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What is "Compartmentalization" with regard to religion?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2018:
I don’t know of any psychological analyses, but here’s the opinion of a Nobel laureate in physics:
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)
It is a healthy, sane and reasonable opinion. Trying to psychoanalyze those with whom you disagree—now that is what is irrational, especially if you have no credentials in psychology.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 11, 2018:
I don’t know of any psychological analyses, but here’s the opinion of a Nobel laureate in physics:
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)
It is a healthy, sane and reasonable opinion. Trying to psychoanalyze those with whom you disagree—now that is what is irrational, especially if you have no credentials in psychology.
Does loyalty trump honesty? Moral judgments of loyalty-driven deceit - ScienceDirect
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 9, 2018:
I can see that in war the normal rules of ethics go out the window and the only unethical thing to do is to lose.
But should you lie on behalf of your employer? As a rule I don’t think I would, and I think I’d get fired. I would feel no more loyalty to an employer than to my grocer. After all, both are just trading partners.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 9, 2018:
I can see that in war the normal rules of ethics go out the window and the only unethical thing to do is to lose.
But should you lie on behalf of your employer? As a rule I don’t think I would, and I think I’d get fired. I would feel no more loyalty to an employer than to my grocer. After all, both are just trading partners.
Does God Intervene In Human Affairs?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 9, 2018:
What a bleak picture you paint!
I see nothing but beauty all around me.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 9, 2018:
What a bleak picture you paint!
I see nothing but beauty all around me.
Regarding Really Real Reality
Let's start with the postulate that there really is a really real ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 9, 2018:
Quantum Gravity Loop Theory, while not universally accepted, is claimed to be the most promising theory for uniting physics and understanding reality. According to that theory space is not continuous or infinite, but discreet and granular. That theory has it that time doesn’t exist and that particles of matter are not things but interactions between covariant quantum fields. I get these ideas from “Reality is not What it Seems” by Carlo Rovelli.
If time does not exist, what does it mean to ask how the universe began? It’s a very human question but perhaps from a cosmic perspective is meaningless.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 9, 2018:
Quantum Gravity Loop Theory, while not universally accepted, is claimed to be the most promising theory for uniting physics and understanding reality. According to that theory space is not continuous or infinite, but discreet and granular. That theory has it that time doesn’t exist and that particles of matter are not things but interactions between covariant quantum fields. I get these ideas from “Reality is not What it Seems” by Carlo Rovelli.
If time does not exist, what does it mean to ask how the universe began? It’s a very human question but perhaps from a cosmic perspective is meaningless.
Spirituality: Same nonsense by another name?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 8, 2018:
Sir Arthur Eddington:
The universe is of the nature of a thought or sensation in a universal Mind... To put the conclusion crudely — the stuff of the world is mind-stuff.
We are no longer tempted to condemn the spiritual aspects of our nature as illusory because of their lack of concreteness.
The scientific answer is relevant so far as concerns the sense-impressions... For the rest the human spirit must turn to the unseen world to which it itself belongs.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 8, 2018:
Sir Arthur Eddington:
The universe is of the nature of a thought or sensation in a universal Mind... To put the conclusion crudely — the stuff of the world is mind-stuff.
We are no longer tempted to condemn the spiritual aspects of our nature as illusory because of their lack of concreteness.
The scientific answer is relevant so far as concerns the sense-impressions... For the rest the human spirit must turn to the unseen world to which it itself belongs.
Why do otherwise rational people believe in GOD?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 8, 2018:
I think the most rational people don’t see God as a “thing” to be believed or disbelieved. They are simply astounded and mystified by the ground of all reality and don’t have time for petty arguments.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 8, 2018:
I think the most rational people don’t see God as a “thing” to be believed or disbelieved. They are simply astounded and mystified by the ground of all reality and don’t have time for petty arguments.
Narcissistic Sociopath Symptoms
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 8, 2018:
I was asked to say grace a year or so ago. No big deal, I asked for will power not to overeat, noting that most of us were over-nourished.
I haven’t been asked again.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 8, 2018:
I was asked to say grace a year or so ago. No big deal, I asked for will power not to overeat, noting that most of us were over-nourished.
I haven’t been asked again.
Can anyone show me scientific proof that a fetus is not human?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 8, 2018:
According to my dictionary a fetus is an unborn or unhatched vertebrate in the later stages of development showing the main recognizable features of the mature animal. (Advanced English Dictionary)
So you see, while some fetuses are human, most are not. Does that take care of your problem?
It doesn’t matter if they are human or not. It is not possible or desirable for every fertilized egg to become a person. It is the decision of the parents, and in particular the mother as to when and under what conditions they will have children. It’s nobody else’s business, not yours, not the government’s.
IMO we are not our bodies. Our true self is not born and it doesn’t die. Your moral judgement is illogical and without basis because you are placing your personal emotional reaction above the workings of nature and above the well-being of society.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 8, 2018:
According to my dictionary a fetus is an unborn or unhatched vertebrate in the later stages of development showing the main recognizable features of the mature animal. (Advanced English Dictionary)
So you see, while some fetuses are human, most are not. Does that take care of your problem?
It doesn’t matter if they are human or not. It is not possible or desirable for every fertilized egg to become a person. It is the decision of the parents, and in particular the mother as to when and under what conditions they will have children. It’s nobody else’s business, not yours, not the government’s.
IMO we are not our bodies. Our true self is not born and it doesn’t die. Your moral judgement is illogical and without basis because you are placing your personal emotional reaction above the workings of nature and above the well-being of society.
The discomforting truth is that in our consciousness we all have interpreters narrating our lives, ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 8, 2018:
Maybe it’s like if we had a self-driving car. We would have to give instructions at the beginning of a trip but all the details would be up to the system. We probably wouldn’t know why a particular route was selected. We certainly wouldn’t have any control over the brakes, etc. There would be ways of consciously overriding some of the decisions, but too much of that would become tedious or even dangerous and also less efficient.
Best to sit back and relax. Key truth into your subconscious and trust it to get you safely to your goal. That way you have time to enjoy the scenery and also to talk with your friends.
I am not sold on the theory that consciousness is produced by the brain however. That’s still a mystery IMO. My subconscious mind tells me otherwise but I don’t know why.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 8, 2018:
Maybe it’s like if we had a self-driving car. We would have to give instructions at the beginning of a trip but all the details would be up to the system. We probably wouldn’t know why a particular route was selected. We certainly wouldn’t have any control over the brakes, etc. There would be ways of consciously overriding some of the decisions, but too much of that would become tedious or even dangerous and also less efficient.
Best to sit back and relax. Key truth into your subconscious and trust it to get you safely to your goal. That way you have time to enjoy the scenery and also to talk with your friends.
I am not sold on the theory that consciousness is produced by the brain however. That’s still a mystery IMO. My subconscious mind tells me otherwise but I don’t know why.
The Subject of Fear.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 7, 2018:
Great story. I know there’s nothing to fear but I still get panicky in some situations. Not fearing death is a great advantage IMO.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 7, 2018:
Great story. I know there’s nothing to fear but I still get panicky in some situations. Not fearing death is a great advantage IMO.
How can it be that jerks get more responses to their posts than the nicer variety of posters...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 7, 2018:
Maybe it’s because they like to push people’s buttons. Ego responds to ego.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 7, 2018:
Maybe it’s because they like to push people’s buttons. Ego responds to ego.
Is anyone else tired of the philosophical crap about the existence of a theistic God?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 7, 2018:
If I say that the moon is only a mile away and is made of cheese, you would have every reason to reject my concept of the moon. That would not mean that the moon doesn’t exist—just that my concept was erroneous.
In discussing the existence of God we are off track before we start because we don’t know the meaning of the word “exist” in its ultimate sense. We are looking outward, away from ourselves into what we think of as objective reality, looking for a “thing” that some have given the label “God”.
It’s a futile search because we are leaving our own selves out of the equation. Supposedly we are planning to get an understanding of this “thing” using our conscious awareness, but we haven’t the slightest idea of what conscious awareness consists and by corollary we don’t even know what we ourselves are.
That word “God” is nothing more than an icon, a crude symbol for the ultimate reality beyond our sense world. Might as well stop looking right now because Ultimate Reality is us.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 7, 2018:
If I say that the moon is only a mile away and is made of cheese, you would have every reason to reject my concept of the moon. That would not mean that the moon doesn’t exist—just that my concept was erroneous.
