Religious people: what is your level of observance?

~~Rubato~~ · 12-16-2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastingas10

"I think I would say that the universe has a purpose, it's not somehow just there by chance ... some people, I think, take the view that the universe is just there and it runs along–it's a bit like it just sort of computes, and we happen somehow by accident to find ourselves in this thing. But I don't think that's a very fruitful or helpful way of looking at the universe, I think that there is something much deeper about it."

I don't get this, what's wrong with carving out your own purpose in life? I don't see how it's "unfruitful". It just seems like he's trying to seek some sort of cosmic approval.

blastingas10 · 12-16-2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rubato

I don't get this, what's wrong with carving out your own purpose in life? I don't see how it's "unfruitful". It just seems like he's trying to seek some sort of cosmic approval.

He's not really speaking of personal life. I think he's saying that our universe has a purpose and it's not just an act of chance like many scientists believe. As to what your personal purpose in life is, that's up to you.

Howard the Duck · 12-16-2011, 09:00 PM

^^he's just speaking from our anthropological viewpoint of the Universe, though

as again, i believe we are just smotes of dust in a Universe of mostly chaos, and we only impute order, because we have had already our own sets of computation and calculation for what order is, but in the end, everything is going to end up entrophied, or even in quantum mechanics, things may be just appear out of nowhere - probably a black hole is going to appear where we are any time now

back to the topic - besides being forcefully dragged to hear a sermon by a self-contrdictory pastor every Friday, i don't observe my Christianity at all

**Goofle** · 12-17-2011, 07:51 AM

My sanity states that I shouldn't believe in ghosts, Santa, the tooth fairy and the boogie man... So I find it hard to believe in a God.

But I do firmly believe that we are the first UFO's.

Zaqarbal · 12-17-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomClancy11

But I do firmly believe that we are the first UFO's.

**Goofle** · 12-17-2011, 02:46 PM

It's an idea not explored enough.

Why can't we make the space ships and visit undeveloped planets and be all genius' and that.

blastingas10 · 12-17-2011, 03:43 PM

I don't understand why people are so reluctant to believe in ghosts. There's a big difference between ghosts and Santa. I, along with many people I personally know have had supernatural encounters that cannot be denied or explained. But I know how real arrogant, scientific thinkers will respond to such a claim: "You're lying. Your mind has tricked you into believing these things."

**Goofle** · 12-17-2011, 03:56 PM

I am not really a 'scientific thinker' per say, but I think it's just pretty obvious that there is no such thing as a ghost. If there was, surely more proof would have been brought forward.

If anything, it is more likely an alien life form has created the illusion that we consider to be 'Ghostly' instead.

RVCA · 12-17-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastingas10

I don't understand why people are so reluctant to believe in ghosts. There's a big difference between ghosts and Santa. I, along with many people I personally know have had supernatural encounters that cannot be denied or explained. But I know how real arrogant, scientific thinkers will respond to such a claim: "You're lying. Your mind has tricked you into believing these things."

Because there is no evidence for ghosts. It's as simple as that. Anecdotal accounts are not sufficient evidence.

And you keep saying "arrogant". You're misusing that word. It doesn't take one ounce of arrogance to demand proof for an extraordinary claim, it only takes a small semblance of skepticism. The burden of proof lies on those making the claims.

"Extraordinary claims demand extraordinary proof" -Marcello Truzzi

~~Rubato~~ · 12-17-2011, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastingas10

I don't understand why people are so reluctant to believe in ghosts. There's a big difference between ghosts and Santa. I, along with many people I personally know have had supernatural encounters that cannot be denied or explained. But I know how real arrogant, scientific thinkers will respond to such a claim: "You're lying. Your mind has tricked you into believing these things."

I haven't had an experience with ghosts but I did have an experience with sleep paralysis (kanashibari). While there was no dark figure present at the time, I did hear someone scream something in a foreign language. Yet no matter how vivid or terrifying it is it doesn't make it any more real. You can't blame the scientific community for disregarding supernatural accounts that have no proof to back it up, it's a blind spot that has been taken advantage of time and time again by opportunists and attention whores.

View Poll Results: Your level of observance?
Non-practicing/secular form of religion	20	43.48%
A little observant	3	6.52%
Middle-of-the-road observance	11	23.91%
Strict adherence to religious rules	4	8.70%
Don't know	8	17.39%
Voters: 46. You may not vote on this poll

12-17-2011, 03:43 PM	#357 (permalink)
blastingas10 Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2,126	I don't understand why people are so reluctant to believe in ghosts. There's a big difference between ghosts and Santa. I, along with many people I personally know have had supernatural encounters that cannot be denied or explained. But I know how real arrogant, scientific thinkers will respond to such a claim: "You're lying. Your mind has tricked you into believing these things."