Religion anyone?
-
So, I'm sitting here drinking my first espresso and it occurs to me that God must use some kind of theological 'SketchUp-like' modelling program for all this creating he does. Hey, six days is a pretty tight deadline, (there are guys on this forum who have been struggling with a bathroom for weeks). Then, there's Adam and Eve, unless he just downloaded them from some devine version of 'Poser', a snake, dinosaurs, a really big garden...
Whew...I wonder what they talk about on that forum? -
modelhead, I am really interested in a more detailed description of your personal faith. what you wrote so far seems to be close to what I myself came up with to evade the necessity to believe in a god as proposed in christian religion. I am not brave enough to not believe in anything, you know. I need to explain something, otherwise I am too afraid of death and that my life was utterly useless.
I will give you a short outline of what I believe in. and I would very much like you all to tear it apart. its still a "work in progress"...
according to my theory every being has a spirit, an energy field, that is shaped and influenced in it's quality by emotions, thoughts, feelings. everyone and everything has such a spirit, an aura - humans, animals, plants; even a stone emits a certain energy, although not nearly as vivid and defined, as a human's.
the sum of all these energy fields on earth is what many religions would describe as "God".
so the spirits are not completely separated from each other, like golf balls in a big box, but affect each other, permeate one another, a bit like a sponge soaked with paint, flowing in water. paint within the sponge can mingle with the surrounding water and influence it, but most of it will still be kept within the sponge.
when a person dies, it is as if the sponge dissolves. for some time there will still be a concentration of the release colour. but soon currents in the water will drive it apart until it is spread evenly throughout a huge area, having changed the overall colour of the ocean a bit but not being distinguishable from it's surroundings - it now is a part of it's surroundings.this idea explains why even small children can be so different in character. when the embryo grows, it soaks in all influences around it, the emotions of the mother, feelings of other people, flora and fauna; even the whole tinge of a people. our spirits are constantly refined throughout our whole life and we ourselves influence other spirits. when we die, our energy is released and all our emotions, positive and negative, will dye the world around us. that means, if our live was defined by love, care, and friendly feelings, even after our death we will spread these emotions rather than anger, hate, despair.
sometimes someone may not be ready at all to die, because there is a very important matter that has to be resolved, it may happen, that a spirit or only one very strong emotion of it stays rather concentrated. this energy field may be bound to a certain place (a cruel murder for example may leave such an emotion behind). sensitive people may feel the influence of it and describe in the need to explain it, describe it as a "Ghost", haunting the place.
sometimes there are such concentrations, but of positive energy, that are (like a magnet) drawn towards areas, where dark feelings are dominant. like electricity it is their "desire" to balance the charge. these positive energy fields may be felt by humans that are in great despair, giving them hope. often these people explain it to others as having seen an "Angel"we influence our surroundings and are being influenced in return. that means, spreading an emotion, may cause a reaction within the sum of all spirits. that is, why praying does make sense. if I pray for someone who suffers from a disease for example (it is not important, if I pray to God, Allah, Buddah or just send positive thoughts) this energy will influence the person, give him or her hope and strength to find the energy to recover.
well, I could go on for hours. many ideas occurring in other religions can be explained with this model. therefore it is quite comfortable, because it evades conflict - it is close to physical laws like electricity, but still gives you the opportunity to "believe". and above all it does what every religion is for - it makes you feel secure!
-
paris, theyre probably still talking about SU7
-
Plot,
I couldn't resist responding here
@unknownuser said:
according to my theory every being has a spirit, an energy field, that is shaped and influenced in it's quality by emotions, thoughts, feelings.
I think most spiritual teachers / traditions--here I am talking about mystics, not religionists--to make a big generalization... would see it differently. The spirit or soul is usually considered not to be shaped by the emotions, but the individual as a physical being is. On the extreme mechanistic view, we are seeing that simple chemicals can cause radical differences in our emotions. The spirit is considered more abiding.
The Hindus have an interesting analogy. The Soul is the passenger in the chariot of the Body (some might say "Mind"). It is certainly along for the ride. Some say it is "the observer". Intelligence drives the chariot and the Senses are the horses. As you might know from your own senses, it can be a wild ride--they're hard to handle. But does the essential nature of the Soul change so easily?
Buddhist too speak of a state that is beyond this illusion. While they are generally very clear on "be here now", they don't teach that this experience of the emotions is your original being.
Just a caveat, in case you haven't looked into these sort of teachings for yourself yet.
-
From some of the comments here... you might enjoy the podcast "Mr. Diety". Others will hate it.