In discussing the existence of God we are off track before we start because we don’t know the meaning of the word “exist” in its ultimate sense. We are looking outward, away from ourselves into what we think of as objective reality, looking for a “thing” that some have given the label “God”.
It’s a futile search because we are leaving our own selves out of the equation. Supposedly we are planning to get an understanding of this “thing” using our conscious awareness, but we haven’t the slightest idea of what conscious awareness consists and by corollary we don’t even know what we ourselves are.
That word “God” is nothing more than an icon, a crude symbol for the ultimate reality beyond our sense world. Might as well stop looking right now because Ultimate Reality is us.
Does evil exist? As non-believers do we still accept the concept of evil in its pure form?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 7, 2018:
There’s no such thing as evil or sin IMO. There are mistakes, but people can correct their mistakes.
The only way the word is useful is when, if someone does something I don’t like I judge them to be evil. But judging people is a mistake, so by all rights the word could be dropped from the language.
Will someone please call and inform the dictionary companies.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 7, 2018:
There’s no such thing as evil or sin IMO. There are mistakes, but people can correct their mistakes.
The only way the word is useful is when, if someone does something I don’t like I judge them to be evil. But judging people is a mistake, so by all rights the word could be dropped from the language.
Will someone please call and inform the dictionary companies.
I have noticed that a few religious person have joined.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 6, 2018:
No one can convert another person. Each person must weigh the evidence and decide for himself, or remain undecided. IMO it is valuable to exchange metaphysical ideas regardless of content, and it is good to have a variety of opinions on any forum.
Open-minded people can deal with dissenting opinions.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 6, 2018:
No one can convert another person. Each person must weigh the evidence and decide for himself, or remain undecided. IMO it is valuable to exchange metaphysical ideas regardless of content, and it is good to have a variety of opinions on any forum.
Open-minded people can deal with dissenting opinions.
So when someone mentions religion they automatically think Christianity and stuff like that but ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 6, 2018:
There are a lot of religious groups that do no harm. I think many people are in fight mode because they needed that anger and resolution to escape childhood indoctrination. IMO anger is a perfectly normal reaction and is sometimes necessary. At the correct time perhaps that anger will melt away, or there may never be such a time, and that’s ok too.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 6, 2018:
There are a lot of religious groups that do no harm. I think many people are in fight mode because they needed that anger and resolution to escape childhood indoctrination. IMO anger is a perfectly normal reaction and is sometimes necessary. At the correct time perhaps that anger will melt away, or there may never be such a time, and that’s ok too.
“‘Isn't atheism just another religion?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 6, 2018:
I do not label myself as either an atheist, a non-atheist, a theist, or an agnostic. IMO these labels mean very little and they detract from the stark truth of the human condition: We are abysmally ignorant. The implications of existence as a conscious being are absolutely enormously staggering and there is no meaningful in-depth understanding.
You can hide using such self-deceiving ploys as religious dogma, scientism, reductionism, materialism, physicalism, etc. Then you can argue over which method of hiding is the correct one. In the final analysis all the methods are equally bogus.
IMO It is reasonable to discuss and speculate about metaphysical ideas, but in the end, Ultimate Reality is a mystery.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 6, 2018:
I do not label myself as either an atheist, a non-atheist, a theist, or an agnostic. IMO these labels mean very little and they detract from the stark truth of the human condition: We are abysmally ignorant. The implications of existence as a conscious being are absolutely enormously staggering and there is no meaningful in-depth understanding.
You can hide using such self-deceiving ploys as religious dogma, scientism, reductionism, materialism, physicalism, etc. Then you can argue over which method of hiding is the correct one. In the final analysis all the methods are equally bogus.
IMO It is reasonable to discuss and speculate about metaphysical ideas, but in the end, Ultimate Reality is a mystery.
Study Reveals Link Between Calvinism and Acceptance of Domestic Violence Myths | Sarahbeth Caplin | ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 6, 2018:
What is a domestic violence myth? Believing in a domestic violence myth would be different than engaging in domestic violence I would think.
I’ve never heard anyone identify as a Calvinist. I think Calvinism is a pretty mixed bag, but is mostly linked to the Presbyterians. A more meaningful study would be to learn if Presbyterian spouses are more prone to beating each other. You could do a poll and ask if the spouse-beating was done in the name of religion. That would certainly be a fun project!
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 6, 2018:
What is a domestic violence myth? Believing in a domestic violence myth would be different than engaging in domestic violence I would think.
I’ve never heard anyone identify as a Calvinist. I think Calvinism is a pretty mixed bag, but is mostly linked to the Presbyterians. A more meaningful study would be to learn if Presbyterian spouses are more prone to beating each other. You could do a poll and ask if the spouse-beating was done in the name of religion. That would certainly be a fun project!
Regarding Resurrection
The cornerstone of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus - assuming a ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 6, 2018:
If the resurrection actually happened it would certainly be an interesting anomaly, but its significance pales beside the absolutely overpowering miracle of every second of conscious awareness.
The Hindus have their avatars who are thought to be above death, and some Hindus see Jesus as a great avatar. I am storing the subject of resurrection in a remote place in my mind. If new evidence emerges I’ll revisit the issue.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 6, 2018:
If the resurrection actually happened it would certainly be an interesting anomaly, but its significance pales beside the absolutely overpowering miracle of every second of conscious awareness.
The Hindus have their avatars who are thought to be above death, and some Hindus see Jesus as a great avatar. I am storing the subject of resurrection in a remote place in my mind. If new evidence emerges I’ll revisit the issue.
One of the arguments made by the religious, is that religion/scripture is the source of our ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 6, 2018:
I’ve heard such arguments made and I’ve said the same thing often. I’m amazed at the number of people who become disturbed if someone questions or doesn’t believe something that is written down in what is supposedly an authoritative book. It doesn’t have to be religious scriptures. Such books as college texts often contain questionable statements. I’ve seen cases where teachers are unable to persuade certain students that something written in a text was incorrect.
IMO people should write their own holy scriptures, make their own mathematical formulae, and create their own texts. In the matter of morals, we should follow our own inner voices.
It’s easy to see other people doing group-think for subjects that we know, but to what extent do all of us fall into that same trap for subjects that are new to us? There are numerous examples of supposedly smart and open-minded people clinging to some dogma and later having to eat crow.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 6, 2018:
I’ve heard such arguments made and I’ve said the same thing often. I’m amazed at the number of people who become disturbed if someone questions or doesn’t believe something that is written down in what is supposedly an authoritative book. It doesn’t have to be religious scriptures. Such books as college texts often contain questionable statements. I’ve seen cases where teachers are unable to persuade certain students that something written in a text was incorrect.
IMO people should write their own holy scriptures, make their own mathematical formulae, and create their own texts. In the matter of morals, we should follow our own inner voices.
It’s easy to see other people doing group-think for subjects that we know, but to what extent do all of us fall into that same trap for subjects that are new to us? There are numerous examples of supposedly smart and open-minded people clinging to some dogma and later having to eat crow.
VOTE like your life, your future, your country depends on it!
In Order to preserve our union as...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 5, 2018:
We voted already.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 5, 2018:
We voted already.
When i was a retarded wide eyed little theist i used to think that evil was a demon named bilzarbub ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 5, 2018:
Now that you have rid yourself of all that BS you are free to bask in the beauty and majesty of reality and advance in awareness, appreciation, and gratitude for the mystery of existence.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 5, 2018:
Now that you have rid yourself of all that BS you are free to bask in the beauty and majesty of reality and advance in awareness, appreciation, and gratitude for the mystery of existence.
If you've ever read "Gods Letter" that Einstein wrote in 1954 about religion it may shed some light ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 5, 2018:
I’m not sure about your inference that a conservative is the opposite of an atheist. Is then a liberal the opposite of a religious person? Is Methodist Hillary Clinton a conservative?
Einstein made various and conflicting statements about his religious sentiments. We have this:
“Try and penetrate with our limited means the secrets of nature and you will find that, behind all the discernible concatenations, there remains something subtle, intangible and inexplicable. Veneration for this force beyond anything that we can comprehend is my religion. To that extent I am, in point of fact, religious.”
