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The nature of Philosophy is ambiguous, though basically it is merely the thoughts and reflections on...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 28, 2019:
Some people seem born to analyze and try to see how things fit together. Whether they are philosophers or just windbags is decided in the court of public opinion.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 28, 2019:
Some people seem born to analyze and try to see how things fit together. Whether they are philosophers or just windbags is decided in the court of public opinion.
What exactly was the reason for Europeans toaccept a god from the desert over the local gods who ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 28, 2019:
If you were a warrior and were killed in battle you’d get to be with Woden in Valhalla, assuming I suppose that you were a follower of Woden. But in general only gods and goddesses were immortal. So Christianity must have had appeal since it offered everlasting life.
By coaxing yourself into belief, supposedly a person can worm his or her way into heaven. That’s because of the crucifixion BTW. Makes total sense, aye?
Also the teachings of Jesus have a certain appeal in a social way. I can see how the leaders might use Christianity as a means of taming our wild and savage ancestors of Northern Europe who were constantly fighting and killing.
I don’t see much sense in those pagan gods and goddesses. You had to offer them sacrifices or they were liable to give you some real crap. Maybe adopting Christianity was a step in the right direction, and now it’s time to move on to more advanced religions that are in accord with science.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 28, 2019:
If you were a warrior and were killed in battle you’d get to be with Woden in Valhalla, assuming I suppose that you were a follower of Woden. But in general only gods and goddesses were immortal. So Christianity must have had appeal since it offered everlasting life.
By coaxing yourself into belief, supposedly a person can worm his or her way into heaven. That’s because of the crucifixion BTW. Makes total sense, aye?
Also the teachings of Jesus have a certain appeal in a social way. I can see how the leaders might use Christianity as a means of taming our wild and savage ancestors of Northern Europe who were constantly fighting and killing.
I don’t see much sense in those pagan gods and goddesses. You had to offer them sacrifices or they were liable to give you some real crap. Maybe adopting Christianity was a step in the right direction, and now it’s time to move on to more advanced religions that are in accord with science.
"This is how it is with the universe.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 28, 2019:
I once dealt a poker hand of four ace-high royal flushes. The players thought I was playing a trick and they made me re-deal. The second time every hand was four of a kind, all face cards. The players stalked off in disgust. I did have a reputation as a trickster but in that case both were fair deals, though as dealer I’m the only one who knows that.
Every card is unique, so the odds of any particular hand is the same as any other hand. Yet those high hands are the ones that count most and are highly desired. Statistically such an event should not have happened in the duration since the Big Bang. It is an eerie thing that used to give me shivers.
Finally though it was laid bare and neatly explained by one of my daughters: It was nothing more than the work of a mischievous ghost who happened to be on the premises. There are simple explanations for everything if only we apply logic and critical thinking.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 28, 2019:
I once dealt a poker hand of four ace-high royal flushes. The players thought I was playing a trick and they made me re-deal. The second time every hand was four of a kind, all face cards. The players stalked off in disgust. I did have a reputation as a trickster but in that case both were fair deals, though as dealer I’m the only one who knows that.
Every card is unique, so the odds of any particular hand is the same as any other hand. Yet those high hands are the ones that count most and are highly desired. Statistically such an event should not have happened in the duration since the Big Bang. It is an eerie thing that used to give me shivers.
Finally though it was laid bare and neatly explained by one of my daughters: It was nothing more than the work of a mischievous ghost who happened to be on the premises. There are simple explanations for everything if only we apply logic and critical thinking.
The connection between religion and comedy -
Suspension of Belief
The Master - Billy ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 28, 2019:
Very funny guy—thanks!
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 28, 2019:
Very funny guy—thanks!
(SORRY EVERYONE, I thought I was posting this under "Politics")
On behalf of my state, let me ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 26, 2019:
Does this mean that all the attention is going to be on Michigan from now on rather than on my often maligned or self-maligned state of Alabama?
Whew! Praise God!
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 26, 2019:
Does this mean that all the attention is going to be on Michigan from now on rather than on my often maligned or self-maligned state of Alabama?
Whew! Praise God!
You are comletely alone in the Universe.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 26, 2019:
I would be better able to assess the assertion that I am completely alone in the universe if I knew what in hell I am. I lean toward thinking that my personal identity as a unique body is nothing but illusion. If that is all I am, just an illusion, then I’m not even alone—I’m not there at all. Yet there is that all-pervasive sense of conscious awareness.
Perhaps it is actually reality that is conscious and our bodies are nothing but robotic instruments.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 26, 2019:
I would be better able to assess the assertion that I am completely alone in the universe if I knew what in hell I am. I lean toward thinking that my personal identity as a unique body is nothing but illusion. If that is all I am, just an illusion, then I’m not even alone—I’m not there at all. Yet there is that all-pervasive sense of conscious awareness.
Perhaps it is actually reality that is conscious and our bodies are nothing but robotic instruments.
Religion is a Distortion of Reality. From the show Mr. Robot
[youtube.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 26, 2019:
Countless wars? All religions? That’s very much an exaggeration, and the whole clip seems to be about religion as a conspiracy theory. “They” are out to exert control over us? Could it be that religion is a deeply embedded aspect of human nature or that religious practice might also be a path to freedom in some cases? If a religion **does** seem controlling are we not perfectly free to turn away?
I suggest thinking deeply about whether there is truth here before keying this information into your subconscious mind.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 26, 2019:
Countless wars? All religions? That’s very much an exaggeration, and the whole clip seems to be about religion as a conspiracy theory. “They” are out to exert control over us? Could it be that religion is a deeply embedded aspect of human nature or that religious practice might also be a path to freedom in some cases? If a religion **does** seem controlling are we not perfectly free to turn away?
I suggest thinking deeply about whether there is truth here before keying this information into your subconscious mind.
DO WE HAVE A SOUL?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 26, 2019:
Without conscious awareness all those billions of years would be less than the blink of an eye in duration.
Maybe it’s not so much a question of whether we have a soul but rather who or what it is that has conscious awareness. IMO our sense of existence as an individual body is an illusion.
This illusion is demonstrated by the mental condition known as dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder, where various personalities might be exhibited by a single body. None of the personalities is the correct one—they are all equally illusional.
Also consider that the sense of self is heavily dependent on memory. Memory is notoriously unreliable and subject to going away.
You can lose your memory and still experience conscious awareness. In deep meditation yogis are unaware of their bodies and have no thoughts or memories. They are in a super conscious state.
I lean toward thinking that reality itself is conscious and that our bodies are nothing but robotic instruments.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 26, 2019:
Without conscious awareness all those billions of years would be less than the blink of an eye in duration.
Maybe it’s not so much a question of whether we have a soul but rather who or what it is that has conscious awareness. IMO our sense of existence as an individual body is an illusion.
This illusion is demonstrated by the mental condition known as dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder, where various personalities might be exhibited by a single body. None of the personalities is the correct one—they are all equally illusional.
Also consider that the sense of self is heavily dependent on memory. Memory is notoriously unreliable and subject to going away.
You can lose your memory and still experience conscious awareness. In deep meditation yogis are unaware of their bodies and have no thoughts or memories. They are in a super conscious state.
I lean toward thinking that reality itself is conscious and that our bodies are nothing but robotic instruments.
Making Your Best Use Of The BLOCK Function
This is a large, diverse, and multi-purpose online ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 26, 2019:
I’ve never blocked anyone. I figure that being insulted builds character if you learn to let the jab roll off like water off a duck’s back. Having an ego response just perpetuates the quarrel.
It’s true that some people post a lot of things that don’t interest me, but if I were to block them I’d miss out if they did post something of interest.
Is there any way to find out who has blocked you? I don’t know what I’d do with the information—it’s just a perverse desire.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 26, 2019:
I’ve never blocked anyone. I figure that being insulted builds character if you learn to let the jab roll off like water off a duck’s back. Having an ego response just perpetuates the quarrel.
It’s true that some people post a lot of things that don’t interest me, but if I were to block them I’d miss out if they did post something of interest.
Is there any way to find out who has blocked you? I don’t know what I’d do with the information—it’s just a perverse desire.
WHO OR WHAT IS ‘GOD’?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 26, 2019:
Maybe the solution is to drop the word “God” from the lexicon. We could still refer to gods and goddesses of antiquity, but for modern usage we could just say “the great unknown”, “ultimate reality”, “universal intelligence” or something like that. I seldom refer to God anyway because of erroneous associations and because many people have negative reactions.
There really is something ineffable and incomprehensible about existence and as such not much can be said about it, except I think it is subjective with respect to our true selves. It is not “out there”—it is within.
Ultimate reality is not something to be proven, to be argued over, to be believed or disbelieved. Many religious groups throw the word “God” around carelessly and make unbelievable claims about “God” and give meaningless descriptions such as the “omni’s”. You might argue and disprove those claims but because something has been erroneously described, that doesn’t invalidate the thing.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 26, 2019:
Maybe the solution is to drop the word “God” from the lexicon. We could still refer to gods and goddesses of antiquity, but for modern usage we could just say “the great unknown”, “ultimate reality”, “universal intelligence” or something like that. I seldom refer to God anyway because of erroneous associations and because many people have negative reactions.
There really is something ineffable and incomprehensible about existence and as such not much can be said about it, except I think it is subjective with respect to our true selves. It is not “out there”—it is within.
Ultimate reality is not something to be proven, to be argued over, to be believed or disbelieved. Many religious groups throw the word “God” around carelessly and make unbelievable claims about “God” and give meaningless descriptions such as the “omni’s”. You might argue and disprove those claims but because something has been erroneously described, that doesn’t invalidate the thing.
What is an "Agnostic"?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 25, 2019:
There is not necessarily anything wishy-washy about being undecided. Some assertions are logically undecidable, given certain definitions and assumptions.
