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Author Topic:   Is there a god?
Xanthine
Uber Geek

Posts: 829
From: the lab
Registered: Mar 2001

posted May 06, 2002 22:04     Click Here to See the Profile for Xanthine     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by TheAnnoyedCockroach:
Why do people feel the need to believe in something greater?

I think it's because if we don't (and I was completely atheistic for a while so this is based on experience) we end up having to take complete responsibilty for everything. Good stuff, bad stuff, the burden is on us. No one and nothing to turn to for guidance, support, or strength. Sounds very cool, but try it. It's actually very draining after a while. Especially when bad stuff (andf I'm talking really bad stuff, like a terminal illness) happens. Being on your own is really rugged then. Yes, you have friends and family, but they're as helpless as you are. Not a comfortable situation, trust me.

OTOH, if you believe in a higher power, you can lose some of that responsibility. Not that I'm saying you become totally absolved of all responsibilty for your actions. That's never true. You just become less responsible. There's someone/something to passs the buck to, someone/something to lean on. It takes some of the laod off your shoulders and makes the rest of it that much easier to bear. This might be why I've noticed that religious people don't seem to get as stressed out as non-religious people. At some point, you gotta have faith. Not necessarily in the god portrayed by Mid-Eastern religions, but faith in something helps. That's why, in partial answer to GameMaster's question, I turned my soul to the mountains. They give me peace.

quote:
who here believes in ghosts, an after life, a soul, reincarnation and/or karma/chi/ki/aura/force; and, what lead you to believe in it?

Not sure about ghosts but I believe in ki/chi (same thing, different language). This came out of years of aikido practice. It's a pretty powerful thing and not to be taken lightly.
I can't say I believe in karma. Not after what's happened to some people close to me.
As for an afterlife, I think we end up getting reborn into a different reality. This is my own crackpot theory and arise when I was in ninth grade and desperately wanted to be a dragonrider on Pern. I've kept this belief because I think it's a cool idea and see no reason not to. After all, there's no proof either way and the whole concept of spending eternity floating in paradise or burning in hell scares me. I mean, eternity? That's a long time...longer than the existence of the universe. Am I the only one who finds everlasting life a little, okay, a lot, frightening?


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Take by surprise and the world gives up resistance.
- Tennesee Williams

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dragon34
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From: Southwestern Connecticut
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posted May 07, 2002 05:12     Click Here to See the Profile for dragon34   Click Here to Email dragon34     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
ooh.. fun topic... I could go on about this for pages. For starters, I'm Jewish, but only in a cultural sense. I went throught the motions for my family, not for me, not that they are terribly religious either. I have a problem with most organized religions, alot of it stemming for how I was treated in Elementry and High School by religious people who thought they were better than me because they worshipped Jesus. I went to school in a conservative area, I was one of few Jews, and one of few people with liberal political beliefs, If there was a Pro Life Pro Choice discussion, it was usually the whole class against me, etc, etc.

I have not yet completely decided against the existance of a god or a heaven, but I have decided against hell. Here's why:

ok, *assuming* that there is a god, and that that god is a christian god (big assumption I know) So we have this supreme all knowing god, and all the little piddly humans. but this god while supreme needs the worship of little piddly humans to keep it happy. If you don't worship it and make it happy it sends you to a place of eternal torture. OOOH, real mature there. The god described in most organized religions is an immature being to say the least, childlike even. If there is a god, and if that god would send me to hell just for not worshipping it, when in all other respects I am a pretty good person, then I don't want to worship that god anyway. what's the point when I can be more compassionate and forgiving than that god. what's to worship? divine power does not guarantee that it is deserved, I mean geez, think of Q from Star Trek (I love the character, but he doesn't exactly always use his power for good, but really doesn't this sound like something he would do... "hey look at all those lesser beings down there, I had them talking to a burning bush!!! " and he sits up there laughing his @$$ off) and think of all the cool people who are in hell... Copernicus, Galileo (oh wait they cleared him in what... 1993???), well the list goes on and on anyway. to quote Billy Joel "I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints"

As for the Jewish afterlife, well there isn't really a defined Hell AFAIK, but the "heaven" is getting an eternity to study the Torah (for men anyway, I don't know about the women) if that's the case, god damn I'm going to hell, I can't imagine a worse eternity And Xanthine you're not the only one who finds the idea of eternity doing anything a bit frightening.

