Current Even Blog 2: Liberian Warlord Convicted

Summary: Former Liberian President Charles Taylor was unanimously found guilty of wartime atrocities after a trial at the U.N.-backed tribunal at the Hague. Taylor, who sponsored numerous violent rebel groups in neighboring Sierra Leone, was convicted in what is being called a landmark case for human rights and international justice. Alex Vines, head of the Africa Program asserts, "This is an important signal that the international community can deliver, and it will be a consideration for dictators in the future."Response: Taylor's conviction is a prime example of the power of the international court in the administration of justice to those whose atrocities evade national judicial systems. I was happy to read that the people of Sierra Leone and Liberia rejoiced at the news of Taylor's conviction because they were finally receiving the assurance that justice can and will serve even the most mighty warlords. The funny thing is, I have not seen any "Stop Taylor" posters or watched any hip and musically enriched videos encouraging me to take action. Unlike the recent Kony 2012 movement, which involves more media and merchandise than it does activism, Taylor's conviction was to-the-point and lacking in controversial media coverage. The Taylor case shows that there are some issues that Facebook, friendship bracelets, and fads can't fix. The international court is growing in power and certainly does not need our "liking" it to be effective. 

Cendrowicz, Leo. "Warlord Convicted: Liberia's Charles 

     Taylor Found Guilty of War Crimes." Time 

     Magazine. Time INc. , 26 A. Web. 26 Apr 2012. 

Life of Pi Part Two: Chapters 37-55

Life of  Pi continues to inspire me; however, the plot is becoming more complicated and slightly less reflective. Symbolism abounds, but so does boat vocabulary.Pi's character, the power of spirituality, and the hunger for survival were, to me, the most important elements of this section.
 Pi's personality is more deeply reflected as he encounters non-religious situations and incorporates spiritual approaches into his problem-solving methods. As the Tsimtum sinks, Pi must think and move quickly rather than lingering in the contemplative state in which he is often found. This new side of Pi is the embodiment of human reason: his ability to think clearly in the face of tragedy and to examine his circumstances with gripping acceptance are traits that we as humans strive to attain. Pi, whose namesake is an irrational number, maintains reason in the most trying scenarios. As Pi moves from heady dreams of loving God to the stark reality of the death of his family, his serene and astute persona prevails.
What makes Pi so able to psychologically survive his happenstance journey on the Pacific Ocean is his deep connection to God. He cries out to Jesus, Mary, Muhammad, and Vishnu for spiritual guidance. Chapters 37-55 depict the benefits of being close to one's God: peace, acceptance, reason.
As Pi struggles on the lifeboat with four wild animals (although that number quickly dwindles to one: the tiger), his zeal for life pervades all of his actions. Pi cries out, "God, preserve me," in the face of the tiger, which portrays his sincere will to make the most of his life. He knows that his family is dead. He knows he may be eaten by a tiger. He believes that there is life beyond death, but he holds onto the simple human breath his God has given him.
Although I enjoyed "Toronto and Pondicherry" more than Chapters 37-55, Life of Pi is still, to me, a book that is changing the way I see my beliefs and the beliefs of others. The plot includes copious details about the deaths of zoo animals and the dimensions of the lifeboat, but these subtle annoyances are surely balanced by the soulful prose of Pi Patel (via Yann Martel).

Current Even Blog 1: Christians helping everyone?

Overview: An atheist in San Antonio who had vowed to file a lawsuit against a church who set up a nativity scene on the courthouse square in surrounding Henderson county could not carry out his plans due to medical complications. Patrick Greene, who did not believe that any religious symbol belonged on government property, was suffering from a detached reitna and possibly going blind. In response to the news of Greene's ailment, members of San Springs Baptist Church in Henderson county raised $400 dollars to help Patrick Greene.