@paris said:
So, I'm sitting here drinking my first espresso and it occurs to me that God must use some kind of theological 'SketchUp-like' modelling program for all this creating he does. Hey, six days is a pretty tight deadline, (there are guys on this forum who have been struggling with a bathroom for weeks). Then, there's Adam and Eve, unless he just downloaded them from some devine version of 'Poser', a snake, dinosaurs, a really big garden...
Whew...I wonder what they talk about on that forum? -
@paris said:
So, I'm sitting here drinking my first espresso and it occurs to me that God must use some kind of theological 'SketchUp-like' modelling program for all this creating he does. Hey, six days is a pretty tight deadline, (there are guys on this forum who have been struggling with a bathroom for weeks). Then, there's Adam and Eve, unless he just downloaded them from some devine version of 'Poser', a snake, dinosaurs, a really big garden...
Whew...I wonder what they talk about on that forum?Probably something like this:
'Well, first up, welcome to the forum, god.
Not a bad effort for a newbie but as your probably aware by now, creating a universe isnt as easy as it looks!
For one thing, I dont thinks you have the light and darkness balance right, but some of the renders are very nice indeed and show lots of promise!!
So keep up the good work and were looking forward to seeing something a bit better thought out in the future!!' -
@pbacot said:
From some of the comments here... you might enjoy the podcast "Mr. Diety". Others will hate it.
I just watched every podcast of Mr. Deity. Thanks for the tip, pbacot; I had never heard of this before. Very very funny. For those who don't know, go to crackle.com and do a search. There are 19 total episodes (each about 4 minutes) spanning 2 seasons.
-
@rickw said:
@tim said:
@unknownuser said:
The available evidence fits a "God created basic types with the ability to adapt and change within set parameters" theory as well as it fits a macroevolution theory.
No, it doesn't. Not even close. Evidently your claim to have studied is not very serious.
So what evidence falls outside a "God created basic types with the ability to adapt and change within set parameters" theory?
Just about all of it. Read some actual biology texts - and I don't mean the 'answers in genesis' crap. Learn some actual physics, so you don't fall prey to the moronic claims about "ooh the 2nd Law Of Thermodynamics means evolution is impossible".
As an attempt to explain in a simple manner that relies on as little a priori knowledge as possible -
a) if entities reproduce in a manner that occasionally makes mistakes
b) if living entities compete for resources in order to survive and reproduce, then
c) if the results of those mistakes that are either neutral or even slightly beneficial are carried through in the reproduction process (see a)
then evolution is inevitable, inescapable and will result in compounding changes over reproductive generations. -
@tim said:
@rickw said:
So what evidence falls outside a "God created basic types with the ability to adapt and change within set parameters" theory?
Just about all of it. Read some actual biology texts - and I don't mean the 'answers in genesis' crap. Learn some actual physics, so you don't fall prey to the moronic claims about "ooh the 2nd Law Of Thermodynamics means evolution is impossible".
As an attempt to explain in a simple manner that relies on as little a priori knowledge as possible -
a) if entities reproduce in a manner that occasionally makes mistakes
b) if living entities compete for resources in order to survive and reproduce, then
c) if the results of those mistakes that are either neutral or even slightly beneficial are carried through in the reproduction process (see a)
then evolution is inevitable, inescapable and will result in compounding changes over reproductive generations.I've read many articles on both sides of the issue, including some so-called "real" biology texts. I've even studied physics (gasp!), though not, admittedly, as my major field of study, just as part of it. So, if you don't mind, please dispense with the irrelevant personal remarks - I understand your disdain for my point of view just fine without them.
The first problem with that thought is the assumption that the mistakes can even be neutral or beneficial. Mistakes big enough to cause a significant change usually result in sterility, eliminating the possibility of inheriting the change. The second problem is that, assuming there was such a beneficial change that did not result in sterility, unless the same mistake happened twice (or became a dominant genetic trait), and the two recipients reproduced together, the trait would be watered down or recessive, waiting for a second recessive gene in the reproduction cycle for the change to reappear. Meanwhile, advantage lost. Third, even where observable changes have resulted among distinct populations, the groups are still identifiable as a variant of the original type - changes happen within the bounds for that type. Finally, there's still no solid evidence that this has actually resulted in other kingdoms, phyla, classes, orders, or families. In fact, Christopher Schwabe wrote in 1986: "Molecular evolution is about to be accepted as a method superior to paleontology for the discovery of evolutionary relationships. As a molecular evolutionist I should be elated. Instead it seems disconcerting that many exceptions exist to the orderly progression of species as determined by molecular homologies; so many, in fact, that I think the exception, the quirks, may carry the more important message."
He believed that polyphyletic evolution (many origin-of-life events) was more likely, based on the evidence, than was monophyletic evolution (universal common ancestry).
An evolutionist who doubts universal common ancestry. Interesting...
