Category Archives: Trans-egoism

Exodus, Laws of Nature, Metaphysics, Miracles, Monism vs Dualism, Trans-egoism

The Metaphysics of the Miraculous

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the_parting_of_the_red_sea

[Article by Mark I Rasskazov, Editor in Chief of the Transegoist Daily Journal. Syndicated.]

The Metaphysics of the Miraculous

My metaphysical model is monism, which means that I believe that there is one reality, and that everything in it is subject to a single set of physical laws (the Standard Model of Physics — until something better comes along). Now, most monists do not believe in miracles. Why? Because the term “miracle” typically denotes something which is supernatural — i.e., something which defies the laws of physics; something which requires that we appeal to metaphysical dualism: the idea that there are two planes of existence; a physical one, and a separate one, a spiritual one, which can override the physical.

The majority of people who believe in the existence of a Deity (or deities) accept some dualistic metaphysical model. I believe in God, and I accept a monistic model. I also believe in miracles. Is this a contradiction? No; but I’ve had to manipulate the concept of “miracle” somewhat.

It has been said: “That which seems miraculous is actually merely the unexplained.”

I consider that statement to be accurate.

I add one twist:

That which is, admittedly, physically explicable, yet is clearly not coincidental must be considered to be miraculous.

The Ten Plagues of Egypt can be explained as a severe natural disaster. Does that mean that it is coincidence that it happened to occur just as the time was right for the Israelis to leave?

The parting of the Red Sea in the book of Exodus has been explained as being the result of comet activity. Does this mean that it is coincidental that it occurred just as it began to look like the children of Israel had their backs against the wall?

When the Israelis arrived at the Promised Land, on two separate occasions, the walls of a city they were attacking spontaneously crumbled at a strategically advantageous moment. This could have easily been the result of seismic activity. Coincidence?

I think not.

What I think is that this entire universe is a magnificent machine, which operates in a flawless, albeit brutal and bittersweet manner.

God does have love for mankind. That’s not to say that He’s very nice. He’s not.

God’s miracles are physical events that He has set into motion long beforehand.

In that sense, inasmuch as God is sovereign, every waking moment that you experience is a clear and present miracle.

Do not squander the beautiful and terrifying miracle that is your life.

Gay, Guns, Mon$atan, Regulation, Trans-egoism, Vested Interests

Why gay marriage matters

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[Article by Mark I Rasskazov, Editor in Chief of the Transegoist Daily Journal. Syndicated.]

317949-marriage-equality

Why gay marriage matters

It has been said that gay marriage is a non-issue being used to distract from larger issues (i.e., the Mon$atan Protection Act).

NOTE: From now on, I am referring to the Monsanto Corporation as “Mon$atan” (thank you, @OrganicLiveFood on Twitter).

There is some truth to this. But here’s the thing. Gay marriage is an important issue—not so much in and of itself, so much as it is important to assert that we will live and let live, in order that we may unite to deal with institutions like Mon$atan and its ilk, and so that we can continue to win over the liberals to the importance of gun rights, etc.

MONSANTO-300x228

They are using this issue to divide us.

We need to use this issue to unite ourselves.

“Live and let live!” must become a categorical political axiom if we are going to unite to take down Mon$atan and the gun snatchers.

Among my former college classmates whom I still follow on Facebook, the most adamant opponent of Mon$atan is a guy who happens to be gay. I want to make sure that I am not alienated from this person over something as trivial as gay marriage.

Straight people: gay people are not violating your first amendment rights by getting married. And Gay people: if a heterosexual thinks that gay marriage is against his religion, he’s allowed to express that which is his religious/ethical belief; so long as he isn’t actively trying to persecute you for yours.

Live and let live.

On those issues which we can unite behind, we will win.

If they successfully divide us, then we will lose.

Live and let live.

Fetal Decay, Keep it Metal!, Trans-egoism

Trans-egoism

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Just added a new blog to the blogroll.

TRANS-EGOISM
Pursuing to comprehend how the facts of life compile universal truth is the single most honorable, difficult, and critical endeavor that a man may engage in. It requires all of the self; and consumes it like a ravenous fire: painfully and mercilessly removing all that is weak, faulty, and impure in a man, to temper and reveal an inner core of strength, righteousness, and unshakable personal serenity.

Sounds good. Also sounds kind of familiar … but why is half of it in bloody Russian?!

Never mind, it’s the perfect excuse to post some more brutal Russian death metal. 🙂

Luke, Trans-egoism

Luke 12:35-48

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I post this by way of introduction to The Third Watch. Welcome to the blogosphere!

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”

The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

“That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. (NIV1984)

I note that whereas the 1984 New International Version has

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.

the 2011 New International Version has

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak.

The Devil is in the detail.