“I believe in Spinoza's God, Who reveals Himself in the lawful harmony of the world, not in a God Who concerns Himself with the fate and the doings of mankind.”
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 5, 2018:
I’m not sure about your inference that a conservative is the opposite of an atheist. Is then a liberal the opposite of a religious person? Is Methodist Hillary Clinton a conservative?
Einstein made various and conflicting statements about his religious sentiments. We have this:
“Try and penetrate with our limited means the secrets of nature and you will find that, behind all the discernible concatenations, there remains something subtle, intangible and inexplicable. Veneration for this force beyond anything that we can comprehend is my religion. To that extent I am, in point of fact, religious.”
“I believe in Spinoza's God, Who reveals Himself in the lawful harmony of the world, not in a God Who concerns Himself with the fate and the doings of mankind.”
Einstein's "God Letter" up for auction. [space.com]
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 5, 2018:
If someone will lend me $1.5 million I’ll see about buying that letter.
Ha ha, I get double points.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 5, 2018:
If someone will lend me $1.5 million I’ll see about buying that letter.
Ha ha, I get double points.
Title: Spirit-Body Dualism
Nature has some key dualisms and we know that humans have many dualisms...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 5, 2018:
The everyday physical world of our senses is what is supernatural, ethereal and ghostly. Ultimate reality is real and eternal. The duality is only in our minds.
You might be looking at a map of Texas and delude yourself into thinking that the map was Texas itself. The only duality would be imaginary, caused by mistaken thoughts.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 5, 2018:
The everyday physical world of our senses is what is supernatural, ethereal and ghostly. Ultimate reality is real and eternal. The duality is only in our minds.
You might be looking at a map of Texas and delude yourself into thinking that the map was Texas itself. The only duality would be imaginary, caused by mistaken thoughts.
Question.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 5, 2018:
Humans will be humans, and the religious impulse is an integral part of humanity. Religions will spring up again and again. They’ll be new and different, and reflect the sensitivity and awareness levels of their eras. In many places around the world attempts have been made to stamp out religion—it’s not that easy to stamp out—it keeps coming back.
“...society is advancing its knowledge, etc, exponentially towards a greater understanding and comprehension of the world, the Universe and everything around and within it?”
Yes, and that exponential knowledge is superficial. At the base of that knowledge lies a deep, dark chasm of absolute ignorance. The essence of religion is not in explaining nature but in cultivating awareness, awe, appreciation and gratitude, and in fostering happiness, harmony, and love for all.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 5, 2018:
Humans will be humans, and the religious impulse is an integral part of humanity. Religions will spring up again and again. They’ll be new and different, and reflect the sensitivity and awareness levels of their eras. In many places around the world attempts have been made to stamp out religion—it’s not that easy to stamp out—it keeps coming back.
“...society is advancing its knowledge, etc, exponentially towards a greater understanding and comprehension of the world, the Universe and everything around and within it?”
Yes, and that exponential knowledge is superficial. At the base of that knowledge lies a deep, dark chasm of absolute ignorance. The essence of religion is not in explaining nature but in cultivating awareness, awe, appreciation and gratitude, and in fostering happiness, harmony, and love for all.
That spiritual feeling.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 4, 2018:
I wonder if all those legends and myths about gods arose just from story-telling, enlarged and reinforced with each generation. If you were a child, sitting around a fire, hearing those stories, you’d be captivated and you might believe them real.
IMO that sense of oneness comes from deep awareness and has profound meaning.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 4, 2018:
I wonder if all those legends and myths about gods arose just from story-telling, enlarged and reinforced with each generation. If you were a child, sitting around a fire, hearing those stories, you’d be captivated and you might believe them real.
IMO that sense of oneness comes from deep awareness and has profound meaning.
What are some of y'alls favorite podcasts?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 4, 2018:
I only ever listened to one all the way through and that was “S-Town”. It still haunts me after over a year.
Highly recommend!
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 4, 2018:
I only ever listened to one all the way through and that was “S-Town”. It still haunts me after over a year.
Highly recommend!
What is law? Is it " to uphold the moral values of society" or is it "to prevent harm to others?"
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 4, 2018:
IMO The question of what is moral is purely subjective. What is moral for one person in a particular situation might be immoral for someone else. There is no absolute standard.
Still, for society to work we need rules, and there have to be consequences for breaking those rules. Courts don’t deal in morality—they deal in laws and the punishment for breaking those laws.
Lawmakers sometimes create laws based on their personal ideas of morality, even when there is no victim. I am ashamed to say this but in my state sex toys and vibrators used in that way are illegal. Human attempts at justice are imperfect.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 4, 2018:
IMO The question of what is moral is purely subjective. What is moral for one person in a particular situation might be immoral for someone else. There is no absolute standard.
Still, for society to work we need rules, and there have to be consequences for breaking those rules. Courts don’t deal in morality—they deal in laws and the punishment for breaking those laws.
Lawmakers sometimes create laws based on their personal ideas of morality, even when there is no victim. I am ashamed to say this but in my state sex toys and vibrators used in that way are illegal. Human attempts at justice are imperfect.
"Religion is a crutch for the weak.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 3, 2018:
I’ve never heard of Jordan Stout but I know of some extremely intelligent and powerful people who have had religious sentiments. Maybe Stout is talking about dogmatic religion.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 3, 2018:
I’ve never heard of Jordan Stout but I know of some extremely intelligent and powerful people who have had religious sentiments. Maybe Stout is talking about dogmatic religion.
Is it okay to be human but to feel like a stray dog?
Asking for a friend.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 3, 2018:
I remember having that stray dog feeling years ago before I settled down. Being a stray dog had its advantages as well as its loneliness.
Things get better with time IMO.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 3, 2018:
I remember having that stray dog feeling years ago before I settled down. Being a stray dog had its advantages as well as its loneliness.
Things get better with time IMO.
Is it okay to be human but to feel like a stray dog?
Asking for a friend.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
We are all one, living together in a grand and mysterious world. Every second of conscious awareness is a miracle.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
We are all one, living together in a grand and mysterious world. Every second of conscious awareness is a miracle.
With all the craziness that is floating around in the world, what are your thoughts that some ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
There’s something more than that simulation, something behind it that makes it work. You can’t simulate conscious awareness in any event.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
There’s something more than that simulation, something behind it that makes it work. You can’t simulate conscious awareness in any event.
Truth as such has no value in itself.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
In my experience if life seems to be too bleak it is because I have been having negative, untrue thoughts. If I analyze those thoughts and get truth into my subconscious mind, then life suddenly becomes beautiful and happy. I’m afraid that if I plugged in grandiose, untrue thoughts those delusions would catch up with me eventually and I’d get into trouble. The late John Nash talked himself into believing that he had been selected to be King of the World. He traveled to France for his coronation, but things didn’t go very well.
On the other hand, I can understand and empathize with a person who is having a very harsh life and who takes up religion as a comforting balm. Who am I to take that comfort away?
Equally pertinent but not as much in the forefront are people who take up science in a religious-like way as a boost to their egos and as reinforcement for their materialist or physicalist world views. It must be reassuring to feel that you have a firm understanding of nature instead of being almost totally ignorant and confused. Again, though I often argue the point, who am I to take away someone’s comfortable delusion?
All of this brings me to my own metaphysical dabblings and makes me wonder if I do that for pleasure and comfort. It is undoubtedly true that I get a tingling pleasure from contemplating the mystery of ultimate reality.
From my perspective what I do seems perfectly reasonable and true, while what others do seems like ego gratification or addiction. This bears further thought, but for now I am going to comfort myself with the idea that with respect to ultimate reality I am abysmally ignorant. That’s as close to truth as I can get.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
In my experience if life seems to be too bleak it is because I have been having negative, untrue thoughts. If I analyze those thoughts and get truth into my subconscious mind, then life suddenly becomes beautiful and happy. I’m afraid that if I plugged in grandiose, untrue thoughts those delusions would catch up with me eventually and I’d get into trouble. The late John Nash talked himself into believing that he had been selected to be King of the World. He traveled to France for his coronation, but things didn’t go very well.
On the other hand, I can understand and empathize with a person who is having a very harsh life and who takes up religion as a comforting balm. Who am I to take that comfort away?
