ZA MAGAZINE // discuss

discuss: christianity and artificial intelligence

This topic was catalyzed by an interesting article at the New York Times regarding IBM’s attempt to make a computer that can play Jeopardy!. Having created a competitive supercomputer that can play chess, they’ve set their sights higher: A computer that can pull out facts and other subtleties from an answer given on Jeopardy!, and [...]

discuss: christian inaugural prayers

In case you missed it, we have a new President. In the events leading up to the Inauguration, there were a lot of people up in arms about the various choices of pastors that Pres. Obama had made for the opening and closing prayers.
How did it turn out? Discern for yourself!
The first is Gene Robinson, [...]

discuss: secular music on sunday mornings at church?

I came across an interesting article that discusses the question of secular music in the church. On one hand, you’re relating to nonbelievers by playing stuff from their arena. People who know nothing about God can still say wise things that are in line with Scripture, so as long as the morality of a song [...]

discuss: equality of sins

The Roman Catholics have a list of “seven deadly sins” that pop up from time to time in the mainstream. These sins carry a greater weight than lesser transgressions. This makes a lot of sense, considering that we’ll give harsher sentences to murderers than liars. But, on the flip side, you’ll also hear people who [...]

discuss: individualism and christianity

Okay, so thus far I’ve been able to avoid an Olympic-themed article. But I am really into the Games right now and I watch what I can.
Apparently the folks over at Boundless are too, and they share my enthusiasm for the Americans in the 4×100 Free…what a race! But later on down the article, they [...]

discuss: christians and secular causes

I know there are different opinions on this issue and no easy answers, which is good for this kind of setting.
There are plenty of organizations out there that are willing to help the world out. Walk for Diabetes, blood drives, United Way, you name it, there’s plenty of stuff out there to make the world [...]

discuss: christians and “south park”

When I saw that a South Park episode had won an Emmy, I wanted to check it out. The episode that won was the one where they make fun of the Warcraft culture, and, while watching, I began to appreciate the cultural phenomenon that is “South Park.” I watched a few more episodes because, when [...]

discuss: christianity and the revolutionary war

We’re a couple of weeks past the 4th now, and I know I’ve got some Aussies in the audience here, but I thought this was a fascinating subject for discussion.
American Christians like to wrap themselves in the flag and proclaim America as a Christian nation, but have we considered our origins? The Bible tells Christians [...]

discuss: Jesus as a drug

I’ve come across two songs in my music library lately that talk about a correlation between Jesus and drugs.
You’re better than drugs
your love is like wine
Feel you comin’ on so fast
Feel you comin’ to get me high
You’re better than drugs
Addicted for life
Feel you comin’ on so fast
Feel you comin’ on to get me high
- Better [...]

discuss: christians and swearing.

Okay, so this week’s question is about a topic that I find to be quite fascinating. It’s generally accepted that Christians shouldn’t swear, but the Bible is uncharacteristically vague about what you can and cannot say. The smoking gun that I always use come from Colossians 3:8:
But now you must put them all away: anger, [...]

discuss: christians excelling in their field

After two questions that were definitely a bit deeper, let’s try something that should be a bit simpler.
I’ve heard before that Christians should be making the best music, the best art, the best sales reports, the best marketing schemes. The idea is that if we have the biggest creative genius that created everything we do [...]

discuss: gender roles

This question was submitted by user TaraMarie. Thanks for submitting! If anyone else has a topic for submission, pass it along to me. I’m gonna step aside now and answer it as just another user!
The Question:
Women are the weakest link. What does it mean? In what ways are women weaker then men concerning the spirtual [...]