The sermon, Camus, interpersonal neurobiology and paper toilet seat covers

Not a lot to write home about here lately. But here is a curious article by a Professor of Philosophy in the New York Opinionator on the Sermon on the Mount, in response to an article from Newsweek claiming people should ditch the church and instead follow the moral code of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. I'm not sure what exactly there is to glean from it, but here is a snippet:

Sullivan is right that Christian churches, as fallible human institutions, have often been obstacles to the fruitful understanding of Christ’s moral message. But these churches have also been central in sustaining the traditions of thought and practice that transformed Jesus’ passionate but enigmatic teachings into coherent and fruitful moral visions. They have been the air — however polluted — that has fed the fire of his message.

Further to philosophy, here is an article on why Christians should read Camus (I really wish I had studied Philosophy ...).

And, in keeping with recent posts on The Brain that Changes Itself, here is an article on “interpersonal neurobiology” and what happens to your brain when you are in a relationship with someone.

Plus, I'll add in this article on Slate regarding Christians and homosexuality:

The Christian view of gay sex is bound up in the Christian view of straight sex, which is rooted in the entirety of the biblical narrative, from the creation story in Genesis down through Jesus’ words in the New Testament.

And, something Laurel posted on facebook yesterday. Maybe I have a weird sense of humour, but I thought this was hilarious. A woman goes into the toilet on long-haul flights and puts paper toilet-seat covers on her head, after the fashion of 17th Century Flemish portraiture. Follow the link and scroll down to the pictures.