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Using your own definition of "miracle", do you believe one or more ever happened?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 26, 2018:
Every second of conscious awareness is a miracle. Every living organism is a miracle. Every bit of matter, every particle of space, every thought, every breath. Nature herself is a miracle of great proportions.
Science? Science does not even address the deep questions of existence, much less explain anything.
Those piddling little miracles reported in the Bible don’t amount to a hill of beans in comparison with reality.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 26, 2018:
Every second of conscious awareness is a miracle. Every living organism is a miracle. Every bit of matter, every particle of space, every thought, every breath. Nature herself is a miracle of great proportions.
Science? Science does not even address the deep questions of existence, much less explain anything.
Those piddling little miracles reported in the Bible don’t amount to a hill of beans in comparison with reality.
There r many known scientists that claim they r religious.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 26, 2018:
According to a PEW report I saw, about half of all scientists believe in God. That doesn’t at all mean they are caught up in dogmatic Church doctrines—they just have some sort of inkling about a cosmic intelligence. I don’t understand why anyone would find that antagonistic or contradictory.
KIP THORNE:
"There are large numbers of my finest colleagues who are quite devout and believe in God [...] There is no fundamental incompatibility between science and religion. I happen to not believe in God."[13]
(Wikipedia)
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 26, 2018:
According to a PEW report I saw, about half of all scientists believe in God. That doesn’t at all mean they are caught up in dogmatic Church doctrines—they just have some sort of inkling about a cosmic intelligence. I don’t understand why anyone would find that antagonistic or contradictory.
KIP THORNE:
"There are large numbers of my finest colleagues who are quite devout and believe in God [...] There is no fundamental incompatibility between science and religion. I happen to not believe in God."[13]
(Wikipedia)
Exploitation and Expropriation, or Why Capitalism Must be Attacked with Equal Force on Every Front
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 25, 2018:
There’s no such thing as capitalism. There is only production and trading. Capital is just the resources needed for production. All types of economic systems need and utilize capital.
In a free market economy people join forces as needed to accomplish tasks too large for individuals. The size of the business organizations vary depending on the level of human communication and transportation and the scope of the planned production. That’s not capitalism—it’s just freedom.
There are few things I hate more than that “working class” label. It’s a condescending, derogatory and divisive term used by manipulators who are seeking power. In society nearly everyone works and contributes, even royalty. Generally business owners work very hard to create good things for others. Hiring people is nothing but trading and has nothing to do with exploitation.
In just about every case, where the free market has been suppressed by governments the result has been poverty, starvation, and turmoil. That little snippet about small-scale agriculture really caught my attention. Shades of Pol Pot! Beware! Beware!
One of the most socially successful countries is Norway, which embraces “state capitalism”. I guess Norwegians are smart enough to know that socialism and the free market are not opposites. Norway is one of the largest holders of securities in the world, with vast worldwide investments, all managed for the well being of her citizens.
It is a model well worth studying and emulating, and Norway is not the only example.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 25, 2018:
There’s no such thing as capitalism. There is only production and trading. Capital is just the resources needed for production. All types of economic systems need and utilize capital.
In a free market economy people join forces as needed to accomplish tasks too large for individuals. The size of the business organizations vary depending on the level of human communication and transportation and the scope of the planned production. That’s not capitalism—it’s just freedom.
There are few things I hate more than that “working class” label. It’s a condescending, derogatory and divisive term used by manipulators who are seeking power. In society nearly everyone works and contributes, even royalty. Generally business owners work very hard to create good things for others. Hiring people is nothing but trading and has nothing to do with exploitation.
In just about every case, where the free market has been suppressed by governments the result has been poverty, starvation, and turmoil. That little snippet about small-scale agriculture really caught my attention. Shades of Pol Pot! Beware! Beware!
One of the most socially successful countries is Norway, which embraces “state capitalism”. I guess Norwegians are smart enough to know that socialism and the free market are not opposites. Norway is one of the largest holders of securities in the world, with vast worldwide investments, all managed for the well being of her citizens.
It is a model well worth studying and emulating, and Norway is not the only example.
Karma, real or imagined?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 25, 2018:
I think the concept is valid in a sense, not however as a supernatural process of judging good vs evil. Nature sees no good or evil.
I believe that whatever thoughts a person dwells upon get imprinted into the subconscious and have a profound effect on the person’s actions and emotions. If we get caught up in a web of trouble and unhappiness, then we are the responsible party. Through conscious awareness mistaken thoughts can be corrected. We can escape our webs of woe.
Events in the world, such as the recent tsunami are regrettable, and the victims are fully deserving of sympathy, however that event was not karma but just the course of nature. After all, our bodies are all slated to die at some point. For a body to die is neither good nor evil.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 25, 2018:
I think the concept is valid in a sense, not however as a supernatural process of judging good vs evil. Nature sees no good or evil.
I believe that whatever thoughts a person dwells upon get imprinted into the subconscious and have a profound effect on the person’s actions and emotions. If we get caught up in a web of trouble and unhappiness, then we are the responsible party. Through conscious awareness mistaken thoughts can be corrected. We can escape our webs of woe.
Events in the world, such as the recent tsunami are regrettable, and the victims are fully deserving of sympathy, however that event was not karma but just the course of nature. After all, our bodies are all slated to die at some point. For a body to die is neither good nor evil.
It is Christmas Day here in England, and I feel completely numb.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 25, 2018:
There’s great joy in each passing moment of self awareness. Reality is a dazzling, beautiful mystery whether or not a person believes in church dogma.
Can’t you celebrate Yule-Tide in its original form without the Christian imprint?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 25, 2018:
There’s great joy in each passing moment of self awareness. Reality is a dazzling, beautiful mystery whether or not a person believes in church dogma.
Can’t you celebrate Yule-Tide in its original form without the Christian imprint?
The one thing that religion offers that secularism fails to equal is the transcendence of self, the ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 25, 2018:
I would say that religion does not actually offer anything. Either we are transcendent or we are not, and if we are, then that is a part of nature, beyond anyone’s power to “offer”. Religious organizations however might serve to awaken people to the dazzling implications of existence, and to the possibility of transcendence.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 25, 2018:
I would say that religion does not actually offer anything. Either we are transcendent or we are not, and if we are, then that is a part of nature, beyond anyone’s power to “offer”. Religious organizations however might serve to awaken people to the dazzling implications of existence, and to the possibility of transcendence.
Who believes in the supernatural?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 24, 2018:
IMO there’s no such thing as the supernatural. There is however the aspect of nature that is hidden from us because of the limits of our human model of reality. It is the model of matter moving in space and time, and it is nothing but an illusion that helps us survive by organizing sensory input. Beyond that illusion is ultimate reality or Universal Consciousness.
I don’t much cotton to the soul concept. Who or what is it that is supposed to be having a soul. It would be more accurate to say that we are extensions of universal soul, and that, in a sort of dream-state, we are temporarily associated with a body.
IMO “we” are in heaven all the time, right now and always. We are not our bodies—we were not born and we will not die.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 24, 2018:
IMO there’s no such thing as the supernatural. There is however the aspect of nature that is hidden from us because of the limits of our human model of reality. It is the model of matter moving in space and time, and it is nothing but an illusion that helps us survive by organizing sensory input. Beyond that illusion is ultimate reality or Universal Consciousness.
I don’t much cotton to the soul concept. Who or what is it that is supposed to be having a soul. It would be more accurate to say that we are extensions of universal soul, and that, in a sort of dream-state, we are temporarily associated with a body.
IMO “we” are in heaven all the time, right now and always. We are not our bodies—we were not born and we will not die.
It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time!
“You unlock this door with the key of imagination.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 24, 2018:
You sure are an inquisitive guy.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 24, 2018:
You sure are an inquisitive guy.
Wishing ALL; a MERRY YULE-TIDINGS !!! ;-)
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 23, 2018:
Same to you. Happy Yule!
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 23, 2018:
Same to you. Happy Yule!
Sean Carroll, a theoretical physicist explains why there is something rather than nothing.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 23, 2018:
In other words, nobody knows and we can not understand the scope of the question in human terms.
It’s eerie. There is this Nature that created itself and decreed immutable laws, brought life into existence, and seems to be awash in intelligent, conscious awareness. For God’s sake, for all the difference we might as well call it God.
Gloria in Excelsis Naturae!
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 23, 2018:
In other words, nobody knows and we can not understand the scope of the question in human terms.
It’s eerie. There is this Nature that created itself and decreed immutable laws, brought life into existence, and seems to be awash in intelligent, conscious awareness. For God’s sake, for all the difference we might as well call it God.
Gloria in Excelsis Naturae!
Yes, there is a war between science and religion
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 22, 2018:
There is a kind of structured, dogmatic religion promoted by religious organizations, in which belief is required of the members. That is the kind of religion that is in conflict with science.
There is a religion of the heart, such as expressed by Einstein, that is not at all in conflict with science, but which forms an underlying motivation for scientific endeavor as well as for life itself.
Apparently Jerry Coyne is speaking of the former. Yet we have this:
“And I’ll define religion as does philosopher Daniel Dennett: “Social systems whose participants avow belief in a supernatural agent or agents whose approval is to be sought.” Of course many religions don’t fit that definition...”
If many religions don’t fit that definition, why is he using a definition that he himself says is invalid?
A belief in supernatural agents whose approval is to be sought is certainly not the essence of religion in general.
If Dr. Coyne would limit his criticism to fundamentalist or dogmatic religions I’d feel much better, and if he would equally criticize dogmatic belief in scientism and the unfounded philosophy of materialism I’d feel really much much better.
Since his field is evolutionary science perhaps he will write an article about the ramifications of epigenetics and how traditional beliefs about evolution are wrong.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 22, 2018:
There is a kind of structured, dogmatic religion promoted by religious organizations, in which belief is required of the members. That is the kind of religion that is in conflict with science.
There is a religion of the heart, such as expressed by Einstein, that is not at all in conflict with science, but which forms an underlying motivation for scientific endeavor as well as for life itself.
