Three Ways You Can Change a Culture

Back when I was in grade twelve I had an English class wherein we spoke about culture, my instructor at the time questioned whether or not it could be changed.

But it has many times. We just have to look at a country twenty years ago to see it: What did people wear? What did they discuss? What did they believe and what did they think was right and wrong? The answers the majority give is very much different then it is now. In other words: The culture has changed.

Some may argue that this isn't the same as a group changing the culture; but consider the Civil Rights movement--lots changed largely because of what started as minority of people. So if we can agree that culture does change and we as people can change our culture then we can ask: how can it be done?

There are three ways to change a culture:

Shaming: To shame something is to "cause someone to feel ashamed"; most of us agree that it's necessary. Joking about the holocaust would be an example. But it can also be used and is being used against those who overeat. It can take the form of not laughing at a joke, a disgusted look or a strongly worded blog post.

Glorifying: To glorify something is to make it appear as a superior characteristic to have or a greater act that should be done. For example someone may tell a story of how someone they knew helped a homeless women and thus glorify charity. When people see that others view such a characteristic is admirable in other people's views they are more likely to do the same.

Protesting: Protesting is related to but not the same as shaming. It involves actively campaigning against something in a way that attacks its progress. This can be disliking a Youtuber video, unsubscribing or even boycotting. It usually tries to change the culture of an organization.

Ten Influential Evangelicals that are Over 60

American Evangelism is known to try to be young, hip and creative in it's attempts to Evangelize. But it is older Evangelicals who still hold a high degree of reverence and influence on Evangelicals looking more deeply into Christianity.

Here are ten of the most influential Evangelicals who are over 60:

Rick Warren: Aged 61: Rick Warren is the senior pastor of Saddleback mega church in California. He`s written several books one of which is the Purpose Driven Life which sold over 30 million copies.

Franklin Graham: Aged 63. Yes he`s the famous Billy Graham`s son. But he`s also the head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse. He`s the conservative voice of the American Evangelical world; as he constantly speaks on current events.

Tim Keller: Aged 64. Tim Keller is a New Yorker who Pastors Redeemer Presbyterian Church in American`s largest city. He tackles cultural issues but makes a clear effort to explain Christian positions in a way that makes sense to his listeners. He`s been a speaker at both Talk At Google in 2008 and has been featured on Big Think.



Ken Ham: Aged 64. Ken Ham is America`s best known young-Earth Creationist. He founded Answers in Genesis, the Creation Museum and is working on having a real life sized Ark of Noah built in Kentucky. He became especially well-known for having debated Bill Nye on Evolution.

William Lane Craig: Aged 66. William Lane Craig is a Christian Apologist (meaning he defends Christian beliefs) He`s written several books and speaks mostly in Europe, Canada and America teaching and debating. He's also the Founder of Reasonablefaith.org named after his best-selling book "Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics."

Ray Comfort: Aged 66: Ray Comfort actually grew up in Secular-Jewish family in New Zealand and he only moved to California after he was twenty. He founded Living Water's Publications which creates books, videos and is famous for it's cleverly designed Gospel tracts. He has published movies such as 180, Genius and most recently Audacity. He along with his team created the Way of the Master program which included Kirk Cameroon (from Growing Pains.)

John Piper: Aged 69. He grew up in South Carolina in the 1950's where he was sucked into the racist south. Coming up out of that he has clearly condemned racism in his sermons. In 1980 Mr. Piper became the Pastor of Bethlehem Church in Minnesota. He is known today as an theologian, preacher, author and poet having retired from Pastoral ministry in 2013. One idea that he has really put to the forefront of Evangelical thought it that of Christian Hedonism. He founded Desiring God.

Ravi Zacharias: Aged 69: Ravi Zacharias is the most internationally traveled on the list, he was born in India where he became a Christian after almost committing suicide, then he moved to Toronto, Canada then later moved to America. He's written a number of books and spoken in more than twenty countries. He is the founder of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. He has also spoken at the National Prayer Breakfast in Ottawa, Canada and London, England. He spoke to CIA in Washing DC as well.

R.C Sproul: Aged 76. Mr. R.C Sproul is largely known as a Reformed theologian and author. He founded Ligonier Ministries in 1971 and hosts the Renewing Your Mind radio program.

John MacArthur: Aged 76. Mr. MacArthur became the Pastor of Grace Community Church in California in 1996. He founded the Master's Seminary and became the President of the Master's College. He is known as an Pastor, theologian, author and speaker on the radio program Grace to You. He is one of the most influential Calvinists and Cessationists. He was the go-to person for Larry King Live to represent Evangelical Christians.

What Ever Happened to Billy Graham's Family?

Billy Graham became the best known Evangelist of the late 1900's, and he had kids. Where are his family and what are they doing now?

Well first let's be clear: Billy Graham isn't deceased, he was born in 1918 and may turn 97 this November. His wife, Ruth, died in 2007 but not before having five children. Billy Graham lives in North Carolina and continues to suffer with the troubles of old age.

           Billy Graham, five years ago








Billy Graham in 1966                                      


Franklin Graham became Billy's first born son and has taken the head position of Samaritan's Purse (a major charitable organization). He married Jane Cunningham and had five children: William Franklin, Roy Austin, Edward Bell and Jane Graham. He lives in North Carolina and is sixty four years old. He's the best known of Billy's children.

Gigi Graham married when she was only seventeen and went to live in Switzerland. Because of an over-controlling father-in-law she returned to America and after several years divorced her husband. After divorcing a second time she once again married another man in 2012. She's 69 and resides in North Colina. She became the mother of the Tullian Tchividjian.