IMO it demonstrates shortsightedness to engage in arguments over the existence of God, because the God concept represents an aspect of ultimate reality beyond our sense-world. Ultimate reality can not be understood from our very limited way of knowing. If you don’t know what you are arguing about it would seem more honest to not argue at all.
Our human-based questions about reality have no meaning from a higher perspective—for example the human concept of “existence” has meaning only to humans. Besides that, since conscious awareness is a profound mystery, we don’t really know what we ourselves are.
There is a third option, that of ignosticism. An ignostic says that the question of Gods existence is not meaningful. I lean that way myself, but that’s not the whole story so I generally refrain from labeling myself. I am wrapped up in awe and reverence and a silly label like “ignostic” conveys none of that.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 25, 2019:
There is not necessarily anything wishy-washy about being undecided. Some assertions are logically undecidable, given certain definitions and assumptions.
IMO it demonstrates shortsightedness to engage in arguments over the existence of God, because the God concept represents an aspect of ultimate reality beyond our sense-world. Ultimate reality can not be understood from our very limited way of knowing. If you don’t know what you are arguing about it would seem more honest to not argue at all.
Our human-based questions about reality have no meaning from a higher perspective—for example the human concept of “existence” has meaning only to humans. Besides that, since conscious awareness is a profound mystery, we don’t really know what we ourselves are.
There is a third option, that of ignosticism. An ignostic says that the question of Gods existence is not meaningful. I lean that way myself, but that’s not the whole story so I generally refrain from labeling myself. I am wrapped up in awe and reverence and a silly label like “ignostic” conveys none of that.
O O P S ! Joe Biden inspires no one – not even his own wife
Much like Hillary Clinton in 2016, ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 23, 2019:
Libertarian
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 23, 2019:
Libertarian
People are herd animals.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 23, 2019:
Great post! Keep ‘em comin’.
There are advantages and disadvantages of the lone wolf lifestyle. There is a gradient and it doesn’t have to absolute in either direction.
This reminds me of the book *Rethinking Madness*. According to the author, mentally healthy people have learned to move back and forth between solitude and group absorption without a lot of stress. He (Paris Williams) says that existential crises caused by fear of aloneness on one hand and fear of absorption on the other are the cause of schizophrenia.
Being a lone wolf is a great lifestyle and can lead to self-awareness and personal growth, but at some point we must accept that our core essence is shared with all of life and that we are one—all the same thing.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 23, 2019:
Great post! Keep ‘em comin’.
There are advantages and disadvantages of the lone wolf lifestyle. There is a gradient and it doesn’t have to absolute in either direction.
This reminds me of the book *Rethinking Madness*. According to the author, mentally healthy people have learned to move back and forth between solitude and group absorption without a lot of stress. He (Paris Williams) says that existential crises caused by fear of aloneness on one hand and fear of absorption on the other are the cause of schizophrenia.
Being a lone wolf is a great lifestyle and can lead to self-awareness and personal growth, but at some point we must accept that our core essence is shared with all of life and that we are one—all the same thing.
CAN WE KNOW TRUTH?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 23, 2019:
We’d like to think that we are capable of knowing the truth but actually all of our knowledge is superficial. There’s no such thing as an airtight proof because every logical system is founded on definitions and assumptions. An assertion can be true in one system and false in another. Or it can be undefined or meaningless. It can be undecidable.
Most of the deep questions about existence are meaningless from a cosmic perspective. Even the very concept of existence is over our heads.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 23, 2019:
We’d like to think that we are capable of knowing the truth but actually all of our knowledge is superficial. There’s no such thing as an airtight proof because every logical system is founded on definitions and assumptions. An assertion can be true in one system and false in another. Or it can be undefined or meaningless. It can be undecidable.
Most of the deep questions about existence are meaningless from a cosmic perspective. Even the very concept of existence is over our heads.
No one can tell me why I am here in this mystery.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 23, 2019:
You said it in the first sentence. It’s a mystery that no one knows. All of reality is one huge mystery. I sincerely admire your post, and I like the picture. That picture expresses joy, wonder, awe and hope.
We truly are in abject ignorance. For example, the world we see around us is not real but symbolic. All we ever experience with our bodies are our own nervous systems. Ultimate reality beyond cannot be sensed or understood with normal means. However, in the background there is conscious awareness. No one alive understands how conscious awareness arises or even what it is, yet it frames our every experience and gives us everything—it is us, a miracle of infinite value IMO. The procession of organic bodies comes and goes but consciousness just is, not subject to time. Consciousness in fact creates time, along with everything else in our bubble of illusion.
Not a day goes by but I say to myself “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS ALL ABOUT???”
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 23, 2019:
You said it in the first sentence. It’s a mystery that no one knows. All of reality is one huge mystery. I sincerely admire your post, and I like the picture. That picture expresses joy, wonder, awe and hope.
We truly are in abject ignorance. For example, the world we see around us is not real but symbolic. All we ever experience with our bodies are our own nervous systems. Ultimate reality beyond cannot be sensed or understood with normal means. However, in the background there is conscious awareness. No one alive understands how conscious awareness arises or even what it is, yet it frames our every experience and gives us everything—it is us, a miracle of infinite value IMO. The procession of organic bodies comes and goes but consciousness just is, not subject to time. Consciousness in fact creates time, along with everything else in our bubble of illusion.
Not a day goes by but I say to myself “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS ALL ABOUT???”
So there is a condolence card in the break room for one of my coworkers who’s dad just died.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 22, 2019:
Yes.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 22, 2019:
Yes.
"Study after study, index after index, shows that internally the United States mirrors the world ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 22, 2019:
By lumping everyone in a geographical area together and taking averages there might be some unwarranted conclusions being drawn. In this Pew study you can see that those who report “nothing in particular” as their religion are not particularly well off. They are about as wealthy as Catholics and Southern Baptists but are far out-ranked by many religious groups. Even atheists and agnostics are not as wealthy as four religious groups.
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/10/11/how-income-varies-among-u-s-religious-groups/
“Does theism depress life?” What a loaded question! Religious people in general are not striving for great wealth but for a good life based on spiritual rewards. Just how wealthy do you want people to be? Surely there must be some balance. If theism depressed life theism would have been eliminated from the human experience ages ago. Based on empirical evidence it appears that theism **enhances** life.
Using my county as an example, from my perspective it appears that those who are industrious and who have an ample amount of wealth are those who belong to a church. Those who are poor and rely on government programs are generally not interested in religion. Because this is an agricultural area, average income is somewhat below the national average—at the same time, since there’s less social and cultural diversity people tend to be conservative, sticking with their traditional religion. You could look at the statistics and draw the conclusion that religion causes poverty or that poverty causes religion, but that conclusion is totally unjustified IMO.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 22, 2019:
By lumping everyone in a geographical area together and taking averages there might be some unwarranted conclusions being drawn. In this Pew study you can see that those who report “nothing in particular” as their religion are not particularly well off. They are about as wealthy as Catholics and Southern Baptists but are far out-ranked by many religious groups. Even atheists and agnostics are not as wealthy as four religious groups.
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/10/11/how-income-varies-among-u-s-religious-groups/
“Does theism depress life?” What a loaded question! Religious people in general are not striving for great wealth but for a good life based on spiritual rewards. Just how wealthy do you want people to be? Surely there must be some balance. If theism depressed life theism would have been eliminated from the human experience ages ago. Based on empirical evidence it appears that theism **enhances** life.
Using my county as an example, from my perspective it appears that those who are industrious and who have an ample amount of wealth are those who belong to a church. Those who are poor and rely on government programs are generally not interested in religion. Because this is an agricultural area, average income is somewhat below the national average—at the same time, since there’s less social and cultural diversity people tend to be conservative, sticking with their traditional religion. You could look at the statistics and draw the conclusion that religion causes poverty or that poverty causes religion, but that conclusion is totally unjustified IMO.
An important distinction to learn as an agnostic
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 21, 2019:
I agree with the spirit of what you are saying. Christianity wants you to BELIEVE, and if you don’t, woe be unto you! And damn it, you are SINFUL!
The eastern traditions want you to be aware, to attain Self-Realization, and to live in harmony, in peace and compassion.
I do think there is a religious side to eastern traditions though, especially to Hinduism. Maybe in every tradition there are those who blindly follow dogma, and others who actually experience.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 21, 2019:
I agree with the spirit of what you are saying. Christianity wants you to BELIEVE, and if you don’t, woe be unto you! And damn it, you are SINFUL!
The eastern traditions want you to be aware, to attain Self-Realization, and to live in harmony, in peace and compassion.
I do think there is a religious side to eastern traditions though, especially to Hinduism. Maybe in every tradition there are those who blindly follow dogma, and others who actually experience.
The writings of the "New Atheists" are certainly not meant to give you a warm and cuddly feeling.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 21, 2019:
Please don’t go to Belgium.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 21, 2019:
Please don’t go to Belgium.
My religions professor is very adamant about convincing us atheists are just as religious as ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 21, 2019:
It depends on definitions and assumptions.
We are 99.99% alike. Our opinions about religion are of little significance.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 21, 2019:
It depends on definitions and assumptions.
We are 99.99% alike. Our opinions about religion are of little significance.
The writings of the "New Atheists" are certainly not meant to give you a warm and cuddly feeling.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 21, 2019:
Just because some people describe the world in those bleak terms doesn’t mean it’s really that way. It’s best to ignore those people IMO. They don’t really know what they are talking about. There’s way more to reality than meets the eye, and no one alive understands it. Physicalism is a juvenile phase of philosophical development through which almost everyone goes. Most people think their way through that immature phase and go on to a more sophisticated understanding or awareness.
We have, or are, conscious awareness, a phenomenon of startling significance and implications, and we have no idea where it comes from or even what it is. Yet every second of conscious awareness is a gift of enormous, infinite value.
