Blog@GraceJunction

Hi Phil,

Here are some pictures that I took on my trip to some of the islands in the Indian Ocean. We started off our journey some six months before we reached our destination. It was basically an adventure trip where we were going to explore some of the scarcely populated islands in the world. Hardly has any man set foot on these islands because of the tough conditions of the ocean, lack of edible food and water and also the dangerous tribes that lived there for many years.

As we closed in on these islands we just wanted to have a look at the underwater creatures and vegetation that existed. While scuba diving, I came across a human skeleton with a nicely sealed bag made out of animal skin tied around his wrist. This was a fascinating sight as I was sure that these were the remains of some tribesman. I went closer to have a look. The bag was heavy and I was getting restless to have a look. I took the bag along with me back to the deck where I opened it in the company of other mariners. (more…)

Hey Big Bro,

All these years i have believed that there is no God and there is no immortality. And my ethical system was formed in this framework which made me believe that since there is no moral accountability every persons values become expressions of personal taste or the by-products of his socio-biological evolution and conditioning. One humanist philosopher said ‘The moral principles that govern our behaviour are rooted in habit and custom, feeling and fashion’. In plain words i did what i liked and i was not answerable for my actions to any supreme authority like God.

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Hi Vikas,

I saw your blog about the ‘racist attacks’ on Indians in Australia. And the situation i believe continues to remain grim with the government issuing a travel warning for people planning to visit Australia. Hope your course there is in the final stages and you will be back soon. It is nice that you are taking up the issue in the interests of the new students who have spent lakhs of rupees to get their admissions. The situation certainly is gloomy for those who have gone there with many dreams. (more…)

Respected Teacher,

Yesterday’s science class still echoes in my mind because it has shaken up the foundations of my life. My parents always told me that God created the universe and that we are built for immortality or an eternal life if we fall in line with God’s plan for our life. But yesterday you said that the universe came in to existence through a big bang which took place some 15 billion years ago and that it expands every day, the galaxies go further and further from each other, till one day when all the energy will be used up, the stars will burn out and all the matter will eventually fall into a black hole bringing down the curtains to the existence of the universe. Which means that there is no God and hence no immortality that I dreamt about? (more…)

 
Dear Professor,

Your lecture yesterday on the evolutionary theory, well articulated and decorated with witful takes on God and religion has left many questions in my mind. You said that scientific evidence to prove the origin of the universe and the evolution of the species has proved beyond doubt that there is no God. And you were quick to add that such a view did not support a nihilistic approach to erase values and principles on which the society stands, although your hastiness to add this disclaimer seemed like the inevitability of the same. And that made we wonder about the viability of this whole theory. (more…)

 
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for coming and joining with us during this hour of great loss for our family. Yesterday night i lost my dear wife after a prolonged battle for life. As you all know that she has not been keeping well for the last two years and towards the last days it had become unbearable for me to see the most important person in my life loosing the battle although after a valiant effort to keep what we cherish most, life ! (more…)

 
Hi Vishal,

Today when i was watching my one year old son playing with his favorite toy i was taking in the joy of seeing my son learn and grow up. He was so happy and i felt contented to see him joyful and soaking in the love and caring that we were giving him as a family. Suddenly, a longer shadow came over him, it was his elder brother coming in after a brawl with the neighborhood boys. He was angry and frustrated. And he was looking for an easy prey. (more…)