Apparently Jerry Coyne is speaking of the former. Yet we have this:
“And I’ll define religion as does philosopher Daniel Dennett: “Social systems whose participants avow belief in a supernatural agent or agents whose approval is to be sought.” Of course many religions don’t fit that definition...”
If many religions don’t fit that definition, why is he using a definition that he himself says is invalid?
A belief in supernatural agents whose approval is to be sought is certainly not the essence of religion in general.
If Dr. Coyne would limit his criticism to fundamentalist or dogmatic religions I’d feel much better, and if he would equally criticize dogmatic belief in scientism and the unfounded philosophy of materialism I’d feel really much much better.
Since his field is evolutionary science perhaps he will write an article about the ramifications of epigenetics and how traditional beliefs about evolution are wrong.
So . . . You Believe In Karma?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 22, 2018:
Kissinger was a brilliant and very successful statesman who received many awards for his service. By not judging him ill I bring good karma and avoid bad karma. What is one person’s war crime is another person’s heroic act of patriotism. There is no one standard.
In the Hindu and Buddhist traditions our sense of self as separate bodily entities is illusory. It follows that whatever “self” arises through transmigration is also illusory and that karma is a part of that illusory process. In their traditions the illusion is eventually overcome—it has to be overcome—there is no other option.That is totally different than the Christian concept of heaven and hell.
I do not ascribe all the misery of humanity to those in power. IMO we cause our own unhappiness by cultivating untrue thoughts. We are not victims.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 22, 2018:
Kissinger was a brilliant and very successful statesman who received many awards for his service. By not judging him ill I bring good karma and avoid bad karma. What is one person’s war crime is another person’s heroic act of patriotism. There is no one standard.
In the Hindu and Buddhist traditions our sense of self as separate bodily entities is illusory. It follows that whatever “self” arises through transmigration is also illusory and that karma is a part of that illusory process. In their traditions the illusion is eventually overcome—it has to be overcome—there is no other option.That is totally different than the Christian concept of heaven and hell.
I do not ascribe all the misery of humanity to those in power. IMO we cause our own unhappiness by cultivating untrue thoughts. We are not victims.
"I am young, I am twenty years old; yet I know nothing of life but despair, death, fear, and fatuous...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 22, 2018:
And from that “despair, death, fear, and fatuous superficiality cast over an abyss of sorrow” sprang hope, Joy, contentment and love in the hearts of those who looked beyond the surface.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 22, 2018:
And from that “despair, death, fear, and fatuous superficiality cast over an abyss of sorrow” sprang hope, Joy, contentment and love in the hearts of those who looked beyond the surface.
Here are 11 kinds of Bible verses Christians love to ignore | Alternet
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 20, 2018:
I’m long past caring what is in the Bible, but still it is an amusing article. To be fair, most of the scriptures quoted are pre-Christian from the Old Testament.
A couple of things that Christians like to ignore: Jesus had his disciples “borrow” a donkey without permission for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem in order that prophecy be fulfilled. Huh? That and “The kingdom of God is within you”, Not much talk in fundamentalist circles about that.
As far as I’m concerned those fundamentalists can be as irrational as they please so long as they don’t try to force their stupidity on me.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 20, 2018:
I’m long past caring what is in the Bible, but still it is an amusing article. To be fair, most of the scriptures quoted are pre-Christian from the Old Testament.
A couple of things that Christians like to ignore: Jesus had his disciples “borrow” a donkey without permission for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem in order that prophecy be fulfilled. Huh? That and “The kingdom of God is within you”, Not much talk in fundamentalist circles about that.
As far as I’m concerned those fundamentalists can be as irrational as they please so long as they don’t try to force their stupidity on me.
I enjoy celebrating Yule
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 20, 2018:
Me too. Yuletide is the best time of year for me. Besides the festivities there’s respite from heat and humidity.
Long live Yule!
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 20, 2018:
Me too. Yuletide is the best time of year for me. Besides the festivities there’s respite from heat and humidity.
Long live Yule!
Most f the ideology supporting laissez faire capitalism is based on Adam Smith's THE WEALTH OF ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 20, 2018:
Not every trader is driven by greed, herd instinct, and fear. I would suggest that those so driven are a small minority and that people like that are generally not successful. The most successful small business owners are thinking of ways to provide services to the public. Counting your winnings at the table leads to distraction and failure.
Typically investors own retirement funds, managed by professionals, and invested in a variety of mutual funds. It’s true that there are some daring investors who like to speculate, but a speculator driven by greed, herd instinct, and fear would fare very poorly in the stock market. The traits of a successful speculator are gutsyness, intelligence, individualism, and intuition. Of course speculators are also motivated—I guess you could label motivation as greed. If they are greedy, so are we all.
BTW, speculation serves a valuable, indispensable role in any market by evening out the cycles of supply and demand and lessening risk for those averse to risk.
Trading in a free-market economy has resulted in great material abundance to people around the world. Curtailment of free trade invariably brings poverty.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 20, 2018:
Not every trader is driven by greed, herd instinct, and fear. I would suggest that those so driven are a small minority and that people like that are generally not successful. The most successful small business owners are thinking of ways to provide services to the public. Counting your winnings at the table leads to distraction and failure.
Typically investors own retirement funds, managed by professionals, and invested in a variety of mutual funds. It’s true that there are some daring investors who like to speculate, but a speculator driven by greed, herd instinct, and fear would fare very poorly in the stock market. The traits of a successful speculator are gutsyness, intelligence, individualism, and intuition. Of course speculators are also motivated—I guess you could label motivation as greed. If they are greedy, so are we all.
BTW, speculation serves a valuable, indispensable role in any market by evening out the cycles of supply and demand and lessening risk for those averse to risk.
Trading in a free-market economy has resulted in great material abundance to people around the world. Curtailment of free trade invariably brings poverty.
What quality(ies) of the opposite sex do you appreciate the most?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 20, 2018:
I agree—women tend to be warm-hearted. I also like the fact that they tend to be practical, prudent and responsible. They take care of themselves better.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 20, 2018:
I agree—women tend to be warm-hearted. I also like the fact that they tend to be practical, prudent and responsible. They take care of themselves better.
Is there a thinker or only thoughts?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 18, 2018:
The thinker might be the cosmos or Ultimate Reality.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 18, 2018:
The thinker might be the cosmos or Ultimate Reality.
Religious Faith Is Nature's Antidepressant | Robert Sapolsky
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 18, 2018:
“Robert Sapolsky calls it a "wonderful mechanism" that our ancestors used to cope with forces of nature, tragedies, and good luck that they couldn't explain. And even in the presence of explanations today, it continues to be useful for the majority of humans...”
That sounds to me like the correct reason our ancestors were religious. However, even today there are no real explanations—not any deep and fulfilling explanations. Humanity is still about as bewildered as ever IMO.
What I think is that calling oneself an atheist does not lead to depression. What might lead to depression is telling oneself that reality is nothing but bits of matter and that there is no value and meaning. Also, the personality type that tends to be atheistic might also be vulnerable to depression from some other, common reason.
Potentially, since atheists are free from religious dogma, they are in a position to become deeply aware of the significance of existence and the dazzling beauty and meaning of nature. Nature herself is far more overwhelming in majesty and significance than any put-up god of old.
Based on the article I hope no one goes out and joins a fundamentalist church. There are many better options IMO.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 18, 2018:
“Robert Sapolsky calls it a "wonderful mechanism" that our ancestors used to cope with forces of nature, tragedies, and good luck that they couldn't explain. And even in the presence of explanations today, it continues to be useful for the majority of humans...”
That sounds to me like the correct reason our ancestors were religious. However, even today there are no real explanations—not any deep and fulfilling explanations. Humanity is still about as bewildered as ever IMO.
What I think is that calling oneself an atheist does not lead to depression. What might lead to depression is telling oneself that reality is nothing but bits of matter and that there is no value and meaning. Also, the personality type that tends to be atheistic might also be vulnerable to depression from some other, common reason.
Potentially, since atheists are free from religious dogma, they are in a position to become deeply aware of the significance of existence and the dazzling beauty and meaning of nature. Nature herself is far more overwhelming in majesty and significance than any put-up god of old.
Based on the article I hope no one goes out and joins a fundamentalist church. There are many better options IMO.
Synchronicity: an interesting concept insofar as it doesn’t involve crystals or channeling ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
Recently when I awoke and was making the bed it occurred to me that the comforter had never been washed. I scrutinized it carefully and decided it was ok.
I went downstairs and greeted my partner who was just waking up. She told me of a dream she’d just had about the white comforter—that she was looking to see if it needed washing.
Nobody will ever convince me that it was coincidence. There’s more to this world than meets the eye.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
Recently when I awoke and was making the bed it occurred to me that the comforter had never been washed. I scrutinized it carefully and decided it was ok.
I went downstairs and greeted my partner who was just waking up. She told me of a dream she’d just had about the white comforter—that she was looking to see if it needed washing.
Nobody will ever convince me that it was coincidence. There’s more to this world than meets the eye.
Indoctrination within all religious services should not be allowed.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
There are some deep questions that are simply not understandable. Churches should foster awareness, appreciation, awe and gratitude.
It is also important IMO for schools not to teach from a materialist/physicalist/reductionist philosophy. Schools should foster awareness, appreciation, awe and gratitude.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
There are some deep questions that are simply not understandable. Churches should foster awareness, appreciation, awe and gratitude.
It is also important IMO for schools not to teach from a materialist/physicalist/reductionist philosophy. Schools should foster awareness, appreciation, awe and gratitude.
Do you think science may answer everything, of course not now, but in the next generations to come?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
Every new insight of science opens up a hundred mysteries. We are abjectly ignorant of the nature of Ultimate Reality, and will remain so.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
Every new insight of science opens up a hundred mysteries. We are abjectly ignorant of the nature of Ultimate Reality, and will remain so.
My problem with many atheist - especially self defined atheist activists - is that I just don't ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
BRAVO!
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
BRAVO!