We are connected by bonds of love. There’s no need to understand the physics of love. All we have to do is extend love and it will be amplified, distributed and returned a thousand fold.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 21, 2019:
Just because some people describe the world in those bleak terms doesn’t mean it’s really that way. It’s best to ignore those people IMO. They don’t really know what they are talking about. There’s way more to reality than meets the eye, and no one alive understands it. Physicalism is a juvenile phase of philosophical development through which almost everyone goes. Most people think their way through that immature phase and go on to a more sophisticated understanding or awareness.
We have, or are, conscious awareness, a phenomenon of startling significance and implications, and we have no idea where it comes from or even what it is. Yet every second of conscious awareness is a gift of enormous, infinite value.
We are connected by bonds of love. There’s no need to understand the physics of love. All we have to do is extend love and it will be amplified, distributed and returned a thousand fold.
Stereotyping - and the damage done!
[google.com.au]
Don’t you just love the judiciary.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 20, 2019:
Is there some sort of psychological test that could be done that would determine a person’s sexual orientation?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 20, 2019:
Is there some sort of psychological test that could be done that would determine a person’s sexual orientation?
Is religious education based on "gullibility"?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 20, 2019:
Combative atheists resort to name-calling and demonization out of weakness.
Open-minded atheists engage in civil discourse and search for understanding and common ground.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 20, 2019:
Combative atheists resort to name-calling and demonization out of weakness.
Open-minded atheists engage in civil discourse and search for understanding and common ground.
I was Muslim when I was young and I left Islam when I was 23 years old in Syria before the war, ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 19, 2019:
Great photograph! Sounds like you need one of those beautiful Swedish women to kayak with.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 19, 2019:
Great photograph! Sounds like you need one of those beautiful Swedish women to kayak with.
Is there an easy answer to the old question "Is religion useful, useless or detrimental?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 19, 2019:
Yes, different people seek out different kinds of religion or non-religion. It depends on what is beneficial for them and should concern no one else.
There’s lots of evidence that religion can be beneficial:
Pew study on benefits of religion
http://www.pewforum.org/2019/01/31/religions-relationship-to-happiness-civic-engagement-and-health-around-the-world/
Scholarly article on religion and crime
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324799100_The_Influence_of_Religion_on_the_Criminal_Behavior_of_Emerging_Adults
Read the abstract:
https://academic.oup.com/socrel/article-abstract/78/2/192/3089763?redirectedFrom=fulltext
American Psychological Assn:
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1996-04766-013
You can point toward examples where certain religions have fostered undesirable behaviors or where religious people have committed egregious acts, but to make those negative judgments and then point to atheists as paragons of virtue—that is nothing but moral grandstanding and hypocrisy. We are all the same at heart.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 19, 2019:
Yes, different people seek out different kinds of religion or non-religion. It depends on what is beneficial for them and should concern no one else.
There’s lots of evidence that religion can be beneficial:
Pew study on benefits of religion
http://www.pewforum.org/2019/01/31/religions-relationship-to-happiness-civic-engagement-and-health-around-the-world/
Scholarly article on religion and crime
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324799100_The_Influence_of_Religion_on_the_Criminal_Behavior_of_Emerging_Adults
Read the abstract:
https://academic.oup.com/socrel/article-abstract/78/2/192/3089763?redirectedFrom=fulltext
American Psychological Assn:
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1996-04766-013
You can point toward examples where certain religions have fostered undesirable behaviors or where religious people have committed egregious acts, but to make those negative judgments and then point to atheists as paragons of virtue—that is nothing but moral grandstanding and hypocrisy. We are all the same at heart.
A very powerful discussion of tolerance of religion:
[agnostic.com]
[youtu.be]
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 18, 2019:
For anyone who doesn’t already know:
“The WBC is not affiliated with any Baptist denomination, although it describes itself as Primitive Baptist and following the five points of Calvinism.[1] Many other Baptist churches, Baptist-affiliated seminaries, and Baptist conventions, including the Baptist World Alliance and the Southern Baptist Convention (the two largest Baptist denominations), have denounced the WBC over the years.[20] In addition, other mainstream Christian denominations have condemned the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church.[21]” (Wikipedia)
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 18, 2019:
For anyone who doesn’t already know:
“The WBC is not affiliated with any Baptist denomination, although it describes itself as Primitive Baptist and following the five points of Calvinism.[1] Many other Baptist churches, Baptist-affiliated seminaries, and Baptist conventions, including the Baptist World Alliance and the Southern Baptist Convention (the two largest Baptist denominations), have denounced the WBC over the years.[20] In addition, other mainstream Christian denominations have condemned the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church.[21]” (Wikipedia)
Priest slams baby into font in ‘violent’ baptism before 'refusing' to return to him to mum - ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 18, 2019:
He must have been drunk
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 18, 2019:
He must have been drunk
Prayers are causing angels to be overworked. Funny
[youtube.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 18, 2019:
Funny!
On the day of the Iron Bowl those angels must get a real workout! Or maybe the trash bin just has to be emptied more.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 18, 2019:
Funny!
On the day of the Iron Bowl those angels must get a real workout! Or maybe the trash bin just has to be emptied more.
There is a highly vocal group of deniers of the existence of Jesus.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 18, 2019:
I just read this interesting impartial essay on the subject:
https://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_jcno.htm
I lean toward thinking that there really was a flesh and blood Jesus but that much or most of what was written about him was made up. There’s no way to know with absolute certainty.
Most of the things Jesus is reported to have said seem very astute and commendable. They were written by someone, and that’s all that matters. I think of scriptures as an expression of collective human wisdom.
That business of sending ahead to borrow a donkey without permission to ride into Jerusalem so that prophecy would be fulfilled—that sounds like pure fraud. Also I don’t agree about Hell. Otherwise Jesus comes across as a pretty smart, gutsy guy.
If some people want to glorify and exaggerate his life and turn him into God, that is their right and I am not troubled. Myth creation is a form of artistic expression, sort of like “Star Wars”.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 18, 2019:
I just read this interesting impartial essay on the subject:
https://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_jcno.htm
I lean toward thinking that there really was a flesh and blood Jesus but that much or most of what was written about him was made up. There’s no way to know with absolute certainty.
Most of the things Jesus is reported to have said seem very astute and commendable. They were written by someone, and that’s all that matters. I think of scriptures as an expression of collective human wisdom.
That business of sending ahead to borrow a donkey without permission to ride into Jerusalem so that prophecy would be fulfilled—that sounds like pure fraud. Also I don’t agree about Hell. Otherwise Jesus comes across as a pretty smart, gutsy guy.
If some people want to glorify and exaggerate his life and turn him into God, that is their right and I am not troubled. Myth creation is a form of artistic expression, sort of like “Star Wars”.
Has anybody watched "the Family" on Netflix?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 17, 2019:
I just watched the trailer. That’s enough to know that it’s all about hyperbole and fear-mongering.
The constitution says that congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion. Membership of government officials in a private interfaith prayer group is not the establishment of a religion.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 17, 2019:
I just watched the trailer. That’s enough to know that it’s all about hyperbole and fear-mongering.
The constitution says that congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of a religion. Membership of government officials in a private interfaith prayer group is not the establishment of a religion.
“Mental transformation takes time, but it becomes easier with familiarity.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 17, 2019:
Maybe that’s exactly the advice I currently need.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 17, 2019:
Maybe that’s exactly the advice I currently need.
Mid August morning, South Coast of British Columbia.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 16, 2019:
Very nice! Enjoy!
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 16, 2019:
Very nice! Enjoy!
If a person that doesnt believe in a Higher Power (God) (Christ) do you believe that they should be...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 16, 2019:
We should accept people period.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 16, 2019:
We should accept people period.
Does science have all the answers to questions that matter?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 16, 2019:
The questions that concern me most can’t be answered by science or by anything else. I think those questions lie outside human purview and might be meaningless from a higher perspective. Religion, science, and philosophy might shine the light of awareness on those questions, resulting in awe and reverence, but there really are no answers. The questions are what matter because they can shake people awake.
If a person doesn’t want to face the startling facts of existence, then fear can be blunted with either scientism or religious dogma—really the same thing. It’s your choice.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 16, 2019:
The questions that concern me most can’t be answered by science or by anything else. I think those questions lie outside human purview and might be meaningless from a higher perspective. Religion, science, and philosophy might shine the light of awareness on those questions, resulting in awe and reverence, but there really are no answers. The questions are what matter because they can shake people awake.
If a person doesn’t want to face the startling facts of existence, then fear can be blunted with either scientism or religious dogma—really the same thing. It’s your choice.
Turned 58 years old on the 12th of August and for sometime been pondering this whole life thing.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 15, 2019:
The life of an individual organism might be futile if viewed in isolation, but if you look at the entire procession of life you see great beauty and infinite value. And as an individual with conscious awareness, every second seems like a fabulous miracle.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 15, 2019:
The life of an individual organism might be futile if viewed in isolation, but if you look at the entire procession of life you see great beauty and infinite value. And as an individual with conscious awareness, every second seems like a fabulous miracle.
Entering a photo contest is a crapshoot. Sigh.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 15, 2019:
I don’t know why everything has to be turned into a contest. An artistic expression is purely subjective.
Your picture is beautiful.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 15, 2019:
I don’t know why everything has to be turned into a contest. An artistic expression is purely subjective.
Your picture is beautiful.
Is it okay to pretend to love someone if you're up front about it?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 15, 2019:
There’s different kinds of love. Logically we should love everyone. There’s no need to be deceptive about your feelings unless you are young and horny. In that case anything goes. Might as well jump into the fire.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 15, 2019:
There’s different kinds of love. Logically we should love everyone. There’s no need to be deceptive about your feelings unless you are young and horny. In that case anything goes. Might as well jump into the fire.
What would you do?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 15, 2019:
I would speak with her just as though she were an adult. She’s a lot more astute and perceptive than you might think.
Talk about the various religions around the world. Use reason—set an example. You are her shining idol—she’ll follow you for now. Later it’ll be out of your hands.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 15, 2019:
I would speak with her just as though she were an adult. She’s a lot more astute and perceptive than you might think.
