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About Me
I do not really identify with any one racial or ethnic group, although my background is pretty diverse in terms of culture; in terms or God I believe I cannot take a pluralistic approach, because God's character must be specifically defined. Nonetheless, I do not use coercion on anyone and believe everyone must be free to seek the truth for themselves so long as it does not infringe on basic human rights. I simply believe I have found the truth and no one can prove otherwise, though I welcome and consider all reasonable arguments I have yet to find a coherent argument against God. I must know my God, and I must base my hope on what I believe is truth. In other words I am rejected by postmodernism, because I believe there must be absolute truth, there is just too much evil in the world for me to believe that everything contains inherit good and that all ways lead to God. While I do believe everyone should be free to seek the truth, I do not believe everyone has it in their culture (e.g. fascist cultures do not). I believe there is only one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ.
Hence, while I love cultural diversity in terms of the arts and am always open to consider something that someone fully believes is true, noble, right, pure, lovely or admirable; I cannot accept something that is not at least testable in some way.
The core of it may not be testable, but the results of it are almost always testable, and if the fruits fail the test, then odds are good that the core is bad. The only other possibility is that people are misrepresenting themselves as followers of such belief, and in such cases it is important to consider a large enough sample group and large enough span of time to really exam their beliefs in depth to see where errors may lie.
I am extremely interested in Axiology, and often find many diverse things ethically and aesthetically which can and should be valued; unfortunately not all diverse things are of value. I believe in seeking out what is good, pure, fine, noble, excellent, etc; and leaving what is not. I still believe in the great melting pot, and do not think the salad bowl, which many are now proposing, is an appropriate approach.
While salad is good, in a world filled with so much evil e-coli can metaphorically seep in, and there is no method to purify the salad, like the melting pot has. Within a melting pot there can still be differences, but there cannot be a different purpose; there cannot be differences in the core, but there can still be a beautiful patina of different tones and variations, which develops once the impurities are taken out and the metal forms a protection against attack and oxidization.
The statue of liberty is a perfect example of this, it is copper with a beautiful green protective patina that covers it and protects it from the elements, it has also stood as a symbol of America for many immigrants who came through Ellis island. These people did not give up their full culture, but simply gave up elements of it to compromised and accept certain American values, yet they also contributed to the creation of new American values through a fusion of old and new.
Contact
You may contact me by phone at (401)-267-8125
or by email at admin@JonathanHaynes.com
About Hawaii
I think I may someday focus some more topics on Hawaii, the most racially ethnically diverse state in the nation. Hawaii is a working case study in multiculurism; and a lot of good comes from it, although it also does seem to encourage a lot of division as well. Many different racial groups often live in microcommunities, and can be slow or unwilling to allow others in. When groups do clash, it can sometimes actually be violent, and often directed against the largest minority group hollies (white people). White people, particularly Christian missionaries, are often accused of "stealing" the islands from the Polynesians; hence the military (which represent another large population in the islands) also have a number of separate communities throughout the islands, especially on Oahu. Although, the missionaries were instrumental in helping Hawaiians abolish cruel religious practices such as human sacrifice, and helped destroy idols which were used in such ceremonies; they did not steal the islands. Although, Westerners were instrumental in providing Kamehameha the Great with the munitions that subsequently allowed him to untie the islands; and it could be argued that the Hawaiians were coerced by Western trade interests, into handing over the islands. However, Hawaii is now a well established state, and if the US was to return Hawaii to Hawaiian control, then it would be nice if the UN to figure out who stole the land from my ancient ancestors in Europe or wherever and go demand they give back, because I am currently landless. At least native Hawaiians are entitled to a free home under a 99 year lease, and while some are regrettable living in poverty most are not.
Of course, it is obvious that it would be largely impossible and absurd, to restore the situation to how it was before. Accordingly, we cannot afford to pay the price for the sins of our ancestors, it must be recognized that everyone can only rightful bear the consequences of their own sins, and even then we should all practice Christlike forgiveness. We must focus on how to move forward together and in unity.
Despite all of this conflict, there is still much good will or the spirit of Aloha amongst many islanders, from all different racial groups, Native Hawaiians included. In fact it is quite a statement of the willingness to forgive that even the Japanese now live side by side as friends despite the events which transpired on that fateful day; December, 7 1941. Today many of Japanese heritages often go to visit the Arizona Memorial, and are completely welcome there. Conversely, the Japanese Americans now live in relative harmony with islanders despite many having been imprisoned during the war.
About Rhode Island
As far as Rhode Island goes, it is truly surprising how many folks, around the world, do not know where Rhode Island is; or that Rhode Island is even a state, and one of the original thirteen colonies. Hopefully, after visiting my blog you will at least realize where Rhode Island is, and that it is indeed a significant state; despite its small size. Although, Rhode Island is sometimes viewed as the neglected step child to New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts; Rhode Island is a historically rich state that was instrumental in help to get the the bill of rights added to our Constitution, and has always had an independent and determined spirit. In fact sitting on top of our state house is a statue of the independent man.
At one time Rhode Island even contained the playground of the rich, with the summer "cottages" (These summer cottages of the rich of course come with around 120,000 square feet) of the Vanderbilt and many other families in Newport, RI, along with the former Naval Academy. More recently, Rhode Island has gradually evolved into a more tourist centered economy and took on the nickname of the Ocean State in 1972 in order to help grow the tourist sector. Today the economy is pretty much a service oriented economy with very little manufacturing, although Rhode is considered the birth place of American Industry will the famed Slater Mill in Pawtucket, and still has a some jewelry industry, along with some sod and other sparse agriculture.
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