First Act Musical Instruments

About a month ago, we bought a violin for my daughter. It is made by a company called 'First Act'. I could find little information about this company on the internet. However, I've learned the following: Many band directors hate first act. First Act won a libel suit against a company that said their instruments are junk. I found one band director who likes First Act.

I did this research because our daughter's violin instructor is pressuring us to buy a violin from a local music store. He says our violin is fine, but we should buy one that will last longer. However, he's unable to tell us how long this violin will last, how long others last, or what is most likely to break on this violin.

I'm no expert by any means, but there are no obvious workmanship deficiencies in our violin when compared to the ones sold by the other store.

The one piece of information I could not find, and which I would find most valuable, is commentary from people who have actually bought an instrument from First Act.

I aim to correct this deficiency by commenting on this violin from time to time. I want others to be able to find out, from a consumer's viewpoint, if these instruments are good or bad.

Right now, I can say we've had the First Act violin for a month and it's working fine.

Illogical Hellfire

The other day, I was listening to a preacher named David Jeremiah. He was preaching one of those good-old-fashioned hellfire and brimstone sermons. At one point he said something that went something like this:

"You may say to me, 'I don't believe in hell'. Well, you may not believe it, but that doesn't change the fact that it exists."

I've heard this argument many times before. I'd be very surprised if anyone finds it convincing. Mr. Jeremiah merely asserted that hell exists, without providing any proof. I could just as easily respond to him by saying, "Well, just saying hell exists doesn't change the fact that it doesn't."

There is no evidence, that I've ever seen, that there is a place called hell. So, I don't really see the point in believing in something that has no basis for support.

I'd be happy to change my viewpoint if anyone ever comes up with any actual evidence, rather than cliches, of hell's existence.