Talk about the various religions around the world. Use reason—set an example. You are her shining idol—she’ll follow you for now. Later it’ll be out of your hands.
Here is a thought experiment for all those who claim that morality is subjective:
Imagine a world ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 15, 2019:
It would be morally right for those who think it was morally right. For those who think it evil it would be evil—it’s purely subjective. In other words, IMO the concept of morality has no meaning except as a personal judgment.
Hitler was thwarted in his goal, not because his goal was immoral but because he was mistaken in his thinking. His goal was illogical, impractical and undesirable for society.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 15, 2019:
It would be morally right for those who think it was morally right. For those who think it evil it would be evil—it’s purely subjective. In other words, IMO the concept of morality has no meaning except as a personal judgment.
Hitler was thwarted in his goal, not because his goal was immoral but because he was mistaken in his thinking. His goal was illogical, impractical and undesirable for society.
Do you think sociopaths and psychopaths can't really help their actions since they didn't really ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 14, 2019:
Humans are hard-wired to protect themselves from sociopaths by locking them up or whatever it takes.
We just can’t help ourselves.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 14, 2019:
Humans are hard-wired to protect themselves from sociopaths by locking them up or whatever it takes.
We just can’t help ourselves.
Well-known paleontologist Steven Jay Gould argued that science and religion are different ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 14, 2019:
The more sophisticated religions thoroughly embrace science. Some of the most astute and creative scientists have had spiritual viewpoints.
The real dichotomy is not between religion and science but between those with open minds and deep awareness on one hand and those with narrow, dogmatic perspectives on the other hand. Of course there is a gradient of attitudes between the two poles.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 14, 2019:
The more sophisticated religions thoroughly embrace science. Some of the most astute and creative scientists have had spiritual viewpoints.
The real dichotomy is not between religion and science but between those with open minds and deep awareness on one hand and those with narrow, dogmatic perspectives on the other hand. Of course there is a gradient of attitudes between the two poles.
There is a question that atheists ask, " How can a just God allow bad things to happen to good ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 14, 2019:
What some atheists do is argue that because bad things happen and because there is injustice, therefore there is no God. After all, God is supposed to be good and all-powerful. It is a valid argument with respect to the God of the Bible. Once a person sees that the Bible has it wrong it’s time to move on to a broader perspective of reality.
The concept of good and bad as opposites is a human mind thing. Nature is neither good nor bad, it just is. Things are as they have to be. Nature is not concerned with justice either. Where’s the justice when a fox eats a rabbit? It seems to me that our world views need to encompass nature the way it actually is, not the way we wish it to be.
Call it what you will, but there is something of major significance and infinite value happening all around us. Our perspectives are limited by the symbolic space/time/causation model of our senses, but beyond that lies ultimate reality. Reality is not the way it seems.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 14, 2019:
What some atheists do is argue that because bad things happen and because there is injustice, therefore there is no God. After all, God is supposed to be good and all-powerful. It is a valid argument with respect to the God of the Bible. Once a person sees that the Bible has it wrong it’s time to move on to a broader perspective of reality.
The concept of good and bad as opposites is a human mind thing. Nature is neither good nor bad, it just is. Things are as they have to be. Nature is not concerned with justice either. Where’s the justice when a fox eats a rabbit? It seems to me that our world views need to encompass nature the way it actually is, not the way we wish it to be.
Call it what you will, but there is something of major significance and infinite value happening all around us. Our perspectives are limited by the symbolic space/time/causation model of our senses, but beyond that lies ultimate reality. Reality is not the way it seems.
Children Raised Without Religion Are Kinder And More Empathetic, Study Finds
(This may have been ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
The study has been retracted.
https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(19)30875-9
See discussion below by TheMiddleWay
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
The study has been retracted.
https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(19)30875-9
See discussion below by TheMiddleWay
Children Raised Without Religion Are Kinder And More Empathetic, Study Finds
(This may have been ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
I wonder if the study included children from the bottom rungs of society. That is, after all where most uneducated non-religious people fall. Those who are pointedly atheistic or without belief tend to be well educated and well provided for. It’s no surprise that their children would reflect security and generosity.
Sometimes these studies are misleading. I’d have to know more before I accepted the findings.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
I wonder if the study included children from the bottom rungs of society. That is, after all where most uneducated non-religious people fall. Those who are pointedly atheistic or without belief tend to be well educated and well provided for. It’s no surprise that their children would reflect security and generosity.
Sometimes these studies are misleading. I’d have to know more before I accepted the findings.
"Take man's most fantastic invention - God.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
A bleak world view that I don’t share.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
A bleak world view that I don’t share.
We gotta change how we look at things
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
Thanks for your courage and openness.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
Thanks for your courage and openness.
Does anyone have children that attend public school, in states that have made laws about posting In ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
We used to have a morning prayer over the intercom but there was never any religious element to our classes.
I take that back. I was subjected to an arrogant, swaggering, domineering atheist for one of my classes.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
We used to have a morning prayer over the intercom but there was never any religious element to our classes.
I take that back. I was subjected to an arrogant, swaggering, domineering atheist for one of my classes.
Agnostic vs Atheist
Sorry to rake up this seemingly old one up again but there have been so many ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
I agree that negative assertions can be proven, but IMO no proof is absolute. If a person is interested in whether or not God exists he should concentrate, not on proof or disproof but on searching. Belief, disbelief and proofs are for people who just want to argue—muddy the water so they don’t have to look at something.
The God concept does not lend itself to proof because we are talking about ultimate reality. Existence at that higher level is beyond our puny little intellects, which are mired in the sensory dreamworld of illusion. The very concept of time is an illusion according to quantum gravity theory, and therefore any question about existence, creation, immortality or selfhood as a body is meaningless.
Besides atheism and agnosticism, someone here has pointed out a third option: ignosticism. Ignostics claim that it is meaningless to argue for or against God because the word can not be defined in a clear and acceptable way.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
I agree that negative assertions can be proven, but IMO no proof is absolute. If a person is interested in whether or not God exists he should concentrate, not on proof or disproof but on searching. Belief, disbelief and proofs are for people who just want to argue—muddy the water so they don’t have to look at something.
The God concept does not lend itself to proof because we are talking about ultimate reality. Existence at that higher level is beyond our puny little intellects, which are mired in the sensory dreamworld of illusion. The very concept of time is an illusion according to quantum gravity theory, and therefore any question about existence, creation, immortality or selfhood as a body is meaningless.
Besides atheism and agnosticism, someone here has pointed out a third option: ignosticism. Ignostics claim that it is meaningless to argue for or against God because the word can not be defined in a clear and acceptable way.
What are the non-negotiable claims of the Christian?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
Those four claims might apply to other religions besides Christianity. Just ordinary people who are not associated with a religion might make those claims.
The traditional Christian churches that I am familiar with demand BELIEF in some rather unbelievable things. They are unbelievable from my perspective but scientific methods can not be applied to such a subject.
If people want to belong to churches, that is their right. We should not judge them harshly IMO. You could think of religion as a collection of artistic expressions, meaningful only in an emotional context and not subject to intellectual scrutiny.
No, the four demands are not disproven by science, but I do think that science points toward creation as being a shallow and meaningless human concept. None of the demands have any meaning outside our little human reality dream, but they might still be useful. If you are in a chess game you have to go by the rules of chess.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
Those four claims might apply to other religions besides Christianity. Just ordinary people who are not associated with a religion might make those claims.
The traditional Christian churches that I am familiar with demand BELIEF in some rather unbelievable things. They are unbelievable from my perspective but scientific methods can not be applied to such a subject.
If people want to belong to churches, that is their right. We should not judge them harshly IMO. You could think of religion as a collection of artistic expressions, meaningful only in an emotional context and not subject to intellectual scrutiny.
No, the four demands are not disproven by science, but I do think that science points toward creation as being a shallow and meaningless human concept. None of the demands have any meaning outside our little human reality dream, but they might still be useful. If you are in a chess game you have to go by the rules of chess.
Imagine for a moment that the concept of god never existed, that no one had ever heard of such an ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
The video states that we are the only species that has self awareness. I don’t think that’s true.
I’m not sold on the idea that religion was developed because of fear. I suppose that could be a factor, but if I were an ancient I think I’d be more afraid of Woden, Thor and the like than of thunder and lightning. I think religion developed as a collection of artistic expressions.
All that self-promotion about mankind’s dazzling achievements does not impress me. Sure, we’ve advanced in knowledge and understanding but that knowledge is superficial. At heart we are just as ignorant as ever.
The video makes some bald-faced claims that are actually nothing but opinion.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
The video states that we are the only species that has self awareness. I don’t think that’s true.
I’m not sold on the idea that religion was developed because of fear. I suppose that could be a factor, but if I were an ancient I think I’d be more afraid of Woden, Thor and the like than of thunder and lightning. I think religion developed as a collection of artistic expressions.
All that self-promotion about mankind’s dazzling achievements does not impress me. Sure, we’ve advanced in knowledge and understanding but that knowledge is superficial. At heart we are just as ignorant as ever.
The video makes some bald-faced claims that are actually nothing but opinion.
Imagine for a moment that the concept of god never existed, that no one had ever heard of such an ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
There’s no harm in coming up with ideas, even if they can’t be proven. Ideas sometimes develop into great inventions or deep understanding. The metaphysics of today might be the physics of tomorrow.
The problem is declaring that your idea is absolute truth, and in trying to coerce people into belief.
Belief is way overrated. Belief is only a value judgment—an emotion. So far as proof, nothing can be proven absolutely because every logical system depends on assumptions and definitions.
So far as the God question, ultimate reality is way above our heads. It is useless to argue over something that you can’t define and don’t understand.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 13, 2019:
There’s no harm in coming up with ideas, even if they can’t be proven. Ideas sometimes develop into great inventions or deep understanding. The metaphysics of today might be the physics of tomorrow.