What are your thoughts/ideas on prophesy?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
As a person who leans toward the concept of Universal Consciousness I do not reject prophecy out of hand. However, if it is a valid phenomenon it must be seen as simply a part of nature rather than something supernatural or magical.
The concept of dimensions is a human-mind thing, tied to our superficial model of matter, space, and time. Ultimate Reality has no dimensions. According to quantum gravity theory space is made up of granules the size of the planck length.
Prophecy is probably metaphysical by current consensus, but things metaphysical today could become mainstream physics tomorrow.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
As a person who leans toward the concept of Universal Consciousness I do not reject prophecy out of hand. However, if it is a valid phenomenon it must be seen as simply a part of nature rather than something supernatural or magical.
The concept of dimensions is a human-mind thing, tied to our superficial model of matter, space, and time. Ultimate Reality has no dimensions. According to quantum gravity theory space is made up of granules the size of the planck length.
Prophecy is probably metaphysical by current consensus, but things metaphysical today could become mainstream physics tomorrow.
Gender Pay Gap?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
I don’t want women doing those jobs. Girls are born with about two million human eggs in their bodies. For the future of humanity a few of those eggs need to be protected, nourished, and possibly fertilized by a lucky male.
Females are biologically more valuable. We guys are a dime a dozen. We have to make the best of our fate.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
I don’t want women doing those jobs. Girls are born with about two million human eggs in their bodies. For the future of humanity a few of those eggs need to be protected, nourished, and possibly fertilized by a lucky male.
Females are biologically more valuable. We guys are a dime a dozen. We have to make the best of our fate.
Ego is all I am. Why should I let go of it?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
I would suggest that ego is not all you have. Ego is just a bodily illusion and isn’t even there. Your true identity, along with all of ours, lies in Universal Consciousness or Ultimate Reality.
As a way of seeing how airy is the bodily sense of self, think of those with what used to be called multiple personality disorder. Various “selves” share a single body. Each of the selves has its own memory and personality traits. Each claims the body as its own.
Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems to me that every social “improvement” brings its own unforeseen side effects along with a new category of suffering. That said, I still favor state capitalism. My leaning toward the concept of Universal Consciousness does not prevent me from advocating social justice and human well-being—of course I’m not a Buddhist. Maybe total commitment to Buddhism would be just an escape, as you say. However, the Dalai Lama doesn’t seem that way.
Anyway, it’s food for thought—thanks.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 17, 2018:
I would suggest that ego is not all you have. Ego is just a bodily illusion and isn’t even there. Your true identity, along with all of ours, lies in Universal Consciousness or Ultimate Reality.
As a way of seeing how airy is the bodily sense of self, think of those with what used to be called multiple personality disorder. Various “selves” share a single body. Each of the selves has its own memory and personality traits. Each claims the body as its own.
Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems to me that every social “improvement” brings its own unforeseen side effects along with a new category of suffering. That said, I still favor state capitalism. My leaning toward the concept of Universal Consciousness does not prevent me from advocating social justice and human well-being—of course I’m not a Buddhist. Maybe total commitment to Buddhism would be just an escape, as you say. However, the Dalai Lama doesn’t seem that way.
Anyway, it’s food for thought—thanks.
Are women less ethical than men?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 16, 2018:
The concept of ethics is purely subjective. Men and women do behave in somewhat different ways at times, but there must be natural reasons for that behavior. There’s no need to make the judgment.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 16, 2018:
The concept of ethics is purely subjective. Men and women do behave in somewhat different ways at times, but there must be natural reasons for that behavior. There’s no need to make the judgment.
Free Will: Missing In Action.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 16, 2018:
In answer to your last sentence, Yes.
You wanted to write your post. You made a conscious decision do so and your body obeyed.
If your post is nothing but just mindless automatic writing why should we read it?
I have limited control over the internal workings of my iPhone but I have a lot of choices about how to use the iPhone. My body is the same.
How do you account for the placebo effect? For positive thinking? Apparently in many cases we do have control over the internal processes of our bodies.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 16, 2018:
In answer to your last sentence, Yes.
You wanted to write your post. You made a conscious decision do so and your body obeyed.
If your post is nothing but just mindless automatic writing why should we read it?
I have limited control over the internal workings of my iPhone but I have a lot of choices about how to use the iPhone. My body is the same.
How do you account for the placebo effect? For positive thinking? Apparently in many cases we do have control over the internal processes of our bodies.
A Small Dark Light: Ursula K.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 15, 2018:
Sounds fabulous. My copy is coming in right now.
Thank you.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 15, 2018:
Sounds fabulous. My copy is coming in right now.
Thank you.
A new drug better that is suppose to be a real brain booster.
[neuro-news.online]
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 15, 2018:
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2017/news-website-scam-supplements-memory-fd.html
Fraud?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 15, 2018:
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2017/news-website-scam-supplements-memory-fd.html
Fraud?
What do you think of the Doctrine of Infallibility?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 15, 2018:
I’m not much interested in Church dogma, but nature makes no errors. If an asteroid wipes out the earth, that won’t be because of a mistake. The concepts of mistakes and sins are shallow human ideas with relevance only within human society.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 15, 2018:
I’m not much interested in Church dogma, but nature makes no errors. If an asteroid wipes out the earth, that won’t be because of a mistake. The concepts of mistakes and sins are shallow human ideas with relevance only within human society.
In the Nature–Nurture War, Nature Wins - Scientific American Blog Network
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 15, 2018:
So our body’s genetic makeup is an important part of our living environment. If you think that we are more than our bodies then the differences are all environmental. As a consciously aware being I can choose to modify my environment, even the genetic part of the environment, according to epigenetics.
The way I drive is partly determined by the particular car that I own, but also by the road system in my area. I can even have the car modified, but I am not my car however.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 15, 2018:
So our body’s genetic makeup is an important part of our living environment. If you think that we are more than our bodies then the differences are all environmental. As a consciously aware being I can choose to modify my environment, even the genetic part of the environment, according to epigenetics.
The way I drive is partly determined by the particular car that I own, but also by the road system in my area. I can even have the car modified, but I am not my car however.
"God is just another word for everything,"
[ncronline.org]
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 15, 2018:
It’s a great article. Yes, churches need to get away from dogmatic belief and return to their source.
Have any of you read anything by Thomas Merton? I’m thinking of ordering his autobiography.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 15, 2018:
It’s a great article. Yes, churches need to get away from dogmatic belief and return to their source.
Have any of you read anything by Thomas Merton? I’m thinking of ordering his autobiography.
Evangelical Christians Helped Elect Donald Trump, but Their Time as a Major Political Force Is ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 14, 2018:
Trump was not elected by White evangelicals. Donald Trump was elected by a broad spectrum of voters from around the country. Only 20% of Americans report being White evangelicals, and only 77% of those voted for Trump. The numbers just aren’t there but I guess it feels good to have someone to blame.
http://www.people-press.org/2018/08/09/an-examination-of-the-2016-electorate-based-on-validated-voters/
The connection between religious association and voting is tenuous. Probably only half of Protestants are active church members. Because of cultural heritage they might SAY that they’re an evangelical, but it is a meaningless bit of data that has nothing do with their vote.
Why do people assume that people voted for Trump because of their church membership? Correlation does not prove causation. If you grew up in an agricultural region there is a good chance that you will have conservative values. Part of that conservatism might be expressed through membership in a Baptist or Methodist Church. To then say that folks voted for Trump because of their church—that borders on the ridiculous IMO.
All the talk about evangelical churches being hypocritical haters—that’s hogwash. I think it is clear who the haters are. They are busily engaging stereotyping and innuendos.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
RESOLUTIONS:
http://erlc.com/resource-library/articles/resolution-7-on-sensitivity-and-unity-regarding-the-confederate-battle-flag
http://www.worldreligionnews.com/issues/southern-baptists-pass-resolution-to-no-longer-denounce-gay-people
Finally, it is noteworthy that the evangelical candidate in the last presidential race was Hillary Clinton.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 14, 2018:
Trump was not elected by White evangelicals. Donald Trump was elected by a broad spectrum of voters from around the country. Only 20% of Americans report being White evangelicals, and only 77% of those voted for Trump. The numbers just aren’t there but I guess it feels good to have someone to blame.
http://www.people-press.org/2018/08/09/an-examination-of-the-2016-electorate-based-on-validated-voters/
The connection between religious association and voting is tenuous. Probably only half of Protestants are active church members. Because of cultural heritage they might SAY that they’re an evangelical, but it is a meaningless bit of data that has nothing do with their vote.
Why do people assume that people voted for Trump because of their church membership? Correlation does not prove causation. If you grew up in an agricultural region there is a good chance that you will have conservative values. Part of that conservatism might be expressed through membership in a Baptist or Methodist Church. To then say that folks voted for Trump because of their church—that borders on the ridiculous IMO.
All the talk about evangelical churches being hypocritical haters—that’s hogwash. I think it is clear who the haters are. They are busily engaging stereotyping and innuendos.
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
RESOLUTIONS:
http://erlc.com/resource-library/articles/resolution-7-on-sensitivity-and-unity-regarding-the-confederate-battle-flag
http://www.worldreligionnews.com/issues/southern-baptists-pass-resolution-to-no-longer-denounce-gay-people
Finally, it is noteworthy that the evangelical candidate in the last presidential race was Hillary Clinton.
U.S. falling behind in new space race, says CIA's former head of science and tech - CBS News
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 13, 2018:
Does everything have to be a race? How about payoff the national debt and fostering healthy living?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 13, 2018:
Does everything have to be a race? How about payoff the national debt and fostering healthy living?
This is a tough question.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 13, 2018:
Makes no sense to me. The guy would have died eventually in any event.
I prefer to just ignore all that dogmatic stuff. Arguing gets you nowhere and creates tension.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 13, 2018:
Makes no sense to me. The guy would have died eventually in any event.
I prefer to just ignore all that dogmatic stuff. Arguing gets you nowhere and creates tension.