Hmm I think the funniest thing that ever happened to me in a religious discussion was the girl in high school (who ended up having a baby 3 months after she got married) asked me "Do you enjoy in burning in eternal torture" Really, what a ridiculous question. My response "I don't know, I've never tried it, is it fun??" She looked at me as though I'd just grown another head, (or more likely horns and a tail) It was great, much better than me just falling over laughing at her which is what I almost did.

In conclusion.. I tend to be passionate about this issue, and I certainly don't mean any offense to anyone so if any was taken I apologize

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Xanthine
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posted May 07, 2002 11:43     Click Here to See the Profile for Xanthine     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by dragon34:
\
Hmm I think the funniest thing that ever happened to me in a religious discussion was the girl in high school (who ended up having a baby 3 months after she got married) asked me "Do you enjoy in burning in eternal torture" Really, what a ridiculous question. My response "I don't know, I've never tried it, is it fun??" She looked at me as though I'd just grown another head, (or more likely horns and a tail) It was great, much better than me just falling over laughing at her which is what I almost did.

That was hysterical.

Some girl once asked me if I believed in Jesus. I said no. She said "I don't think you're alive." I had no response other than to give her a weird look. This was back in HS, before I learned how to think on my feet.

A couople years ago some other girl apporached me and told me God wanted me to come to church that Sunday. This made me very afraid, so I said I'd think about it and slept in.

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Take by surprise and the world gives up resistance.
- Tennesee Williams

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ZorroTheFox
BlabberMouth, the Next Generation.

Posts: 1938
From: Milton, WA, USA
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posted May 07, 2002 14:44     Click Here to See the Profile for ZorroTheFox   Click Here to Email ZorroTheFox     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by TheAnnoyedCockroach:
Why do people feel the need to believe in something greater?

because it gets lonely here at the top.........Z

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GameMaster
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posted May 07, 2002 15:20     Click Here to See the Profile for GameMaster   Click Here to Email GameMaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I want to find more christians who can defend their point of veiw without the book... In order to use an athority you have to prove that athority. I was on the bus a few years ago (when I was still in Debate club in HS, and was decidedly anti-christian because I had a friend who was trying way to hard to convert me) and this guy I didn't know walks up and asks me "Are you blessed?" I, of course answered "yes," and so he asked if I'd acepted Jesus as my personal savoior. After him quoting passages and passages of scripture from memory, I finally point out that the bible was written 200 years after the fact and in a language Jesus never spoke (which I heard a Catholiac priest say on Politically Incorrect - he was using that point completly diffrently than I was, but hey use what you got right?) and he turned red, and said something about "God would never let his words be mistranslated, and being the words of god ...." I let him "save me" for a few more minutes before I pointed out a passage that has two meanings, and one of them was used to justify the murder of thousands of people for political reasons, and I pulled the cord and got off before he could get in another word.

For those chirstians who are curious look up the original latin phrase for "suffer not a witch to live," on an internet search engine, go back and the traslation yourself with babel or take it to a fluent latin speaker. I know that the King James is probably correct with the word "witch" but it could also mean "polluters."

Stupid people, who happen to believe a certian faith, don't make a religion wrong. Telling stories about stupid people isn't the point of this thread, but it always makes me feel better. I would still like to see more Christians use logic to defend their belief in their faith, and I'd like to see more non-believers tell why they don't "buy in" to god, as oppsoed to just say "prove there is."

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rednecklinux
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posted May 07, 2002 15:26     Click Here to See the Profile for rednecklinux     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I thought long and hard about how to reply. I live in the deep south and we have plenty of bible thumpers here. I've had my share of arguments with them and realize they are beyond help. So what is my reply? Joke: What did the sinners say after the rapture? "Thank God they're gone!" And I will be thanking HIM for that miracle!

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snupy
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posted May 07, 2002 19:41     Click Here to See the Profile for snupy   Click Here to Email snupy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Ok, I can't resist any longer.
A Protestant arrives at the gates of Heaven and is directed to his room-#25."But be very quiet when you go past room #12", the gatekeeper says. "Ok", says the Protestant-"no problem". Then the Buddhist arrives and is directed to his room, #16. "But be very
quiet when you walk past room #12". "Ok", says the Buddhist. Then the Jew arrives and is directed to his room, #20."But be very quiet when you pass room #12". "Ok, I have to ask", said the Jew, "why do I have to be quiet when I pass room #12?" To which the gatekeeper replied, "because that's the Catholic room, and they think they're the only ones up here."

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GameMaster
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posted May 07, 2002 21:02     Click Here to See the Profile for GameMaster   Click Here to Email GameMaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hehe, good joke... love it. I'll have to use that one sometime.

