Saturday, November 15, 2008
Secularism
Secularism is a code of duty pertaining to this life founded on considerations purely human, and intended mainly for those who find theology indefinite or inadequate, unreliable or unbelievable.
And this definition is given based on the following three essential principles :
1. The improvement of this life is by material means.
2. That science is the available providence of man.
3. That it is good to do good. Whether there be other good or not, the good of the present life is good, and it is good to seek that good.
1. The improvement of this life is by material means.
2. That science is the available providence of man.
3. That it is good to do good. Whether there be other good or not, the good of the present life is good, and it is good to seek that good.
~George Jacob Holyoake, the originator of the term “secularism”, in English Secularism ~
Secularism is a variety of utilitarian social ethic which seeks human improvement without reference to religion and exclusively by means of human reason, science and social organization. It has developed into a positive and widely adopted outlook which aims to direct all activities and institutions by a non-religious concern for the goods of the present life and for social well-being.
~Virgilius Ferm in Encyclopedia of Religion~
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Greetings to the Continent
Greetings to the Continent
I
They separate us
the passports visas frontiers all names for barriers
they rob us with their laws
sending bullets wrapped in dollars
forcing us to choose
and choose we must
there is no other way
II
Friend, you have chosen guns and bullets
many leaders prefer their dollars
for this you must soak your clothes
red grass, red river
children’s weeping
the blood of the exploited
III
You squeeze cactus and grind stones
to make food and drink
girls toil decorated in dust
little children sling on their weapons
you darken the sky with exploding pipelines
others sing in prisons
for the freedom of Palestine
IV
We strive in drying rice fields
daring peasants have begun to clear the virgin jungle
small beginnings in a cloudlike calmness
a calmness that nips us in the bud
we the few are still learning
from all your experiences,
and our own
we shall consolidate the May eclipse
at the true targetof this archipelago
V
Greetings
without visa
passport
golf
colour
to humanity,
people,
of all continents.
~Usman Awang, 1970~
(Translated by Muhammed Hj Salleh)
Sunday, November 02, 2008
The New Function of Higher Learning Institution
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