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Do you have a soul?
Joanne comments on Oct 31, 2017:
I always say I have two. One on the bottom of each foot. Sure, the spelling is different but I can see those soles and know that they exist. :)
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 31, 2017:
When one has emotions that person might see the effects of the emotions, but not the emotions themselves. Same with wind. I know ... you're just playing.
Joanne comments on Oct 31, 2017:
I always say I have two. One on the bottom of each foot. Sure, the spelling is different but I can see those soles and know that they exist. :)
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 31, 2017:
When one has emotions that person might see the effects of the emotions, but not the emotions themselves. Same with wind. I know ... you're just playing.
Do you have a soul?
Paul628 comments on Oct 31, 2017:
No.
I have a mind that cannot exist without a live physical brain.
I've posted this link here already.
Sam Harris...
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 31, 2017:
Perhaps you are referring to the Merriam-Webster's online dictionary #2 definition. Their #1 definition: the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life seems more open and perhaps deserves a deeper understanding.
Paul628 comments on Oct 31, 2017:
No.
I have a mind that cannot exist without a live physical brain.
I've posted this link here already.
Sam Harris...
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 31, 2017:
Perhaps you are referring to the Merriam-Webster's online dictionary #2 definition. Their #1 definition: the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life seems more open and perhaps deserves a deeper understanding.
Do you have a soul?
davtim68 comments on Oct 31, 2017:
No
We are individual energies that have created what ever this is we are existing in. I mean there truely was a big bang which is another way of saying total energy. I believe we are part of that. Besides, in my reality no one gets screwed by any gods. I'd like to think I was dark energy.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 31, 2017:
I wish I had a better grasp of dark energy. It sounds so Vaderlish.
davtim68 comments on Oct 31, 2017:
No
We are individual energies that have created what ever this is we are existing in. I mean there truely was a big bang which is another way of saying total energy. I believe we are part of that. Besides, in my reality no one gets screwed by any gods. I'd like to think I was dark energy.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 31, 2017:
I wish I had a better grasp of dark energy. It sounds so Vaderlish.
Do you have a soul?
Hope4Zoe comments on Oct 31, 2017:
Yes! I have a soul. But it's like my mind. Can't pinpoint in the body, but it's what connects me to other people. The soul is what reaches out and wants connection and knows it's part of humanity. If we had a six sense would we say that it was god given or that it evolved like our eyesight, hearing,...
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 31, 2017:
I agree (mostly). The Merriam-Webster's Online: 1 :the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life.
Hope4Zoe comments on Oct 31, 2017:
Yes! I have a soul. But it's like my mind. Can't pinpoint in the body, but it's what connects me to other people. The soul is what reaches out and wants connection and knows it's part of humanity. If we had a six sense would we say that it was god given or that it evolved like our eyesight, hearing,...
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 31, 2017:
I agree (mostly). The Merriam-Webster's Online: 1 :the immaterial essence, animating principle, or actuating cause of an individual life.
I'm an atheist but I still say bless you after someone sneezes.
Godot comments on Oct 28, 2017:
What should we say when someone coughs?
What should we say when someone burps?
Why should we perpetuate the superstition that a sneeze throws off evil spirits and continue to give lip-service to its being worthy of some deity's blessing?
Yeah, "Gesundheit!" - "Health, now!" - works for me ...
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 31, 2017:
I find it humorous that we feel we need to say anything at all. But we all do. My kids like to fart, burp, and laugh at any and all body noises. Sometimes I comment, sometimes I don't. When they sneeze, I'm compelled to say Gesundheit.
Godot comments on Oct 28, 2017:
What should we say when someone coughs?
What should we say when someone burps?
Why should we perpetuate the superstition that a sneeze throws off evil spirits and continue to give lip-service to its being worthy of some deity's blessing?
Yeah, "Gesundheit!" - "Health, now!" - works for me ...
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 31, 2017:
I find it humorous that we feel we need to say anything at all. But we all do. My kids like to fart, burp, and laugh at any and all body noises. Sometimes I comment, sometimes I don't. When they sneeze, I'm compelled to say Gesundheit.
Dunning-Kruger effect
Squirrellglider comments on Oct 31, 2017:
I have come across many that would fit that description during my lifetime, and unfortunately come to the conclusion that not only is it a waste of time to try and help, but that it is actually counter productive to try. You only end up making an enemy, rather to just leave well enough alone.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 31, 2017:
Good advice.
