The Codex Sinaiticus

The BBC Reports:

What is probably the oldest known Bible is being digitised, reuniting its scattered parts for the first time since its discovery 160 years ago. It is markedly different from its modern equivalent. What's left out?

The world's oldest surviving Bible is in bits.

For 1,500 years, the Codex Sinaiticus lay undisturbed in a Sinai monastery, until it was found - or stolen, as the monks say - in 1844 and split between Egypt, Russia, Germany and Britain.

Now these different parts are to be united online and, from next July, anyone, anywhere in the world with internet access will be able to view the complete text and read a translation.

For those who believe the Bible is the inerrant, unaltered word of God, there will be some very uncomfortable questions to answer. It shows there have been thousands of alterations to today's bible.

The Codex, probably the oldest Bible we have, also has books which are missing from the Authorised Version that most Christians are familiar with today - and it does not have crucial verses relating to the Resurrection...

Stone cold facts

This one comes courtesy of Dad:

Richard Bettany died July 19th 1849 aged 75. Here he lies in the graveyard at All Saints Church Dilhorne, Staffordshire. He was born about 1764 . He outlived three wives and at least six children. What was his occupation?

It would appear his first wife Elizabeth died in 1815 aged 38 years. Two of their sons died young but a son Richard must have been born around 1804

His father Richard married again but his second wife’s name is not mentioned on the stone. Did she die in childbirth around 1816 when Elizabeth was born?

Or was Elizabeth, who died in 1838, aged 22 years, a daughter given by his third wife Maria who died 28th August 1846 aged 63 years?

Tragedy clearly struck the family in 1843 when Maria died on the 4th February aged 23 years and her sister Charlotte died on 15th February aged 21 years. What was the cause of death? Richard, was to die aged 40 on 3rd December 1844. A tragic eight years for Richard between 1838 and 1846. Five of his family died and he himself survived until 1849.

Atheism and the Stock Market

Not many people combine these 2 subjects.

Nassim Taleb is a controversial but influential and entertaining intellectual whose views on probability and 'decision-making under uncertainty' are outlined in his best-selling book 'The Black Swan: the Impact of the Highly Improbable'.

In this short clip he derides those skeptics who criticise religion on rational grounds while putting their faith in the stockmarket.

A full version of the lecture which was presented as part of a Long Now Foundation series is available here - but you might want to hunker down for it, it's an hour and half long.

Controversy at the Royal Society

On a more serious note (and in case you missed it) there has been controversy this week at the Royal Society, the oldest scientific society in existence, after an article in the Guardian claims that the Education Director Professor Michael Reis had called for Creationism to be taught in schools. Michael Reis claims he was misrepresented in a subsequent letter to the editor but apparently he has since resigned from his post anyway. Now, Richard Dawkins enters the debate.

On a related theme, Humanists are currently suing the UK's government's exam agency over its decision to prevent a board giving humanism equal status to faiths in a religious education GCSE.

A 'Secret' Eco-Village

The only reason I've posted this is because part of me wants to live here (and have a beard).

For five happy years they enjoyed simple lives in their straw and mud huts.

Generating their own power and growing their own food, they strived for self-sufficiency and thrived in homes that looked more suited to the hobbits from The Lord of the Rings.

Then a survey plane chanced upon the 'lost tribe'... and they were plunged into a decade-long battle with officialdom.

Read all about it.

Debt

This Week at Climate Camp

This week at Climate Camp- Kingsnorth, Kent, UK 3-11 August, 2008

- "political policing of the worst kind"

- Police clash with protesters who refuse to be searched.

- Plane Stupid Protest at Gatwick.

- Food vans are being stopped by the Police.

- Mass Action at Kingsnorth on Saturday

- Protest at RBS HQ

- Protesters target a biofuel depot in Essex.

- Objections to Police in Riot Gear.

- Arthur Scargill Shows up.

- The Medway harbour master has refused permission for a River procession on Saturday.

- Coverage on You Tube