LOGIC. WHY SHOULD WE STUDY LOGIC? PT 3. SEEING PEOPLE AND THINGS AS THEY REALLY ARE.

RELIGIOUS/SPIRITUAL FAITH.

MIRACULOUS EVENTS.

SUPERNATURAL BEINGS.

RELIGIOUS TEXTS ETC.

Are not considered to be Included in the Realm of THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD, (WHICH BY NECESSITY, INCLUDES THE RULES OF LOGIC), BECAUSE THE BELIEF IN THEIR TRUTH OR REALITY DOES NOT REQUIRE EVIDENCE, OR ANY KIND OF JUSTIFICATION THROUGH INTELLECTUAL INQUIRY.

If One Reads the CHRISTIAN BIBLE, THE TORAH, THE KORAN etc,, the Interpretation or Meaning is left to those who study the CONTENTS, IN THE CONTEXT OF HOW IT SHOULD BE APPLIED TO THEIR PARTICULAR FAITH.  SCIENCE, AND THE RULES OF LOGIC, DO NOT COME INTO THE DISCUSSION BECAUSE FAITH ALLOWS FOR CONTRADICTIONS, MIRACULOUS EVENTS, DIVINE INTERVENTION, AND OTHER CLAIMS, WHICH BY DEFINITION, DO NOT REQUIRE PROOF TO THOSE WHO ACCEPT THEIR REALITY.

IN OTHER WORDS:  IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ARGUE THAT SOMETHING EXISTS OR DOESN'T EXIST, OR , AN EVENT OCCURRED OR DIDN'T OCCUR, IF THE BELIEVER WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY EXPLANATION, PROOF, OR CONCLUSION THAT CONTRADICTS THEIR FAITH.  THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN:

THE NATURAL WORLD-  WHERE REALITY CAN BE EXAMINED, TESTED, STUDIED AND UNDERSTOOD BY THE HUMAN MIND.

THE SUPERNATURAL WORLD-  A HYPOTHETICAL REALM THAT EXISTS APART FROM THE PHYSICAL UNIVERSE, AND IS NOT BOUND BY ITS LAWS.

THERE IS NO INHERENT PROBLEM IN BELIEVING THAT EACH CAN EXIST, IF YOU THEM SET APART, AND UNDERSTAND THAT THEY CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD PROPERLY, BY ATTEMPTING TO MEASURE THE EXISTENCE OF EACH BY PROPERTIES THAT CANNOT, BY DEFINITION, BE FOUND IN BOTH.

THE TRUE ENEMIES OF RELIGION AND SCIENCE, ARE THOSE WHO TRY TO FORCE THEIR "FAITH" ON OTHERS, BY CLAIMING THAT THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD "PROVES" THEIR BELIEF SYSTEM.

HOWEVER, IT WON'T WORK.  YOU CAN'T BEND, CHANGE, OR ALTER PHYSICAL LAWS TO ADAPT TO YOUR DESIRED CONCLUSION.  YOU MAKE YOURSELF SOUND DESPERATE, AND DESTROY THE VERY OF ESSENCE AND FOUNDATION OF "RELIGIOUS FAITH".

WHAT A SHAME- A look at the low points in the modern media. HUMILIATION TELEVISION; IT DOESN'T GET ANY LOWER THAN THIS. PT 12.

"BREAD AND CIRCUSES", is a Phrase used to Describe the Degeneration of Society, where the Pursuit of Intellectual Ideals and Civil Discourse disappears, Replaced by the Pursuit of Mindless Pleasure, and the Basic Needs required for Survival being met to the Individuals Satisfaction. 

The Classic Example is the Fall of the Roman Empire.  After Extending its Borders to Encompass much of the Known World, Emperors began holding to Power by providing Extravagant Entertainment to Citizens of the Empire, and meeting the Basic Survival Needs of Food and Shelter.

Politicians came to Realize that the Average Roman Citizen cared little for anything else but a Full Stomach, and Having Their Desire for Excitement, Depravity, and Blood Lust met on a regular Basis.  Control the Mob with "BREAD AND CIRCUSES", and they will forever Sing your Praises.  It is considered one of the Reasons why such Inhuman Monsters like Tiberius, Caligula and Nero were able to Rule for any Length of Time.

Now, I am not saying we are heading into such a Situation in the U.S., and that very soon Modern Day Gladiators, Charioteers, and Condemned Criminals will once again be put on Display to Satisfy the Baser Desires of the Public at Large.

However, there are some Valid Comparisons Between Society Today, and the Roman Empire of Two- Thousand Years ago.  It is not the Type of Entertainment we should be looking at, but what is given up Morally, Intellectually, and Politically if we choose to make Humiliation, Depravity, Irrational Conduct, and the Total Disregard for Consequences a LIFESTYLE CHOICE THAT IS ADMIRED AND REWARDED FINANCIALLY, CIVILLY, AND POLITICALLY.  TODAY, WE MAY CALL SUCH THINGS EXAMPLES OF;  REALITY TELEVISION, TALK SHOWS, COURTROOM DRAMAS, POLITICAL ROUND TABLES, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION GEARED TO MASS ENTERTAINMENT.