“The one function that most gods seem to have in common is to give human existence some ultimate ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 12, 2018:
IMO no one needs to give life purpose. Life is inherently purposeful. Conscious awareness is the purpose.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 12, 2018:
IMO no one needs to give life purpose. Life is inherently purposeful. Conscious awareness is the purpose.
The Simulation Hypothesis: Evidence from Mental States.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 12, 2018:
You raise some good points and make an interesting case. But who is the programmer and who is operating the computer? What is their reality like? Wouldn’t they have to be conscious and have free will? How is the computer constructed and where is it located?
You say:
“The elephant in the room here is that both consciousness and free will have no causal explanatory mechanism in place. One might just as well put consciousness and free will down to magic. I sometimes think it is easier to opt for the explanation that consciousness and free will are really an illusion than to have to try and explain them.”
I agree that there’s no materialistic explanation for consciousness and free will, but that doesn’t mean those concepts are invalid. IMO what it means is that our sense of selfhood as our bodies is an illusion and that our experience of conscious free will is an extension of the programmer/operator. In that sense WE ARE the programmer/operator—our true and higher selves that is—not our bodies which are only icons.
When you decided to type up your post weren’t you exercising free will? Your/our conscious self coaxed one of its bodies into typing the post.
I am beginning to warm to your Simulation Hypothesis and see it as akin to Universal Consciousness or Panspiritism, worth further thought.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 12, 2018:
You raise some good points and make an interesting case. But who is the programmer and who is operating the computer? What is their reality like? Wouldn’t they have to be conscious and have free will? How is the computer constructed and where is it located?
You say:
“The elephant in the room here is that both consciousness and free will have no causal explanatory mechanism in place. One might just as well put consciousness and free will down to magic. I sometimes think it is easier to opt for the explanation that consciousness and free will are really an illusion than to have to try and explain them.”
I agree that there’s no materialistic explanation for consciousness and free will, but that doesn’t mean those concepts are invalid. IMO what it means is that our sense of selfhood as our bodies is an illusion and that our experience of conscious free will is an extension of the programmer/operator. In that sense WE ARE the programmer/operator—our true and higher selves that is—not our bodies which are only icons.
When you decided to type up your post weren’t you exercising free will? Your/our conscious self coaxed one of its bodies into typing the post.
I am beginning to warm to your Simulation Hypothesis and see it as akin to Universal Consciousness or Panspiritism, worth further thought.
America is not a Christian nation.
[allthatsinteresting.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 11, 2018:
Great article.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 11, 2018:
Great article.
Education Department To Erase Debts Of Teachers, Fix Troubled Grant Program : NPR
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 11, 2018:
This is right in line with my experiences with bureaucracy. It’s absolutely horrible dealing with inflexible, unreasonable people who have no accountability to the public that is paying their salaries. Kafkaesque
At least in this one case they were forced to back down.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 11, 2018:
This is right in line with my experiences with bureaucracy. It’s absolutely horrible dealing with inflexible, unreasonable people who have no accountability to the public that is paying their salaries. Kafkaesque
At least in this one case they were forced to back down.
I saw the following post on facebook and he raised points that seem to make sense to me despite my ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 11, 2018:
I am a firm believer in free trade. When goods and services are swapped everyone benefits.
We need to get away from the idea that jobs ought to be created. Goods and services (wealth) needs to be created. Work is a liability, not an asset.
For social parity and human wellbeing, I think we need to adopt state capitalism.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 11, 2018:
I am a firm believer in free trade. When goods and services are swapped everyone benefits.
We need to get away from the idea that jobs ought to be created. Goods and services (wealth) needs to be created. Work is a liability, not an asset.
For social parity and human wellbeing, I think we need to adopt state capitalism.
Bret Weinstein on the Dawkins Debate - YouTube
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 11, 2018:
I just watched it all. Thanks skado.
As a layperson I am fully on board with evolution theory, and also I see nothing wrong with social evolution. For example, it makes perfect sense to me that tribes that did not protect women—that sent them to war or to hunt dangerous animals—those tribes died out. However, I can not accept that evolution is driven only by random selection. IMO evolution is driven by conscious decisions. Even Weinstein mentioned that we need to consciously seize control. I think there has been conscious control all along.
I don’t understand why there isn’t more mention of epigenetics. Are people clinging to a religious-like dogmatic belief in a meaningless mechanistic world view? Is it too scary to think there might actually be more to reality than that? A LOT more.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 11, 2018:
I just watched it all. Thanks skado.
As a layperson I am fully on board with evolution theory, and also I see nothing wrong with social evolution. For example, it makes perfect sense to me that tribes that did not protect women—that sent them to war or to hunt dangerous animals—those tribes died out. However, I can not accept that evolution is driven only by random selection. IMO evolution is driven by conscious decisions. Even Weinstein mentioned that we need to consciously seize control. I think there has been conscious control all along.
I don’t understand why there isn’t more mention of epigenetics. Are people clinging to a religious-like dogmatic belief in a meaningless mechanistic world view? Is it too scary to think there might actually be more to reality than that? A LOT more.
What's your favorite meditation music? I love Hindu mantras, you can find them on youtube.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 11, 2018:
Currently I am using the Head Space app and no music is involved.
Whenever I meditate, or whenever I listen actually, I can hear a pleasant background sound sort of like hundreds of crickets.
Do any of you experience such a thing. Maybe it is the brain’s modem sending and receiving information from Universal Consciousness. :-)
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 11, 2018:
Currently I am using the Head Space app and no music is involved.
Whenever I meditate, or whenever I listen actually, I can hear a pleasant background sound sort of like hundreds of crickets.
Do any of you experience such a thing. Maybe it is the brain’s modem sending and receiving information from Universal Consciousness. :-)
Climate Science and the Myths of Renewable Energy - FOS Steve Goreham
[youtu.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 11, 2018:
I just watched the whole thing. Very interesting! Thanks for posting.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 11, 2018:
I just watched the whole thing. Very interesting! Thanks for posting.
Name me one fucking miracle that actually happened or can be proved
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 10, 2018:
If you are talking about those silly little “miracles” in the Bible, they are not worth wasting words over.
The REAL miracle is the presence of a Nature that created itself and enacted immutable laws, gave rise to life, and is awash in conscious awareness.
If Jesus actually arose from the dead it would be an interesting anomaly of nature, but would not merit one thousandth of the awe and wonder of every second of our own experience of consciously aware existence.
Miracles are all around us!
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 10, 2018:
If you are talking about those silly little “miracles” in the Bible, they are not worth wasting words over.
The REAL miracle is the presence of a Nature that created itself and enacted immutable laws, gave rise to life, and is awash in conscious awareness.
If Jesus actually arose from the dead it would be an interesting anomaly of nature, but would not merit one thousandth of the awe and wonder of every second of our own experience of consciously aware existence.
Miracles are all around us!
I’m starting to lose track of where personal opinion ends and politically correct ‘public ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 10, 2018:
Some people object to artistic and literary expression as well as speech which, In their opinion, is not proper because of sexism or racism. They set themselves up as arbiters, apparently believing that they are morally and intellectually superior. The irony is that these same childish people have no compunctions about engaging in hate speech toward those who disagree with them, and there are certain groups that are open game for their hateful attacks.
Nobody has to listen to a song if they don’t like it, The public should ignore their objections IMO.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 10, 2018:
Some people object to artistic and literary expression as well as speech which, In their opinion, is not proper because of sexism or racism. They set themselves up as arbiters, apparently believing that they are morally and intellectually superior. The irony is that these same childish people have no compunctions about engaging in hate speech toward those who disagree with them, and there are certain groups that are open game for their hateful attacks.
Nobody has to listen to a song if they don’t like it, The public should ignore their objections IMO.
I DO celebrate Christmas, but as a celebration of light and family warmth and feeling in Winter.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 10, 2018:
I am planning to celebrate Yule-Tide this year and it’s sounds as though you’re doing the same.
Cheers!
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 10, 2018:
I am planning to celebrate Yule-Tide this year and it’s sounds as though you’re doing the same.
Cheers!
kinda curious about this groups take on this guys take.
[youtu.be]
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 9, 2018:
I still feel just as ignorant and overwhelmed.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 9, 2018:
I still feel just as ignorant and overwhelmed.
Holy Horrors: Religious slaughter through the centuries
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 9, 2018:
Dogmatic belief and devotion to any partisan cause leads inevitably to conflict. Those causes include such things as economic theories and social movements as well as religious ideologies and nationalism. Modern history shows that atheists are fully capable of making war and conducting massacres in support of their particular dogmatic ideologies.
We tend to divide ourselves into groups depending on who believes what. The irony is that no one really knows the complete ultimate truth about any issue. All the groups have some good points and all of them are partly false. Whatever any of them is pushing is incomplete and superficial.
I don’t think that demonizing some of the groups is going to accomplish anything. Demonizing religion in general is a futile exercise, leading only to further conflict, because the religious impulse is deeply imbedded in the human psyche, and in its pure form serves noble purposes.
If we want harmony we need humility along with respect for the opinions of others.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 9, 2018:
Dogmatic belief and devotion to any partisan cause leads inevitably to conflict. Those causes include such things as economic theories and social movements as well as religious ideologies and nationalism. Modern history shows that atheists are fully capable of making war and conducting massacres in support of their particular dogmatic ideologies.
We tend to divide ourselves into groups depending on who believes what. The irony is that no one really knows the complete ultimate truth about any issue. All the groups have some good points and all of them are partly false. Whatever any of them is pushing is incomplete and superficial.
I don’t think that demonizing some of the groups is going to accomplish anything. Demonizing religion in general is a futile exercise, leading only to further conflict, because the religious impulse is deeply imbedded in the human psyche, and in its pure form serves noble purposes.
If we want harmony we need humility along with respect for the opinions of others.
If god exists he/she is responsible for billions of deaths and most war should be imprisoned not ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 9, 2018:
From a cosmic perspective individual organisms are near worthless. They were born to die—that’s what they are supposed to do. It’s the PROCESS of life that has value. Identity with the overall process and “You” will be immortal.