Equally pertinent but not as much in the forefront are people who take up science in a religious-like way as a boost to their egos and as reinforcement for their materialist or physicalist world views. It must be reassuring to feel that you have a firm understanding of nature instead of being almost totally ignorant and confused. Again, though I often argue the point, who am I to take away someone’s comfortable delusion?
All of this brings me to my own metaphysical dabblings and makes me wonder if I do that for pleasure and comfort. It is undoubtedly true that I get a tingling pleasure from contemplating the mystery of ultimate reality.
From my perspective what I do seems perfectly reasonable and true, while what others do seems like ego gratification or addiction. This bears further thought, but for now I am going to comfort myself with the idea that with respect to ultimate reality I am abysmally ignorant. That’s as close to truth as I can get.
What is everyone thoughts on paganism? I've always been interested in it as well as wicca
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
A real pagan would make human or animal sacrifices. Count me out!
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
A real pagan would make human or animal sacrifices. Count me out!
So I went to The Home Depot yesterday and they already had all the Christmas shit out! What a joke.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
Very little of that stuff has anything to do with Christianity. Let’s call it Yule.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
Very little of that stuff has anything to do with Christianity. Let’s call it Yule.
So it was my initial (probably naive) thought that this place was basically comprised of agnostics ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
I don’t call myself an atheist, but even if I did I would like to play the devil’s advocate now and then. Every forum should have a variety of opinions and perspectives. How boring and useless if every comment was in agreement—if every topic was about stupid idiotic theisists and how horribly we have been victimized by religion.
Open-minded people are interested and curious about the opinions of others even when they disagree. I greatly enjoy talking with courageous, intelligent atheists. Please don’t run me off.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
I don’t call myself an atheist, but even if I did I would like to play the devil’s advocate now and then. Every forum should have a variety of opinions and perspectives. How boring and useless if every comment was in agreement—if every topic was about stupid idiotic theisists and how horribly we have been victimized by religion.
Open-minded people are interested and curious about the opinions of others even when they disagree. I greatly enjoy talking with courageous, intelligent atheists. Please don’t run me off.
The meaning of life.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
I am in basic agreement, especially with your second paragraph.
But get ready for some withering flak from the hard core.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
I am in basic agreement, especially with your second paragraph.
But get ready for some withering flak from the hard core.
How annoyed do you get when a religious person give all credit to god, despite it was you that may ...
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
Wouldn’t bother me. I am God.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
Wouldn’t bother me. I am God.
Does anybody know more about this
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
When I was a child I remember seeing kids hobbling around with braces on their legs. I don’t see that now.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
When I was a child I remember seeing kids hobbling around with braces on their legs. I don’t see that now.
Everything happens for a reason
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
Everything does happen for a reason, but we might not know what that reason is. The universe is well-ordered.
This is the best of all possible worlds.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
Everything does happen for a reason, but we might not know what that reason is. The universe is well-ordered.
This is the best of all possible worlds.
Neuroscience for those in power..
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
How do you know that conscious awareness of self is caused by the brain? There is no consensus among scientists on that issue.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
How do you know that conscious awareness of self is caused by the brain? There is no consensus among scientists on that issue.
Anyone read Spook by Mary Roach?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
What’s the essence of the book? Sounds interesting.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 2, 2018:
What’s the essence of the book? Sounds interesting.
The meaning
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 1, 2018:
There are no people like that. Everyone is good part of the time. We are each other.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 1, 2018:
There are no people like that. Everyone is good part of the time. We are each other.
Is Globalisation loaded against the individual or a force for ‘good’?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 1, 2018:
World-wide trade is very good for everyone. All trade is beneficial. In some cases individuals have to adapt to a new economic climate, but long-term we all benefit.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 1, 2018:
World-wide trade is very good for everyone. All trade is beneficial. In some cases individuals have to adapt to a new economic climate, but long-term we all benefit.
Can science and religion both be right? - YouTuben science and religion both be right
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 1, 2018:
The deep essence of religion and the true spirit of science are complementary. When religion is all about belief or when science is about debunking ideas that conflict with a materialist/reductionist world view, that is when science and religion clash.
It’s not a question of science or religion. The real dichotomy is between those who are deeply aware and have open, searching minds, and those who cling to some sort of limited, dogmatic world view. Dogmatic beliefs can be couched in religious terminology or in scientific jargon.
It is noteworthy that half of scientists in the US believe in God.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 1, 2018:
The deep essence of religion and the true spirit of science are complementary. When religion is all about belief or when science is about debunking ideas that conflict with a materialist/reductionist world view, that is when science and religion clash.
It’s not a question of science or religion. The real dichotomy is between those who are deeply aware and have open, searching minds, and those who cling to some sort of limited, dogmatic world view. Dogmatic beliefs can be couched in religious terminology or in scientific jargon.
It is noteworthy that half of scientists in the US believe in God.
People Who Love 'Pseudo-Profound Bullsht' Are Less Likely to Give to Charity.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 1, 2018:
What I see here is the lumping together and condemnation of all concepts with which you disagree. The cause of the disagreement might be ignorance, but by labeling it all as pseudo-profound bullshit you get to stroke your ego and reinforce your ignorant beliefs.
“In light of the relatively small nature of the study's sample – and the limited pool of statements the participants were surveyed on – the researchers acknowledge the limitations of their experiment.”
And no standard deviation mentioned. Could this article itself be pseudo-profound bullshit.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 1, 2018:
What I see here is the lumping together and condemnation of all concepts with which you disagree. The cause of the disagreement might be ignorance, but by labeling it all as pseudo-profound bullshit you get to stroke your ego and reinforce your ignorant beliefs.
“In light of the relatively small nature of the study's sample – and the limited pool of statements the participants were surveyed on – the researchers acknowledge the limitations of their experiment.”
And no standard deviation mentioned. Could this article itself be pseudo-profound bullshit.
Unpopular Opinions
I know you got 'em, what are they?
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 1, 2018:
I lean toward a higher intelligence. That seems to be very unpopular on this site.
WilliamFleming comments on Oct 1, 2018:
I lean toward a higher intelligence. That seems to be very unpopular on this site.
It’s interesting that the antipathy toward religion on this site generally seems to be aimed at ...
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 30, 2018:
Most of us have had bad experiences with Christian Churches, and a degree of anger is sometimes justified in keeping us on course away from their clutches. In my case that anger has mellowed out and run its course—it’s a happier state of mind.
No Muslims, Buddhists, or Sikhs have bothered me so far.
I am in absolute love with Hindu religious philosophy.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 30, 2018:
Most of us have had bad experiences with Christian Churches, and a degree of anger is sometimes justified in keeping us on course away from their clutches. In my case that anger has mellowed out and run its course—it’s a happier state of mind.
No Muslims, Buddhists, or Sikhs have bothered me so far.
I am in absolute love with Hindu religious philosophy.
Do you think it is necessary to try to change people’s perspective about their beliefs or just get...
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 30, 2018:
It’s a great thing to express your opinions but you can’t change another person’s mind—only they can do that. In a truly open interchange all parties are trying to learn, and are amenable to change.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 30, 2018:
It’s a great thing to express your opinions but you can’t change another person’s mind—only they can do that. In a truly open interchange all parties are trying to learn, and are amenable to change.
I have an intuition that there's somehow a metaphysical power that brings order into the world.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 29, 2018:
I have that same intuition. The nature of that power is a dazzling mystery, and as you say, it’s not anything that can be proven.
Maybe it’s a mistake to objectify that power. Maybe that power is us collectively.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 29, 2018:
I have that same intuition. The nature of that power is a dazzling mystery, and as you say, it’s not anything that can be proven.
Maybe it’s a mistake to objectify that power. Maybe that power is us collectively.
Are we really smarter than animals.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 29, 2018:
I’m not so sure. Lenin and Stalin took away religion and replaced it with science, and the results were mixed. No doubt there were some advantages but the human religious impulse springs back.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 29, 2018:
I’m not so sure. Lenin and Stalin took away religion and replaced it with science, and the results were mixed. No doubt there were some advantages but the human religious impulse springs back.
Are you afraid of death?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 29, 2018:
There are all levels of fear and apprehension. Seems like almost everyone would feel a little bit of apprehension, but if you mean deep dread, there’s no reason for that.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 29, 2018:
There are all levels of fear and apprehension. Seems like almost everyone would feel a little bit of apprehension, but if you mean deep dread, there’s no reason for that.