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bull3t
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posted May 08, 2002 04:23     Click Here to See the Profile for bull3t   Click Here to Email bull3t     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
good god. not this again =)

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macadddikt18
BlabberMouth, the Next Generation.

Posts: 1815
From: In a world beyond your understanding
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posted May 08, 2002 05:32     Click Here to See the Profile for macadddikt18   Click Here to Email macadddikt18     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
now that was a good joke, even better when you look at what is happening in the church these days.
nayt

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Art: making weird people seem interesting since 1503

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TheAnnoyedCockroach
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posted May 12, 2002 16:43     Click Here to See the Profile for TheAnnoyedCockroach   Click Here to Email TheAnnoyedCockroach     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Am I the only one who finds everlasting life a little, okay, a lot, frightening?

I find it to be a very frightening concept. The human mind is not equipped to deal with eternity. Hell, I get weirded out thinking about two or three years from now. Eternity is way over my head.

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We are all here my friends, all dogged and spaced but oh so beautiful...

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GameMaster
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posted May 13, 2002 00:52     Click Here to See the Profile for GameMaster   Click Here to Email GameMaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The idea of eternity doesn't bother me much.... I think I'd be able to occupy most of my time with the "I'll get around to it someday" and when I runout of "I'll get arround to it"s I'd find a way of this rock, and go find a new planet of "I'll get around to it"s... With all the wonder of the universe, the only time one can be bored is when they are being boring. Heh, I'd have time to write the dream software products that exsist only in my imagination... so far out there that they aren't even on my wish list.... (yet....)

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Xanthine
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posted May 13, 2002 08:43     Click Here to See the Profile for Xanthine     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
But what will you do after the Universe burns itself out? That's the frightening part, tht the Universe is finite but eternity is not.

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Take by surprise and the world gives up resistance.
- Tennesee Williams

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CrawGator
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posted May 13, 2002 11:57     Click Here to See the Profile for CrawGator   Click Here to Email CrawGator     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Ok I have sat on the sidelines long enough. Guess I shall throw my two cents in. All the old regulars on the board know that I believe in God and that I am also a Christian. Do I believe that Christianity is the only way to please God? There is insufficient data for an intelligent answer to that question. But that is not the topic. The topic is: Is there a God?

Well, the Anthropic Principle points out that there are over one hundred variables to this universe, that would have made life as we know it impossible, if they were even slightly different. This Universe had to be finely tuned to the conditions that make life possible. Could this have happened by chance?

If you go down the street and see a quarter on the sidewalk, you think, "someone dropped a quarter." If you went down the street and see a handful of quarters on the sidewalk, you might think, "Somebody has a big hole in their pockets, or dropped a roll of quarters."

But if you go down the street and see 100 quarters on the sidewalk, all balanced on edge, and in neat rows, you would have to think somebody did this deliberately." The Universe as far as our limited knowledge understands, is that carefully balanced, and therefore must have been deliberately designed. This is the basics of the Strong Anthropic Principle.

The only other possibility is that there are so many universes, that the equivalent of one hundred quarters falling out of someone's pocket and ALL of them ending up balanced on their edges occurred, completely by random chance. This theory is known as the, "Weak Anthropic Principle. If you are a rational thinker, you have only two choices. Believe this Universe was created, or that there are multitudes of universes.

Even the Weak Anthropic Principle does not exclude the possible existence of God, in fact it would almost guarantee the existence of God.

If there are that many universes, then the chances of a being like God evolving would also be equally increased by all that abundance. Ecological niches tend not to stay empty. You could, of course, call such a being something else other than "God." But if it quacks like a duck and it waddles like a duck and it builds little nests and lays eggs that turn into baby ducklings, why not it call it a duck? Paul did say we grow into Christ (Ephesians 4:15).

The Watchmaker may have started out blind, some universe somewhere some when, but He/She/It evolved eyes right along with the rest of Life, and you can be quite sure, He/She/It will do whatever is necessary to guarantee His/Her/Its own development and continued survival, just the same as any other life form would.

