Axis & Allies

It is an epistemic divide that is almost impossible to bridge, and–I think–the main source of discursive breakdown between “believers” and “non-believers.” We think we’re having the same conversation, when in reality we’re engaging in simultaneous conflictive monologue.

my new friend Vance, patent pending, in a comment recently

The last post provided a bit of needed (at least for me) comic relief.  The topic of this blog and a prominent theme of my friendship with Russell and CC is faith, skepticism, and friendships in the neutral zone.  We have somehow grown a readership and a few who are comfortable to write.  All are welcome – – read, write, or both.  I’m reading too and trying to reach a better understanding of Madalyn, JJ, and yes . . . of myself.

JJ – – I just tried to link to your site and it is gone.  Please consider this a second home.

I first played Axis and Allies in college.  Has anyone played it?  Some describe it as Risk on steroids.  For the health of our marriage, Mrs. Pascal and I decided we could not play Monopoly together during our honeymoon year.  Twenty years later, it stands a wise decision.  Axis and Allies is much, much worse for the competitively inclined.  But it is a beautifully nuanced game.  Risk can take all night.  A&A can take a week.

We’re not playing a game here, but the word play on our Cartesian napkin and Vance’s desire to be on the X (he thinks) axis did remind me.  An alliance with one who thinks differently takes time.  If I was willing to take a week for a board game, am I willing to take a decade to listen well and to learn.  I hope so.  This means so much more to me than a game.

I’ve updated my Bookshelf to reflect the 2015 reading so far.  Part of my desire to learn requires that theology be the minority of the content consumed.  Perhaps a 1:5 ratio? Hopefully I’ll add brief commentary to the books, but I found that waiting to do so stopped me from writing anything.  Those books are part of my desire to understand you – – theists of all stripes, skeptics, followers of Christ.

Russell and I meet for breakfast soon – – thanks for all who are engaging each other here in the environment that we’ve tried to create and maintain.  It has been, and I expect will continue to be, a pleasure.

Pascal

–1:16

 

photo credit:  board game box, fair use, wikipedia.com