material and 50% chimpanzee genetic materials. What we get is not a chimera but a hydrid, a "humanzee". We have the technology. The question is "should we do it?"

Shall we create a humanzee?


David Albert Jones, Professor of Bioethics at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham answers the following questions:

1. Without appealing to religion, is there any reason to think that from fertilisation there is a new human life? Isn’t the early embryo just a ball of cells?

2. How can anyone seriously believe that the early embryo has the same moral status as a twenty-four week foetus or as a newborn baby? Isn’t it obvious that there is a gradual growth in value or moral status from fertilisation to birth?

3. If you can now create embryos from parthenogenesis (i.e. without the need for male fertilisation of the egg) – and potentially from any cell in the body by de-differentiation – don’t we have to think now about all human cells being ‘potential’ human lives? Doesn’t this fatally undermine the idea that there is something ‘special’ about the embryo?

4. Surely if the human-animal embryo is not human then it is better to use it than a human embryo? Shouldn’t you be welcoming this rather than objecting to it as a way of avoiding the creation and destruction of new human life?

5. Isn’t talk of live born animal-human hybrids scaremongering? No one is planning to bring them to birth and, as long as they are destroyed before 14 days, there is no problem.

6. Is the human-animal embryo even an embryo? After all, it does not originate from fertilisation in the ordinary way and it has no potential to develop if we do not implant it.

7. Is there any new moral issue here? Haven’t scientists been combining animal and human material for years? What about the ‘hamster test’?

8. In a pluralist society what right has a religious minority to impose religious views on everyone else?

9. Should those who oppose this research refuse to use any medical treatments that it produces?

10. Don’t we have an ethical duty to pursue this research if it might lead to cures for diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s? What real, ethical objection is there to keeping all avenues open, provided that all the research is done on very early-stage embryos?


picture credit

Questions about a creating a "human-animal" Hybrid


In Greek mythology, Chimera is a monstrous creature of Lycia in Asia Minor, which was made of the parts of multiple animals. It was said to have the head of a lion, body of a goat, and tail of dragon. Chimera was one of the offspring of Typhon and Echidna and a sibling of such monsters as Cerberus and the Lernaean Hydra.

A Chimera is however made of parts of multiple animals. What if we mix 50% human genetic material and 50% chimpanzee genetic materials. What we get is not a chimera but a hydrid, a "humanzee". We have the technology. The question is "should we do it?"

Shall we create a humanzee?


David Albert Jones, Professor of Bioethics at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham answers the following questions:

1. Without appealing to religion, is there any reason to think that from fertilisation there is a new human life? Isn’t the early embryo just a ball of cells?

2. How can anyone seriously believe that the early embryo has the same moral status as a twenty-four week foetus or as a newborn baby? Isn’t it obvious that there is a gradual growth in value or moral status from fertilisation to birth?

3. If you can now create embryos from parthenogenesis (i.e. without the need for male fertilisation of the egg) – and potentially from any cell in the body by de-differentiation – don’t we have to think now about all human cells being ‘potential’ human lives? Doesn’t this fatally undermine the idea that there is something ‘special’ about the embryo?

4. Surely if the human-animal embryo is not human then it is better to use it than a human embryo? Shouldn’t you be welcoming this rather than objecting to it as a way of avoiding the creation and destruction of new human life?

5. Isn’t talk of live born animal-human hybrids scaremongering? No one is planning to bring them to birth and, as long as they are destroyed before 14 days, there is no problem.

6. Is the human-animal embryo even an embryo? After all, it does not originate from fertilisation in the ordinary way and it has no potential to develop if we do not implant it.

7. Is there any new moral issue here? Haven’t scientists been combining animal and human material for years? What about the ‘hamster test’?