Here is a poser.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 29, 2018:
That would not be legal in the US because under our constitution the power to declare war is reserved to the federal government.
You might get away with it in Canada. Are you going to try? :-)
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 29, 2018:
That would not be legal in the US because under our constitution the power to declare war is reserved to the federal government.
You might get away with it in Canada. Are you going to try? :-)
Just a question
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
IMO the best kind of religion is not about belief.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
IMO the best kind of religion is not about belief.
Do you think a boy really knows how to act with a girl and how does he learn that?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
I think we are born with a lot of knowledge.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
I think we are born with a lot of knowledge.
Reality In Review: Part Two
Your Reality Starts With.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
There is no proof for your premise no.1. If you are going to make such absolute statements you need to provide proof or suffer a loss of credibility. The way you say it sounds like nothing but religious-like faith on your part.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
There is no proof for your premise no.1. If you are going to make such absolute statements you need to provide proof or suffer a loss of credibility. The way you say it sounds like nothing but religious-like faith on your part.
Regarding God's Nonexistence
Presumably True Believers don't believe in the actual existence of ...
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
I don’t think I’m a true believer in the sense you are talking about but I don’t call myself an atheist either so maybe I’ll do. You seem to be talking mainly about Yahweh, the Semitic God of the Old Testament and I am an atheist with respect to Yahweh. But I am very fascinated with the concept of universal consciousness which is somewhat mirrored in the Hindu Brahman concept, or ultimate reality.
You ask why I don’t prove the concept of Brahman before I believe that concept. There is nothing to believe. There is an ultimate reality period. The nature of ultimate reality can not be proven or even understood on our human level based on a mater/space/time model as it is. I do not make any outright assertions about objective reality that require proof. I talk only about my own subjective experiences and sentiments. and those things belong to just me. I might share and discuss those ideas but I in no way propose that other people should follow suite. Each person has to find her own way forward. People look at the available evidence, and they often begin to lean toward certain spiritual ideas. They are under no requirements whatsoever to prove anything to anyone. If they are honest and courageous they will share their inner experiences but will not make bald faced assertions and expect agreement.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
I don’t think I’m a true believer in the sense you are talking about but I don’t call myself an atheist either so maybe I’ll do. You seem to be talking mainly about Yahweh, the Semitic God of the Old Testament and I am an atheist with respect to Yahweh. But I am very fascinated with the concept of universal consciousness which is somewhat mirrored in the Hindu Brahman concept, or ultimate reality.
You ask why I don’t prove the concept of Brahman before I believe that concept. There is nothing to believe. There is an ultimate reality period. The nature of ultimate reality can not be proven or even understood on our human level based on a mater/space/time model as it is. I do not make any outright assertions about objective reality that require proof. I talk only about my own subjective experiences and sentiments. and those things belong to just me. I might share and discuss those ideas but I in no way propose that other people should follow suite. Each person has to find her own way forward. People look at the available evidence, and they often begin to lean toward certain spiritual ideas. They are under no requirements whatsoever to prove anything to anyone. If they are honest and courageous they will share their inner experiences but will not make bald faced assertions and expect agreement.
I don't know what to do with my life.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
I remember being in your exact frame of mind long ago. I decided I needed a hobby and decided on soaring but I couldn’t afford it. Took a course in mountaineering, got very strong and fit and energetic and women were all over me and I got one and had children and it’s been downhill ever since or uphill depending on perspective.
When I was working I absolutely loved my chosen career and was very committed.
You sound like a good and intelligent guy and I hope you find happiness.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
I remember being in your exact frame of mind long ago. I decided I needed a hobby and decided on soaring but I couldn’t afford it. Took a course in mountaineering, got very strong and fit and energetic and women were all over me and I got one and had children and it’s been downhill ever since or uphill depending on perspective.
When I was working I absolutely loved my chosen career and was very committed.
You sound like a good and intelligent guy and I hope you find happiness.
Atheist everywhere!
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
Me, I’m open to spirituality. I embrace spirituality.
I get some flak about it but I don’t mind.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
Me, I’m open to spirituality. I embrace spirituality.
I get some flak about it but I don’t mind.
“She was raped at the age of 8.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
It’s a beautiful picture.
I’ll be on the lookout for that book.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
It’s a beautiful picture.
I’ll be on the lookout for that book.
When I was younger I was told (by a pastor) that the reason Christianity was the one true religion ...
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
I remember a guy telling me that the Bible is the only holy book that is the legitimate word of God. He knew that because it is so written in the Bible. Also Christianity is the only religion whose founder said that he was God. In his mind that made all the others false.
At this stage of my life I prefer to just cast a sidelong glance at such baloney and move on to the real world—vibrant, beautiful, mysterious miraculous.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 28, 2018:
I remember a guy telling me that the Bible is the only holy book that is the legitimate word of God. He knew that because it is so written in the Bible. Also Christianity is the only religion whose founder said that he was God. In his mind that made all the others false.
At this stage of my life I prefer to just cast a sidelong glance at such baloney and move on to the real world—vibrant, beautiful, mysterious miraculous.
“…the universe is governed by scientific laws.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 27, 2018:
The universe MIGHT be governed by NATURAL laws. That is just an assumption however. Science is merely mankind’s method of trying to understand nature. That method is limited and imperfect. The findings of science are superficial.
There is no supernatural but there is an aspect of nature that we can not understand in human terms. Might as well call It supernatural for all the difference.
My opinion.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 27, 2018:
The universe MIGHT be governed by NATURAL laws. That is just an assumption however. Science is merely mankind’s method of trying to understand nature. That method is limited and imperfect. The findings of science are superficial.
There is no supernatural but there is an aspect of nature that we can not understand in human terms. Might as well call It supernatural for all the difference.
My opinion.
A Natural Afterlife?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 27, 2018:
Our time concept is bogus. There’s no after, there is only now. We are in heaven all the time. Our self-identity as a particular body is also bogus. “We” are all of consciousness—we are everyone all the time.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 27, 2018:
Our time concept is bogus. There’s no after, there is only now. We are in heaven all the time. Our self-identity as a particular body is also bogus. “We” are all of consciousness—we are everyone all the time.
Reality In Review: Part One
Reality: Basic Premise.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 27, 2018:
“Supernatural reality where the laws, principles and relationships inherent in the physical sciences can be over-ruled.”
Those laws, principles and relationships are not inherent in science—they are inherent in nature. Science is merely one of mankind’s methods of learning about nature, and that method is limited and imperfect. In other words, the picture of reality presented by science is superficial. There is no such thing as the supernatural, but there is an aspect of nature that we can not understand and that makes no sense to our human minds.
For example, the concept of creation requires the concept of time—at one time there was nothing and at a later time there was something. But according to the latest scientific thinking time does not exist, there are no “things”, and space as we perceive it is an illusion, a crude symbolic representation of the quantum gravity field.
IMO Reality is over our heads. We are basically in abject ignorance. All we know is what we experience—conscious awareness, and we don’t know what that consists of. We don’t even know what we ourselves are.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 27, 2018:
“Supernatural reality where the laws, principles and relationships inherent in the physical sciences can be over-ruled.”
Those laws, principles and relationships are not inherent in science—they are inherent in nature. Science is merely one of mankind’s methods of learning about nature, and that method is limited and imperfect. In other words, the picture of reality presented by science is superficial. There is no such thing as the supernatural, but there is an aspect of nature that we can not understand and that makes no sense to our human minds.
For example, the concept of creation requires the concept of time—at one time there was nothing and at a later time there was something. But according to the latest scientific thinking time does not exist, there are no “things”, and space as we perceive it is an illusion, a crude symbolic representation of the quantum gravity field.
IMO Reality is over our heads. We are basically in abject ignorance. All we know is what we experience—conscious awareness, and we don’t know what that consists of. We don’t even know what we ourselves are.
Is scientific knowledge limited in principle?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 27, 2018:
I agree that there are limits to human knowledge. The things that we know, we know only superficially. We write some equations that model observed phenomena and let us see how some things in the world interact. The equations let us predict what will happen, but on a deep level we can not understand reality in human terms.
Superficial or not, knowledge is very valuable.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 27, 2018:
I agree that there are limits to human knowledge. The things that we know, we know only superficially. We write some equations that model observed phenomena and let us see how some things in the world interact. The equations let us predict what will happen, but on a deep level we can not understand reality in human terms.
