Links to Your World, Tuesday January 12

Did Hume “diss” Buddhism? Hume was blasted for comments on Fox News Sunday 9 days ago. He was asked as a commentator what he thought Tiger Woods should do now, and he said he should consider the Christian faith. “I don’t think that [Woods’ Buddhism] offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith,” and, “My message to Tiger [Woods] would be: Tiger, turn to the Christian faith, and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.” Tom Shales, Buddhist scholar Washington Post media critic said Hume “dissed about half a billion Buddhists on the planet.” But Buddhism does not, in fact, offer “the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith.” Buddhism is based on the assumption of karma says Stephen Prothero in USA Today. According to the law of karma, says Prothero, Boston University professor on Buddhism, “no matter what Woods says or does, he is going to have to pay for whatever wrongs he's done. There's no accountant in the sky wiping sins off your balance sheet, like there is in Christianity.” In the same USA Today article, Brad Warner, a California-based Zen priest and the author of the book Zen Wrapped in Karma Dipped in Chocolate, said, “The problem is something he [Woods] has got to work out for himself.” Working out one’s problems for oneself is vastly different than “the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith.”


The Hidden Benefits of Exercise: Even Moderate Physical Activity Can Boost the Immune System and Protect Against Chronic Diseases


“‘It was nice to get some chores out of the way,’ Oberlin told reporters later, acknowledging that for more than half an hour he experienced no regrets, despair, or frustration of any kind. ‘Felt really good.’…Monday's incident marks the first time the 37-year-old has had his life in order in more than six years.” (The Onion: Man Gets Life In Order For 36 Minutes)


“There's yet another post-apocalyptic film on the horizon, which should be reason enough for skepticism: Haven't there been enough already? But The Book of Eli, releasing Jan. 15, looks pretty interesting, if for no other reason than its central character: The Bible.” (Mark Moring, Christianity Today)


A spanked child may be a better adult: study


The Onion: Attractive Woman, Wealthy Man Somehow Making It Work


In the future, there will be no more…well, lots of things. Bottled water, Christmas cards, cell phone contracts: Here’s the list from Time.


Related: 10 Things Not to Buy in 2010


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