R.P. BenDedek
R.P. BenDedek
The Adventures of Captain Sandy Stewart.
In 2005, Captain Sandy Stewart was diagnosed with 'altzheimers disease' and since then he has been doing his best to see as much of the world as possible. His Wife Elaine encouraged Captain Sandy to write down his experiences so that he can relive them after the actual memories have faded.
May 15, 2008 - 6:27:09 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Zhongshan Mountain National Park Nanjing
There is not a lot you can write about a visit to Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum. It is after all, just a place where a dead guy lives, and where living people die trying to climb all those steps. But it is a phenomenal place and the views are to die for! (Sorry! I can't help myself!)
May 10, 2008 - 4:30:36 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Chiang Kaishek's Presidential Palace Nanjing
Leaving the building housing Chiang Kaishek's offices, we walked along this walkway. There were a couple of workman working on the roof of it, and one was a very young man who figured that this foreigner would not understand his Chinese.
May 4, 2008 - 12:45:56 PM
R.P. BenDedek
Confucius Temple Nanjing
The Confucius Temple is located right on the walking street opposite the river, and it is not all that imposing when you first look at it.
Apr 26, 2008 - 12:10:37 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Taiping Heavenly King - Hong Xiuquan
One such building or series of buildings was occupied by a 'self proclaimed' Emperor of China, Hong Xiuquan who instigated the Taiping Rebellion - 1851 to 1864 in China.
Apr 22, 2008 - 1:21:08 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Visiting the Ming Tombs Nanjing 2008
One must remember that the Ming Dynasty came to an end 3-4 centuries ago, and so the tomb area is not the pristine tourist spot that a tourist might expect to see in Beijing. For instance there is the Xiaoling Hall which in the past was destroyed and later rebuilt, but on a less grand scale.
Apr 19, 2008 - 9:02:13 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Cathedral of the Assumption Ningbo City China
In June of 1995 talks about rebuilding were under way, and the work began in 1997. In June of 2000 the church was in use once more, and the new building, including rectory and an underground parking lot, totaled 9800 square meters.
Apr 17, 2008 - 10:20:12 AM
R.P. BenDedek
The Culture Barrier in Teaching English to Chinese Students
Are you a foreigner teaching English in China? Do you find it Difficult? Is it frustrating? Are you looking for ideas? If so, then maybe this article might help you a little.
Mar 15, 2008 - 12:36:10 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Haven Hostel Alice Springs: Australian Racism
In an article entitled: Backpackers' hostel accused of racism, the Royal Life Saving Society Australia has accused The Haven Hostel in Alice Springs of racism after it kicked out a group of Aborigines who came from a remote community intent on taking lifesaving classes in the central Australian town.
Mar 11, 2008 - 12:33:35 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Revisionist Lies come undone
Since 2005 a number of discoveries have been made in Israel that support Biblical claims and counter the Politically Correct Revisionist Lies of some Literati who number their IQ's in the hundreds instead of the 10's.
Mar 2, 2008 - 4:13:41 AM
R.P. BenDedek
'Freedom of the Press' : an Oxymoron
I wonder how many people ever take the time out to decide for themselves what they do and do not believe and that of which they do and do not approve.
Mar 1, 2008 - 8:54:40 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Western Cultural Perceptions of China.
Sorta sounds like what you see written about candidates in the 2008 American Presidential Race doesn't it?
Feb 21, 2008 - 2:27:29 AM
R.P. BenDedek
The Fundamentalist Islamic Future of Egypt
But what is Egypt today? First and foremost it is an Islamic Country, one that has been struggling to catch up with Western economic success. But it is not exactly a success story, and if the winds of Islamic fundamentalism keep blowing as they have, coupled as they are in Egypt with a people unimpressed with the governments achievements, then before long, Egypt will once again crumble into the dust of history.
Feb 18, 2008 - 1:14:53 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Rule of Law : Iraq, China
Dragging China, Iraq or any other culture into modernity is not the job of western powers who have so little understanding of the deep seated culture of the people. It is difficult enough for those with a clear understanding of their culture, to root out all that which negatively impacts on the society's growth and development.
Feb 17, 2008 - 12:42:50 AM
R.P. BenDedek
A Whale of a Time in Evolution.