For a really interesting study on Anthropic coincidences go here

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A common mistake people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. Douglas Adams Mostly Harmless

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GameMaster
Highlie

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From: State of insanity
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posted May 15, 2002 22:37     Click Here to See the Profile for GameMaster   Click Here to Email GameMaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
"I cannot conceive of a God who rewards and punishes his creatures, or has a will of the kind that we experience in ourselves. Neither can I nor would I want to conceive of an individual that survives his physical death; let feeble souls, from fear or absurd egoism, cherish such thoughts. I am satisfied with the mystery of the eternity of life and with the awareness and a glimpse of the marvelous structure of the existing world, together with the devoted striving to comprehend a portion, be it ever so tiny, of the Reason that manifests itself in nature."
Albert Einstein,The World as I See It

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Twinkle Toes
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posted May 16, 2002 22:49     Click Here to See the Profile for Twinkle Toes   Click Here to Email Twinkle Toes     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've had a little trouble with my soul.

I think what almost had me nearly convert to Wicca was when I used to go to Catholic private school. I like braking the rules, especially when someone like the principal is watching. Usually when people tell me not to do something, I just do it...YAY! I was so liberal and loving to be 'evil', I just couldn't stand it anymore. I felt like I almost had to convert to Wicca. And at one time, I thought about becoming Jewish, too. Then I remembered how my life had changed as a result of being brought up as a Catholic. So I decided not to, for God only, no one else.

But now-a-days, I feel confused once again. My soul is in turmoil. Like I've said in a post somewhere here, I have a very naughty, bad side. Sometimes this personality gets the better of me and I have frequent thoughts and ideas of converting to Satanic religions.

I still don't really know if I believe in everything I was taught in church and my old school...hell, I don't even go to church anymore. I don't think it's needed, though because in the Bible it states that God is with us and all around us all the time. If this is true, then why should we all gather? Anywho, I prefer praying [and the like] alone, not with 'my people' - that also angers me a little; I don't even know what type of people these are! I don't want to share anything with them!

Plus, at my old school, it was more about the monetary donations you gave to the church than anything else...so that most likely is part of the reason why I turned away from it.


Good Lord, this brings back really sore memories...not even going to get into those right now,...it really breaks my spirit....

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Look at me, dammit, I'm your little princess!!

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Bregalad
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posted May 16, 2002 23:12     Click Here to See the Profile for Bregalad   Click Here to Email Bregalad     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Twinkle Toes:
I was so liberal and loving to be 'evil', I just couldn't stand it anymore. I felt like I almost had to convert to Wicca.

Wicca is NOT evil. It is a very old belief system that has been misunderstood though the ages. I won't say any more because I lack the knowledge to answer your questions, but I know a witch and she's a wonderful caring person who respects other people's beliefs.

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GameMaster
Highlie

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From: State of insanity
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posted May 16, 2002 23:38     Click Here to See the Profile for GameMaster   Click Here to Email GameMaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wicca is not a religon to be "evil" in. Wicca is all about good, and grace. They have fewer rules, but the rules the rules they have are followed (period). The Wiccans follow the following rules, and thus could never do anything to harm anyone on purpose at any time:

THE WICCAN REEDE
Bide ye by the Reede ye must,
In perftect love and perfect trust.
Ever ye mind the rule of three,
What ye give is returned to thee.

Eight words the Reede fufill,
AND YE HARM NONE, do as ye will.
Follow this with mind and heart,
Merry [ye] meet, merry [ye] part.

The Wiccans are a kind and gentle people who believe not in god or devil merly a mother of all creation that is every one and thing. It is a bueatiful philosophy, but not one for people who like pushing the limits. I don't believe that all acts are returned times three, but I do believe that every action (Read: intent) has an equal and oppisite reation (read: karmatic pay back/reward).

Chosing a religon is not to be taken lightly, and thus I would advise you to read up on the religons that you're considering long in advance. Remember that there are as many religons on this planet as their are people, and most of them share a few common features: Moral code (typically mixed with a few rules of prudence {hypothetical imparitives)), a belief in a higher power(s) (typically with intelligence), some theory of death (life after death, heven/hell or reincarnation (whih makes the most sence to me, given the laws of conservation)) and a set of rituals.

The journy, I believe, is more important than what you find at the end. This is what Witches typically call the path (Christianity, Wicca, Buddah and the older religons are all paths). There are multipule paths with the same ends, and similar path with different ends, and in the end the walking of the path is more important than wich path you chose. If I sound cryptic and full of beans, then ignore me or flame me; if I sound wise beyond my years, thank you; if I have given you something to think about, I've done what I was intending to with this thread and post.

Personally, I like the teachings of Wicca, but not there belief in the God and Goddess. I have thus chosen to be a tradecraft, monotheistic witch. I am a pasifist, who tries at all cost not to harm, but that doesn't always work out. Just so that you all don't think I'm pushing Wicca.

Blessed be.