Squirrellglider comments on Oct 31, 2017:
I have come across many that would fit that description during my lifetime, and unfortunately come to the conclusion that not only is it a waste of time to try and help, but that it is actually counter productive to try. You only end up making an enemy, rather to just leave well enough alone.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 31, 2017:
Good advice.
Why do so many atheist/agnostics feel it is necessary to have/go to a 'church'?
SageDave comments on Oct 30, 2017:
There is a sense of pleasure to go to a meeting where everything is prescribed for you. I can go to any Jewish temple on the planet, listen for a couple of minutes and know exactly where the congregation is in the service. (I wanted to be a Cantor when I was a teenager.) It is more than social or ...
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
That's funny! You make me laugh.
I've been to a Jewish temple in Knoxville, TN. It's an interesting building! I didn't realize the services were so predictable. And Jews are known to be family oriented.
I sense belonging to the Verses and I can't imagine anything any larger than them, but am willing to admit there might be.
SageDave comments on Oct 30, 2017:
There is a sense of pleasure to go to a meeting where everything is prescribed for you. I can go to any Jewish temple on the planet, listen for a couple of minutes and know exactly where the congregation is in the service. (I wanted to be a Cantor when I was a teenager.) It is more than social or ...
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
That's funny! You make me laugh.
I've been to a Jewish temple in Knoxville, TN. It's an interesting building! I didn't realize the services were so predictable. And Jews are known to be family oriented.
I sense belonging to the Verses and I can't imagine anything any larger than them, but am willing to admit there might be.
Why do so many atheist/agnostics feel it is necessary to have/go to a 'church'?
LadyStardust96 comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I'd only go to church if someone I love asked me nicely to go for some reason. I'm assuming my friend will want me to go to their Christmas Eve mass and I will probably go, just because the church is beautiful and I love meeting new people even though they don't believe what I do.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
You're romantic and I appreciate that. When I see church buildings and cathedrals, yes they can dazzle the eye, I see all the waste of money, time, and people. They have become depressing places for me.
LadyStardust96 comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I'd only go to church if someone I love asked me nicely to go for some reason. I'm assuming my friend will want me to go to their Christmas Eve mass and I will probably go, just because the church is beautiful and I love meeting new people even though they don't believe what I do.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
You're romantic and I appreciate that. When I see church buildings and cathedrals, yes they can dazzle the eye, I see all the waste of money, time, and people. They have become depressing places for me.
I have a Sister who, though I can say I love her, our lives are do divergent that we don't ...
AstralSmoke comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I love people almost as much as I do the rest of the animal kingdom, but there seems to be similar problems when humans are placed in charge, too many unwanted dogs, cats, and human babies. We aren't afraid to reproduce, but after the miracle of birth is complete we gladly discard them as trash.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
I suppose I should have set miracle in quotes. I've been in a similar discussion before. Our discussion was based on way the churches or religions think abortion is wrong (in that it kills children), but are OK with starving, abusing, neglecting, and even disposing of them once they have been born. It's difficult to not be a tad bit sarcastic when writing my replies sometimes.
AstralSmoke comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I love people almost as much as I do the rest of the animal kingdom, but there seems to be similar problems when humans are placed in charge, too many unwanted dogs, cats, and human babies. We aren't afraid to reproduce, but after the miracle of birth is complete we gladly discard them as trash.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
I suppose I should have set miracle in quotes. I've been in a similar discussion before. Our discussion was based on way the churches or religions think abortion is wrong (in that it kills children), but are OK with starving, abusing, neglecting, and even disposing of them once they have been born. It's difficult to not be a tad bit sarcastic when writing my replies sometimes.
Why do so many atheist/agnostics feel it is necessary to have/go to a 'church'?
VictoriaNotes comments on Oct 30, 2017:
Necessary?
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
This reminds me of something my brother-in-law once told me. He said, "Religion is necessary for people." I don't agree. I believe it is a convenient way to shrug responsibilities.
VictoriaNotes comments on Oct 30, 2017:
Necessary?
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
This reminds me of something my brother-in-law once told me. He said, "Religion is necessary for people." I don't agree. I believe it is a convenient way to shrug responsibilities.
Why do so many atheist/agnostics feel it is necessary to have/go to a 'church'?
xplorva comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I don't, but it's nice to be in-touch with a community that shares your beliefs. I guess that's why I'm here. Physically, I'm in rural Tennessee, lol.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
I agree, but why 'church'?
xplorva comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I don't, but it's nice to be in-touch with a community that shares your beliefs. I guess that's why I'm here. Physically, I'm in rural Tennessee, lol.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
I agree, but why 'church'?
Why do so many atheist/agnostics feel it is necessary to have/go to a 'church'?