Pain has an important role in the functioning of our bodies—without pain we could not survive. So far as mental anguish, maybe that is a message that a person needs to take action or resolve conflicting or untrue thoughts.
We should pay attention to pain and anguish and be glad for its presence IMO.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 9, 2018:
From a cosmic perspective individual organisms are near worthless. They were born to die—that’s what they are supposed to do. It’s the PROCESS of life that has value. Identity with the overall process and “You” will be immortal.
Pain has an important role in the functioning of our bodies—without pain we could not survive. So far as mental anguish, maybe that is a message that a person needs to take action or resolve conflicting or untrue thoughts.
We should pay attention to pain and anguish and be glad for its presence IMO.
TIL: Apparently atheism is perfectly acceptable within Hinduism.
[en.wikipedia.org]
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 9, 2018:
That is a very interesting and informative article—thanks for pointing it out.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 9, 2018:
That is a very interesting and informative article—thanks for pointing it out.
Existence vs. Creation
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 9, 2018:
“God” is just a word denoting the ground of reality. It’s something we can not understand, and to argue about it is futile.
You make a good point. Lots of people seem to have no trouble with nature just sort of accidentally falling into existence, imposing unbreakable laws, and accidentally bringing abut life. Nature herself seems to have God-like powers.
If some people want to call it God I’m fine with that, but no matter what you call it, we should remember that Ultimate Reality is a total mystery and no one has the least idea of its nature. We don’t even know what we ourselves are and we are baffled and bewildered by our conscious awareness.
The concept of creation is just a shallow human idea with no real meaning. Our very concept of existence holds no water—modern physics says as much.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 9, 2018:
“God” is just a word denoting the ground of reality. It’s something we can not understand, and to argue about it is futile.
You make a good point. Lots of people seem to have no trouble with nature just sort of accidentally falling into existence, imposing unbreakable laws, and accidentally bringing abut life. Nature herself seems to have God-like powers.
If some people want to call it God I’m fine with that, but no matter what you call it, we should remember that Ultimate Reality is a total mystery and no one has the least idea of its nature. We don’t even know what we ourselves are and we are baffled and bewildered by our conscious awareness.
The concept of creation is just a shallow human idea with no real meaning. Our very concept of existence holds no water—modern physics says as much.
So, I'm currently at Bangladesh and just came to the night market (9:45pm here) to get some ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 8, 2018:
I suppose he is acting out the instinctive urge to survive in an organic body. Obviously nature doesn’t value individual bodies much since she kills them off in droves. The man’s life is worthless, as is ours.
Yet nature is expressing conscious awareness through the man. Consciousness is the source for a lot of good things: Love, beauty, freedom, will, joy.
There are great numbers of elderly people whose bodies are shot and their days numbered. Yet for many of them each moment of awareness is a precious gift to be savored.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 8, 2018:
I suppose he is acting out the instinctive urge to survive in an organic body. Obviously nature doesn’t value individual bodies much since she kills them off in droves. The man’s life is worthless, as is ours.
Yet nature is expressing conscious awareness through the man. Consciousness is the source for a lot of good things: Love, beauty, freedom, will, joy.
There are great numbers of elderly people whose bodies are shot and their days numbered. Yet for many of them each moment of awareness is a precious gift to be savored.
Any time or space/time potholes?? Call Domino’s!
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 8, 2018:
Who documented the event? How can I learn more?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 8, 2018:
Who documented the event? How can I learn more?
Stephen Fry the man who debunks religion better than anyone I've heard.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 8, 2018:
You might debunk dogmatic religious beliefs, but religion itself is not about belief. Religion does not consist of a set of assertions about the workings of nature. Religion is a subjective individual experience of deep awareness and appreciation for the staggering implications of the mystery of existence.
The concept of “debunking” does not apply.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 8, 2018:
You might debunk dogmatic religious beliefs, but religion itself is not about belief. Religion does not consist of a set of assertions about the workings of nature. Religion is a subjective individual experience of deep awareness and appreciation for the staggering implications of the mystery of existence.
The concept of “debunking” does not apply.
Now I'm an agnostic atheist, but I haven't always been that way.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 8, 2018:
I bailed out of traditional Christianity at an early age, however, IMO there is such a thing as throwing out the bath water and keeping the baby. I really like your idea of continually evolving and moving forward.
You are right. This is not a race, and it is logically necessary to respect all of our fellow humans regardless of where they are spiritually.
A declaration of atheism should be just the beginning.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 8, 2018:
I bailed out of traditional Christianity at an early age, however, IMO there is such a thing as throwing out the bath water and keeping the baby. I really like your idea of continually evolving and moving forward.
You are right. This is not a race, and it is logically necessary to respect all of our fellow humans regardless of where they are spiritually.
A declaration of atheism should be just the beginning.
How wonder works - aeon - Pocket
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
Great article! Thanks for posting.
So what I have been calling the religious impulse is more properly called just wonder—wonder about existence.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
Great article! Thanks for posting.
So what I have been calling the religious impulse is more properly called just wonder—wonder about existence.
Donald Trump Didn’t Say the Christian Prayer at George H.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
I think old DT is basically a secular kind of guy and doesn’t have much interest in religion. He’s just religious enough to garner votes. If he doesn’t believe the apostles creed why should he mouth the words just to fit in. He’s not a “fit in” kind of guy.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/religion/2018/12/06/trump-didnt-say-apostles-creed-bushs-funeral-liberal-evangelical-i-say-good-him/
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
I think old DT is basically a secular kind of guy and doesn’t have much interest in religion. He’s just religious enough to garner votes. If he doesn’t believe the apostles creed why should he mouth the words just to fit in. He’s not a “fit in” kind of guy.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/religion/2018/12/06/trump-didnt-say-apostles-creed-bushs-funeral-liberal-evangelical-i-say-good-him/
Does belief in an afterlife adversely affect life on Earth?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
Any firmly held, dogmatic belief has a negative effect by diverting our minds from the miracle of existence.
One of the most pernicious beliefs that is causing harm is a belief in scientism with its dogmatic clinging to materialism or physicalism. Such a belief leads to selfish behavior, leading to war and conflict of all types, along with a sense of human worthlessness.
The best belief is no belief at all, rather a sense of total ignorance regarding the deep questions of existence.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
Any firmly held, dogmatic belief has a negative effect by diverting our minds from the miracle of existence.
One of the most pernicious beliefs that is causing harm is a belief in scientism with its dogmatic clinging to materialism or physicalism. Such a belief leads to selfish behavior, leading to war and conflict of all types, along with a sense of human worthlessness.
The best belief is no belief at all, rather a sense of total ignorance regarding the deep questions of existence.
What do atheists put on the top of their christmas tree?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
Proper atheists don’t have Christmas trees—they have Yule trees. A star is a perfectly reasonable adornment for a Yule tree. Stars evoke wonder, awe and beauty. No one has a patent on Stars.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
Proper atheists don’t have Christmas trees—they have Yule trees. A star is a perfectly reasonable adornment for a Yule tree. Stars evoke wonder, awe and beauty. No one has a patent on Stars.
Im new to this site.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
My perspective is a lot like yours. I’m an atheist with respect to mythical gods of old, along with the God of the Old Testament. But I realize there’s an ultimate reality beyond the senses. It’s “there” but we can’t detect or understand it—it’s beyond the human way of knowing. We do have glimmers of experience through conscious awareness—in that sense Ultimate Reality is subjective—we are that reality.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
My perspective is a lot like yours. I’m an atheist with respect to mythical gods of old, along with the God of the Old Testament. But I realize there’s an ultimate reality beyond the senses. It’s “there” but we can’t detect or understand it—it’s beyond the human way of knowing. We do have glimmers of experience through conscious awareness—in that sense Ultimate Reality is subjective—we are that reality.
The “War on Christmas” Revisited.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
End the war on Yule Tide.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
End the war on Yule Tide.
Captain Yahweh and the Starship Heaven: Part One
We’ve all heard of Heaven, but beyond that the...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
According to JC himself the kingdom of heaven is within you.
Leaving aside childish myths about pearly gates and streets paved with gold, there is actually a rational way of thinking about “heaven”. It is almost universally acknowledged that the world we witness via the senses is nothing but a symbolic representation of Ultimate Reality. Ultimate Reality can not be detected or understood in terms of our mater/space/time model. Heaven does not exist in space and time, which are nothing but artificial human constructs. Heaven is everywhere at all times.
It follows that we are in heaven right now but lack the awareness to fully experience and appreciate heaven. We get glimmers of direct experience through consciousness, but there’s no way of analyzing or defining Ultimate Reality with a materialist mindset. Heaven is subjective—we ARE heaven.
The kingdom of heaven is within you.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 7, 2018:
According to JC himself the kingdom of heaven is within you.
Leaving aside childish myths about pearly gates and streets paved with gold, there is actually a rational way of thinking about “heaven”. It is almost universally acknowledged that the world we witness via the senses is nothing but a symbolic representation of Ultimate Reality. Ultimate Reality can not be detected or understood in terms of our mater/space/time model. Heaven does not exist in space and time, which are nothing but artificial human constructs. Heaven is everywhere at all times.
It follows that we are in heaven right now but lack the awareness to fully experience and appreciate heaven. We get glimmers of direct experience through consciousness, but there’s no way of analyzing or defining Ultimate Reality with a materialist mindset. Heaven is subjective—we ARE heaven.
The kingdom of heaven is within you.
"Holier-Than-Thou Agnosticism: the proponent fails to justify their agnosticism with respect to ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
Ought not be arguing over religion in the first place. No one has the least idea of what they’re talking about.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
Ought not be arguing over religion in the first place. No one has the least idea of what they’re talking about.
I've been making an observation and would like to see what you think.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
Religious organizations were set up by and for men in large part. Meanwhile, women tend to be more sensitive, more intuitive, more spiritually inclined. There are getting to be more and more women in church leadership positions.
Not every religious organization goes strictly by the Bible. IMO true religion is personal and subjective. Organizations are just for social support.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
Religious organizations were set up by and for men in large part. Meanwhile, women tend to be more sensitive, more intuitive, more spiritually inclined. There are getting to be more and more women in church leadership positions.