8. In a pluralist society what right has a religious minority to impose religious views on everyone else?

9. Should those who oppose this research refuse to use any medical treatments that it produces?

10. Don’t we have an ethical duty to pursue this research if it might lead to cures for diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s? What real, ethical objection is there to keeping all avenues open, provided that all the research is done on very early-stage embryos?


picture credit

Friday, May 23, 2008

The Storyline of Iron Man

Friday May 9, 2008 Star online/print
Heavy metal
Worlds of Wonder by KALEON RAHAN

HAVING watched the Iron Man movie twice, I have nothing but repulsor-powered praises for the script, the cast, the CGI effects and the armour! However, if you are one of those new converts who feel that it’s the “armour that maketh the hero,” this review hopes to prove otherwise as we re-trace the last four-and-a-half decades of the armoured avenger’s adventures.

Mk 1 – 1963 to 1970

Debuting in Tales of Suspense (TOS) #39, Iron Man is a collaborative effort involving Stan Lee (plotter), Larry Lieber (scripter), Don Heck (artist) and Jack Kirby (comics supremo). In Stark/Iron Man, Lee envisioned the concept of a businessman-cum-ladies’ man superhero with a heart-aching secret. Hence, with a touch of Howard Hughes and a sprinkle of Kirby, Marvel witnessed the birth of its most complex character.

Seen as a breakthrough in the 60s, Iron Man’s selling point was technological advancement. Beginning with bulky grey armour (TOS #40), the next “wardrobe” change occurred eight issues later, with a slicker red-and-gold piece. TOS ends with #99, paving the way for a new regular series.

The formative years focused on technological advancement, national defence and Stark’s ongoing battle with his heart problem. The twist came in Stark’s gradual change in moral stance as he reconsiders his political opinions and the morality of manufacturing weapons for the military.

Amidst the various incarnations, deviations are noted on the war in which Stark got captured. While the original 1963 story used Vietnam as the ill-fated setting, the 90s version cited the Gulf War, and the current movie uses Afghanistan. What remains constant is Yinsen, who remains instrumental in the co-creation of the first made-from-scrap armour.

Outside his personal and business exploits, Stark also funded and co-founded the Avengers.

Mk II – the 70s

The 70s was occupied by the villainy of the Mandarin, Crimson Dynamo, Titanium Man, Firebrand, Spymaster and the Black Widow. Milestones include Iron Man (vol. 1) #55 (Thanos’ first appearance), #100 (vs Mandarin), #103-107 (Midas takes over Stark Industries) and #118 (Rhodey’s first appearance).

It was the #120-128 run that defined the era, with Stark confronting Justin Hammer and his personal demon – alcoholism. The run begins with a classic Namor battle, followed by Hammer’s manipulation of Iron Man’s armour to assassinate the Carnelian ambassador. Having to clear Iron Man’s name – Stark “sacks” his bodyguard and takes on Hammer’s posse (comprising Melter, Blizzard and Whiplash).

While Stark succeeds in redeeming the credentials of his armoured “bodyguard,” his personal life is a wreck, as the Demon in the Bottle story (#128) portrays him at his drunkard-womanising worst – resulting in Jarvis (Avengers’ butler) almost resigning, the Avengers mansion becoming a “chick” pad and SHIELD gaining a controlling stake over Stark Industries.

Mk III – the 80s

The 80s started off with a classic Hulk battle (#131 & 132) and the introduction of “Space Armour” (#142). Topping this is the time travelling encounter with Dr Doom (#149 & 150) as both tech geniuses craft their wits in medieval Camelot.

“Stealth Armour” was introduced in #152, followed by victories against the Living Laser, Mauler, Diablo, Serpent Squad and AIM. The victories were hollow as Stark once again fell victim to his addiction to the bottle, this time losing his armoured identity to Rhodey and Stark Industries to Obaidah Stane! Stane is no “daddy’s best friend” but rather a ruthless megalomaniac who succeeds in pushing Stark to the brink.

As for Rhodey, his stint as Iron Man is short-lived when his relationship with Stark becomes tumultuous, paving the way for a showdown in issue # 192.

In the “Iron Man v Iron Man” battle, Stark re-dons his classic grey armour and succeeds in upsetting Rhodey’s slick armour. Despite the battle, the duo remained as friends, focusing their attention on bigger matters like reclaiming Stark (now Stane) Industries.

The #200 anniversary features the showdown between Stark and Stane, with both combatants in new armour gear: Stark with new silver centurion armour and Stane in his Iron Monger creation. It ends with Stark regaining control of his business while Stane commits suicide.

