"Pastor tries athiesm, loses jobs, gains $19,000," Carson Wright, 5th Period

Pastor Ryan Bell often prayed for help when his life affairs went amiss. However, for the next 12 months--the year of 2014--Bell has resolved not to, and will "live as if there is no God."
In less than a week, Bell has lost two jobs at Christian schools near his Los Angeles home. A man of 42 with daughters of 10 and 13, Bell faces the possibility of poverty.
"There have been times, usually late at night and early in the morning, when I think: What have I done? It really undermines the whole structure of your life, your career, your family," Bell said. However, to his aide came an unlikely demographic: atheists.
Politically and theologically liberal, Bell had faced a resignation request from a past job as pastor of a Seventh-day Adventist congregation for advocating for the church to allow gay and lesbian leaders (along with other dogmatic disagreements). This shook his faith, but the loss of his church allowed him to more openly and freely question his religious beliefs without fear of troubling those around him. This lead him to think: "what if he tried out atheism, and lived with no religion at all for a year." So began his "intellectual experiment."
Bell "would interview atheists, attend gatherings of nonbelievers and read through the canon of skeptics," such as Nietzsche, Spinoza, Dawkins and Hitchens. He would record his journey in a blog called "Year Without God." Bell has been surprised by the amount of publicity and feedback his blog has spurred on.
Detailed on his blog are his efforts to make ends meet after losing several jobs due to his experimental atheism. Hemant Mehta, a prominent atheist blogger and Illinois schoolteacher, sympathized with and admired Bell. So, he set up an online fundraiser for Bell on Tuesday, and already, over nineteen-thousand dollars have been raised. Contributors include Christians, atheists and agnostics.

I've no quarrel with atheism. Many of my good, good friends have yet to be beguiled by it, and the fashion in which Bell has resolved to live in 2014--secular--is the fashion in which I want my government to function. Instead of praying for misfortunate friends, Bell has decided to "do something tangible and practical and supportive for them." Indeed, this is the proactive spirit of progress. Praying will not eliminate disease and poverty--medical advancement and positive action will.
Exposure to new ideas--culturally, socioeconomically, politically--have reshaped my character and ideals. Attending an arts school, exceedingly rich in diversity of all the aforementioned fields, and particularly accepting upon the expression of differing opinions, has helped me learn more of society's views as a whole.
The cultural diffusion caused merely by exposure to the different branches of society is an important part of becoming a well-rounded, understanding and intelligent person. When one refuses to absorb, or at least examine, any external ideas or belief systems, one cuts off the ability to grow outside one's own dogma. And those who cry out against exposure to ideas other than their own, hinder their ability to see why it is important.
This is not to say that all one loves must be forgotten. It is just to clarify the necessity of an open mind.
Bell is making a brave choice. And, as a ridiculously wise friend of mine once told me, the ability to doubt is naught but a sign of strong faith.

Article: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/08/pastor-learns-the-price-of-atheism/?hpt=hp_c3&replytocom=2873565#respond

Link to Ryan Bell's nifty blog: http://yearwithoutgod.com/

Jenna Cary 1st Period Current Event 1

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/01/08/utah-will-not-recognize-same-sex-marriages-performed-before-high-court-stay/?hpt=hp_t2

This articles talks about Utah's refusal to recognize same sex marriages. Although many other states do not support, and have not made gay marriage legal they still recognize a same-sex couples marriage. A Utah state law, made in 2004, won't allow for it to be recognized apparently.

Personally, I find this extremely awful as well as disrespectful. Of course, everyone has their own beliefs on who should be married to who, this was a legal bond and marriage made by the states these couples were married in. If a opposite sex couple moved to a new state, they would still be married... So how would this be any different? Sure, they are same sex couples but they have the same legal bond as a straight couple. To be honest this article appalls me. Im disgusted by it.

Four Day Traffic Gridlock Was Actually Political Retaliation, Suggest Texts/Emails

A traffic nightmare ensued in Fort Lee, New Jersey, back in September 2013. The George Washington Bridge, a double-deck suspension bridge over the Hudson between Manhattan and Fort Lee, faced lane closures and four days of traffic gridlock. Now, emails and text messages recently released show that New Jersey governor, Chris Christie, was the one who instigated the traffic jams as political payback. Apparently, the mayor of Fort Lee, Mark Sokolich, refused to endorse Christie.
One such condemning email reads, 'Time for some traffic jams in Fort Lee.' sent from Christie's deputy-in-chief. She has recently resigned.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/emails-link-chris-christie-aides-bridge-lane-closures-article-1.1569740

This is the most immature thing I've read this year. Really? You're mad that someone didn't endorse you so you turned an important bridge into a parking lot at the expense of your and Manhattan's citizens? Looks like someone is still mentally in high school.

"Happy Waitress Even Happier After Receiving Astounding Tip" - Natalie H. - Class 2

Eighteen year-old Abigail Sailors chatted with her customers she was saving her earnings for college, and she was surprised with the tip they gave her. This article was featured four hours ago today (1/6/14) on Yahoo! Shine, written by Lauren Tuck of the Shine Staff. 

Apparently these two guys went to a Cracker Barrel (the one Sailor's works at)  in Lincoln, Nebraska searching to find a grumpy waiter that they could cheer up. Instead, they were accompanied by the most cheerful of the delightful waiters, Abigail Sailors, who after chatting with, they learned that despite her rough past she is a determined optimist doing the best she can to pay for her tuition at Trinity Bible College. Turns out that one of the men revealed himself to be part of the Trinity Alumni, and then tipped her $100, also throwing in a $5000 check for her schooling and a another $1000 for whatever else she needs. Needless to say, if her glass was half full before, it's filled to the brim now.

Overall, the news article was a good read. Maybe I shouldn't overlook becoming a waitress, huh? 

Source: http://shine.yahoo.com/ellen-good-news/cracker-barrel-waitress-receives-life-changing-tip-193723354.html

Kyla cakarnis current event

The united states recently announced that there will be gay athletes competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics held in Russia. This comes after Russia announced its anti-gay laws. 

I'm glad the United States made this announcement. In this day, gay rights are a prevalent issue and Russia tried to ban them. This has given light to the situation globally and hopefully other countries will allow all of their athletes to compete.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/17/sport/us-delegation-russia-olympics/index.html?c=us

Kyla cakarnis current event

A small plane that was having engine trouble was forced to make an emergency landing on a populous highway. There were only 3 on board and all three were injured. Drivers who witnessed the incident were shocked some remarked that it even landed quite smoothly and they did not realize anything was wrong. 

It's scary when thins like this happen but it's also very reassuring when the pilot is able to land the troubled plane safely. I am glad all the passengers were able to make it out only injured. 

http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/04/us/small-plane-new-york-highway/index.html?c=us&page=2

Kyla cakarnis current event

A 17 year old girl, Claire Davis, was critically wounded at a shooting at a Colorado high school. She is stable but in a coma. She did nothing to enrage the shooter she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

I think it's really sad that this happened to anyone but particularly her. The shooter had no reason to shoot her and now her life is threatened. The family of the shooter said that they are praying for her.