Not every religious organization goes strictly by the Bible. IMO true religion is personal and subjective. Organizations are just for social support.
I think religion should be taught in schools.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
Sounds good to me if it can be fitted in. I’m assuming you mean high schools.
How about an intro to philosophy—just a broad overview and lots of discussion should help a lot of young people.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
Sounds good to me if it can be fitted in. I’m assuming you mean high schools.
How about an intro to philosophy—just a broad overview and lots of discussion should help a lot of young people.
I need enlightenment, who is God ? Does it exist?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
The question of Ultimate Reality or whatever you choose to call it is a deep mystery. Personally I think there’s probably some sort of higher power in the universe, but there’s no way of defining or describing that power and whatever we might say about it is meaningless jabber. Our little human pea brains don’t work at that level.
What we do have is the experience of conscious awareness, and that is very significant somehow IMO. I am trying to enjoy each second and not stew too much over questions that are out of my league. Sometimes I slip up.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
The question of Ultimate Reality or whatever you choose to call it is a deep mystery. Personally I think there’s probably some sort of higher power in the universe, but there’s no way of defining or describing that power and whatever we might say about it is meaningless jabber. Our little human pea brains don’t work at that level.
What we do have is the experience of conscious awareness, and that is very significant somehow IMO. I am trying to enjoy each second and not stew too much over questions that are out of my league. Sometimes I slip up.
Why mount kailash is unscalable? Is the myth true?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
Where is it? Why is it said to be unscalable?
It is, no doubt, unscalable by me. Do you climb?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
Where is it? Why is it said to be unscalable?
It is, no doubt, unscalable by me. Do you climb?
Morality - what's your definition?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
It is irrational IMO to make moral judgments about another person. From my perspective a moral person is one who does things I like. If he does things I don’t like, then he is immoral. Either way, my opinion doesn’t mean much. Maybe I’m the one in the wrong.
JC got it right IMO. When asked which of the Ten Commandments was most important, he indicated that the first two were more important because they call for love, and are the basis for all the other commandments. But are those two really commandments? How can you “command” someone to love? Love comes spontaneously from deep awareness and appreciation.
So the root of morality and about everything else is deep conscious awareness.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
It is irrational IMO to make moral judgments about another person. From my perspective a moral person is one who does things I like. If he does things I don’t like, then he is immoral. Either way, my opinion doesn’t mean much. Maybe I’m the one in the wrong.
JC got it right IMO. When asked which of the Ten Commandments was most important, he indicated that the first two were more important because they call for love, and are the basis for all the other commandments. But are those two really commandments? How can you “command” someone to love? Love comes spontaneously from deep awareness and appreciation.
So the root of morality and about everything else is deep conscious awareness.
I am a believer in a creator ( God ) but i don't buy into the whole Jesus aspect.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
New Thought groups such as Unity use some of the teachings of Jesus but put a totally different and more rational slant on them, and they also teach concepts gleaned from other religions.And they require no belief.
I also do not call myself an atheist, because I lean toward the Hindu concept of Brahman or Ultimate Reality. So far I haven’t been run off from the forum but I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Best wishes.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 6, 2018:
New Thought groups such as Unity use some of the teachings of Jesus but put a totally different and more rational slant on them, and they also teach concepts gleaned from other religions.And they require no belief.
I also do not call myself an atheist, because I lean toward the Hindu concept of Brahman or Ultimate Reality. So far I haven’t been run off from the forum but I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Best wishes.
Deconstructing SIN.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 5, 2018:
There’s no such thing as sin. Sin is a superficial human concept with no real meaning. Even our president gets it:
Trump said he was "not sure" whether he ever asked God for forgiveness, stating "If I do something wrong, I just try and make it right. I don't bring God into that picture." (Wikipedia)
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 5, 2018:
There’s no such thing as sin. Sin is a superficial human concept with no real meaning. Even our president gets it:
Trump said he was "not sure" whether he ever asked God for forgiveness, stating "If I do something wrong, I just try and make it right. I don't bring God into that picture." (Wikipedia)
May I know your delightful responses on this: The cosmos can be created spontaneously out of nothing...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 5, 2018:
If quantum gravity theory is correct time is but an illusion. It follows that the concept of creation is meaningless. Our feeble brains don’t work on the level of ultimate reality. “God” is just a word, an icon for what we don’t know and it’s futile to try to talk about something when you have no idea what you are talking about.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 5, 2018:
If quantum gravity theory is correct time is but an illusion. It follows that the concept of creation is meaningless. Our feeble brains don’t work on the level of ultimate reality. “God” is just a word, an icon for what we don’t know and it’s futile to try to talk about something when you have no idea what you are talking about.
I found this quote in an article I read and wonder what others think of it?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 5, 2018:
False.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 5, 2018:
False.
The hardest thing in life is to challenge one's own beliefs.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 5, 2018:
Is anyone actually struggling to change their own beliefs? Why would anyone want do that, and even if they did want to, is it possible? What they might do is remain undecided about some issue, and engage in a process of analyzing and pondering.
All those people who, in 1900 believed that heavier-than-air flight was impossible, when they witnessed their first airplane flight changed their belief instantly with no struggle. We can not choose what we believe IMO. Belief sneaks up on us.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 5, 2018:
Is anyone actually struggling to change their own beliefs? Why would anyone want do that, and even if they did want to, is it possible? What they might do is remain undecided about some issue, and engage in a process of analyzing and pondering.
All those people who, in 1900 believed that heavier-than-air flight was impossible, when they witnessed their first airplane flight changed their belief instantly with no struggle. We can not choose what we believe IMO. Belief sneaks up on us.
Albert Einstein's 'God letter' sells for $2.9m - BBC News
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
It is clear that Einstein rejected the God of the Bible. He made conflicting statements about his atheism.
"I'm not an atheist, and I don't think I can call myself a pantheist. We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child dimly suspects a mysterious order in the arrangement of the books but doesn't know what it is. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human being toward God. We see the universe marvelously arranged and obeying certain laws but only dimly understand these laws. Our limited minds grasp the mysterious force that moves the constellations."
http://www.deism.com/einsteingodletter.htm
I’m not sure where the above quote came from or at which stage of his life Einstein wrote that.
IMO it is not important whether or not Einstein labeled himself as an atheist. All that matters to me is that he was deeply aware of the grandeur and mysteries of nature and he had the courage to say that he was ignorant about its ultimate nature.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
It is clear that Einstein rejected the God of the Bible. He made conflicting statements about his atheism.
"I'm not an atheist, and I don't think I can call myself a pantheist. We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child dimly suspects a mysterious order in the arrangement of the books but doesn't know what it is. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human being toward God. We see the universe marvelously arranged and obeying certain laws but only dimly understand these laws. Our limited minds grasp the mysterious force that moves the constellations."
http://www.deism.com/einsteingodletter.htm
I’m not sure where the above quote came from or at which stage of his life Einstein wrote that.
IMO it is not important whether or not Einstein labeled himself as an atheist. All that matters to me is that he was deeply aware of the grandeur and mysteries of nature and he had the courage to say that he was ignorant about its ultimate nature.
Why Smart People Are Vulnerable to Putting Tribe Before Truth - Scientific American Blog Network
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
It’s an interesting article. It makes sense that a person who is genuinely curious about nature, along with the human environment, would be more open- minded than one who was simply knowledgeable about science in a rote way. Of course curiosity should be encouraged if that is possible.
I’m worried a little by the proposed methods for cultivating that curiosity. If the films about science were created in a truly open-minded way by people who have deep awareness and spirituality, then some of that curiosity might catch hold. What I suspect will happen is that nothing will be produced but rote, mechanistic, propaganda reflective of the materialistic mind set that is so common. I really doubt if empirical methods are going to do it.
I think that what should be encouraged is not curiosity about science, but curiosity and awe for nature and for our existence in nature.
The founders of the country thought we should keep weapons in case we have to fight tyranny. What does that have to do with science?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
It’s an interesting article. It makes sense that a person who is genuinely curious about nature, along with the human environment, would be more open- minded than one who was simply knowledgeable about science in a rote way. Of course curiosity should be encouraged if that is possible.
I’m worried a little by the proposed methods for cultivating that curiosity. If the films about science were created in a truly open-minded way by people who have deep awareness and spirituality, then some of that curiosity might catch hold. What I suspect will happen is that nothing will be produced but rote, mechanistic, propaganda reflective of the materialistic mind set that is so common. I really doubt if empirical methods are going to do it.
I think that what should be encouraged is not curiosity about science, but curiosity and awe for nature and for our existence in nature.
The founders of the country thought we should keep weapons in case we have to fight tyranny. What does that have to do with science?
Lost Cause for the Confederacy For those who think the civil war has ended think again
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
This is just the kind of fear-mongering, irresponsible, exaggerated article that I abhor. The thesis seems to be that southerners are chomping at the bit to reopen hostilities. It is an idiotic idea with no basis. What I suspect is an effort to arouse political support for left-wing causes through stereotyping, scapegoating and demonization—not very liberal IMO.
Does anyone really believe that southerners sit around and talk about the Civil War? A few might, but what PERCENTAGE? I live in a rural part of Alabama, and in the ten years I’ve been back here I haven’t heard a SINGLE conversation about the Civil War in this neighborhood. There’s a war memorial a couple of counties over, set up circa 1900 to honor the soldiers, many of whom were still living at the time. It’s not hurting anything to sit there and I can’t understand why anyone would think it should be removed. There’s ONE Confederate battle flag flying in this county that I know of, and that’s mainly just an ornament, something like a football banner, having no serious import. The area is literally awash in US flags.
Balance and truth would be welcomed.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
This is just the kind of fear-mongering, irresponsible, exaggerated article that I abhor. The thesis seems to be that southerners are chomping at the bit to reopen hostilities. It is an idiotic idea with no basis. What I suspect is an effort to arouse political support for left-wing causes through stereotyping, scapegoating and demonization—not very liberal IMO.
