Do you check expiration dates?

It is my normal mode of operation to use these “Question of the Month” articles to explore various interesting topics in a fairly simple manner, while making an important “larger point”. This month will only be a slight, temporary diversion from the norm, taking somewhat of a break and providing some comical relief.

I recently received an interesting package in the mail from John P., one of the ministry’s supporters. It was a bulky envelope which piqued my curiosity. Upon opening the package, I discovered a salt shaker and a brief note stating the following:

“I hope you find this as humorous as I did. Perhaps I was just in a good mood. I was at a friend’s home and found this salt shaker on the table. Being a fanatical label reader, I picked it up and began reading. The label states that this salt is ‘250 million years old’. Not surprising, but then I read the label on the bottom and it said, ‘BEST BY 12 2023’. I’m glad I can use it up before it expires!”

Very funny!

Sometimes we walk into a store, and it just happens to be the last day of a week-long sales event. How lucky we may feel!

In the case of the salt, what a fortunate coincidence to have happened upon this very valuable, multi-purpose substance within the last 0.0000024% of its useful “shelf-life”! (Side note: Where did I come up with that figure? I divided the remaining years [6] by its current age [250 million years]). The obvious question is– if the salt is truly about 250 million years old, how do they know it’s just now soon to expire? And a closely related question– since the 250 million years is just an approximation, how can they be so precise with the “Best by” date?

As an added note of interest, the reason the label even mentioned the alleged age of the “Himalayan” salt was to make the point that this salt was created at a time when the Earth’s eco-environment was much more pure and pristine which, therefore makes their product more valuable than salts produced in more modern times.

Those of you who know me (and the ministry) realize I personally don’t believe the millions and billions of years designations are scientifically justified, but it is not my intention to turn this into a discussion of radiometric dating methods and the whole “age of the Earth” controversy. I simply wanted to pass along something of a humorous nature. I’m also not the kind to contact the company that produced this product to challenge them regarding their claim. Most likely, they are not experts in geology and simply had a clever marketer develop this label as an effective way to increase their bottom line. If you look carefully enough and often enough, you will find quite a few of these types of examples throughout the retail world.

How’s that for a brief article? I partially wanted to provide a slightly less serious “change of pace”, but maybe even more so, I was just too busy (with Christmas coming up in a few weeks) to write anything significantly more in depth or lengthy. (How’s that for transparency?)

Do atheists have opinions?

Sometimes when you hear a question, your response might be, “What in the world is that all about?” Sometimes the question can even convey harsh judgment or condescension. For example, if someone asked, “Do you even have a brain?” no one would be surprised if you were a bit insulted by such a question

A woman’s right?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock (which doesn’t seem like all that bad of an option these days), you’ve probably heard about the leak regarding the Supreme Court decision related to Roe v Wade. Most people know exactly what “Roe v Wade” is, but for many who are younger, I will briefly explain.

Can aliens help us with climate change?

Just when you think you’ve heard it all, something else comes along that makes you shake your head once more. In the midst of the COVID pandemic, I made a prediction. I said that it was my belief that COVID would soon begin to lose its usefulness to those who “never want to let a good crisis go to waste.”

Did we evolve FROM apes?

So, here’s how the argument goes, at least from some Christians and other well-meaning people. “If evolution was true, why are there still apes around? Gottcha!” Have you heard that argument before? Have you ever used it yourself?

Is a hammer your only tool?

I’m pretty sure it’s never happened, but I don’t think anyone has ever called me a “handyman,” with good reason. God has gifted different people with different skills. Being handy around the house isn’t exactly my strong suit. If you want me to write a computer program to manage the logistics of your business, that I could do. But don’t put a hammer in my hand or someone’s gonna get hurt, and it might not just be me!

Leave your religion out of it?

Imagine watching an old western movie. Main street is uncommonly empty. Why? Because there’s about to be an epic showdown, a classic gunfight. The infamous villain and iconic hero are about to settle things once-and-for-all.