Matthew Nelson's Comments

A Photo by Matthew Nelson

Dec 30, 2005 | comments: 2

Matthew Nelson May 27, 2006, 12:16am EDT

Please, do not post such comments again. That is surely nothing that I would be interested in; and please never contact me again.

A Photo by John F Walter

May 3, 2006 | comments: 3

Matthew Nelson May 3, 2006, 9:44pm EDT

A fellow bibliophile :) Personal libraries are simply one of life's greatest treasures!

A Photo by Tommy C.

Apr 27, 2006 | comments: 12

Matthew Nelson Apr 29, 2006, 8:49am EDT

Ain't that the truth! Phewwww [reveling in the joy of living a car(e)-free life]!

Jesus' French Toast? by Matthew Nelson

Mar 7, 2006 | comments: 18

Matthew Nelson Apr 1, 2006, 8:30pm EST

Again, I reiterate to one and all that I thank you so much for commenting that you have enjoyed this work. It is a tribute to my mother... I think in future gather articles I will offer more vignettes from our family life that showcases my mother, her noble character, and her over-abundant love that was displayed in and through her parenting. Indeed, mothers are to be honored for their (often times thankless) work, selfless action, and ceaseless kindness toward their children. More on this later... I have to get back to my vacation in Miami and Orlando :)

"Hinduism": Profound Misunderstanding #1 by Matthew Nelson

Mar 21, 2006 | comments: 14

Matthew Nelson Mar 26, 2006, 9:47am EST

Christopher, I agree that we need to allow the Hindu to speak for himself/herself. First the English colonists spoke for the 'other' ['Hinduism': Profound Misunderstanding #2], and now in religion departments across the country (esp. in Evangelical universities that seek to learn a religion ONLY for the purpose of evangelizing its adherents), non-Hindus claim to know more about the religion more so than capable/educated Hindus themselves.

We will never and should never evolve beyond religion! As a theist myself, religion (by its very definition) could never cease to exist. Indeed, it never will! The secularization thesis has been trumpeted by scholars in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s... the world is only becoming MORE religious. Ought religion continue is a matter for debate. But, will religion continue... there will never be an end to our existential and spiritual quests for the Supreme and Holy. For more on the demise of the secularization thesis see eminent scolr Rodney Stark's "Secularization, R.I.P," Sociology of Religion, (1999) 60:249-273.

"Hinduism": Profound Misunderstanding #1 by Matthew Nelson

Mar 21, 2006 | comments: 14

Matthew Nelson Mar 21, 2006, 11:21pm EST

I am questing after (to use Gandhi's term) SATYAGRAHA, and I strive to bring greater understanding and clarity where I can to do justice to all peoples and their important truths.

Kathryn, Johanna, and Shava - thanks for reading! Please, 'stay tuned' for the second, third, and possible fourth installment in this 'mini-series.' :)

"Hinduism": Profound Misunderstanding #1 by Matthew Nelson

Mar 21, 2006 | comments: 14

Matthew Nelson Mar 21, 2006, 3:48pm EST

John: Thank you for that suggestion. Henceforth, I will try to pare down my paragraphs into smaller ones. Can we suggest to Gather that they increase the default font size?

Thanks John and Stephen. This article arises from recent ignorant statements I have heard pastors (particularly Evangelical pastors) preach from the pulpit regarding their own Christianity and the elements of other world religions. Why is it that Evangelical pastors feel that they can preach out against other religions, without having taken the time to study the other religions on their own or formally in seminary studies?

Jesus' French Toast? by Matthew Nelson

Mar 7, 2006 | comments: 18

Matthew Nelson Mar 7, 2006, 9:43am EST

Thank you Stephen and Betty. My mother is just so great, and I am thankful to have her as my mom :)

A Photo by Johanna C.

Mar 3, 2006 | comments: 14

Matthew Nelson Mar 3, 2006, 2:25pm EST

Beautiful and powerful! These are courageous protestors! What are they protesting?

Gay Adoption by Jonathan S.

Feb 22, 2006 | comments: 20

Matthew Nelson Feb 22, 2006, 12:22am EST

Thank you for this informative and well-written article.

A Photo by Matthew Nelson

Feb 20, 2006 | comments: 4

Matthew Nelson Feb 22, 2006, 12:14am EST

Hey... what can I say? I have an eye and a photographer's fetish for the phallus... gay: guilty as charged :) Jude I love your descriptions! I can't wait to read more of your work... and thanks for making 'gay' my Tuesday evenings at the library :)

Public School Education: Market Ideology and Democratic Values by Matthew Nelson

Feb 21, 2006 | comments: 5

Matthew Nelson Feb 21, 2006, 9:48am EST

First, if there are 'two identical schools side by side' I would lead the charge to oust the superintendent of schools for his/her inability to be a good steward of public funds... a town would be far better off having students share recreational facilities, laboratories, an auditorium, etc. Second, given human nature, no population of students would choose to segregate all of themselves along racial or gender lines... THANK GOD FOR NON-CONFORMISTS! Third, Jonathan Kozol (author of Savage Inequalities and The Shame of the Nation) has already meticulously documented racial segregation in public schools (not by choice mind you), and students are NOT content with this situation, and nor should they be. Fourth, one of the problems with the situation as it exists presently, is that the schools (in aesthetic quality, teaching resources, teachers, facilities, etc.) are anything close to identical - [white] suburban public schools looking increasingly like Classical government buildings (because they are) and [black] urban schools looking like the Warsaw ghetto. Fifth, I do not like hypothetical situations because they rarely come to fruition as reality.