The problem is declaring that your idea is absolute truth, and in trying to coerce people into belief.
Belief is way overrated. Belief is only a value judgment—an emotion. So far as proof, nothing can be proven absolutely because every logical system depends on assumptions and definitions.
So far as the God question, ultimate reality is way above our heads. It is useless to argue over something that you can’t define and don’t understand.
So, here is my personal argument against free will: I did not choose to become an atheist.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 12, 2019:
I agree so far as belief. As Schopenhauer pointed out, we have no control over what we believe. But that doesn’t rule out control over other areas does it?
You can build a robot that appears to have free will, but in actuality all its decisions depend on programming, memory storage, random number generation or calculations. A robot has no conscious awareness—how can it have will if it isn’t even aware of its existence?
Maybe our bodies are like robots and have no awareness or free will. There is conscious awareness however, coming from somewhere, that nudges the body into certain actions. As an analogy think of a self-driving car. The car’s actions are automatic—no fee will is involved, but a human with conscious awareness can step in and indirectly control the car.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 12, 2019:
I agree so far as belief. As Schopenhauer pointed out, we have no control over what we believe. But that doesn’t rule out control over other areas does it?
You can build a robot that appears to have free will, but in actuality all its decisions depend on programming, memory storage, random number generation or calculations. A robot has no conscious awareness—how can it have will if it isn’t even aware of its existence?
Maybe our bodies are like robots and have no awareness or free will. There is conscious awareness however, coming from somewhere, that nudges the body into certain actions. As an analogy think of a self-driving car. The car’s actions are automatic—no fee will is involved, but a human with conscious awareness can step in and indirectly control the car.
The vicissitudes of naming places.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 12, 2019:
Something tells me you are playing devil’s advocate here. Just love to get an argument going, aye?
Let’s rename Australia “Trump Island”.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 12, 2019:
Something tells me you are playing devil’s advocate here. Just love to get an argument going, aye?
Let’s rename Australia “Trump Island”.
The vicissitudes of naming places.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 12, 2019:
In our country, Cape Canaveral was briefly renamed “Cape Kennedy”. The locals reacted with fury. “Rename Cape Cod as Cape Kennedy if you want to honor your man” they said. The point was taken.
Politicians renamed Denali, the highest peak in North America after President McKinley, who had little association with Alaska. It took a century for the original name to be restored.
The people of Chemnitz should have said “you wanna honor Marx, then rename Moscow”.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 12, 2019:
In our country, Cape Canaveral was briefly renamed “Cape Kennedy”. The locals reacted with fury. “Rename Cape Cod as Cape Kennedy if you want to honor your man” they said. The point was taken.
Politicians renamed Denali, the highest peak in North America after President McKinley, who had little association with Alaska. It took a century for the original name to be restored.
The people of Chemnitz should have said “you wanna honor Marx, then rename Moscow”.
One of the major problems for Christianity is that it suffers from divided loyalties.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 12, 2019:
Interesting. The Hindus have their many gods and goddesses and demons and they have their philosopher’s God, developed later and superimposed. They get around the problem by saying that the lesser gods are aspects of Brahman, which encompasses everything.
I rather like the idea of the philosopher’s God but I’d prefer not to label it as “God”. That word has bad associations among many people.
Yes, even Baptists sometimes speak in terms of the philosopher’s God—I remember. Unfortunately they also have to pay homage to the Bible which they have ignorantly declared to be the inerrant word of God.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 12, 2019:
Interesting. The Hindus have their many gods and goddesses and demons and they have their philosopher’s God, developed later and superimposed. They get around the problem by saying that the lesser gods are aspects of Brahman, which encompasses everything.
I rather like the idea of the philosopher’s God but I’d prefer not to label it as “God”. That word has bad associations among many people.
Yes, even Baptists sometimes speak in terms of the philosopher’s God—I remember. Unfortunately they also have to pay homage to the Bible which they have ignorantly declared to be the inerrant word of God.
The biblical "god" is merely a manifestation of the violent, male-dominant, hunter-killer left ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 11, 2019:
Things are as they are for reasons. Rather than judge the male half of humanity so harshly I’d prefer to understand why it is that the sexes are different.
Because of biology women are vitally necessary for the survival of any group. Therefore it falls to men to perform the most dangerous jobs. Obviously for nearly all of our existence hunting has been very necessary. As for war, competition and the protection of one’s home have been equally vital. Those tribes that failed at hunting and self-protection have left no descendants.
We are just what we are and it’s OK.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 11, 2019:
Things are as they are for reasons. Rather than judge the male half of humanity so harshly I’d prefer to understand why it is that the sexes are different.
Because of biology women are vitally necessary for the survival of any group. Therefore it falls to men to perform the most dangerous jobs. Obviously for nearly all of our existence hunting has been very necessary. As for war, competition and the protection of one’s home have been equally vital. Those tribes that failed at hunting and self-protection have left no descendants.
We are just what we are and it’s OK.
Agnostic and More
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 10, 2019:
Everything is natural, but there really is an ultimate reality beyond the world of our senses, call it what you wish. In our everyday lives all we ever really experience is our own nervous system. We create our own dream world and that dream world is actually what is nebulous and supernatural. Ultimate reality beyond is very real and enduring but we can not detect or understand it with our symbolic space/time/causality model of the senses.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 10, 2019:
Everything is natural, but there really is an ultimate reality beyond the world of our senses, call it what you wish. In our everyday lives all we ever really experience is our own nervous system. We create our own dream world and that dream world is actually what is nebulous and supernatural. Ultimate reality beyond is very real and enduring but we can not detect or understand it with our symbolic space/time/causality model of the senses.
Huffpost has written an excellent series (three parts thus far) dealing with the problematic state ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 10, 2019:
I don’t think those religious schools are “paid for” by taxpayers. Rather they sometimes receive some indirect support from taxpayers through the voucher program.
https://www.edchoice.org/school_choice_faqs/are-school-choice-programs-legal/
School vouchers can legally be used for attending religious schools—the Supreme Court has decided. It’s no different than using the GI Bill for your education at a divinity school—perfectly legal. What about a mother on welfare who uses a church-run daycare center? Again, totally OK.
It’s hard to see how a taxpayer could be harmed by someone using a voucher to attend a church school. No extra taxes are raised for vouchers. You might disagree with some of the things taught in a religious school—I disagree with some of the things taught in religious schools AND public schools, but individuals don’t get to control what is taught in schools.
As a last resort there’s always the option of not sending your children to a religious school if you don’t like what they teach.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 10, 2019:
I don’t think those religious schools are “paid for” by taxpayers. Rather they sometimes receive some indirect support from taxpayers through the voucher program.
https://www.edchoice.org/school_choice_faqs/are-school-choice-programs-legal/
School vouchers can legally be used for attending religious schools—the Supreme Court has decided. It’s no different than using the GI Bill for your education at a divinity school—perfectly legal. What about a mother on welfare who uses a church-run daycare center? Again, totally OK.
It’s hard to see how a taxpayer could be harmed by someone using a voucher to attend a church school. No extra taxes are raised for vouchers. You might disagree with some of the things taught in a religious school—I disagree with some of the things taught in religious schools AND public schools, but individuals don’t get to control what is taught in schools.
As a last resort there’s always the option of not sending your children to a religious school if you don’t like what they teach.
Walmart pulls violent game displays, will still sell guns
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 9, 2019:
The guns that Walmart sells are strictly hunting rifles and shotguns. They have long stopped selling the AR15 style rifles with large-capacity magazines. And If I remember correctly they no longer sell pistols.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/03/01/walmart-has-wobbled-on-gun-sales-for-years-but-its-becoming-more-restrictive/
Walmart is a great business and I shop there often. They have helped bring real wealth to many many places.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 9, 2019:
The guns that Walmart sells are strictly hunting rifles and shotguns. They have long stopped selling the AR15 style rifles with large-capacity magazines. And If I remember correctly they no longer sell pistols.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/03/01/walmart-has-wobbled-on-gun-sales-for-years-but-its-becoming-more-restrictive/
Walmart is a great business and I shop there often. They have helped bring real wealth to many many places.
Culture is not a conspiracy to “oppress the masses.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 9, 2019:
Interesting information. 6000 years huh? That’s not all that old. Hell, I’ve been around more than one percent of that time.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 9, 2019:
Interesting information. 6000 years huh? That’s not all that old. Hell, I’ve been around more than one percent of that time.
What’s the difference?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 9, 2019:
A well-placed comma is a beautiful thing!
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 9, 2019:
A well-placed comma is a beautiful thing!
Science clashes with biblical literalism.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 9, 2019:
Within the Christian tradition have been mystics who, through lives of meditation have arrived at deep insights similar to those of ancient yogis. It is the perennial philosophy, as described by Aldous Huxley.
All religious traditions are involved in such things as mythical or symbolic beings, rituals, ceremonies, creeds and doctrines. Viewed strictly from the intellect, those things make no sense, but if they are considered to be expressions of art there is the option of simply looking, and if you are not moved on an emotional level, just turning away without judgment.
There are many who preach literal belief, but maybe that’s all they are capable of at present. It’s OK.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 9, 2019:
Within the Christian tradition have been mystics who, through lives of meditation have arrived at deep insights similar to those of ancient yogis. It is the perennial philosophy, as described by Aldous Huxley.
All religious traditions are involved in such things as mythical or symbolic beings, rituals, ceremonies, creeds and doctrines. Viewed strictly from the intellect, those things make no sense, but if they are considered to be expressions of art there is the option of simply looking, and if you are not moved on an emotional level, just turning away without judgment.
There are many who preach literal belief, but maybe that’s all they are capable of at present. It’s OK.
I came across an older opinion piece by Graham Lawton (Executive Editor of 'New Scientist') and ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 8, 2019:
Atheism per se is not a religion, but many people who call themselves atheists have a materialist/reductionist world view not supported by science to which they cling with a religious-like fervor.