So there you have it folks, if the Japanese fish out all the whales in the ocean - not a problem - some other rodents will just change into whales again.
Feb 16, 2008 - 1:52:32 PM
R.P. BenDedek
The Prophet Elijah; King Ahab and his sons.
I recently received an email from someone who wanted my assistance in understanding the Bible's chronological references in relation to the Prophets Elijah and Elisha, and King Ahab of Israel / Samaria and his sons Ahaziah and Jehoram, as well as King Jehoshaphat of Judah.
Feb 13, 2008 - 5:25:59 AM
R.P. BenDedek
King Ahab of Israel / Samaria
The Judah, Israel and Tyre alliance in which Ahab took part, provided economic benefits for all, particularly for Israel. From this perspective then Ahab might be seen as a reasonably pragmatic leader.
Feb 12, 2008 - 2:07:09 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Arab Globalization vs Islamic War
There is only one thing that is certain in the Middle East today, and that is that nothing is certain. The last 60 years of bloodshed have basically been for nothing, given that had the Arabs never attacked the Jews in Israel, the Palestinians today would have more land than they are currently asking for, and most probably an economically prosperous country to boot.
Feb 10, 2008 - 12:44:58 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Persecution of Christians in China?
I find it amazing that people get all worked up about China's persecution of Christians, whilst Christianity is being suppressed at every turn by secular political activists in the West. .....Would to God that the political activists in the west were so effective in persecuting Christians there.
Feb 7, 2008 - 5:55:31 AM
R.P. BenDedek
King Hezekiah: A Little Understood Problem of History.
If you know much about the history of Israel - or more specifically - Judah, you may remember King Hezekiah of Judah as being the dying king unto whom the Prophet Isaiah announced that God would extend his life by 15 years. Did God really tell him that his life would be lengthened 15 years? Personally I doubt it. Maybe you would like it if God told you when you were going to die, but me?- I'll settle for the surprise thank you very much.
Feb 5, 2008 - 1:03:08 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Myths and Double Speak.
It just goes to show you that we are certainly not as certain of the things of which we should be sure - to paraphrase Yul Brenner's character in 'The King and I' movie with Deborah Kerr.
Feb 4, 2008 - 10:47:07 AM
R.P. BenDedek
China's Heaviest Snow in 50 years
"Get real!" I replied: "How many times have you phoned me this week and woken me up from my slumber? I ain't goin' nowhere!" I did of course go out to take some photos of the school. Were it not that this frail 'sunny weather' body simply refuses to obey my mind, I would go and take some photos of Han Shan Temple which was looking wonderful as I went past it on the bus to the supermarket the other day.
Feb 3, 2008 - 12:06:29 AM
R.P. BenDedek
One or Two Israelite Exoduses from Egypt?
It all makes me laugh at times, because these eggheads who kept denying that the Bible has any true historical value, will argue their heads off about when this 'never happened' event took place. Well, if it never happened what's the point arguing about which century it didn't happen in? Really!
Feb 2, 2008 - 2:05:18 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Pharaoh Drowned in Red Sea - Bible Lies?
Quite aside from the actual issue of the identity of the Pharaoh of the Exodus, the biggest problem that we have with Bible skeptics is that they have just as much bought into the premise that every single word in the King James Authorized English Bible is infallible, as some Christians. It is the premise on which all their attacks are based.
Feb 1, 2008 - 9:51:54 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Egypt / Israel : What's in a name?
The (Egyptian) minister accused the Palestinians of "provocations" at the border and warned that his country would not tolerate attacks on its troops.
Jan 26, 2008 - 10:32:28 PM
R.P. BenDedek
Nigeria's Chen Yan Lan's Job Offers are a Scam.
Hotel-de-Plaza, Chen Yan Lan, John Shur, Karsten Hubar, jobs in Nigeria are a scam - a con job to get money from you, not give money to you.
Jan 25, 2008 - 12:10:50 PM
R.P. BenDedek
Queen Athaliah of Judah : Killing her Children?
It is not at all implausible to consider that Athaliah had in fact, only set out to destroy heirs apparent who were descended from Jehoram's other wives.
