Author: Rick Tryon
Death Row Letters: To The Anti-natalists And Nihilists
Dear Anti-natalists and Nihilists,
It may strike you as odd, writing letters to those of you who embrace nihilism and anti-natalism from a person on death row. But as I pointed out in my first letter, we’re all on death row. So not so odd after all, right?
I’ll start by making sure I understand who y’all anti-natalists and nihilists are and what it is that you claim to believe. Definitions.
Anti-natalism, according to the cambridge.org dictionary is defined as “…the belief that it is morally wrong to have children or that people should be encouraged not to have children.”
Allow me to point out the obvious here, I’m glad that my parents didn’t think that way. I understand that there may be some who have reason to believe that life is nothing but a sad and miserable existence, even a tortuous, horrible existence.
But I’m quite certain that the overwhelming majority of folks in the world are pretty happy to be alive. This seems self-evident.
So why not have kids, babies, bambinos, babushkas, little bundles of joy? Is the world and life really that bad for you guys and gals that you don’t want to experience the joy and wonder of parenthood?
Plus, how can you be certain that your little one born into this dark and dreary world won’t be the someone who can make life brighter and better for everyone, or at least for some? No? Well, that’s a level of hopelessness and pessimism I will never understand.
It seems to me that we have a God-given instinct to have and raise children to be noble and awesome beings and to reflect the God of creation, to drive back the darkness, and to fulfill an eternal destiny. How can you, or why would you try to smother that instinct?
Genesis 1:28 states the Creator’s intention and purpose for creation this way:
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (KJV)
What a calling!
Whoa, where has the time gone? I only got as far anti-natalism and left y’all nihilists out of this letter, even though I meant to address you as well. We’ll chat a bit in the next letter, I promise.
Sincerely,
Your fellow death row occupant
Watchdog Alert: British Rape Gangs
The rape gang scandal has been making big news in Great Britain recently and has been hammered on by Elon Musk on his Twitter platform in recent days. I was not aware of the issue until recently and did a little bit of digging for a better understanding. Here’s a very brief summary of the problem:
From Wikipedia – The Huddersfield child sex abuse ring is one of the most notorious cases in the UK. A group of men were convicted of sexual offences against girls in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. The offences took place between 2004 and 2011, and the men were charged following the Operation Tendersea inquiry. The trials began in April 2017, and 20 men were convicted in 2018 in three separate trials. By August 2021, a total of 41 perpetrators had been convicted.
From BBC News – Recently, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for a full national public inquiry into the UK’s “rape gangs scandal”. This comes after Home Office minister Jess Phillips rejected Oldham Council’s request for a government-led inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation.
From Times of India – The debate has intensified on social media, with public figures like Elon Musk and JK Rowling demanding accountability over the UK’s handling of child sexual abuse cases.
It’s a deeply troubling issue that has sparked significant public outcry and calls for justice, because what we’re talking about here is basically child sexual exploitation.
And justice will come one way or another for such evil, as Jesus reminded his disciples in Luke 17:2 – “It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.” (KJV)
A Simple Non-Denominational Faith
A reminder on this second day of 2025 that the Bible Rebel Project, which includes the biblerebel.com blog, is non-denominational. We are ‘Nons’, believing a simple creed:
Creed of the Fellowship of the Nons
Our living God is a loving God and the Bible is His revealed word and will.
Our hope and eternal salvation relies entirely on the work of God’s only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.
A huge part of the purpose and reason for the Bible Rebel blog is stated in our mission:
“To examine and question the assumptions of religious tradition and provide a resource for information and inspiration for people of faith who have become dissatisfied with an increasingly lifeless and empty ‘churchianity’.”
This isn’t a church and there is no membership requirement or set of rules. All are welcome to be a part of this fellowship, this ‘curious fearless faith’, and this ongoing project of seeking and glorifying God and God only.
Watchdog Alert: Jabbar The Killer
Shamsud-Din Jabbar was a monster. He intentionally plowed a truck into a bunch of innocent folks in New Orleans celebrating the New Year, killing at least 14 and injuring at least 37.
It is being reported that the killer was shot and killed by police at the scene and that the pickup truck he used to slaughter his victims had a black ISIS flag inside.
The name ‘Jabbar’ has special meaning in Arabic. According to the website myislam.org, “…there are several accepted meanings to this name. The most often quoted is The Compeller. He implements His decree without any opposition. There is no one that prevails over Him. The other interpretation is the repairer. He restores all of creation. He heals the broken-hearted, binds their wounds, and brings comfort to the weak. He compels each and everything to His divine will but is never Himself compelled.”
Right.
A more apt description for Shamsud-Din Jabbar and his hideous crime can be found in 1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (KJV)
What a horrible and tragic way to start 2025. My heart breaks for the victims of this evil madness and their families.