Superficial or not, knowledge is very valuable.
Do I have free will?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 27, 2018:
For someone fifteen you ask hard questions.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 27, 2018:
For someone fifteen you ask hard questions.
Do I have free will?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 26, 2018:
I lean toward thinking that our bodies are automatons and that they have no conscious awareness. How can a bunch of particles stuck together have awareness? The idea makes no sense to me, and no one seems able to explain how it could happen. Without conscious awareness obviously there can be no free will. The body/brain makes choices based on instinct, learned behavior, mental analysis, or just randomness. A computerized robot can be made to do the same thing.
Yet we do have both conscious awareness and free will. It is something that we experience continually. If you have direct experience of free will and awareness how can you say it doesn’t exist? Of course it exists. Perhaps it is all that exists.
The question becomes, “What are we?”
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 26, 2018:
I lean toward thinking that our bodies are automatons and that they have no conscious awareness. How can a bunch of particles stuck together have awareness? The idea makes no sense to me, and no one seems able to explain how it could happen. Without conscious awareness obviously there can be no free will. The body/brain makes choices based on instinct, learned behavior, mental analysis, or just randomness. A computerized robot can be made to do the same thing.
Yet we do have both conscious awareness and free will. It is something that we experience continually. If you have direct experience of free will and awareness how can you say it doesn’t exist? Of course it exists. Perhaps it is all that exists.
The question becomes, “What are we?”
In today's society,though it is true that one must confront common reality to exist in this mortal ...
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 26, 2018:
Great post! Just about every creative work of mankind started out as speculation or metaphysical pondering. There is not one reason under the sun to refrain from such activity. If anyone on here metaphorically tries to burn you at the stake I’ll come to your rescue.
***********************************************************
Horst: Wie Gates Al?
Al: OK. I’m thinking about what would happen if I traveled along with a beam of light. There’s some interesting things like time dilation. I’m wondering if the idea of the aether is incorrect.
Horst: THERES NOT A SHRED OF EVIDENCE for such woo woo ideas. The existence of the aether is a proven part of settled science.Everything to be known about nature has been explained by physics. You get me some evidence boy or I’m gonna have to apply Hitchens razor. THE BURDEN OF PROOF IS ON YOU!
Al: Well gee, it’s just something I’m turning over in my mind, and I think something might come from it.
Horst: Bull scheiss! Stick with proven facts!
***********************************************************
Donald, I’m going to follow you.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 26, 2018:
Great post! Just about every creative work of mankind started out as speculation or metaphysical pondering. There is not one reason under the sun to refrain from such activity. If anyone on here metaphorically tries to burn you at the stake I’ll come to your rescue.
***********************************************************
Horst: Wie Gates Al?
Al: OK. I’m thinking about what would happen if I traveled along with a beam of light. There’s some interesting things like time dilation. I’m wondering if the idea of the aether is incorrect.
Horst: THERES NOT A SHRED OF EVIDENCE for such woo woo ideas. The existence of the aether is a proven part of settled science.Everything to be known about nature has been explained by physics. You get me some evidence boy or I’m gonna have to apply Hitchens razor. THE BURDEN OF PROOF IS ON YOU!
Al: Well gee, it’s just something I’m turning over in my mind, and I think something might come from it.
Horst: Bull scheiss! Stick with proven facts!
***********************************************************
Donald, I’m going to follow you.
Where Did the Universe Come From?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 26, 2018:
According to current quantum theories of physics, time does not exist. See Carlo Rovelli’s book “Reality is Not What it Seems”. If time is merely an illusion “come from” is not a meaningful concept, and your question can not be answered, especially not within the framework of our matter/space/time model. Although we do not understand ultimate reality, IMO we can experience just a glimmer of the staggering implications of existence.
Have you read about “Conscious Realism”, a theory of Donald Hoffman, a cognitive scientist? I think you might enjoy reading about his ideas.
My opinion is that the doctrines set forth by traditional Christian Churches are erroneous and harmful, especially when fear and guilt are used to get people to say that they “believe”. But the setting forth of false doctrines in no way addresses or invalidates the God question. Questions about ultimate reality are valid and worthy of our utmost attention.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 26, 2018:
According to current quantum theories of physics, time does not exist. See Carlo Rovelli’s book “Reality is Not What it Seems”. If time is merely an illusion “come from” is not a meaningful concept, and your question can not be answered, especially not within the framework of our matter/space/time model. Although we do not understand ultimate reality, IMO we can experience just a glimmer of the staggering implications of existence.
Have you read about “Conscious Realism”, a theory of Donald Hoffman, a cognitive scientist? I think you might enjoy reading about his ideas.
My opinion is that the doctrines set forth by traditional Christian Churches are erroneous and harmful, especially when fear and guilt are used to get people to say that they “believe”. But the setting forth of false doctrines in no way addresses or invalidates the God question. Questions about ultimate reality are valid and worthy of our utmost attention.
From my experience there are large numbers of people that will not come out and call themselves an ...
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 25, 2018:
I am an atheist with respect to the mythical pagan gods of old, and I am an atheist with respect to Yahweh, the God of the Bible. But I do not call myself an atheist or agnostic in general because I lean toward the idea of universal consciousness— something like Brahman or ultimate reality. I can’t see how labeling myself with respect to such a concept would be helpful or meaningful. The idea intrigues me greatly and makes me shiver in awe, but there is no rational proof—it is purely a subjective experience which requires no proof.
In a sense it seems kind of artificial to identify as either a believer or nonbeliever when no one can understand the thing to be believed or to be disbelieved. We can’t even understand what we ourselves are, and we have little idea about the nature of conscious awareness, which frames our every experience. Our perception of reality is merely symbolic. Why waste time stewing over belief when we could be basking in the overwhelming miracle of existence?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 25, 2018:
I am an atheist with respect to the mythical pagan gods of old, and I am an atheist with respect to Yahweh, the God of the Bible. But I do not call myself an atheist or agnostic in general because I lean toward the idea of universal consciousness— something like Brahman or ultimate reality. I can’t see how labeling myself with respect to such a concept would be helpful or meaningful. The idea intrigues me greatly and makes me shiver in awe, but there is no rational proof—it is purely a subjective experience which requires no proof.
In a sense it seems kind of artificial to identify as either a believer or nonbeliever when no one can understand the thing to be believed or to be disbelieved. We can’t even understand what we ourselves are, and we have little idea about the nature of conscious awareness, which frames our every experience. Our perception of reality is merely symbolic. Why waste time stewing over belief when we could be basking in the overwhelming miracle of existence?
For the ones who are spiritual, which and what do you believe and how did you come to believe it
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 24, 2018:
Spirituality is not much concerned with belief or disbelief. Spirituality comes from deep awareness and appreciation for the higher and truer reality beyond the senses. Spiritual people live in joy and gratitude because they are not afraid to face the staggering, overpowering implications of the mystery and beauty of existence.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 24, 2018:
Spirituality is not much concerned with belief or disbelief. Spirituality comes from deep awareness and appreciation for the higher and truer reality beyond the senses. Spiritual people live in joy and gratitude because they are not afraid to face the staggering, overpowering implications of the mystery and beauty of existence.
Cooperation is contagious
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 24, 2018:
“Our findings challenge all evolutionary models of cooperation that assume fixed social types. Consistent with models stressing the importance of contingent reciprocity, cultural learning, and social norms [27, 28, 29], we find that individuals’ cooperative behavior is best predicted by the cooperativeness of their neighbors. The findings highlight the flexible nature of human cooperation and the remarkable capacity of humans to respond adaptively to their social environments.”
Maybe a study should be done to determine why many Social Science professors have evolved to believe that humans are basically automatons and that human behavior is only a result of genetic shuffling and natural selection. Perhaps we could study their choice of marriage partners and analyze how the belief has come down through families. Questionnaires could be sent to the various universities to poll the professors and determine if the belief tends to be more rampant at some universities, which would indicate the clumping effect. (Jimplok 2011) DNA tests could be given to determine the degree of kinship of the professors where clumping was indicated.
An alternate theory is that the professors are endowed with conscious awareness and free will, and are thus able to analyze and select beliefs and behaviors that are true and helpful. If professors are so capable, why should not other people be capable, and why should the professors not observe that fact.