What is even more Absurd, is the PSEUDO- INTELLECTUALS WHO HOST MANY OF THESE PROGRAMS, WHO TRY TO HIDE THE TRUE MOTIVATIONS FOR PRODUCING SUCH MATERIAL, WITH A PRETENSE OF CARING, HEALING, AND PROTECTING THE "VICTIMS."

LOOK FOR PART 13.

Fiction- Stories, Myths and Legends. THE LEGEND OF THE VANISHING LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS. PT 4.

The Launch made its way slowly towards the east-side landing on Eilean Mor.  Aboard the small craft were Keeper Joseph Moore, Second Mate MacDonald and Seaman Jones, both members of the crew of the Hesperus.

Captain Harvie watched the progress of the launch from the bow of his ship.  He had deep misgivings about the situation that was unfolding, and possibly putting his ship and crew at risk.

However, he had no choice.  The Light on Eilean Mor had been out for days and needed to be activated as soon as possible.  Naturally, the real mystery was not that the Light was out, but that there seemed to be no one on Eilean Mor present to tend the Beacon.  His directions to the landing party were precise;  Check the Lighthouse and the Living Quarters for any sign of the missing men.  If they could not be located, the shore party was to return immediately to the Hesperus.  There was to be no comprehensive search until after the Light was functioning again.

"Mr MacDonald," Jones began, "Is it true what they say, that they have all gone missing?"

The Second Mate sighed,  and turned to the man who was next to him at the stern of the Launch.  ''Lad," he replied, " You know just as much as I do.  The Captain and Moore..." (He Gestured with his head to the man sitting at the Bow of the Launch), "...are pretty tight lipped about this whole thing.  But I say this, the Captain is worried about what we may find, or maybe, what we do not find."

End of PT 4.

Fiction- Stories, Myths and Legends. THE LEGEND OF THE VANISHING LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS. PT 3.

A half-hour later, Captain Harvie was in his cabin, located just off the bridge.

The Hesperus was anchored securely just off the coast of Eilean Mor, and the east -side landing was easily visible under the uncharacteristically cloudless sky.

There were actually two landing sites on the island, the other was located on the west-side of the island. However, the east-side landing was preferred because it offered shelter against the turbulent North Atlantic.

Harvie was seated at his desk, and was carefully studying a schedule that rested on it.  Even though he had read it many times in the past few days, Harvie kept returning to it, as if he was missing something.

The schedule was the official document that broke down the Duties, Safety Procedures, Maintenance Instructions and Dates for the landing of new supplies, that every Lighthouse Keeper serving the tower on Eilean Mor had to learn.  Even more important, it broke down the appointed personnel then serving on the island.

Joseph Moore was part of a four man crew that ran the day to day operations responsible for keeping the light operating 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.  The Manifest of Personnel consisted of :

• James Ducat- Principal Keeper.
• William Ross- 1st Assistant Keeper.
• Thomas Marshall- 2nd Assistant Keeper.
• Joseph Moore- Relief Keeper.  However, Ross had become ill several months before, and Donald Macarthur had been sent in to replace him as an occasional.

The four men worked on a rotating basis. Three men on duty at any one time, with the fourth man given shore leave that lasted two weeks.  At the end of the two weeks the Hesperus would leave the mainland with supplies necessary for the proper operation of the Lighthouse, and to meet the needs of those who were there to keep it running.  The ship would also transport the Keeper on shore at the time to the island to resume his duties.  After depositing its' cargo ashore, the Hesperus would depart, taking a different Keeper for a Fortnights time off.

Harvie put the the schedule in his shirt pocket, and sat back thinking about any possible circumstances that may have been overlooked that could explain the disappearances.  He recalled the conversation he had with Moore just before they cast off for Eilean Mor, regarding the strange and possibly tragic situation. The Hesperus had been scheduled to return to the island on Dec 21, but foul weather had forced a delay.

"I can't understand it," Moore had said to Harvie, while they were standing on the dock as the Hesperus was made ready to sail for the return to Eilean Mor.

Moore had continued, "Jim runs a tight ship. If he could draw a breath, there is no way the light would be allowed to go out."   Harvie knew that "Jim" was a reference to James Ducat, the Principal who was in charge of operations on the island.

"Well," Harvie replied, "could one of the others have snapped, and ... you know..."

Moore cut him off.  "Tommy is as reliable and stable a Lighthouse man as you'll ever meet.  I know Macarthur is an occasional, and was there because of Ross being sick and all, but he knows the business and volunteered as a replacement.  Nope, I'd sooner believe they were taken by a Kraken, then one of them turning on the other two."

End of PT 3.