Freedom of Choice

America is the land of choice. In fact, I'd be willing to bet that Americans have far more choices in general than any other nation on earth. It's so ingrained in our psyche that we see "choice" as a given, almost an "inalienable right." This right to choose extends from the most grave (the choice to murder your own unborn child) to the most mundane (orange juice).

The last time I was at the grocery store I was struck by the vast selection of orange juice. Apparently, one or two choices is not enough for something as simple and basic as orange juice. For example, Minute Maid has no less than 10 varieties of orange juice! (This is excluding blends with other juices and "juice drinks.") Not to be outdone, Tropicana has at least 12 styles of OJ! According to Tropicana's website, you have the following options from which to choose:

• Original (no pulp)
• Home Style (some pulp)
• Grove Stand (lotsa pulp)
• Calcium + Vitamin D (no pulp)
• Grove Stand + Calcium (lotsa pulp)
• Light 'N' Healthy (watered down OJ w/vitamins--oh, and no pulp)
• Light 'N' Healthy with Pulp (some pulp)
• Fiber (some pulp--of course)
• Low Acid (no pulp)
• Healthy Heart (no pulp)
• Healthy Kids (because kids apparently need their own OJ)
• Immunity Defense (no pulp)

With all of those options before you, if you're like me you might just stand there in a daze for several minutes trying to figure out which one you want. And then you might just walk away emptyhanded, or go grab a Coke.

The Law Comes Naturally

The other day Brant and I were discussing the idea that the idea of Law comes naturally to us as humans. We all inherrently understand that good deserves reward and bad deserves punishment. Of course, reinforcement of this throughout our lives helps.

Last week, my wife called me up and told me that our eldest son's (he's three) sense of justice had been offended. I had driven to work, having forgotten to take the car seat out of my car and put it back into my wife's. My wife had to drive a couple of residential blocks with my son buckled in with the regular seatbelt to drop him off at his grandparents'.

When my wife explained to my son that she could get in trouble from a policeman if stopped, my son responded in bitter protest. But Daddy was the one who didn't put the car seat back--He should get in trouble! Though my wife tried to explain that that it's her fault for driving with him not in a carseat, he would have none of it. He saw the greater error as being my own and justice would simply not be served by punishing Mommy. And rightly so!

Ah, the clarity with which moral issues are seen by small children! (And may I never forget the carseat again!)

See: There was no moon landing

This story oughtta make all those conspiracy nuts out there who think that the US staged the Apollo moon landings on a Hollywood back lot feel real good. "Suuure you lost them. Uh huh."

Entertainment Junkies

America is a nation of entertainment junkies. We're addicts. Just like a heroin addict, all we can think about is our next fix. NFL, NBA, NASCAR, Snoop Dog, Christina Aguilera, American Idol, Sez and the City, Lost, 24, etc., etc. We walk around town in a trance with our iPod earbuds glued to our ears, faithfully attending Regal Cinema or the Troubadour or Edison Field on Sundays, where we bow to the gods and goddesses we have made with our own money, who in turn happily help us shoot up for another fix. Meanwhile, the important things of the world go on, and we're oblivious to them.

Want some proof? Here's the latest: Snow White's Seven Dwarfs are more well known than the 7 US Supreme Court Justices. What's worse? The 3 Stooges are better known than the 3 branches of US Government. And more people know Bart Simpson is Homer Simpson's son than know that the Illiad and Odyssey are the Greek poet Homer's epics poems.

Symptoms of a declining culture? I think so.

The Fashion of the Christ

Okay, I have no idea what possessed me. I think someone at the recent SCCCS conference mentioned Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. And today, on my way to lunch, the thought occurred to me: "Someone out there must have done something called "The Fashion of the Christ."

Sure enough, here's a fashion show, starring a Jesus Christ impersonator.

Yes, it's a bit irreverent--but probably not sacreligious. I see it as a demonstratation the common misuse of Jesus as an icon for people's (including Christians) current cause du jour. In other words, people commonly make Jesus the spokesperson and posterboy for their particular hobbyhorse; this illustrates the tendency a bit more clearly through idiodic humor.

Enjoy (or don't)!

SCCCS Conference

Reminder: This weekend is the annual Summer Conference, sponsored by the Southern California Center for Christian Studies. This year's theme is "Holywood Worldviews and the Cultural Mandate." Speakers will include (among others) Jack Hafer and Brian Godawa, Producer and Screenwriter, respectively, of the award-winning film, To End All Wars. Should be a good and informative time, as usual. Location is the Student Center of Cal State Fullerton. Time is Fri (8/4), 7-9pm; Sat (8/5), 9:30am - 4:30pm. Admission is free.