Response: This act of charity, however small, is representative of the true focus of the Christian church and its doctrines. The efforts of the members of San Springs Baptist Church are effective regarding the world's perception of Christianity, especially in light of the recent, negative press the church has been receiving. Christianity is a religion of grace: its God sent love and redemption to an undeserving people. Similarly, the church teaches its followers to love all people regardless of their beliefs, actions, or affiliations. Unlike members of the Westboro Baptist Church, who protested the funerals of homosexual soldiers, members of San Springs Baptist Church have reflected the doctrines of the Christian church by aiding a person who did not share their beliefs.
Additionally, the donations and positive attitude towards atheist Patrick Greene were much more effective than some Christians' condemnations of atheism. Patrick Greene was thankful for the donation, which he used to buy food for his family and his cat. This church's unbiased charity is proof that Christianity has the potential to be a positive and relative factor in society.
Greene, who is now moving to Henderson county because of its cheap rent, was inspired by the work of the Christians there. He still is not converted, but that is not stopping members of the church from showing him unbiased charity. The impact of this single case is sure to pervade the world's percpetion of Christianity, and hopefully we Christians can learn from San Springs' example: read the Instruction Manula.




msnbc.com staff, . "U.S. Christians raise $400 to help ailing 
     atheist who railed against their nativity." msnbc.com. 
     MSNBC News, n.d. Web. 22 Apr 2012.

Life of Pi, Part One: Author's Note, Toronto and Pondicherry

Life of Pi is a relaxed, gripping novel that stirs questions of religion and purpose without condescension. The "Author's Note", which establishes that the narrator of the story is indeed fictional, builds a currently nameless character who is searching for inspiration. I found this spiritually hungry narrator helpful in understanding the book for two reasons: he/she represents the basic human desire for the nonphysical yet highly tangible presence of God, and his/her participation in the story lets the reader know why Pi is explaining his life and his beliefs.
As Pi Patel denotes his early life and his love of God in "Toronto and Pondicherry", symbols and superb characterization unfurl with stylistic grace. The zoo, which is a sanctuary for both Pi and the animals, can be related to the sort of menagerie of religions that Pi practices. The tiger (somehow I have a feeling he will show up later. Yes, I read the back of the book) is representative of the purpose of all creatures and animals' innate desires for simple survival and reproduction. Also, Pi's name has several aspects that portray his character. "Piscine" is the French word for pool; similarly, Pi's life up to the end of "Toronto and Pondicherry" has been a contained, serene journey. Audibly, the word "Piscine" sounds like "peace", which is a paramount trait of Pi's spirit. "Pi" is also 3.14, a complex number. Pi practices three religions and is considered complex by almost everyone he encounters.
Last night I went to yoga, came home, and read this book. It was one of the most relaxing yet intellectually challenging Tuesday nights I have had in a while. Life of Pi, with its unconventional fiction and well-researched structure, is quickly turning into one of my favorite books.

FAHRENHEIT 451:

'The Sieve and the Sand" and "Burning Bright" were compelling and certainly necessary components of Fahrenheit 451. These two sections detail the motives and backgrounds of the characters and thicken the plot of the story; however, I still feel like I am flipping through a catalog of mankind's very best intellectually motivational quotes. The interactions between characters, dismal and confusing setting, and the melodramatic tone of Fahrenheit 451 made the book an inspiring yet awkward read for me.
 The dialogue in Fahrenheit 451 seems only to serve as a catalyst for Bradbury's central theme: the importance of literary preservation in the face of a technologically driven world. Even though Bradbury's purpose is of utmost importance, his metaphorical immodesty makes me feel like I am being bombarded with symbolism. Montag and Faber talk about books only, and they seem to agree on a plan of action far too rapidly. The quick character interactions are most likely reflective of the fast-pace setting of Fahrenheit 451, but they still make the pace of the book uneven.
I understand that this is a dystopian novel; however, at times I feel like Bradbury is trying to depict a world reminiscent of the junkyard modern art often seen at quirky garage sales. Maybe that was what he was going for, and maybe it wasn't. The point is, I do not really know because the unfamiliar technology used throughout the book conjures incongruous images of what the setting resembles.
I enjoyed Fahrenheit 451, but the constant serious tone drained my attentiveness as a reader. Montag, Faber, and Beatty constantly rave about books: their allure, their threat to governmental control, and their flammability. (Of course, this book is about books, so I should have seen it coming).
I know that I have really brought the heat on Fahrenheit 451 by bringing it under the rapid fire of eleventh-grade literary analysis. The book is inspirational and Bradbury's prose is wildly poetic and emotional, but its bizarre and overplayed concepts and themes caused my enthusiasm for dystopian fiction "burn out."