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Twinkle Toes
Highlie

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posted May 16, 2002 23:50     Click Here to See the Profile for Twinkle Toes   Click Here to Email Twinkle Toes     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Was my important post eaten by the UBB troll!? Damnit,...'cuz if he did...!!

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Twinkle Toes
Highlie

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posted May 18, 2002 00:45     Click Here to See the Profile for Twinkle Toes   Click Here to Email Twinkle Toes     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I never said Wicca was evil.

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GameMaster
Highlie

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From: State of insanity
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posted May 18, 2002 02:57     Click Here to See the Profile for GameMaster   Click Here to Email GameMaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
No, but you implied that you were thinking about converting to Wicca, because you are evil. If that isn't what you meant, I am sorry for infering that.

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LifetimeTrekker
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posted May 18, 2002 03:25     Click Here to See the Profile for LifetimeTrekker   Click Here to Email LifetimeTrekker     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Twinkle Toes:
I've had a little trouble with my soul.

I think what almost had me nearly convert to Wicca was when I used to go to Catholic private school. I like braking the rules, especially when someone like the principal is watching. Usually when people tell me not to do something, I just do it...YAY! I was so liberal and loving to be 'evil', I just couldn't stand it anymore. I felt like I almost had to convert to Wicca. And at one time, I thought about becoming Jewish, too. Then I remembered how my life had changed as a result of being brought up as a Catholic. So I decided not to, for God only, no one else.

But now-a-days, I feel confused once again. My soul is in turmoil. Like I've said in a post somewhere here, I have a very naughty, bad side. Sometimes this personality gets the better of me and I have frequent thoughts and ideas of converting to Satanic religions.

I still don't really know if I believe in everything I was taught in church and my old school...hell, I don't even go to church anymore. I don't think it's needed, though because in the Bible it states that God is with us and all around us all the time. If this is true, then why should we all gather? Anywho, I prefer praying [and the like] alone, not with 'my people' - that also angers me a little; I don't even know what type of people these are! I don't want to share anything with them!

Plus, at my old school, it was more about the monetary donations you gave to the church than anything else...so that most likely is part of the reason why I turned away from it.


Good Lord, this brings back really sore memories...not even going to get into those right now,...it really breaks my spirit....


The word evil in TT's post was in quotes! She wasn't saying Wicca is evil, she was using the word evil as quoted by either the church or her particular society.

Lighten up, guys.

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Twinkle Toes
Highlie

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From: a place that no longer holds my soul...
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posted May 18, 2002 17:18     Click Here to See the Profile for Twinkle Toes   Click Here to Email Twinkle Toes     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you for clearing that up for me, Trekker...

I was looking at more witching sites last night, and was just wondering: if the pentagram is used in some Wiccan ceremonies, then why is it also shown as apart of, oh say Pagan rituals in movies and such? I mean, I know that others get the wrong idea about it and that's why they confuse it with Satanic things, but wouldn't those religions (Pagan mostly) protest against it, and wouldn't we all then have a clearer understanding of what it really was in truth?

...I don't know, maybe this is just a stupid question that I've probably already answered for myself...

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Look at me, dammit, I'm your little princess!!

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patricksha
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posted May 18, 2002 17:19     Click Here to See the Profile for patricksha   Click Here to Email patricksha     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I agree with Nayt. Of course, IMHO.

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Twinkle Toes
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posted May 18, 2002 20:10     Click Here to See the Profile for Twinkle Toes   Click Here to Email Twinkle Toes     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wow...LOOK AT THAT! I really love the format I made for my previous post. Isn't it beautiful?

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GameMaster
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posted May 19, 2002 02:37     Click Here to See the Profile for GameMaster   Click Here to Email GameMaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Satanists use a inverted (upside-down) petagram as it is the symbol of a the goat. How the devil became synonomous with a goat, I don't know. The Wican petagram is symbolic of the human body, or the five elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit) sepending on the coven. I think that in trying to portray the witches as evil, they latch on on to a symbol that appears in both religons; much like the upside-down cross. Peter was crusified on an upside-down cross out of respect for Jessus, according to some obscure passage in the Bible, and there are satanists who use the inverted cross as another symbol in their ritual.

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LifetimeTrekker
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posted May 19, 2002 07:38     Click Here to See the Profile for LifetimeTrekker   Click Here to Email LifetimeTrekker     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Twinkle Toes:
Thank you for clearing that up for me, Trekker...