-
Selfish Gene is good place to start. It outlines a 'gene-centric' mode of Natural Selection driven evolution that appears to be wholely rational and without the need of 'intelligent - creator/creators'. People confuse evolution and Natural Selection quite often. Evolution as understood by things changing (adapt) overtime is one thing. Evolutionary theory of Natural Selection is a specific theory regarding how evolution may take place on its own (I.e. without the need of devine interference). Evolution meaning change is easily grasped by most, Natural Selection unfortunately isn't.
Whenever I talk to relgious people about evolution. I get the feeling they just didn't pay enough attention to grasp the finer points of Natural Selection.
-
How does polyphyletic evolution undermine that there is no need for intelligent creator/creators?
-
I think, evolution through natural selection makes quite some sense. just take this (a bit ridiculous
) example
I think it is obvious, that one of the animals, born with a "deformation" will be favoured in this specific environment and therefore has a bigger chance to survive - and to reproduce...
-
Interesting post bruce.
And on a lighter note:
-
Never let the facts get in the way of a good joke, as they say.
-
If the poster was accurate, it would be funnier.
@unknownuser said:
The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man.
- That there is one only God, and he all perfect.
- That there is a future state of rewards and punishments.
- That to love God with all thy heart and thy neighbor as thyself, is the sum of religion.
@unknownuser said:
I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God governs in the affairs of men.
@unknownuser said:
That I am not a member of any Christian church is true; but I have never denied the truth of the Scriptures; and I have never spoken with intentional disrespect of religion in general, or of any denomination of Christians in particular....I do not think I could myself be brought to support a man for office whom I knew to be an open enemy of, or scoffer at, religion. [July 31, 1846]
@unknownuser said:
I'm not an atheist. I don't think I can call myself a pantheist. The problem involved is too vast for our limited minds. 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.
-
@unknownuser said:
To argue that things remain static or are not capable of taking on unique characteristics over time strikes me as being very dark, cold and closed, somewhat prison like (at least as i can imagine it).
I didn't argue that, or even imply it - unless you consider "the ability to adapt and change within set parameters" to be a static condition.
As for the rest, my condolences to you that you were introduced to a "depressing" faith. Mine is quite the opposite.
remus:
I understand, it's all in good fun. I guess it wouldn't be as impressive with only 4 faces...plot-paris: I understand the image, and it makes sense - until you consider Mr. Long-neck bending down to get a drink of water: the pumping force of the heart, necessary to send blood the great distance to his brain when upright, would kill him instantly when his head went down. Mr. Short-neck would not have that problem. So, who has the advantage? The one who can eat but not drink, or the one that can drink and find a lower tree?
all: I'll repeat my earlier statement that I respect the rights of others to hold a different view.
-
remus: I understand, it's all in good fun. I guess it wouldn't be as impressive with only 4 faces...
RickW, no way to quote you
in the phrase i wanted. Sorry. 
-
@chango70 said:
How does polyphyletic evolution undermine that there is no need for intelligent creator/creators?
Polyphyletic evolution asserts many different biogenesis events that led to the different types (kingdoms, phyla, classes, orders, families) with microevolution providing the variety within the families. This is more in line with creation (God created many different types that all had the capacity for variety within their kind) than is monophyletic evolution, the main difference being the origins of the initial life forms. But since neither polyphyletic nor monophyletic evolution deal with the origins of life, just what happened after life arose, there is still a need for an explanation of the origins of life - something too complex, in my view, to not have been intentional and designed.
@unknownuser said:
According to standard evolutionary theory, all organisms derive from a single ancestral species. Darwin's famous book is noted for having only one illustration — the familiar monophyletic evolutionary tree, showing all living organisms linked to a single ancestor. The structure of this tree shows diversity first increasing at low taxonomic categories, eventually building to diversity at higher taxonomic categories. Evolutionarily speaking, this pattern seems inevitable — small changes add up, eventually producing new species, then new genera, families, orders, etc. Unfortunately for the theory, this description is the opposite of the actual pattern in the rocks. The greatest morphological differences appear in the lower Phanerozoic rocks, while the rest of the fossil record consists largely of variations of familiar themes.
@unknownuser said:
Do I believe there are more than 8 notes in a scale. Yes I do. But within the set of parameters as defined by the 8 notes there seem to be endless compositions...so one could be fooled into looking/listening no further.
Being a musician, I appreciate a music analogy. Given there are 8 notes in a standard major scale, I understand how you might think that being stuck in one key would be a "static condition" despite the seemingly "endless compositions" - and yet, DNA has only 4 elements. Is that not itself, then, a static condition? And yet whole symphonies of species are written with those four elements.
