God and Guilt

In court, it is said that where there is no evidence or sufficient proof for someone's guilt, he can't be held liable for his alleged wrongdoing. It is so, however, only because we follow the principle of ignorance: "One is innocent unless proven guilty." But we do know that one could be guilty as hell just the same, even if he cannot be judged guilty and penalized for lack of evidence. This applies to the claim that God exists. It does not follow that there is no God simply because there is no evidence or sufficient proof for God's existence. Of course, I do not mean to suggest that I know for sure that He is a spiritual entity. Neither do I think that His being is physical. No one knows for sure what substance God is made of if, indeed, there is an entity that is God. The trouble with the atheists is that they are too strict with their evidential standards when it comes to questioning theism, but they loosen up their requirements when they turn to their atheism. It does not logically follow that there is no God simply because you have no proof for that entity's (granting that He/She/It exists) existence. So, no double standard please.

SOME OF THE THINGS CHILDREN NEED

1. TRUTH. So, don't lie to little children, unless (on certain occasions) they are not ready or may not be able to handle the truth. Telling them the truth is an effective way of gaining their trust and confidence. Being truthful is also a good way to teach them to be honest to people they could trust. Believe it or not, it helps a lot to assume that little children will always find out that you lied to them, if you did, for that is the surest way to lose your credibility to them.
2. PLAY AND FUN. So, don't keep them from running around; it's a biological need of little children. Of course, keep an eye on them because accidents usually happen within a fraction of a second. Play activities are a foundation, and thus a necessary ingredient, of maximum development of human beings. Restraining them is dehumanizing them.
3. EVIDENCE. So, don't tell them that if they will not stop crying, a ghost is going to come and get them. It's a sin to little children to get them to believe in something for which no modicum of evidence could be pulled out.
4. INDEPENDENCE. So, don't bring to them what they want, you are not their servant. Assist them so they could get it themselves. If they are too short to reach it, carry them and let them use their own hand/s to get it.
5. RESPECT. So, talk to them with respect. Don't treat them like they are little fools who know nothing but childish things. They will have a hard time getting to where you want them to be if you will not start where they are. Just remember, children want to learn. They always ask themselves, "What is that/this?" And they are not certain about their answer, if any. So, don't ignore them when they seem to be curious about something. Watch their eyes and surely you could tell if they want to know. Talk to them about what you see and what they see. Be a good guide, just like a competent tourist guide.
6. HAPPINESS. Figure out what could make them happy and happier. And if it is good for them, waste no time in making it available to them if you could. Remember, we all have only one life to live and life is so short. Children will always remember and love you if you are a constant source of fun. Nothing could be lovelier than being remembered and loved. Ask yourself, how frequent does a child in your company smile and laugh? Your answer could tell you if you are fun to be with.
7. LOVE. So, ensure that the child is well-fed, -clothed, -and -sheltered. Be sure that he/she is happy in your company. Play with him/her till he/she is tired and satisfied. One of the greatest injustice adults could commit is to let children grow without them knowing what it is to be actually loved. Neglecting a child is a sin whose cost could turn out to be more than what we, adults, could hope to bear. Loving a child, of course is not easy; it requires lots of time and energy, and it may even make you spend a significant amount of money. But all your efforts and sacrifices, so long as they are genuine, will make you happy beyond words. It's only love that promises a reward so great and divine that it might take a poet and a philosopher to express its value in more exact terms. I sometimes wonder why, despite its importance to human development and existence, love is the least studied thing inside and outside school.
8. ADVENTURE. So, be imaginative. Think of things that are really cool, something that will thrill, amaze, and excite little children. You may take them to a place where there are things that they don't typically see. But really you don't have to set foot in that far away place they call Neverland. For there are just too many things around us--very very big, very very small, and the ones in the middle world--that are more than enough to make a child think and wonder for the rest of his/her life. Talk about some of such things, one at a time, and notice how the child's eyes are filled with wonder and amazement. If you do this regularly, it won't be long before the child would dilate his/her pupils at the mere sound of your name. Meaning, you have become adventure yourself.

DISP 1-5

Hah! Here's the complete video! I started uploading this one at 11:30 a.m. and then I left to meet my undergrad students, take my daughter to school, and eat my lunch. I've finally confirmed that this task is doable if only I will not sit in front of the computer and wait till the work's done. Right now it's 2:30 p.m. I hope you'll like this output.

DISP Part 1

Ok, DISP people, this is the first part of our final video. Hah, it took me several tries, one conversion, and ages to finally upload and post the first part of our video. Like I said, there will be 5 parts. You'll see the rest as soon as I find time to shove the uploading--a bloody work--of the remaining videos into my sked.

My little daughter

We were enjoying our pop corn while watching the Michael Jackson tribute and memorial service on TV when my almost-3-year-old daughter turned to us and seriously asked, "Who's the king of pop corn?"