Tag: Language
-
“In the Beginning was the Word” …
These are the opening words of John’s Gospel, most probably written around 100 CE. Whoever John was, he tried to convey a late 1st century understanding of the person and significance of Jesus. In doing so, he borrowed the term logos from Greek philosophy. This can indeed mean ‘word’, but also includes a variety of…
-
Irony of Ironies
Who is this a statue of? It’s of George Orwell who, in his book “1984”, warned us about the abomination of total state control over the lives of its citizens; what they do from minute to minute, and what they say in any place, at any time. Such control must include language. The state decides…
-
Lineker, Language and Debate
In writing this, I have to confess that I’m not a fan of Gary Lineker, and have never watched ‘Match of the Day’. Since we’re dealing with today’s instant readiness to ‘take offence’, let me make it clear that this isn’t personal criticism, but a statement of fact and nothing more. As it happens, I’m…
-
Let me tell you where I am
To borrow the oft-repeated, regulation ‘death blow’ verdict from ‘Dragons’ Den’, “I’m out” as far as the phrase “Intelligent Design” is concerned. It’s too tied-in to fundamentalist and, in my view, obscurantist religious views. “I’m in”, however, as far as the phrase “intelligence and design” is concerned. To me, “Intelligent Design” (especially with capital letters)…
-
Difficulty and ‘Religion’ and ‘God’
Since I live now in my seventy-seventh year, I’ve an excuse for trying to tidy up loose ends, tie threads together, and summarise where I’m ‘at’. Please note, however, that as a believer in life-long learning, I may not be ‘at’ the same place tomorrow, and also that I write, not expecting anyone to share…
RAY'S VIEWS ONLINE 