Not believing in religious dogma is such a trivial thing. I don’t understand making that your reason for existence—circling the wagons, warring against “the others”. It would seem more fruitful to look for common ground, to forge ahead with an open mind, searching for knowledge and understanding.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 8, 2019:
Atheism per se is not a religion, but many people who call themselves atheists have a materialist/reductionist world view not supported by science to which they cling with a religious-like fervor.
Not believing in religious dogma is such a trivial thing. I don’t understand making that your reason for existence—circling the wagons, warring against “the others”. It would seem more fruitful to look for common ground, to forge ahead with an open mind, searching for knowledge and understanding.
This question is for my education and not intended to have any political content.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 8, 2019:
Not all of them are afraid. Some people are just drawn to firearms. I can relate to that myself, though so far I have managed to keep my arsenal down to just a few hunting rifles and shotguns and a 22 magnum revolver. For awhile I was coveting the Kel-Tek CMR-30 but knowing that it has absolutely no purpose, with supreme effort and will power I have so far abstained.
I’m not sure why we have those urges. It’s something in the subconscious mind.
Of course in some situations people are preparing for real threats. A couple of years ago a group was going around raping and robbing old people in our vicinity. People were arming themselves left and right.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 8, 2019:
Not all of them are afraid. Some people are just drawn to firearms. I can relate to that myself, though so far I have managed to keep my arsenal down to just a few hunting rifles and shotguns and a 22 magnum revolver. For awhile I was coveting the Kel-Tek CMR-30 but knowing that it has absolutely no purpose, with supreme effort and will power I have so far abstained.
I’m not sure why we have those urges. It’s something in the subconscious mind.
Of course in some situations people are preparing for real threats. A couple of years ago a group was going around raping and robbing old people in our vicinity. People were arming themselves left and right.
2018 SHINY STOCKINGS Joan Chamorro presenta Alba Armengou & Scott Hamilton & Sant Andreu Jazz Band -...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 8, 2019:
A Spanish group—very nice.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 8, 2019:
A Spanish group—very nice.
Atheism for both supporters and critics is an intensely moral issue.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 8, 2019:
It is certainly true that religious organizations spend enormous efforts in trying to persuade people to behave in ways that benefit society. That almost seems to be their reason for existence. If the option is between murder, robbery, fraud, etc. on one hand and religion on the other, then I’d vote for religion every time.
I think that the person who has thought deeply and decided to turn away from religion is likely the kind of person with the courage, intelligence and insight to chart her own course. She has graduated from church.
To each his own.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 8, 2019:
It is certainly true that religious organizations spend enormous efforts in trying to persuade people to behave in ways that benefit society. That almost seems to be their reason for existence. If the option is between murder, robbery, fraud, etc. on one hand and religion on the other, then I’d vote for religion every time.
I think that the person who has thought deeply and decided to turn away from religion is likely the kind of person with the courage, intelligence and insight to chart her own course. She has graduated from church.
To each his own.
Public high school scheduled to hold 'Back to School Worship Service.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 7, 2019:
According to other news sources the event was not sponsored by the school and none of the teachers or staff was involved. It was a Sunday event organized by community members for the public and had nothing to do with the school except that it was held in the school gymnasium. The event has been held every year for five years. Because of all the hullabaloo this years event was swamped by hundreds of attendees.
https://www.al.com/news/2019/08/back-to-school-worship-at-fyffe-high-school-still-on-despite-freedom-from-religion-complaint.html
My prediction is that the case will be thrown out of court as groundless, but we won’t hear a peep about that from the national news media. For the present though it makes a great target for the spewing of hatred toward Alabama.
Carry on with your tirades.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 7, 2019:
According to other news sources the event was not sponsored by the school and none of the teachers or staff was involved. It was a Sunday event organized by community members for the public and had nothing to do with the school except that it was held in the school gymnasium. The event has been held every year for five years. Because of all the hullabaloo this years event was swamped by hundreds of attendees.
https://www.al.com/news/2019/08/back-to-school-worship-at-fyffe-high-school-still-on-despite-freedom-from-religion-complaint.html
My prediction is that the case will be thrown out of court as groundless, but we won’t hear a peep about that from the national news media. For the present though it makes a great target for the spewing of hatred toward Alabama.
Carry on with your tirades.
Media- Forget the headlines and main articles.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 7, 2019:
Great advice! It so happens that I just dumped MSN because of their divisive and offensive selections. From now on it’s Apple News for me.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 7, 2019:
Great advice! It so happens that I just dumped MSN because of their divisive and offensive selections. From now on it’s Apple News for me.
Ethics is the attempt to rationally establish morality and to distinguish moral rules that can be ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 7, 2019:
I am a moral relativist. As a soldier I had a duty to do things that in other situations would be considered immoral. IMO it is an important part of maturity for your emotions to be eclipsed by the intellect.
As a child I had to help my father prune some fruit trees. I was heartbroken that the beautiful trees should have their limbs cut off. Seeing the limbs piled up for burning made me cry. Later I became calloused and my emotions became blunted—both highly desirable and good outcomes IMO because in my career I lopped off a hundred thousand branches or more.
A person who is not controlled by emotion is in a position to actually accomplish things for the good of mankind. A current example is immigration. Feeling sorry for the immigrants and opening the border to all comers might feel good but the long term consequences would probably not be the best outcome.
Moral relativism is associated with calloused, blunted emotions, but also with clear thinking and courageous actions.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 7, 2019:
I am a moral relativist. As a soldier I had a duty to do things that in other situations would be considered immoral. IMO it is an important part of maturity for your emotions to be eclipsed by the intellect.
As a child I had to help my father prune some fruit trees. I was heartbroken that the beautiful trees should have their limbs cut off. Seeing the limbs piled up for burning made me cry. Later I became calloused and my emotions became blunted—both highly desirable and good outcomes IMO because in my career I lopped off a hundred thousand branches or more.
A person who is not controlled by emotion is in a position to actually accomplish things for the good of mankind. A current example is immigration. Feeling sorry for the immigrants and opening the border to all comers might feel good but the long term consequences would probably not be the best outcome.
Moral relativism is associated with calloused, blunted emotions, but also with clear thinking and courageous actions.
Who’s married to one?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 7, 2019:
Having differences of opinion shouldn’t adversely affect relationships, in fact such differences are important and desirable. Our opinions are a small part of who we are.
What is difficult is where the parties are extreme and stubborn in their opinions and refuse to seek middle ground.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 7, 2019:
Having differences of opinion shouldn’t adversely affect relationships, in fact such differences are important and desirable. Our opinions are a small part of who we are.
What is difficult is where the parties are extreme and stubborn in their opinions and refuse to seek middle ground.
A lot of people here have arrived from religious backgrounds so I was wondering what your feelings ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 7, 2019:
No, a fetus does not “have” a soul. That’s putting the cart before the horse. No organism has a soul.
IMO if there is a soul at all it is a universal soul.
Life is a continuum, proceeding according to the laws of nature, and it’s in perfect accord. The life and death of a single organism is of little significance. Of infinite significance however is conscious awareness, which is primary and universal.
A thousand acorns might fall from an oak each year but there’s not room for them all to become trees. If even one becomes a tree that is more than enough.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 7, 2019:
No, a fetus does not “have” a soul. That’s putting the cart before the horse. No organism has a soul.
IMO if there is a soul at all it is a universal soul.
Life is a continuum, proceeding according to the laws of nature, and it’s in perfect accord. The life and death of a single organism is of little significance. Of infinite significance however is conscious awareness, which is primary and universal.
A thousand acorns might fall from an oak each year but there’s not room for them all to become trees. If even one becomes a tree that is more than enough.
For the history buffs: Interesting article about how Thomas Jefferson created his own "bible".
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 6, 2019:
Here is Jefferson’s letter to a young man, Peter Carr:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-12-02-0021
And this is a short excerpt:
“Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear. You will naturally examine first the religion of your own country. Read the bible then, as you would read Livy or Tacitus. The facts which are within the ordinary course of nature you will believe on the authority of the writer, as you do those of the same kind in Livy and Tacitus.”
There’s much more of interest there that reveals Jefferson’s opinion about religion. It is noteworthy to me that he did not urge any belief or disbelief—only an open mind.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 6, 2019:
Here is Jefferson’s letter to a young man, Peter Carr:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-12-02-0021
And this is a short excerpt:
“Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear. You will naturally examine first the religion of your own country. Read the bible then, as you would read Livy or Tacitus. The facts which are within the ordinary course of nature you will believe on the authority of the writer, as you do those of the same kind in Livy and Tacitus.”
There’s much more of interest there that reveals Jefferson’s opinion about religion. It is noteworthy to me that he did not urge any belief or disbelief—only an open mind.
Hi!
I'm curious about something.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 6, 2019:
Religion in the "Bible Belt"
http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/region/south/
If you click on the above link you'll see a rating of various religious practices and values in the South. Under each table is a tab to click on and see how the various regions compare in religious practices. If you look you'll see that while the South is indeed more religious, the differences among the regions are not very great. There are certainly not enough differences to warrant labeling the South as the "bible belt". The South is a huge and diverse region, the most populous region, with every conceivable religion and religious opinion.
I live in rural Alabama and Christians absolutely do not bother me. None in my immediate circle are believers in church dogma, and probably half the population never attend church.
Sectional differences get blown out of proportion by some people IMO.
How religious are the people of your country?
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 6, 2019:
Religion in the "Bible Belt"
http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/region/south/
If you click on the above link you'll see a rating of various religious practices and values in the South. Under each table is a tab to click on and see how the various regions compare in religious practices. If you look you'll see that while the South is indeed more religious, the differences among the regions are not very great. There are certainly not enough differences to warrant labeling the South as the "bible belt". The South is a huge and diverse region, the most populous region, with every conceivable religion and religious opinion.