Ned Graham: Like his older sister he also went through divorce. He also struggled with substance abuse and frequently focused on Evangelistic efforts in China. He's the youngest at age 57.

Anne Lotz: Anne married Daniel Lotz when she was only 18 and had her first child two years later. She became the founder of AnGeL ministries and is extremely well educated in Christian theology having six honorary doctorates and has written eleven books. She's 67 and lives in North Carolina.

Ruth "Bunny" Graham: Ruth was named after her mother and felt with suicidal thoughts after finding out her husband had committed adultery against her. She went on to found Ruth Graham and Friends to help Christians struggling with sins. Then she got married for a fourth time in 2009 and was ordained a Baptist minister. She lives in Virginia and is 65. 

Summer of 2015 Proves Difficult for Evangelicals

This Summer proved difficult for Western Evangelicals--and I don't mean because of the American Supreme Court which refined legal marriage. I am referring to two men who are largely known in the Evangelical world and who are now getting another, more skeptical look.

The first to fall was Tullian Tchividjian, the grandson of Billy Graham, he was caught committing adultery against his wife in   . About three months later he was the one to file for divorce. Christians have held that divorce was only permissible in cases of  martial unfaithfulness since the first century. It's a teaching that goes all the way back to Jesus. 

The second is Josh Duggar who for more than five years appeared on 19 Kids and Countings with his family--the best known Evangelical family in America. The leaking of Ashley Madison documents revealed that he was committing adultery against his wife when she was pregnant. This comes after the revelation that he had molested his sisters when he was barely a teenager. 

There's key difference between the two: Josh was an Evangelical celebrity who spoke at various events but Tullian was a pastor in Florida and as such is held to higher standard. 

Tullian claims that he only committed adultery after he found his wife was doing the same to him. This raises questions of how long Billy Graham's family will be remembered as an Evangelical dynasty. 

Man Stands Up Against Calgary Pride Bus

The Canadian city of Calgary has decided to openly promote homosexuality by covering one of its city buses in a rainbow, pro-homosexuality slogans and in it's electronic sign the words "Happy Pride"; needless to say it was largely unwanted by those who oppose the lifestyle. However, not like it would be in other parts of Canada: a small scale survey found that less than a quarter of Albertans considered homosexual acts to be morally wrong.

One man, who identified as a Christian wouldn't go along with the plan: Driver Jesse Rau had been working for Calgary Transit for about a year but says that if the City forced him to drive the bus he would quit.

Calgary transit says the only reason they would tolerant someone refusing to drive a bus is safety issues--not because of a Charter Right.

Doug Morgan, Calgary Transit's Director stands by the bus idea, saying "Our doors are open to all Calgarians regardless of their background so really that is celebrate that diversity in Calgary."

Apparently that "diversity" doesn't include the city's devout Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Muslims and others who have always been opposed to the promotion of anything they regard as sinful.

This has been taken as another example of intolerance towards religious minorities who don't accept the majority's viewpoints. But there's good news for those who oppose Calgary's efforts to promote the life style with their tax dollars--it only lasts two weeks.

The city of Calgary wasn't the only one to fund the bus although it did give out two thousands dollars and Mr. Morgan did say he would hear what his employee had to say.

One Third of Canadians Say Cannibalism is Not Necessarily Morally Wrong

A small scale survey of about one hundred Canadians shows that about one-third of Canadians believe that cannibalism isn't morally wrong in certain circumstances.

When asked "Do you consider cannibalism to be morally wrong?" 67.01% said yes,  27.84% said yes, except in certain circumstances and 5.15% said no.

For more information see the table below:

Do you consider cannibalism to be morally wrong?	Canadian average	British Columbia	Prairie Provinces	Ontario	Quebec	Atlantic Provinces (Not including New Brunswick)
Yes	67.01%	64.70%	66.66%	75%	83.33%	80%
Yes, except in certain circumstances	27.84%	35.39%	33.33%	22.72%	16.66%	20%
No	5.15%	0%	9.52%	6.81%	0%	0%

17 people reported they resided in British Colombia
21 people were from the Prairie Provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba) 
44 people were from Ontario 
Only 6 were from Quebec
5 were from Atlantic Canada (Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.)
4 resided outside of Canada but were Canadian citizens.  

The statistics from Quebecers and those from Atlantic Provinces are especially unreliable. 

A similar survey is being conducted for Americans (linked to here) and a larger scale survey for Canadians is being considered.

The Islamic State Destroys Palmyra Temple

ISIS militants have decided to destroy a temple that was dedicated to Baal more than 1500 years ago.
ISIS took over the ancient site of Palmyra in late May the city is located between Damascus and the Euphrates River. ISIS had for a long time refrained from causing major damage to the site but this month changed their plan by murdering the Head of Antiquities of the site along with more than twenty others.

That was within a week before they had destroyed buildings that had remained through the Byzantium era and the Arab conquest as well as the Crusades.

In Christian Fundamentalism pagan temples do not need to be destroyed by human efforts* (especially when no one is worshiping a pagan god there.) However, many Islamic fundamentalists see thing differently: They view any image of a creature as something that should be destroyed--it doesn't have to be worshiped by anyone.

Palmyra (Image from BBC)

Like in Christianity and Judaism the worship of physical idols has always been condemned. In Islam one example can be found in Surah 29:17:

"You worship only idols instead of God, and thus you invent a mere falsehood. Surely those that you worship instead of God do not have power to provide for you; so seek all your provision from God, and worship Him and be thankful to Him. To Him you are being brought back. "

*: To be clear Christian Fundamentalism insists that Pagan practice to wiped out but necessarily not the physical building or all the images in it--so long as they're not worshiped.