Welcome to E D Skinner's Website

Seven-eighths of the way through the first day of work after the Christmas and New Years holidays and it suddenly hit me why we like Bullseye.

Scientists are undecided.

Some say the universe is open-ended, that it will expand forever, and that entropy will ultimately win. Others say it is cyclic, that it started, and will end, with a bang.

In a friend’s blog and in response to an on-going exchange about living in the USA versus elsewhere (see the replies to his [Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007][1] entry), I made the following comment:

I’ve heard it said that the value of firearms increase over time, especially if they are cared for. But I also know that, over time, inflation causes prices to increase and things for which I paid a little years ago are now much more expensive. So I wondered, are my guns really holding their value?

Guidelines from above:

1. Master what you can.
2. Help each other.
3. Try not to hurt anyone.
4. Accept.

As they say, I’m conflicted.

On the one hand I have the wherewithall, both mental and physical, both of which are God-given abilities, to protect myself. It is true, of course, that I can choose to use those abilities for good or evil and so the question arises, when, if ever, should I use force for the purpose of doing good?

Growing up I can remember how contentious, even confrontational, some of the churches seemed to be. “We are the true Way,” some would say while others seemed to claim, “Only by ascribing to our beliefs will you enter Heaven.”

Do I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

Here is my answer to a predictable question.

Do I believe in God?

I am a Christian Open Theist. That means I have a powerful belief in the example, message and role of Christ, and that I believe God gave us true Free Will, that the future is not pre-ordained, that to a very large extent, what happens is up to us.