I live in rural Alabama and Christians absolutely do not bother me. None in my immediate circle are believers in church dogma, and probably half the population never attend church.
Sectional differences get blown out of proportion by some people IMO.
How religious are the people of your country?
Glock/Paper/Scissors
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 6, 2019:
“...I see very little discussion about what might be spreading that mental illness, and it is spreading.”
I have a few ideas about this subject. First of all, it seems to me that the news media is making our social divisions appear much worse than they really are, or need to be. And the news media and entertainment industry, along with some politicians, are very busy stirring up and creating strife and division. Keeping the public fearful, angry and aggrieved gives them money and power. All of those inflammatory on-line articles and slanted news stories are by design.
When it comes to violent unfeeling young males who kill people for no reason, there are a couple of additional influences that might be at play. One is the proliferation of violent, murderous computer games. I would imagine that playing such games for hours on end could not but blunt the normal feelings of human empathy. If you have killed thousands of virtual characters and seen them bloody and mangled I would think it’d be an easy step to transfer the game into real life.
Another factor that IMO needs study is the effects of psychotropic drugs. The use of those drugs is widespread around the world, but we are the only country that routinely administers those drugs to children. The practice is widespread and hard to gauge because there are over-the-counter versions available to anyone. Could it be that in some cases children’s normal development is impaired by those drugs, leaving them with deep anger and hatred.
Imagine that it’s the fifties and you are in high school. The girl you loved since first grade, the one you always planned to marry, has taken up with an older guy. You go into a deep depression which lingers for months. Your parents question you but you evade. After months of pain it occurs to you that, the girl is more mature and is ready to start a career and family while you have no firm plans and are not ready. Your only plan for now is to attend college, and she would be a hindrance to you. In your heart you wish them well—after all, she is a magnificent person.
Imagine that if instead you had been given drugs. The pain would be eased but you might not truly resolve the problem, and you’d have been denied the coping experience. When you saw the girl you might feel a surge of anger. By feeding untrue thoughts into your subconscious mind you might develop into a rabid psychopath.
7452 people die in the country every day. We are all going to die, but in general I am optimistic and not afraid.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 6, 2019:
“...I see very little discussion about what might be spreading that mental illness, and it is spreading.”
I have a few ideas about this subject. First of all, it seems to me that the news media is making our social divisions appear much worse than they really are, or need to be. And the news media and entertainment industry, along with some politicians, are very busy stirring up and creating strife and division. Keeping the public fearful, angry and aggrieved gives them money and power. All of those inflammatory on-line articles and slanted news stories are by design.
When it comes to violent unfeeling young males who kill people for no reason, there are a couple of additional influences that might be at play. One is the proliferation of violent, murderous computer games. I would imagine that playing such games for hours on end could not but blunt the normal feelings of human empathy. If you have killed thousands of virtual characters and seen them bloody and mangled I would think it’d be an easy step to transfer the game into real life.
Another factor that IMO needs study is the effects of psychotropic drugs. The use of those drugs is widespread around the world, but we are the only country that routinely administers those drugs to children. The practice is widespread and hard to gauge because there are over-the-counter versions available to anyone. Could it be that in some cases children’s normal development is impaired by those drugs, leaving them with deep anger and hatred.
Imagine that it’s the fifties and you are in high school. The girl you loved since first grade, the one you always planned to marry, has taken up with an older guy. You go into a deep depression which lingers for months. Your parents question you but you evade. After months of pain it occurs to you that, the girl is more mature and is ready to start a career and family while you have no firm plans and are not ready. Your only plan for now is to attend college, and she would be a hindrance to you. In your heart you wish them well—after all, she is a magnificent person.
Imagine that if instead you had been given drugs. The pain would be eased but you might not truly resolve the problem, and you’d have been denied the coping experience. When you saw the girl you might feel a surge of anger. By feeding untrue thoughts into your subconscious mind you might develop into a rabid psychopath.
7452 people die in the country every day. We are all going to die, but in general I am optimistic and not afraid.
Now I KNOW I am living in a lucid dream and can’t wake up
[google.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 4, 2019:
It’s real!
https://www.google.com/search?q=did+north+korea+issue+trump+stamps%3F&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us=safari
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 4, 2019:
It’s real!
https://www.google.com/search?q=did+north+korea+issue+trump+stamps%3F&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us=safari
Hey .... watch where you're slinging that hate!
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 3, 2019:
I concur. Great post!
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 3, 2019:
I concur. Great post!
Its amazing that some days I feel as if revealing my atheist views could impact my relationships ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 3, 2019:
I have never made a big deal over religious opinions because in the final analysis they are nothing but opinions, of little significance. I’ve never hesitated to engage in discussions about much of anything and I’ve never had any problems because of that.
The only problem has been the very few times when someone was intent on converting me to their way. The very WORST experience in that regard was having to endure a swaggering, bullying, fanatical atheist.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 3, 2019:
I have never made a big deal over religious opinions because in the final analysis they are nothing but opinions, of little significance. I’ve never hesitated to engage in discussions about much of anything and I’ve never had any problems because of that.
The only problem has been the very few times when someone was intent on converting me to their way. The very WORST experience in that regard was having to endure a swaggering, bullying, fanatical atheist.
Split Brain Patient - Both Atheist & Christian! - YouTube
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 2, 2019:
All those silly questions about souls, the afterlife, heaven and hell, they represent a continuous and boring campaign against traditional religious dogma. For me anyway they are beating a dead horse—it can easily be proven that traditional religious dogma makes no sense. Those who cling to that dogma are not going to listen to any argument.
What is demonstrated by the video IMO is that the sense of self as a body is an illusion and that there’s a lot more to our reality than it appears.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 2, 2019:
All those silly questions about souls, the afterlife, heaven and hell, they represent a continuous and boring campaign against traditional religious dogma. For me anyway they are beating a dead horse—it can easily be proven that traditional religious dogma makes no sense. Those who cling to that dogma are not going to listen to any argument.
What is demonstrated by the video IMO is that the sense of self as a body is an illusion and that there’s a lot more to our reality than it appears.
Even Mindfulness Meditation Has Turned Into a Minefield
[psychologytoday.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 2, 2019:
We discussed that polarizing essay by Sahanika Ratnayake in an earlier post. I think she can safely be ignored. Meditation is a pretty simple and innocuous practice except that of course it can be carried to extremes.
Meditation was developed by ancient yogis long before Buddhism arrived. Although this modern “mindfulness” might use some aspects of Buddhism, such as visualization, there is no reason why mindfulness has to perfectly mirror Buddhism. People visualize all the time without being harmed.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 2, 2019:
We discussed that polarizing essay by Sahanika Ratnayake in an earlier post. I think she can safely be ignored. Meditation is a pretty simple and innocuous practice except that of course it can be carried to extremes.
Meditation was developed by ancient yogis long before Buddhism arrived. Although this modern “mindfulness” might use some aspects of Buddhism, such as visualization, there is no reason why mindfulness has to perfectly mirror Buddhism. People visualize all the time without being harmed.
As we mature most of us come to believe that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” or more ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 1, 2019:
I agree fully. A person’s opinion or belief about church dogma is a minor, insignificant part of that person, while the religious impulse or sensitivity is deeply imbedded.
IMO religious experience is not necessarily some sort of earth-shaking mystical event. I’ve never had that kind of religious experience myself. But I have lived my life with deep awareness and awe in the face of the stark fact of conscious existence. The implications of reality are just absolutely overpowering.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 1, 2019:
I agree fully. A person’s opinion or belief about church dogma is a minor, insignificant part of that person, while the religious impulse or sensitivity is deeply imbedded.
IMO religious experience is not necessarily some sort of earth-shaking mystical event. I’ve never had that kind of religious experience myself. But I have lived my life with deep awareness and awe in the face of the stark fact of conscious existence. The implications of reality are just absolutely overpowering.
Do you think that some things are unforgivable or do you think that some people should be given a ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 1, 2019:
To forgive is to come to the realization that your negative judgement of someone was incorrect. Forgiveness is about you and your happiness. It is not about the extending of a pardon to the person who wronged you.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 1, 2019:
To forgive is to come to the realization that your negative judgement of someone was incorrect. Forgiveness is about you and your happiness. It is not about the extending of a pardon to the person who wronged you.
I have a question for the community that I am curious about.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 1, 2019:
I don’t see why it matters if you are not even going to look at the ads anyway.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 1, 2019:
I don’t see why it matters if you are not even going to look at the ads anyway.
"Spiritual not religious" I know this subject has probably been beat to death but having just come ...
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 1, 2019:
Your definition:
re·li·gion
/rəˈlijən/
noun
1.
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods:
A human is a particular species of organism, homo sapiens. Do you sincerely think that there is no power in the universe greater than that of your puny little body? No human alive can explain or understand the most basic of questions about reality. The belief part should not be needed. It’s totally obvious to anyone not wearing blinders.
So far as worshipping, true worship is not something you undertake. Reverence and worship are spontaneous responses arising from deep conscious awareness.
I’m so glad you posted your definition. “Superhuman” is not supernatural. Nature itself is superhuman. Everything is natural and correct. Nature is a controlling power alright.
Note the word “especially”. That means that there are those who are religious who do NOT believe in and worship a personal God or gods as defined by atheists and fundamentalists. Those are the ones who say that they’re spiritual. If the woman says she prays she probably means that she communes with universal awareness through contemplation and meditation. “Prayer” is not the word I would choose but we are all different.
My suggestion is that you approach the woman with respect and humility. If you play your cards right she might agree to be your teacher.
WilliamFleming comments on Aug 1, 2019:
Your definition:
re·li·gion
/rəˈlijən/
noun
1.
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods:
A human is a particular species of organism, homo sapiens. Do you sincerely think that there is no power in the universe greater than that of your puny little body? No human alive can explain or understand the most basic of questions about reality. The belief part should not be needed. It’s totally obvious to anyone not wearing blinders.
