Tag Archives: religion

PI AND REALITY (Part 2)

Posted on February 1, 2013 by stanwiedeman

Florence Stratton offers a brilliant discussion of Martel’s book in her essay, “‘Hollow At the Core’: Deconstructing Yann Martel’s Life of Pi” in the literary journal, Studies in Canadian Literature (found at http://journals.hil.unb.ca/index.php/scl/article/view/12746/13689). She writes, “Life of Pi is organized around a philosophical debate about the modern world’s privileging of reason over imagination, science over religion, materialism over idealism, fact over fiction or story. The extreme poles of this debate are represented in the latter part of the novel by the two officials from the Japanese government.” Continue reading →

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PI AND REALITY

Posted on January 17, 2013 by stanwiedeman

Although it received 11 Oscar nominations, including best picture, Life of Pi has attracted much attention outside the Screen Actors Guild, given its philosophical and religious underpinnings. Adapted for the screen from Yann Martel’s novel, the movie does not drown out these themes with its remarkable cinematography and special effects. Continue reading →

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THE CONFOUNDING CHURCH

Posted on February 7, 2012 by stanwiedeman

Eighteen million views and counting. Jefferson Bethke posted his well-crafted four-minute video on YouTube January 10. “Viral” might be an understatement.

Bethke uses rapper-like poetry to communicate his message in “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus.” He begins with the claim, “What if I told you that Jesus came to abolish religion?” He intends to challenge the hypocrisy that creeps into every organized religion, but his broad brush paints a confusing depiction of Jesus v Religion. Continue reading →

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THE LIFE OF JANE

Posted on March 28, 2011 by stanwiedeman

Not yet 20, Jane is already divorced, a mother and a recovering drug addict. Her parents divorced when she was young, and her mother suffered a debilitating aneurism when Jane was only 12. She has had to serve as a part-time caregiver, not only to her mother, but also to her grandmother, who lives with them. Continue reading →

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