Stark’s rebuilding process hits a tech bump when he discovers that his armour technology is being infringed on. In the classic “Armour Wars” story arc (#225-233), Stark hunts down armoured friends and foes to reclaim his tech. The exercise upsets Cap and the Government – prompting direct confrontations. The Feds unleash their own armoured enforcer named Firepower, who almost kills Iron Man. Eventually, Stark emerges triumphant but the “armour wars” incident sparks off paranoia and distrust amongst Stark, the Avengers and the Feds.

Plunging the 80s into disarray, Stark’s womanising ways finally gets the better of him – as jilted teenager Kathleen/Kathy Dare shoots and cripples him from the waist down (#243). Stark recovers from the “fatal attraction” ordeal in record time and even succeeds in regaining mobility via a nerve-chip invention.

Mk IV – the 90s

The highlight of the 90s was not the sequel to the Armour Wars (#258-266) nor Stark’s fake death (# 284) but the introduction of War Machine (#281). What started off as a “Variable Threat Response Battle Suit” to overcome his nervous system problems leads to another fallout between Stark and Rhodey (due to the “fake death”), with the latter claiming ownership of the War Machine armour. The duo eventually bury the hatchet with a superior display of firepower against Ultimo in #300.

Next came “The Crossing” (#329-335), arguably the worst Iron Man story line. This Avengers-crossover reveals Iron Man as Kang’s “sleeper-agent.” His acts of betrayal include killing Marilla and Yellowjacket 2, prompting the Avengers to time-travel to recruit a teenaged version of Tony Stark. The shock encounter between Young Stark and Old Stark forces the latter to revert to his “good side”. He sacrifices his life to stop Kang. Young Stark later builds his own armour and gains legal control of “his” company.

Together with the Avengers and X-Men, “Young Iron Man” battled Onslaught (#332) and was transported into a pocket “Heroes Reborn” universe by Franklin Richards. For a 13-issue period, Iron Man had a new regular series (vol. 2) that represented his origins with an “Image” twist. Subsequently came “Heroes Return” (vol. 3), which spanned 89 issues (from 1998 to 2004).

Mk V: The 21st Century

The 21st century began with a Y2K glitch as Stark’s armour turned sentient (vol. 3 #26-31). Joe Quesada delivers a “grue-awe-some” tale whereby Stark discovers that his armour is alive and dictates his actions. The two finally face-off on a deserted island, with a startling outcome.

Issue #56 finally allows Stark to come clean on his “bodyguard” identity – by suiting up as Iron Man in public to save a dog from going splat! The disassembling of the Avengers (#89) also results in the end of volume 3, with the present volume 4 offering a more machine-than-man version of Iron Man. The “Extremis” story-arc (vol. 4 #1-6) has Stark injecting his nervous system with a modified techno-organic virus (the Extremis process) that fuses his armour to his body. Extremis increases his body’s recuperative and healing abilities whilst enabling him to connect to satellites and computers throughout the world.

The last two years have been tumultuous for Stark, courtesy of instrumental roles in Civil War, World War Hulk and Secret Invasion. In Civil War, Stark and Captain America divide the Marvel Universe into two camps – those for and those against the Superheroes Registration Act. Stark’s support for the Act and Cap’s eventual self-defeat prompts the launch of Stark’s (50-state) Initiative which dictates the way heroes behave and save the world.

Before the Initiative starts, the Hulk returns from his Illuminati-imposed exile in World War Hulk, with the green goliath thrashing the Illuminati (comprising Stark, Mr Fantastic, Dr Strange and Black Bolt). While Stark succeeds in nullifying the Hulk-threat, an unexpected encounter with an Elektra-Skrull corpse amplifies his Extremis-ense, sparking an All-Points-Bulletin for a Skrull outbreak.

While the present Secret Invasion is expected to redeem and redefine Stark’s status as a bona fide hero (especially after the negative perception generated by Civil War and Cap’s death), the rebuilding process is expected to be a tough one. Of course, you can expect Stark to capitalise on his present role as SHIELD Director.