So far as worshipping, true worship is not something you undertake. Reverence and worship are spontaneous responses arising from deep conscious awareness.
I’m so glad you posted your definition. “Superhuman” is not supernatural. Nature itself is superhuman. Everything is natural and correct. Nature is a controlling power alright.
Note the word “especially”. That means that there are those who are religious who do NOT believe in and worship a personal God or gods as defined by atheists and fundamentalists. Those are the ones who say that they’re spiritual. If the woman says she prays she probably means that she communes with universal awareness through contemplation and meditation. “Prayer” is not the word I would choose but we are all different.
My suggestion is that you approach the woman with respect and humility. If you play your cards right she might agree to be your teacher.
A Neuroscientist Explores the Sanskrit Effect
[blogs.scientificamerican.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 31, 2019:
It’s a fascinating article. The effect could be just from memorizing, and perhaps also the chanting has an effect, similar to meditation. The author seems to think it’s specific to Sanskrit and who knows, it could turn out that way.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 31, 2019:
It’s a fascinating article. The effect could be just from memorizing, and perhaps also the chanting has an effect, similar to meditation. The author seems to think it’s specific to Sanskrit and who knows, it could turn out that way.
Is their a reason why ‘toilet’ seems to be a taboo word and replaced by ‘bathroom’ which, ...
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 31, 2019:
If someone says they are going to the toilet we know exactly what they are going to do and it is an embarrassing and unmentionable action.
If they say they are going to the washroom or bathroom there is the possibility, however slight, that they are only going to clean up a bit. We can politely assume that’s all they have in mind—it’s less stressful for us sensitive types. :-)
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 31, 2019:
If someone says they are going to the toilet we know exactly what they are going to do and it is an embarrassing and unmentionable action.
If they say they are going to the washroom or bathroom there is the possibility, however slight, that they are only going to clean up a bit. We can politely assume that’s all they have in mind—it’s less stressful for us sensitive types. :-)
Is their a reason why ‘toilet’ seems to be a taboo word and replaced by ‘bathroom’ which, ...
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 31, 2019:
A toilet was actually a dressing table before prudish people adopted the word to mean a room for excreting. It gives new meaning to the phrase “cleaning out one’s drawers”, don’t you think? “Toilet” has a frenchy sound to it that makes it less offensive.
Why is it that some germanic based words are strongly taboo and can even get you arrested or thrown off a forum but you can say the exact same thing with words derived from French or Latin and you’ll be applauded and thought an intellectual?
Will someone please explain that.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 31, 2019:
A toilet was actually a dressing table before prudish people adopted the word to mean a room for excreting. It gives new meaning to the phrase “cleaning out one’s drawers”, don’t you think? “Toilet” has a frenchy sound to it that makes it less offensive.
Why is it that some germanic based words are strongly taboo and can even get you arrested or thrown off a forum but you can say the exact same thing with words derived from French or Latin and you’ll be applauded and thought an intellectual?
Will someone please explain that.
Why isn't it a choice like stores are supposed to offer?
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 31, 2019:
Very grave matter. After massive nation-wide violent protests perhaps Target will reconsider.
Meanwhile anyone can write “HUMANIST” on their pillow with a marking pen.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 31, 2019:
Very grave matter. After massive nation-wide violent protests perhaps Target will reconsider.
Meanwhile anyone can write “HUMANIST” on their pillow with a marking pen.
Interesting article on how religion uses hypnotism:
[michaelsherlockauthor.wordpress.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 31, 2019:
Using such a watered down definition of hypnosis, just about any public speaker uses hypnosis.
Note that the preachers don’t actually know they are using hypnosis.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 31, 2019:
Using such a watered down definition of hypnosis, just about any public speaker uses hypnosis.
Note that the preachers don’t actually know they are using hypnosis.
Germany’s Catholic Church lost more than 200,000 members in 2018 - Vatican News
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 30, 2019:
It seems like the taxing system might have something to do with the decline. While a light tax probably wouldn’t deter a devout religious person it would weed out some of the casual church members.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 30, 2019:
It seems like the taxing system might have something to do with the decline. While a light tax probably wouldn’t deter a devout religious person it would weed out some of the casual church members.
The origins of religious mysticism
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 30, 2019:
Interesting analysis. Odd isn’t it, that Christianity, coming from the East, has come to be associated with the West, while Hinduism was established mainly by Aryans. The Bhagavad Gita resonates with me deeply while the Bible seems alien, cruel and unsophisticated.
The ancient Indians retained their bevy of gods and goddesses, and their rites and ceremonies, but they superimposed upon that tradition a religious philosophy par excellence IMO. Besides that, they developed meditation, a useful technique for people of all religions around the world.
I think I understand what you are saying. By keeping the mind on some sort of religious icon through chanting, prayer, meditation, etc. our thoughts and actions are influenced for the better.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 30, 2019:
Interesting analysis. Odd isn’t it, that Christianity, coming from the East, has come to be associated with the West, while Hinduism was established mainly by Aryans. The Bhagavad Gita resonates with me deeply while the Bible seems alien, cruel and unsophisticated.
The ancient Indians retained their bevy of gods and goddesses, and their rites and ceremonies, but they superimposed upon that tradition a religious philosophy par excellence IMO. Besides that, they developed meditation, a useful technique for people of all religions around the world.
I think I understand what you are saying. By keeping the mind on some sort of religious icon through chanting, prayer, meditation, etc. our thoughts and actions are influenced for the better.
Motive and the ability to hurt multiple people in less than a minute.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 30, 2019:
I understand why we’d like to know somebody’s motive—that might give insight into understanding and prevention. I suspect that in the case of mass murder, often there is no motive—the person is acting in a wooden, robotic manner without much conscious awareness.
There is an uncanny correlation between the taking of psychiatric drugs and mass murders.
IMO more studies should be made of the side effects of such drugs.
https://www.google.com/search?q=mass+shooters+and+psychiatric+drugs&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us=safari
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 30, 2019:
I understand why we’d like to know somebody’s motive—that might give insight into understanding and prevention. I suspect that in the case of mass murder, often there is no motive—the person is acting in a wooden, robotic manner without much conscious awareness.
There is an uncanny correlation between the taking of psychiatric drugs and mass murders.
IMO more studies should be made of the side effects of such drugs.
https://www.google.com/search?q=mass+shooters+and+psychiatric+drugs&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us=safari
My points are 166,666. Does this mean I'm the Antichrist?
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 30, 2019:
Check back when you get to 169696.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 30, 2019:
Check back when you get to 169696.
Infants expect leaders to right wrongs
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 30, 2019:
So our sense of justice is innate, or it evolved prior to the advent of humans. Interesting.
I wonder if the puppets were Democrats. :-)
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 30, 2019:
So our sense of justice is innate, or it evolved prior to the advent of humans. Interesting.
I wonder if the puppets were Democrats. :-)
Author of Christian relationship guide says he has lost his faith | World news | The Guardian
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 29, 2019:
Looks like losing a bogeyman is very painful to some people.The guy should have kept up his original story as he was providing a valuable service to those who need a hate figure. Maybe he should be stoned or something.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 29, 2019:
Looks like losing a bogeyman is very painful to some people.The guy should have kept up his original story as he was providing a valuable service to those who need a hate figure. Maybe he should be stoned or something.
HOW DO CHRISTIANS EXPLAIN THEIR SUPREME GOD HAVING FLAWED CHARACTER TRAITS LIKE ANGER AND VIOLENCE?
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 29, 2019:
Obviously church dogmas are off base and make no sense. I understand the anger but It’s a waste of time to dwell on those silly dogmas.
Forge ahead with new ideas, new possibilities.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 29, 2019:
Obviously church dogmas are off base and make no sense. I understand the anger but It’s a waste of time to dwell on those silly dogmas.
Forge ahead with new ideas, new possibilities.
A Memo to Our Democratic Presidential Candidates - Don’t make Detroit’s debates a repeat of ...
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 29, 2019:
We should promote friendship with China, not mutual fear.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 29, 2019:
We should promote friendship with China, not mutual fear.
How many atheists do you know and consider them to be a "good" friend?
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 29, 2019:
None who call themselves atheists.
Several who are non-believers in Christian dogma, but do not turn their non-belief into a major campaign.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 29, 2019:
None who call themselves atheists.
Several who are non-believers in Christian dogma, but do not turn their non-belief into a major campaign.
It always fascinates me how religious bigots are easily offended by any criticism levelled at their ...
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 29, 2019:
What fascinates me is that those making the most noise in promoting evolution think that evolution is a simple and easily understood process of mutation and natural selection as was taught in schools.
Undoubtedly life-forms have evolved, but the process is by no means fully understood.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 29, 2019:
What fascinates me is that those making the most noise in promoting evolution think that evolution is a simple and easily understood process of mutation and natural selection as was taught in schools.
Undoubtedly life-forms have evolved, but the process is by no means fully understood.
The public debate is dominated by a single problem, climate change, for which there is no solution ...
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 29, 2019:
The earth’s temperature is rising at the rate of 0.13C/decade. At that rate it will be 115 years before that 1.5 degree rise is upon us. No one knows if the 0.13C/decade rate will continue but I doubt if 1.5 degrees would have catastrophic effects—likely it would hardly be noticed. It would be approximately the difference between Paris and Berlin.
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 29, 2019:
The earth’s temperature is rising at the rate of 0.13C/decade. At that rate it will be 115 years before that 1.5 degree rise is upon us. No one knows if the 0.13C/decade rate will continue but I doubt if 1.5 degrees would have catastrophic effects—likely it would hardly be noticed. It would be approximately the difference between Paris and Berlin.
Here's an argument you can use on your religious friends.
God is perfect?
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 27, 2019:
How would you reply if they said that the punishment is also perfect and in accord with the overall plan?
WilliamFleming comments on Jul 27, 2019:
How would you reply if they said that the punishment is also perfect and in accord with the overall plan?
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