Be sober. Be vigilant. Remember, we are watchdogs.
Practical Wisdom Tidbits For 2025
As we roll into 2025 I want to pass along 14 common sense pieces of simple wisdom and practical advice I’ve received and tried to live over the years.
- Seek God.
- Do hard things, lift heavy things.
- Take long walks as often as possible.
- Nobody gives a shit. Work harder.
- Control your appetites.
- Go to war with evil.
- Make your bed in the morning.
- People will let you down and life isn’t fair. Get over it.
- Learn to focus. One thing at a time.
- Know when to bend – but never break.
- Don’t fear change, fear complacency.
- Cherish your family daily.
- Stir the pot, ruffle the feathers.
- Get a good night’s sleep.
Happy New Year.
How You Live Your Days
Farewell To Jimmy Carter
Air Tragedies
There were two airplane disasters within days of each other during Christmas week.
A Jeju Air passenger jet crashed while landing at Muan International Airport in South Korea early Sunday morning – 179 fatalities out of 181 people on board. Two crew members survived.
Also there was a Christmas Day crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, which resulted in 38 fatalities.
If there’s a God why does he allow this kind of death and suffering to happen? I heard a thought provoking reply to that question recently that went something like this – If there is no God then why are death and suffering considered bad?
I don’t necessarily think that’s a convincing or satisfying answer but it does deserve some thoughtful consideration, in my opinion. As an ongoing exercise on this blog we’ll be diving into the issue of why God allows evil , so stay tuned.
Former President Jimmy Carter passes away
Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, died at the age of 100 on Sunday. Carter was the longest-living former president in U.S. history.
Carter called himself a born again Christian and he certainly walked the talk during his long life. Regardless of what one thinks about his liberal politics, he was a great example of what service to country and community looks like.
A good man who will be missed by many. Rest In Peace, Jimmy.
Which Country Is The Smallest And Has A Lot Of Gossip?
The smallest country in the world is…drumroll please…and the answer is – Vatican City, covering only 0.27 square miles.
Did you know that? I didn’t. But now we do.
Speaking of Vatican City, Pope Francis gave his annual Christmas address on Saturday at the Vatican, and as reported by the National Catholic Register, talked about a bit about Vatican City:
In a separate address to Vatican employees and their families, the Pope compared Vatican City to “a large beehive” bustling with activity in its streets, courtyards, corridors and offices. He thanked those working and unable to attend the gathering but made it possible.
The Pope also addressed gossip amongst Vatican employees and officials:
The Pope warned that gossip “damages social bonds, poisons hearts, and leads nowhere,” as he addressed cardinals and senior Vatican officials. He urged them to practice self-accusation rather than accusation of others, drawing on the teachings of early Christian spiritual masters.
The Apostle Paul agrees. In his second letter to the church at Corinth, 2 Corinthians 12:20, Paul admonishes the Corinthian believers: “For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults”.
Sounds a bit like what goes on behind closed doors in the Biden White House or a recent meeting of the Democratic National Committee. I kid – kind of.
Is OpenAI A Liberal?
I saw an interesting comment on ‘X’ recently referring back to a 2023 article in Forbes citing research showing that ChatGPT has a left leaning bias.
I use ChatGPT sometimes but never really paid much attention to its political/ideological tilt, but I think the following personal example of how AI can be skewed to one side or the other is interesting.
Here’s a post I put on my personal Facebook page on Monday, Christmas Eve Eve.
There were several comments from friends and followers on this post, but the one that stood out for me was the one below, which is an obvious analysis and summary by an AI robot cut and pasted by a FB friend and inserted in the comments.
I can’t say for sure which AI platform did this but it looks like an OpenAI ChatGPT summary. You can judge for yourself whether or not there’s an ideological bias in there.
“This passage is a humorous commentary on the trend of using more inclusive and politically correct language during the holiday season. The author pokes fun at the idea of trying to be overly sensitive and environmentally conscious in holiday greetings.
# Key Points
1. *Humor*: The passage uses humor to highlight the complexity of modern holiday greetings.
2. *Inclusivity vs. Tradition*: The author balances the desire for inclusivity with the tradition and warmth of familiar holiday greetings.
3. *Tone*: The tone is lighthearted and playful, with a touch of satire.
# Reflection
This passage encourages readers to reflect on their own holiday traditions and greetings. It invites us to consider the importance of inclusivity, while also acknowledging the value of familiar and heartwarming expressions.
# Holiday Cheer
Ultimately, the passage concludes with a warm and traditional holiday greeting, emphasizing the importance of kindness, compassion, and connection during the holiday season.“
Anyway, tis the season to be jolly…Merry Christmas and Happy Hannukah.