Jan 24, 2008 - 2:53:03 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Emotional Abuse Pt.4 : Male Victims of Abuse
Those threats could be anything from her own suicide to taking the kids away from you or to tell everyone one of your personal or business secrets, or she might threaten to accuse you of something that everyone will automatically believe. (Of course they will believe her! She is a poor defenceless female and you are just a man - evil creature that you are.)
Jan 22, 2008 - 4:15:32 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Emotional Abuse Pt.3 : Lies and Shame - Abusing Children
Telling you lies, keeping secrets, cutting you off from outside influences, and shaming you, are means to an end for an emotional abuser.
Jan 21, 2008 - 2:29:45 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Emotional Abuse Pt.2.: Victims, Abusers, and Brainwashing.
In Part 2 of the series, we continue discussing Brainwashing and then focus
on identifying abusers and their victims.
Jan 20, 2008 - 12:10:14 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Emotional Abuse: Pt.1 - Feminism, Religion and Brainwashing.
Emotional abuse is the process (consciously or subconsciously) of having power over and controlling 'the other', whose thinking and behaviour is not in line with our own. Our drives requires us to 'control' the other, so as to both empower and legitimize our (emotional) position.
Jan 19, 2008 - 9:21:55 AM
R.P. BenDedek
'Walkabout' in SuZhou
We followed the bus drivers suggestion and found ourselves walking through a very beautiful but desolate area which took us forthwith to Jin Ji lake, but we arrived at a point reasonably removed from public use.
Jan 17, 2008 - 12:33:34 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Evolution and the Middle East
One wonders why it is that we sophisticated highly educated western luminaries, who preach so much about facts and science, truthfullness and honesty, deliberately prefer fantasy to reality; deliberately prefer lies when the truth stands in opposition to our ideologies.
Dec 29, 2007 - 7:33:31 AM
R.P. BenDedek
A Serviceman's Christmas Message and Gift to You.
Although the original author is unknown, I think it is a beautiful message that applies just as equally to American Servicemen as Australian. We should all be thankful for the soldiers and I would encourage you to email this page to all of your friends with a reminder that to dishonour the Soldier's service is to place no value in the benefits that we enjoy in our 'free' and democratic countries.
Dec 24, 2007 - 3:09:08 AM
R.P. BenDedek
The Tangled Web of Evolutionary Theory.
I find that thinking about evolution gives me a headache, not because I find such examples as provided above too difficult to ponder, but because whenever I think about Evolution as a serious truth, then I am left to wonder why society fights tooth and nail against what ought to be the most natural instinct in human nature - supremacy! - at any cost!
Dec 10, 2007 - 2:02:10 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Mt. Emei Golden Summit Sichuan Province
Words cannot describe the feeling one has on the summit, of being "in the clouds and above everything else in the world". It really is a spectacular place to visit. As the clouds would roll in and out, whole buildings would disappear from view, and at one point, we were walking along a path beside the cliff, and the clouds simply caused the whole world to disappear from view. It was magical.
Dec 3, 2007 - 7:20:28 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Punishment befitting the Crime
I am going to go out on a limb here and offer my idea on what makes the young person's western world today so bizzare. Young people want direction, but not from people
who are full of 'it'.
Dec 2, 2007 - 2:50:28 AM
R.P. BenDedek
English is a Funny Language!
For myself personally, life in China is continuously full of sight and sound gags. Then again, that may only be because I know how to laugh. They say that laughter is the best medicine and that it reduces stress. If that is true, I couldn't be living in a more healthy environment.
Dec 1, 2007 - 12:29:10 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Climbing Lingyan Mountain in Mudu : SuZhou
On the previous occasion with Chiara, we had followed lots of people who seemed to be going somewhere. But after leaving the pathway and climbing some rocks, the heat became too much and we abandoned the chase. We returned to the temple, where I sat on the fence and tried to cool down.
Nov 29, 2007 - 5:49:38 AM
R.P. BenDedek
Hazael of Damascus and Jehu of Israel
If you check the history books, you will see that King Hazael of Syria commenced to reign circa 842/841 BCE, but can you rely on academics quoting Bible references? Furthermore, can they rely on their 'non-Biblical' references?
Nov 27, 2007 - 8:16:08 AM
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