Cults versus Religions: What’s the Difference?

There is no doubt that the line between a cult and religion is incredibly blurred at times. It can be understandable that some people have gone as far as equating the two, particularly those hostile to religion. Usually, we are quick to box any given group that seems a bit odd in its practices as …

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Religion and Spirituality in China: A Mixed Bag

First up, this post is not about the religions of China, like Taoism, Buddhism and the various folk religions found throughout the country. Instead, I would like to give some thoughts about general religious and spiritual attitudes in China by the government as well as the general population. Some of my thoughts will be factual whereas others …

A Short Summary of Hinduism (Book Extract)

This is an extract from a book I have been writing on mysticism that is currently on hiatus. The ancient religion of India is rather unique among the world religions. It doesn't have a single founding figure like a Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha or Lao Tzu; there are no prophets; no single concept of the universe …

Flat Earthers are Right! (In a sense)

The modern rise of conspiracy theories in the West and particularly the United States is a fascinating phenomenon. Though it is true that they have existed in the minds of people throughout history - conspiracy theories about Jewish people being one of the most prominent - it wasn't until the rise of the internet where …

Your Thoughts: What does it mean by being created in the Image of God?

I've heard and read several interpretations of this theological idea, the worst of which was my philosophy lecturer's take on it during my first year as an undergraduate. In a humorously self-deprecating manner, he pointed at himself as a balding, short, overweight man to suggest that God probably doesn't exist, since He did such shoddy …

The Bible is a Bunch of Fairytales: A Response to Anti-theists (Part Two)

In part one, I looked into a number of problems anti-theists tend to raise about the Bible's integrity as a moral guide and largely argued that it comes from a fundamental misunderstanding and a literal, face-value reading of the texts. Today, I would like to look at the other major category in which the Bible …

My Chinese-Korean Family and the Endurance of the Human Spirit

Happy New Year to all! I've returned from spending three days with my second family over the New Years period. As some of you may know, I live in Harbin, China and am married to a Chinese citizen who belongs to the Korean ethnic minority group. For my first post of the year, I thought …

The Bible is Disgusting: A Response to Anti-Theists, Part One

Nowadays when writing or discussing issues of religion, I like to make the distinction between atheists and anti-theists. Whereas before, atheism almost implied a corresponding disdain for religion, there has been a growth in atheist philosophers, scientists and other figures, such as Alain De Botton and Jonathan Haidt, who accept that religion plays an important …

World of Warcraft is a Microcosm of the Real World

Over the year or so since beginning this blog, I have made little effort to conceal the fact that I enjoy playing video games. I grew up with them and they are basically my favourite entertainment choice. There is perhaps not a single game I have played more than World of Warcraft (WoW), and the …

Your Thoughts: How Is God Connected to the Individual (or more broadly, the material universe)?

Earlier this afternoon, as I was lying in bed, having taken the day off due to minor illness, I was thinking about the nature of God and how It works in the universe. Specifically, I have been troubled with the question of how exactly does God, if omnipresent - being everywhere, creates the individual and …