Does anyone really believe that southerners sit around and talk about the Civil War? A few might, but what PERCENTAGE? I live in a rural part of Alabama, and in the ten years I’ve been back here I haven’t heard a SINGLE conversation about the Civil War in this neighborhood. There’s a war memorial a couple of counties over, set up circa 1900 to honor the soldiers, many of whom were still living at the time. It’s not hurting anything to sit there and I can’t understand why anyone would think it should be removed. There’s ONE Confederate battle flag flying in this county that I know of, and that’s mainly just an ornament, something like a football banner, having no serious import. The area is literally awash in US flags.
Balance and truth would be welcomed.
One of my bigest frustrations, is not so much theists and their religious bullshit doing what they ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
It doesn’t bother me, but then again, I don’t call myself an atheist.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
It doesn’t bother me, but then again, I don’t call myself an atheist.
Can anyone imagine nonexistence?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
I can, but only for a brief moment. Then my conscious awareness steps in to monitor my imagining and it all falls apart.
The meaning of existence is ineffable. (my new word) :-)
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
I can, but only for a brief moment. Then my conscious awareness steps in to monitor my imagining and it all falls apart.
The meaning of existence is ineffable. (my new word) :-)
This guy needs more education...
Dear Atheist: 10 Things You Should Stop Saying
[youtu.be]
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
I decline to watch, but wow, seems like buttons are being pushed.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
I decline to watch, but wow, seems like buttons are being pushed.
Hey Jesus, what do you think of the many people who kill life giving trees in a silly celebration of...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
The Yule tree is an old Germanic custom that far predates Christianity.
So far as destroying life, forests need thinning. Even where the trees are grown commercially there’s no loss overall. The production of Yule trees is carbon-neutral.
I doubt if ol’ JC would give it much thought. Of course I could be wrong.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
The Yule tree is an old Germanic custom that far predates Christianity.
So far as destroying life, forests need thinning. Even where the trees are grown commercially there’s no loss overall. The production of Yule trees is carbon-neutral.
I doubt if ol’ JC would give it much thought. Of course I could be wrong.
Climate changes in your area.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
According to satellite measurements, the earth, since 1979, has been warming at the rate of 0.13C per decade, and that’s not much. At that rate of warming, it would take 170 years for Boston to warm to the temperature of NYC.
Maybe what we are seeing are just local variations, variations that are offset by conditions in other places.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
According to satellite measurements, the earth, since 1979, has been warming at the rate of 0.13C per decade, and that’s not much. At that rate of warming, it would take 170 years for Boston to warm to the temperature of NYC.
Maybe what we are seeing are just local variations, variations that are offset by conditions in other places.
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody Parody (Opinion Rhapsody) - YouTube
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
Absolutely awesome!
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
Absolutely awesome!
"It is only in a society that makes generalized, personalized growth the ultimate virtue that a ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
So society expects that each person will blossom out into an affluent, socially active, college-educated citizen who is, beyond all, “happy”. Yes, I can see that the stage is set for failure and depression. Someone told me once that you can’t find pleasure by seeking for pleasure.
As consciously aware beings with free will, we can see through those expectations and choose to ignore them. We can follow our hearts.
Could it be that we as individuals, through irrational thoughts, are creating our own sense of expectation—that we are seeing expectations where there is only well-meaning (or self-serving) advice, advice that we are perfectly free to ignore? I’m not ready to blame it all on government and big business.
Please don’t be depressed. Joy springs spontaneously from awareness of the absolutely stunning implications of existence. Bask in that awareness.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 4, 2018:
So society expects that each person will blossom out into an affluent, socially active, college-educated citizen who is, beyond all, “happy”. Yes, I can see that the stage is set for failure and depression. Someone told me once that you can’t find pleasure by seeking for pleasure.
As consciously aware beings with free will, we can see through those expectations and choose to ignore them. We can follow our hearts.
Could it be that we as individuals, through irrational thoughts, are creating our own sense of expectation—that we are seeing expectations where there is only well-meaning (or self-serving) advice, advice that we are perfectly free to ignore? I’m not ready to blame it all on government and big business.
Please don’t be depressed. Joy springs spontaneously from awareness of the absolutely stunning implications of existence. Bask in that awareness.
The logic of Buddhist philosophy goes beyond simple truth | Aeon Essays
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 3, 2018:
That is a very interesting essay for me, and I am bookmarking it for future reference. The ideas merit further study.
I had to look up the word “ineffable”, but it is a familiar concept. Many questions or statements are simply meaningless from a higher perspective. Questions about immortality are ineffable because time is an artificial human construct.
“Is there an Ultimate Reality beyond the senses”? The question is grounded in our sensory world and has meaning only from that limited perspective. If I answer “yes”, all I am saying is that I don’t have the whole picture—that my perspective is symbolic only. Ultimate Reality is ineffable and can not be described, but I can make statements about my limited reality, or it seems that way to me. If I have been in a house with no windows all my life, it would seem logical to say, “These walls are the limit to my world. I know nothing of what is beyond, but I know there is a beyond. The beyond I define as that which is not contained by these walls”.
IMO the ego is a put-up job and we actually don’t exist in the way we think. Therefore any statement or question about ourselves has meaning only within our limited, symbolic reality.
Time has flown—gotta go.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 3, 2018:
That is a very interesting essay for me, and I am bookmarking it for future reference. The ideas merit further study.
I had to look up the word “ineffable”, but it is a familiar concept. Many questions or statements are simply meaningless from a higher perspective. Questions about immortality are ineffable because time is an artificial human construct.
“Is there an Ultimate Reality beyond the senses”? The question is grounded in our sensory world and has meaning only from that limited perspective. If I answer “yes”, all I am saying is that I don’t have the whole picture—that my perspective is symbolic only. Ultimate Reality is ineffable and can not be described, but I can make statements about my limited reality, or it seems that way to me. If I have been in a house with no windows all my life, it would seem logical to say, “These walls are the limit to my world. I know nothing of what is beyond, but I know there is a beyond. The beyond I define as that which is not contained by these walls”.
IMO the ego is a put-up job and we actually don’t exist in the way we think. Therefore any statement or question about ourselves has meaning only within our limited, symbolic reality.
Time has flown—gotta go.
It's funny, you work so hard, you do everything you can to get away from a place, and when you ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 2, 2018:
That happened to me twice. I didn’t want to live in cities—thought I’d stay there temporarily, but then couldn’t leave for various reasons.
Now, in retirement I’m finally where I want to be, out on my little farm.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 2, 2018:
That happened to me twice. I didn’t want to live in cities—thought I’d stay there temporarily, but then couldn’t leave for various reasons.
Now, in retirement I’m finally where I want to be, out on my little farm.
Any atheists here have that almost debilitating fear of death?
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 1, 2018:
Everything that happens is good from a higher perspective. There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 1, 2018:
Everything that happens is good from a higher perspective. There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of.
Why is it that Christians thank their god for getting them out of a bad situation when it was ...
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 1, 2018:
I wash my hands of what Christians do and refuse to fret over it.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 1, 2018:
I wash my hands of what Christians do and refuse to fret over it.
It seems to me that there's ultimately no point to believing in a god.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 1, 2018:
You’ve said what I’ve thought all along. It’s senseless to argue or fret over the existence of God when we have no idea what God is and no way of understanding. In public I prefer not to even say the word “God” because the word means different things to different people and is likely to be taken in a way I don’t intend. Also some people were scared out of their minds when they were children by God talk.
I’ve started saying “Ultimate Reality”. Obviously there is an ultimate reality but that too is far beyond our ability to detect or understand. I think that life, with its conscious awareness is a precious gift, but so far as what it means or where it comes from, we are totally ignorant. We don’t even know what we ourselves are and the very concept of existence is a big muddle to me.
WilliamFleming comments on Dec 1, 2018:
You’ve said what I’ve thought all along. It’s senseless to argue or fret over the existence of God when we have no idea what God is and no way of understanding. In public I prefer not to even say the word “God” because the word means different things to different people and is likely to be taken in a way I don’t intend. Also some people were scared out of their minds when they were children by God talk.
I’ve started saying “Ultimate Reality”. Obviously there is an ultimate reality but that too is far beyond our ability to detect or understand. I think that life, with its conscious awareness is a precious gift, but so far as what it means or where it comes from, we are totally ignorant. We don’t even know what we ourselves are and the very concept of existence is a big muddle to me.
Which path do you prefer?
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 30, 2018:
If a person concocts some far-fetched world view just to be comfortable then of course that would cast doubt on the validity of such a world view.
On the other hand, a great many very intelligent people, going back to earliest history have toyed with the idea of universal consciousness. That includes several of the founders of modern physics. I do not feel that it is correct to write off the opinions of such eminent people by ascribing to them a fear of death. There are other reasons for their metaphysical thinking.
That said, in the final analysis no one knows the answer, or IMO even understands the question.
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 30, 2018:
If a person concocts some far-fetched world view just to be comfortable then of course that would cast doubt on the validity of such a world view.
On the other hand, a great many very intelligent people, going back to earliest history have toyed with the idea of universal consciousness. That includes several of the founders of modern physics. I do not feel that it is correct to write off the opinions of such eminent people by ascribing to them a fear of death. There are other reasons for their metaphysical thinking.
That said, in the final analysis no one knows the answer, or IMO even understands the question.
The 4th National Climate Assessment by the US government that was released the day after ...
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 30, 2018:
I am not totally sold on all this gloom and doom. The rate of warming is rather low and climate models are far from perfect. The uncertainty in predictions expands greatly as you project into the future.
Even if the predictions are correct I’m not sure of what can be done. The most promising alternative to the burning of fossil fuels IMO is LENR, or cold fusion, and that is a verboten word among the powers that be. I’ll bet ten bucks someone will attack me on this forum for saying the c word.
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 30, 2018:
I am not totally sold on all this gloom and doom. The rate of warming is rather low and climate models are far from perfect. The uncertainty in predictions expands greatly as you project into the future.