Preliminary studies indicate that the belief may not be as fixed as was previously thought, (See above quote) Perhaps the professors are beginning to learn.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 24, 2018:
“Our findings challenge all evolutionary models of cooperation that assume fixed social types. Consistent with models stressing the importance of contingent reciprocity, cultural learning, and social norms [27, 28, 29], we find that individuals’ cooperative behavior is best predicted by the cooperativeness of their neighbors. The findings highlight the flexible nature of human cooperation and the remarkable capacity of humans to respond adaptively to their social environments.”
Maybe a study should be done to determine why many Social Science professors have evolved to believe that humans are basically automatons and that human behavior is only a result of genetic shuffling and natural selection. Perhaps we could study their choice of marriage partners and analyze how the belief has come down through families. Questionnaires could be sent to the various universities to poll the professors and determine if the belief tends to be more rampant at some universities, which would indicate the clumping effect. (Jimplok 2011) DNA tests could be given to determine the degree of kinship of the professors where clumping was indicated.
An alternate theory is that the professors are endowed with conscious awareness and free will, and are thus able to analyze and select beliefs and behaviors that are true and helpful. If professors are so capable, why should not other people be capable, and why should the professors not observe that fact.
Preliminary studies indicate that the belief may not be as fixed as was previously thought, (See above quote) Perhaps the professors are beginning to learn.
When defining your reality remember it is yours and not everyone's so do not become solicitous.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 23, 2018:
We all have different genetic makeups and we have had different experiences, so it makes sense that the personal realities that we create by thought are different. We must logically respect each other.
So far as that greater reality of which we are all a part, that is a very deep and awe inspiring mystery.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 23, 2018:
We all have different genetic makeups and we have had different experiences, so it makes sense that the personal realities that we create by thought are different. We must logically respect each other.
So far as that greater reality of which we are all a part, that is a very deep and awe inspiring mystery.
What if a God was proven real. Would you worship that god?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 23, 2018:
I am with you totally. But if this God were proven real it would not be labeled as a god. It would be a part of nature, a part previously unknown, and would be given a new name, such as quantum consciousness or something.
Hopefully science will continue to learn some of the deep secrets of nature. We might find out things ABOUT “God” but IMO humans will never know God completely.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 23, 2018:
I am with you totally. But if this God were proven real it would not be labeled as a god. It would be a part of nature, a part previously unknown, and would be given a new name, such as quantum consciousness or something.
Hopefully science will continue to learn some of the deep secrets of nature. We might find out things ABOUT “God” but IMO humans will never know God completely.
I met someone on a different site.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 23, 2018:
IMO the display of Confederate flags means little or nothing in most cases, except maybe as a cry for attention. It certainly has nothing to do with national allegiance.
I give it about the same importance as a football banner. Have a big reaction and you play right into their hands.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 23, 2018:
IMO the display of Confederate flags means little or nothing in most cases, except maybe as a cry for attention. It certainly has nothing to do with national allegiance.
I give it about the same importance as a football banner. Have a big reaction and you play right into their hands.
The one thing we all have in common is that we don't buy into organized religion, however, is there ...
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 23, 2018:
I am very intrigued with the Brahman concept as expressed in Hindu scriptures. Also I am a member of a New Thought Church—no atheist am I.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 23, 2018:
I am very intrigued with the Brahman concept as expressed in Hindu scriptures. Also I am a member of a New Thought Church—no atheist am I.
In history, Christianity has been associated with the Crusades, the Inquisitions, the justification ...
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 23, 2018:
My opinion is that on balance religions have done more good than harm. First and foremost, they have met the needs of their members for a sense of community and of belonging.
Then, there’s the cultivation of mankind’s deep awe and curiosity about the metaphysical questions of existence. Even when religious doctrines are wrong and off-base, they still tend to nurture the religious impulse and give value to life. I think that without religion there’d never have been science.
Also, religions have promoted upright, moral behavior, a benefit to any society, and in addition they have provided schools, welfare, hospitals, etc.
Just about every society that survived long has had religion of some sort. It’s survival of the fittest, that is to say, evolution at work.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 23, 2018:
My opinion is that on balance religions have done more good than harm. First and foremost, they have met the needs of their members for a sense of community and of belonging.
Then, there’s the cultivation of mankind’s deep awe and curiosity about the metaphysical questions of existence. Even when religious doctrines are wrong and off-base, they still tend to nurture the religious impulse and give value to life. I think that without religion there’d never have been science.
Also, religions have promoted upright, moral behavior, a benefit to any society, and in addition they have provided schools, welfare, hospitals, etc.
Just about every society that survived long has had religion of some sort. It’s survival of the fittest, that is to say, evolution at work.
"I guess it would be nice to give my heart to a God
But which one, which one do I choose?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 23, 2018:
It’s an eerily beautiful video. Wow!
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 23, 2018:
It’s an eerily beautiful video. Wow!
Do you agree with stem cell research?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 22, 2018:
Absolutely!
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 22, 2018:
Absolutely!
shoes laces or slip-ons?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 22, 2018:
I’d go barefoot half the year if it wasn’t for fire ants.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 22, 2018:
I’d go barefoot half the year if it wasn’t for fire ants.
See it all the time.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 21, 2018:
Please note that from our perspective we ourselves are always the ones who have truth and it is always the others who have illusions.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 21, 2018:
Please note that from our perspective we ourselves are always the ones who have truth and it is always the others who have illusions.
Maybe this has been posted before but as the holidays approach, it may be well worth it to ask ...
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 21, 2018:
The better teachings of Christ and other great teachers embraced in an intuitive way would be alright.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 21, 2018:
The better teachings of Christ and other great teachers embraced in an intuitive way would be alright.
A word from Socrates worth thinking about.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 21, 2018:
Sometimes when people lose arguments they resort to slander.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 21, 2018:
Sometimes when people lose arguments they resort to slander.
Absolutely true!!!
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 21, 2018:
“Lucifer” is a Latin word for “morning star”. There were some big mixups in translation.
http://www.lds-mormon.com/lucifer.shtml
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 21, 2018:
“Lucifer” is a Latin word for “morning star”. There were some big mixups in translation.
http://www.lds-mormon.com/lucifer.shtml
Is the human embryo sacred or something special ?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 21, 2018:
Professor Wyatt is thinking that we are our bodies, and that is getting him in trouble, off on an irrational course IMO. No human body or any organism is worth much because bodies are manufactured at more than a sufficient rate. Sure, embryos are sacred, but everything is sacred. Human bodies belong to the natural world and are subject to nature’s laws. Every acorn does not become an oak tree—there’s not enough room.
IMO Conscious Awareness desires a river of organisms with which to interact, but the fate of a single organism is of little concern—organisms are temporary by design. They are also nothing but robots, finely made but unaware and without free will, a sense of beauty, or love.
Embryos are under the total control of the manufacturer until such time as conscious awareness takes possession of the product. After that she has no say.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 21, 2018:
Professor Wyatt is thinking that we are our bodies, and that is getting him in trouble, off on an irrational course IMO. No human body or any organism is worth much because bodies are manufactured at more than a sufficient rate. Sure, embryos are sacred, but everything is sacred. Human bodies belong to the natural world and are subject to nature’s laws. Every acorn does not become an oak tree—there’s not enough room.
IMO Conscious Awareness desires a river of organisms with which to interact, but the fate of a single organism is of little concern—organisms are temporary by design. They are also nothing but robots, finely made but unaware and without free will, a sense of beauty, or love.
Embryos are under the total control of the manufacturer until such time as conscious awareness takes possession of the product. After that she has no say.
Growing up in casual association with the Baptist Church in the Heart of Dixie in the 1950s, I had a...
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 20, 2018:
Thank for this post Skado. It’s pleasant to read something positive. For the most part my experience parallels yours. Even today, I run into the old church folks and they greet me warmly.
It really irks me to read news articles that refer to the “evangelical” vote. At our church there were all kinds of political opinions but politics was seldom discussed or even mentioned. Some sleazy politicians do use religion to worm their way into office—maybe that’s where the idea comes from.
In addition to the positive things, I also remember some very emotional appeals to come forward, accept Christ and be saved from eternal damnation. I actually went through the motions in a half-hearted way after a sexy girl talked me into it. After I moved on, some years later I was angry for a long time, but at this point, I acknowledge my own complicity, and I recognize also the positive aspects of the church.