A Photo by Matthew Nelson

Feb 20, 2006 | comments: 4

Matthew Nelson Feb 20, 2006, 3:56pm EST

Thanks Diana! What were you up to while here? Are you coming back? We could grab a latte!

A Conservative Supreme Court by Greg Schiller

Feb 20, 2006 | comments: 14

Matthew Nelson Feb 20, 2006, 11:02am EST

While I believe that the Judiciary is indispensable to the proceeding of democracy, and that in rare instances unpopular and courageous social justice action must be taken in the courts to defend minorities against the tyranny of the majority (e.g. Brown v/ Board of Education; Goodridge v/ Dept of Public Health), your perspective is unique, forward-thinking, and well-articulated. This is a wonderful contribution to 'Social Justice'! Well done and thank you for your wisdom!

Pictures From a Sunday Morn' by Cat Givens

Feb 5, 2006 | comments: 17

Matthew Nelson Feb 5, 2006, 4:49pm EST

Cathy, as always, a very good quality contribution here. In high school (only a few years ago... tee hee hee) I belonged to a group called Audio Journal, and we thesbians would perform plays at an am radio station (Lost in Yonkers, The Miser, etc,), and then distribute the tapes nationally for others (the blind) to listen to over the radio stations in their neck of the woods. Speaking of woods... beautiful nature shots!

Homosexuals Hunted in Massachusetts: A Case Study for Hate-Crime Legislation by Matthew Nelson

Feb 4, 2006 | comments: 6

Matthew Nelson Feb 5, 2006, 1:20pm EST

Here is an update. Robida has received justice for his crimes.
"The teenager involved in a bloody attack on three men in a Massachusetts gay bar died early on Sunday morning from wounds sustained in a gun battle with Arkansas police, a police spokesman said."
-The Boston Globe

Homosexuals Hunted in Massachusetts: A Case Study for Hate-Crime Legislation by Matthew Nelson

Feb 4, 2006 | comments: 6

Matthew Nelson Feb 5, 2006, 1:15pm EST

Thank you Richard for your views... I feel, however, that you did not address my arguments in the following excerpt:
"I argue that the hate-crime legislation, which would add additional punishments upon sentences issued for (in this case) assault, and attempted murder is indispensable not only because a violent act perpetuated on another based upon prejudice/discrimination is a separate crime in addition to the criminal violent act itself, but because it sends a powerful message to the rest of society that discrimination/prejudice perpetuated upon a despised, marginalized, and historically victimized group (in this case, homosexuals) will never be tolerated. The legislation is effective insofar as it communicates that Robida's alleged criminal acts include a criminal act unmistakably motivated by invidious prejudice – the uncompromising penalty is the symbol of this noble stance in favor of holding the line of civil rights against its opponents."

"Those citizens (including many law-makers) who oppose hate-crime legislation (especially to protect the BGLT community) argue that the additional penalties are unfair, and violate equal protection under the law. They argue that, in many cases, it is even impossible to detect such a motive behind the perpetrators' violent actions. To this argument, I build upon my aforementioned riposte that the crime perpetuated on another based upon some nefarious motive such as a deep-seated prejudice is a separate crime in and of itself. This is so because the crime extends beyond the victim who underwent the barbarism of the focused prejudice. When a criminal act is perpetuated upon another because of suspect classifications (class, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) it is, indeed, a terrorist act. First, a terrorist act is typically enacted against those the perpetrator does not know. Robida did not know the victims. In fact, the only reason he was at the Puzzles Lounge was to take out as many homosexuals as he possibly could in the fastest time possible. Second, the violent act(s) is not only directed toward the immediate victim(s), but the intended target is the victim's entire community. Third, the violent crime is intended to be interpreted as a message. Hate-crimes carry with them cultural, social, political, and religious agendas that are emblazoned in and through the violent acts committed."

Jesus Christ Pose: Yoga and Christian Fundamentalism by Monica Byrne

Feb 3, 2006 | comments: 3

Matthew Nelson Feb 4, 2006, 3:08pm EST

Very insightful! Thank you.

John Stuart Mill: Patron Saint of Gather (Part 1) by Matthew Nelson

Jan 24, 2006 | comments: 4

Matthew Nelson Jan 31, 2006, 10:33pm EST

Thank you for the kind words Bob! I will keep the articles coming :) Part 2 of this article will be here any day... life is crazy... my second semester has commenced and I am getting myself and my students ready. Remember, rating the articles is also very important... so rate this one :) Have a great day... I will look out for your material as well!

A Silly Little Joke About Ghandi by Cat Givens

Jan 25, 2006 | comments: 14

Matthew Nelson Jan 25, 2006, 9:10pm EST

Ghandi (in most things) is an inspiration to all justice-minded and peace-loving human beings! Great joke!