Benthoven comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I think it's mostly looking for company. It's hard to meet real people, and one of the best places is an "open" church where real physical connections can be made.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
Merriam-Webster: a building for public and especially Christian worship. Are people so generally weak minded to settle for 'almost' something?
Benthoven comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I think it's mostly looking for company. It's hard to meet real people, and one of the best places is an "open" church where real physical connections can be made.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
Merriam-Webster: a building for public and especially Christian worship. Are people so generally weak minded to settle for 'almost' something?
Why do so many atheist/agnostics feel it is necessary to have/go to a 'church'?
SkepChik comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I don't know if I'd say its necessary but it does provide people with a community.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
OK, a community ... even a community of like-thinkers, but why then call it a church?
SkepChik comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I don't know if I'd say its necessary but it does provide people with a community.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
OK, a community ... even a community of like-thinkers, but why then call it a church?
Why do so many atheist/agnostics feel it is necessary to have/go to a 'church'?
Joanne comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I am considering going to my local Universalist Unitarian church because I live in a small town/county and there are no secular groups for me to join. It isn't that I feel a need to go to church, or anything like that. I just feel I need to engage, in person, with some like-minded people. Even ...
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
For me, church is not where I find like-minded people or even humanists for that matter. I do understand the psychology of wanting to be one-in-a-crowd as a comfort blanket of sorts. And I understand everyone is developing ... into something or someone.
Joanne comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I am considering going to my local Universalist Unitarian church because I live in a small town/county and there are no secular groups for me to join. It isn't that I feel a need to go to church, or anything like that. I just feel I need to engage, in person, with some like-minded people. Even ...
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
For me, church is not where I find like-minded people or even humanists for that matter. I do understand the psychology of wanting to be one-in-a-crowd as a comfort blanket of sorts. And I understand everyone is developing ... into something or someone.
Why do so many atheist/agnostics feel it is necessary to have/go to a 'church'?
Hellbent comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I'm a bit shocked to find that atheists would go to a church.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
Me too. It's like they're fake somehow.
Hellbent comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I'm a bit shocked to find that atheists would go to a church.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
Me too. It's like they're fake somehow.
Why do so many atheist/agnostics feel it is necessary to have/go to a 'church'?
silvereyes comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I've personally never went, nor do I really care to-- church always was boring to me anyway. I do understand though. Being an Atheist doesn't make it easy to meet other like-minded people. There aren't a lot of options for places to find and meet Atheists. Especially in the Bible belt.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
I'm not positive that is correct. Seems like music, harvest moons, celebration of nature, etc. present plenty of opportunities. We (atheist/agnostics) need to be more creative rather than borrowing from something we speak against.
silvereyes comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I've personally never went, nor do I really care to-- church always was boring to me anyway. I do understand though. Being an Atheist doesn't make it easy to meet other like-minded people. There aren't a lot of options for places to find and meet Atheists. Especially in the Bible belt.
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
I'm not positive that is correct. Seems like music, harvest moons, celebration of nature, etc. present plenty of opportunities. We (atheist/agnostics) need to be more creative rather than borrowing from something we speak against.
Why do so many atheist/agnostics feel it is necessary to have/go to a 'church'?
Hugene2002 comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I think you mean, why do they still want to go to a church like setting, even after becoming atheist. I think that it is purely a sense of community and validating their ideas with other like minded people. Most people are social by nature (try not being in contact with anyone for a couple of months...
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
I agree and you interpreted my question correctly. But I don't understand why they even desire to call it a church. To me 'church' is tied to religion. I'm not aware of another meaning. Any enlightening words of wisdom?
Hugene2002 comments on Oct 30, 2017:
I think you mean, why do they still want to go to a church like setting, even after becoming atheist. I think that it is purely a sense of community and validating their ideas with other like minded people. Most people are social by nature (try not being in contact with anyone for a couple of months...
AstralSmoke replies on Oct 30, 2017:
I agree and you interpreted my question correctly. But I don't understand why they even desire to call it a church. To me 'church' is tied to religion. I'm not aware of another meaning. Any enlightening words of wisdom?
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The green man in Berlin, Germany. East Germany's crosswalk light. At the fall of the Wall, every city in Germany got a set of these crosswalk lights to show the unity of Germany. Photo taken in 21.10.16.
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At our family reunion, 16.07.18
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On the balcony of my 'new' flat, 23.11.19.
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Bean planking.
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1961 with my granddad, Herschey Boy.
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Agnostic, Atheist, Humanist, Secularist, Freethinker
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