Even if the predictions are correct I’m not sure of what can be done. The most promising alternative to the burning of fossil fuels IMO is LENR, or cold fusion, and that is a verboten word among the powers that be. I’ll bet ten bucks someone will attack me on this forum for saying the c word.
Is the Universe Anthropic?
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 30, 2018:
“For one, if such tuning has happened, what’s the basis for assuming that it happened with us “in mind”?
Before delving into such a question I think we should try to find out what or who we ourselves are, and the nature of conscious awareness which frames our every experience.
Please note that practically every article in the media reflects an implicit belief in a materialistic world view, and we are not expected to question that world view. IMO, the most destructive, insidious faith ever concocted by man is the philosophy of scientism.
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 30, 2018:
“For one, if such tuning has happened, what’s the basis for assuming that it happened with us “in mind”?
Before delving into such a question I think we should try to find out what or who we ourselves are, and the nature of conscious awareness which frames our every experience.
Please note that practically every article in the media reflects an implicit belief in a materialistic world view, and we are not expected to question that world view. IMO, the most destructive, insidious faith ever concocted by man is the philosophy of scientism.
Regarding Religion vs.
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 30, 2018:
*“A religion, old or new, that stressed the magnificence of the universe as revealed by modern science might be able to draw forth reserves of reverence and awe hardly tapped by conventional faiths. Sooner or later such a religion will emerge.” - Carl Sagan
IMO that is the best quote in your post, a positive and inclusive statement. I would only say that there already are such religions, and that in the future they might come to be the predominant ones.
There is nothing inherently contradictory between science and religion, and in fact, about half of all scientists are also religious.
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 30, 2018:
*“A religion, old or new, that stressed the magnificence of the universe as revealed by modern science might be able to draw forth reserves of reverence and awe hardly tapped by conventional faiths. Sooner or later such a religion will emerge.” - Carl Sagan
IMO that is the best quote in your post, a positive and inclusive statement. I would only say that there already are such religions, and that in the future they might come to be the predominant ones.
There is nothing inherently contradictory between science and religion, and in fact, about half of all scientists are also religious.
Humanists call for abolition of blasphemy law in proposed hate crime legislation - Scottish Legal ...
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 29, 2018:
According to Wikipedia six US states have blasphemy laws, but they are not enforceable of course. Some people would like to have them enforced no doubt.
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 29, 2018:
According to Wikipedia six US states have blasphemy laws, but they are not enforceable of course. Some people would like to have them enforced no doubt.
Mom’s blistering rant on how men should be blamed for all unwanted pregnancies going crazy ...
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 29, 2018:
When I was a lot younger I forgot and left some condoms at a woman’s apartment. Later I joked that I like to keep stashes of condoms all around town at various women’s houses. She said she’d put the condoms in a jar with my name on it and put the jar on the shelf alongside all the other jars of condoms left by various men. By that age I had humor, and also I understood caution.
When I was a lot LOT younger the instinctive urge to couple was extreme and I had no thought of the consequences. Actually I wanted there to be children. It was seize the day, full steam ahead, and let the future take care of itself. I suspect that you can talk yourself blue in the face about using condoms but many young guys won’t hear a word because they are on autopilot.
Nature wants babies, but she also wants us to care and be responsible for those babies 100%.
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 29, 2018:
When I was a lot younger I forgot and left some condoms at a woman’s apartment. Later I joked that I like to keep stashes of condoms all around town at various women’s houses. She said she’d put the condoms in a jar with my name on it and put the jar on the shelf alongside all the other jars of condoms left by various men. By that age I had humor, and also I understood caution.
When I was a lot LOT younger the instinctive urge to couple was extreme and I had no thought of the consequences. Actually I wanted there to be children. It was seize the day, full steam ahead, and let the future take care of itself. I suspect that you can talk yourself blue in the face about using condoms but many young guys won’t hear a word because they are on autopilot.
Nature wants babies, but she also wants us to care and be responsible for those babies 100%.
A young parent once asked me about how to raise an agnostic child.
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 29, 2018:
You seem to be talking about mindless, dogmatic religion, and I agree that children should not be indoctrinated into that sort of program. They should not be indoctrinated into anything. Each person gradually awakens to truth in her own time. The ultimate achievement IMO is to awaken to spirituality and appreciation for Ultimate Reality. The most likely program of indoctrination in these times is that of rote scientism and the philosophy of materialism, pounded into people’s heads through constant media exposure and in schools.
The free market economy is not a religion any more than opposition to the free market is a religion. To question the climate change establishment is certainly not a religion—many professional climatologists are not fully on board. Any opinion can be rote and dogmatic but to label every opinion with which you disagree a “religion” detracts from your message.
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 29, 2018:
You seem to be talking about mindless, dogmatic religion, and I agree that children should not be indoctrinated into that sort of program. They should not be indoctrinated into anything. Each person gradually awakens to truth in her own time. The ultimate achievement IMO is to awaken to spirituality and appreciation for Ultimate Reality. The most likely program of indoctrination in these times is that of rote scientism and the philosophy of materialism, pounded into people’s heads through constant media exposure and in schools.
The free market economy is not a religion any more than opposition to the free market is a religion. To question the climate change establishment is certainly not a religion—many professional climatologists are not fully on board. Any opinion can be rote and dogmatic but to label every opinion with which you disagree a “religion” detracts from your message.
Who else feels like religion leads to wars and killing
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 27, 2018:
Sometimes people divide up into groups depending on belief or disbelief in some doctrine or other. Organizers rush to cash in on the opportunity for power and control. Creeds are written and absolute belief becomes a requirement. In time perhaps the groups grow and acquire wealth and land. With absolute blind belief in the rightness of their dogmas and disrespect for alternative beliefs, the stage is set for war.
Those dogmas are not necessarily about religion—they might be based on racism, kinship, politics, economics, etc. several wars in the twentieth century were fought over belief in economic dogmas. No one is suggesting that economics be purged from the human race however. The original formulators of ecomic theory were thoughtful, scholarly people and not at fault for the mayhem committed in the name of their works.
The world NEEDS science, religion, economics, etc., but we need a balance of all of them and we need respect for diverse opinions. If we are going to eliminate anything, let it be absolute belief. After all, no one really knows ultimate truth. We are basically ignorant.
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 27, 2018:
Sometimes people divide up into groups depending on belief or disbelief in some doctrine or other. Organizers rush to cash in on the opportunity for power and control. Creeds are written and absolute belief becomes a requirement. In time perhaps the groups grow and acquire wealth and land. With absolute blind belief in the rightness of their dogmas and disrespect for alternative beliefs, the stage is set for war.
Those dogmas are not necessarily about religion—they might be based on racism, kinship, politics, economics, etc. several wars in the twentieth century were fought over belief in economic dogmas. No one is suggesting that economics be purged from the human race however. The original formulators of ecomic theory were thoughtful, scholarly people and not at fault for the mayhem committed in the name of their works.
The world NEEDS science, religion, economics, etc., but we need a balance of all of them and we need respect for diverse opinions. If we are going to eliminate anything, let it be absolute belief. After all, no one really knows ultimate truth. We are basically ignorant.
Who else feels like religion leads to wars and killing
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 27, 2018:
I really don’t understand the claim that religion leads to war. Which wars were caused by religion? Certainly the Crusades. The troubles in Ireland had religion as a secondary cause perhaps. There has been fighting in the Middle East with religion as the basic cause. But the vast majority of wars have had other causes, especially the major wars. Where religion has been involved in war, it has not been religion itself, but religious organizations at fault. Many religious organizations are little more than
Political groups. Deeply religious people tend to be disinterested in politics.
I am reading an insightful book, “Spiritual Science”, by British psychologist Steve Taylor. According to Taylor, a belief that has led to modern wars is the belief in scientism and materialism, These beliefs tend to see humanity and the world in a mechanistic way, governed by blind chance and having no inherent worth or value. This leads to hedonism and nihilism.
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 27, 2018:
I really don’t understand the claim that religion leads to war. Which wars were caused by religion? Certainly the Crusades. The troubles in Ireland had religion as a secondary cause perhaps. There has been fighting in the Middle East with religion as the basic cause. But the vast majority of wars have had other causes, especially the major wars. Where religion has been involved in war, it has not been religion itself, but religious organizations at fault. Many religious organizations are little more than
Political groups. Deeply religious people tend to be disinterested in politics.
I am reading an insightful book, “Spiritual Science”, by British psychologist Steve Taylor. According to Taylor, a belief that has led to modern wars is the belief in scientism and materialism, These beliefs tend to see humanity and the world in a mechanistic way, governed by blind chance and having no inherent worth or value. This leads to hedonism and nihilism.
Control of my mind
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 26, 2018:
I think that conscious awareness is the only thing about our reality that is NOT an illusion. I think that Sam Harris is an illusion.
I agree that a material brain can not give rise to consciousness, but all our experiences are framed by conscious awareness nevertheless. If, according to our world view we ought not be conscious but we are conscious anyway, there must be something wrong with our world view.
Thoughts and conscious awareness are two different things. Thoughts are of the body and require no conscious awareness. Some super-conscious people can control their thoughts almost 100% while others have no control.
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 26, 2018:
I think that conscious awareness is the only thing about our reality that is NOT an illusion. I think that Sam Harris is an illusion.
I agree that a material brain can not give rise to consciousness, but all our experiences are framed by conscious awareness nevertheless. If, according to our world view we ought not be conscious but we are conscious anyway, there must be something wrong with our world view.
Thoughts and conscious awareness are two different things. Thoughts are of the body and require no conscious awareness. Some super-conscious people can control their thoughts almost 100% while others have no control.
Is all that because I am an atheist ?
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 26, 2018:
We are extensions of Ultimate Reality, which is immortal by default. Our bodily individual selves will be gone, but IMO those selves are only illusions anyway. We were not born and we will not die.
WilliamFleming comments on Nov 26, 2018:
We are extensions of Ultimate Reality, which is immortal by default. Our bodily individual selves will be gone, but IMO those selves are only illusions anyway. We were not born and we will not die.
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