There are 12 notes in a chromatic scale in western music. A major scale uses 8 of those 12 in a particular interval pattern. A natural minor scale also uses 8 of 12, but 3 are different, and there is a different interval pattern. A harmonic minor likewise uses 8 of 12, but 3 are different from the major, and one is different from the natural minor. Then there's the melodic minor scale, which has only one note different from a major scale when ascending, and is the same as the natural minor scale when descending. A chromatic scale uses all 12 notes. Then there are modal scales, but that's just too much...
The point? Good question!
The point is that (traditionally) a composer selects one key as the basis of a composition, and structures the composition based on the type of music being written and on the style (baroque, classical, romantic, etc). For example, a rondo has a different structure than a sonata or minuet. A symphony is distinct from a concerto, an opera, or a cantata. The styles (or "periods", thinking historically) are like higher orders, the composers and types are like lower orders, and the individual works are like the various species - they can be grouped by like parameters.Baroque : Bach : Concertos : Brandenburg #3 in G Major
Baroque : Bach : Toccatas & Fugues : d minor
Classical : Mozart : Symphonies : #40 in G minor
Romantic : Brahms : Symphonies : #1 in c minorGranted, it's not a perfect analogy (keys are independent of types and styles, though the 12 tones are constant throughout western music from the late Renaissance to the late 19th century), but it is fun.
Anyway, need to get back to Windowizer...
-
-
@rickw said:
@chango70 said:
How does polyphyletic evolution undermine that there is no need for intelligent creator/creators?
Polyphyletic evolution asserts many different biogenesis events that led to the different types (kingdoms, phyla, classes, orders, families) with microevolution providing the variety within the families. This is more in line with creation (God created many different types that all had the capacity for variety within their kind) than is monophyletic evolution, the main difference being the origins of the initial life forms. But since neither polyphyletic nor monophyletic evolution deal with the origins of life, just what happened after life arose, there is still a need for an explanation of the origins of life - something too complex, in my view, to not have been intentional and designed.
@unknownuser said:
According to standard evolutionary theory, all organisms derive from a single ancestral species. Darwin's famous book is noted for having only one illustration — the familiar monophyletic evolutionary tree, showing all living organisms linked to a single ancestor. The structure of this tree shows diversity first increasing at low taxonomic categories, eventually building to diversity at higher taxonomic categories. Evolutionarily speaking, this pattern seems inevitable — small changes add up, eventually producing new species, then new genera, families, orders, etc. Unfortunately for the theory, this description is the opposite of the actual pattern in the rocks. The greatest morphological differences appear in the lower Phanerozoic rocks, while the rest of the fossil record consists largely of variations of familiar themes.
@unknownuser said:
Do I believe there are more than 8 notes in a scale. Yes I do. But within the set of parameters as defined by the 8 notes there seem to be endless compositions...so one could be fooled into looking/listening no further.
Being a musician, I appreciate a music analogy. Given there are 8 notes in a standard major scale, I understand how you might think that being stuck in one key would be a "static condition" despite the seemingly "endless compositions" - and yet, DNA has only 4 elements. Is that not itself, then, a static condition? And yet whole symphonies of species are written with those four elements.
There are 12 notes in a chromatic scale in western music. A major scale uses 8 of those 12 in a particular interval pattern. A natural minor scale also uses 8 of 12, but 3 are different, and there is a different interval pattern. A harmonic minor likewise uses 8 of 12, but 3 are different from the major, and one is different from the natural minor. Then there's the melodic minor scale, which has only one note different from a major scale when ascending, and is the same as the natural minor scale when descending. A chromatic scale uses all 12 notes. Then there are modal scales, but that's just too much...
The point? Good question!
The point is that (traditionally) a composer selects one key as the basis of a composition, and structures the composition based on the type of music being written and on the style (baroque, classical, romantic, etc). For example, a rondo has a different structure than a sonata or minuet. A symphony is distinct from a concerto, an opera, or a cantata. The styles (or "periods", thinking historically) are like higher orders, the composers and types are like lower orders, and the individual works are like the various species - they can be grouped by like parameters.Baroque : Bach : Concertos : Brandenburg #3 in G Major
Baroque : Bach : Toccatas & Fugues : d minor
Classical : Mozart : Symphonies : #40 in G minor
Romantic : Brahms : Symphonies : #1 in c minorGranted, it's not a perfect analogy (keys are independent of types and styles, though the 12 tones are constant throughout western music from the late Renaissance to the late 19th century), but it is fun.
Anyway, need to get back to Windowizer...
Morlecular natural selection fully incorporates Polyphyletic evolution as it can create independent chances of organic molecules from inorganics ones. It doesn't prove anything Rick. Gene-centric natural selection can also incorporate Polyphyletic evolution. I still don't understand why that would mean God. Care to elaborate?
Advertisement