IMO the basic premises of Christianity as presented by traditional churches are erroneous, but the people involved are admirable and beautiful.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 20, 2018:
Thank for this post Skado. It’s pleasant to read something positive. For the most part my experience parallels yours. Even today, I run into the old church folks and they greet me warmly.
It really irks me to read news articles that refer to the “evangelical” vote. At our church there were all kinds of political opinions but politics was seldom discussed or even mentioned. Some sleazy politicians do use religion to worm their way into office—maybe that’s where the idea comes from.
In addition to the positive things, I also remember some very emotional appeals to come forward, accept Christ and be saved from eternal damnation. I actually went through the motions in a half-hearted way after a sexy girl talked me into it. After I moved on, some years later I was angry for a long time, but at this point, I acknowledge my own complicity, and I recognize also the positive aspects of the church.
IMO the basic premises of Christianity as presented by traditional churches are erroneous, but the people involved are admirable and beautiful.
With the Catholic church reports of abuse in so many areas of the world, does anyone see actual ...
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 19, 2018:
There’s a big decline.
https://www.axios.com/catholic-church-faces-ominous-decline-5cc11529-860d-470d-a2e2-5fe12b89ad81.html
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 19, 2018:
There’s a big decline.
https://www.axios.com/catholic-church-faces-ominous-decline-5cc11529-860d-470d-a2e2-5fe12b89ad81.html
Be it religion or capitalism pure or adulterated it's always about monopolies and submission.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 19, 2018:
So called capitalism is not about monopolies at all. It’s about trading in goods and services, and has nothing in common with religion.
Monopolies, or near monopolies come and go, but in general, business organizations tend to become larger for a good reason: efficiency. New technology along with modern transportation and communication enable economy of scale, and everyone benefits from that.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 19, 2018:
So called capitalism is not about monopolies at all. It’s about trading in goods and services, and has nothing in common with religion.
Monopolies, or near monopolies come and go, but in general, business organizations tend to become larger for a good reason: efficiency. New technology along with modern transportation and communication enable economy of scale, and everyone benefits from that.
Here at work.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 19, 2018:
Check out the Brahman concept.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 19, 2018:
Check out the Brahman concept.
Bathing Myself... or bathing my Self?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
Does meditation count?
Mowing the grass?
Walking in the woods?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
Does meditation count?
Mowing the grass?
Walking in the woods?
Universal Basic Income(in the near future)? And why you feel this way
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
It’s a great idea but it has to be on solid economic footing. First balance the budget and pay off the national debt. Build up a huge public trust fund, invested in stocks and bonds. At some point there’d be no need to tax. Later, each citizen could receive dividends—just enough for subsistence. All social programs could be ended.
With robots taking over jobs something like that might be necessary. Hopefully, by that time our sick, bloated healthcare system will have died and something better will be in place.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
It’s a great idea but it has to be on solid economic footing. First balance the budget and pay off the national debt. Build up a huge public trust fund, invested in stocks and bonds. At some point there’d be no need to tax. Later, each citizen could receive dividends—just enough for subsistence. All social programs could be ended.
With robots taking over jobs something like that might be necessary. Hopefully, by that time our sick, bloated healthcare system will have died and something better will be in place.
This is interesting to me.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
It would make me nervous as all get-out. That kind of caricature has got to be offensive to Blacks.
Let’s go with mutual respect.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
It would make me nervous as all get-out. That kind of caricature has got to be offensive to Blacks.
Let’s go with mutual respect.
Does the idea of heaven that you have heard discribed appeal to you?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
What I heard was that we are in heaven right now, all the time. If we can’t see heaven it is because we are blinded by negative, untrue, judgmental thoughts or by mind-chatter, possibly brought on by watching television.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
What I heard was that we are in heaven right now, all the time. If we can’t see heaven it is because we are blinded by negative, untrue, judgmental thoughts or by mind-chatter, possibly brought on by watching television.
What would you do if trumper is reelected?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
I will support whomever is legally elected. That’s what democracy is about.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
I will support whomever is legally elected. That’s what democracy is about.
The Germanic languages as they are roughly distributed throughout Europe as of 2018.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
Very interesting. I didn’t know there were so many variations.
In addition, world-wide there’s English spoken around the world of course. Those Germanic tribes made their mark on the world.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
Very interesting. I didn’t know there were so many variations.
In addition, world-wide there’s English spoken around the world of course. Those Germanic tribes made their mark on the world.
Yahoo, I got next year's firewood. That'll keep me busy for a while.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
Looks like some spruce and birch. It stands to reason that a Canadian would need lots of firewood.
My heater is a Drolet, made in Quebec, and is very efficient, but at our latitude we don’t need much wood. We could almost get by on pecan limbs that fall, but also the woods are full of good oak.
Beautiful picture.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
Looks like some spruce and birch. It stands to reason that a Canadian would need lots of firewood.
My heater is a Drolet, made in Quebec, and is very efficient, but at our latitude we don’t need much wood. We could almost get by on pecan limbs that fall, but also the woods are full of good oak.
Beautiful picture.
Do you think that living in a foreign country for a long period of time changes people?
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
I think that whatever you do that puts you in contact with a greater world will change you and broaden your perspectives. Just being in the army taught me respect for all types of people. If you lived out on a farm and never even went to town, by necessity your opinions would be mostly based on stereotypes.
There are narrow-minded liberals as well as conservatives. Those harping about the evils of capitalism might change their tune if they spent time in Cuba or North Korea.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 18, 2018:
I think that whatever you do that puts you in contact with a greater world will change you and broaden your perspectives. Just being in the army taught me respect for all types of people. If you lived out on a farm and never even went to town, by necessity your opinions would be mostly based on stereotypes.
There are narrow-minded liberals as well as conservatives. Those harping about the evils of capitalism might change their tune if they spent time in Cuba or North Korea.
Asshole Yankees.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 17, 2018:
Old DT is your quintessential New Yorker, loud, brash and egotistical.
I’m surprised New Yorkers don’t support their man.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 17, 2018:
Old DT is your quintessential New Yorker, loud, brash and egotistical.
I’m surprised New Yorkers don’t support their man.
The Middle Way Society: Agnosticism
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 17, 2018:
I’m all for the middle way, and thanks for the link. I’m going to save that. I have the problem of not knowing if agnosticism is the middle way for me with respect to the existence of God. There’s a plethora of mythical gods out there, such as Thor, etc. and with respect to those I am a hard atheist—also the Semitic god Yahweh of the Old Testament I disbelieve.
Hindus have put forth the Brahman, which I take not to be a God, but to be a metaphysical concept of ultimate reality. What is a person to do with such a concept? Does ultimate reality exist? Of course, but we are almost totally in the dark about the nature of that ultimate reality. Belief or disbelief is inappropriate. About all we can do is wonder and marvel, realizing that the world of our senses is an illusion but that behind the stage is a grand but mysterious reality.
The implications of that hidden reality are absolutely staggering. For that reason I don’t like to mess around with agnosticism, atheism, theism, or belief or disbelief of any kind. Those concepts simply don’t apply IMO.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 17, 2018:
I’m all for the middle way, and thanks for the link. I’m going to save that. I have the problem of not knowing if agnosticism is the middle way for me with respect to the existence of God. There’s a plethora of mythical gods out there, such as Thor, etc. and with respect to those I am a hard atheist—also the Semitic god Yahweh of the Old Testament I disbelieve.
Hindus have put forth the Brahman, which I take not to be a God, but to be a metaphysical concept of ultimate reality. What is a person to do with such a concept? Does ultimate reality exist? Of course, but we are almost totally in the dark about the nature of that ultimate reality. Belief or disbelief is inappropriate. About all we can do is wonder and marvel, realizing that the world of our senses is an illusion but that behind the stage is a grand but mysterious reality.
The implications of that hidden reality are absolutely staggering. For that reason I don’t like to mess around with agnosticism, atheism, theism, or belief or disbelief of any kind. Those concepts simply don’t apply IMO.
Creationism isn't just wrong scientifically and historically, it's also wrong ethically and morally.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 17, 2018:
You seem angry.
WilliamFleming comments on Sep 17, 2018:
You seem angry.
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