I was looking at more witching sites last night, and was just wondering: if the pentagram is used in some Wiccan ceremonies, then why is it also shown as apart of, oh say Pagan rituals in movies and such? I mean, I know that others get the wrong idea about it and that's why they confuse it with Satanic things, but wouldn't those religions (Pagan mostly) protest against it, and wouldn't we all then have a clearer understanding of what it really was in truth?

...I don't know, maybe this is just a stupid question that I've probably already answered for myself...


And this is why I have always suggested that Comparative World Religion be a required course, along with literacy, history and mathematics.

The media (movies, television) portray Wiccanism, Paganism and Satanism as the same thing, duplicating the teachings of the major religions. In essense, lumping the enemies into one category without even trying to understand them. As you will find in your research, TT, the three are not the same thing.

As for any religion rising up to defend itself, to do so is to draw more attention to the lie or stand open to more distortion of the truth. Which explains why the Muslims won't rise up and defend themselves.

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GameMaster
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posted May 19, 2002 21:48     Click Here to See the Profile for GameMaster   Click Here to Email GameMaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
A few things came to mind as I re-read the thread, and so I�d like to post these new thoughts and pose a few questions to the brilliant minds that frequent the board. Looking at the number of borrowed and common beliefs that a great deal of religions share, it becomes obvious that either there is some truth to these things or the worlds of old communicated far more than we give them credit. Most religions have a ceremonial exorcism, to remove �demons� or �spirits� that are troubling. Even modern parapsychologists have studied extreme cases involving �poltergeists.� The common thread that there are guardians without bodies that look after us (spirit guides, Guardian Angels, ect.). Are human�s belief in these things the cause of these bizarre occurrences, or are there these unseen entities? The next question, that begs to be asked: �What are these entities?� Are they disembodied souls of the dead; demons and angels; or, the product of humans over developed imagination? If they are indeed the spirits of the dearly departed, than it forces us to rethink our ideas about death and afterlife. If they are merely �people without bodies� why does that idea frighten us so much? These are questions that I was forced to ask myself a while ago, and I do have my own answer, but I want to know the ideas before I state my own.

Another thing that crops up in a number of religions is this �Cup of Life,� which is better known today as the �Holy Grail.� This item has many mythological origins, and many conflicting stories. The Catholic stance is that the grail is symbolic, and that drinking wine and eating bread in church is drinking from this sacred cup and granting you an immortal after life. The original stories of the grail are much older than the Christian religions, and the grail started out a �Cauldron of Life.� While I don�t personally believe in eternal health just from drinking water out of a certain container, the story has lived a very long life. I believe that this suggests a different meaning from the story that may have been lost in the translation; perhaps, it was about the �medicines� that were made in the cauldron of a particular medicinal genius long before medicine was medicine.

The Trinity, and the number three in general, seems to have a meaning in a lot of religions. The Celts believed in the Trinity of �Mother, Median, and Crowen,� the Christians have there �father, Son and Holy Spirit.� I seem to even remember a �Father, Mother, and Holy Spirit� but can�t put my finger on where I heard it. Jesus� crucifixion had several significant threes. The Wiccans� �rule of three.� I personally attribute this to some subconscious need of humans to group things, as I may point out that Kepler had his Three Laws of Motion and Newton had his Three Laws of Inertia. I find this just an odd fact, but odd enough to warrant it�s mention.

This one is a little odd, and really isn�t from religons (while it has religious ties), but just thought that it warranted mention. The living dead, necromancy, vampires and werewolves is a myth that developed independently in many cultures worldwide. The most rational explanation is that man is obsessed with death and the �what ifs� of returning to life after that he made up these stories. But certain similarities in beliefs make me wonder if there isn�t some truth or some event that they draw upon. I realize that most beliefs stem from Stoker�s �Dracula� which was a glorification of the Count Dracula who was a horrible monster. Born into royalty, as Count Vlad, and his thrown stolen before he took power; he grew up to reclaim his city by force. He built walls with the skulls of the men his army slain and rumored to drink the blood of fallen enemies, he took on the name �Dracula� (son of Drakule(sp?)) . I wonder if the inbreeding in the royal families caused anemia in many of them, and if they replenished the iron by consumption of blood. It would account for the pale faces and need of iron. I can also see how the inability of the past to determine a state of death to lead to the belief in necromancy, coupled with the warnings on the tombs of Asian and African (Egyptian) leaders to further the myths. It does however suggest that the world of the past was able to communicate much better than historians would lead you to believe.

Just the thoughts of a rambling mad man, looking for the obvious connections and trying to the find origin. And with that said, I digress.

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+Andrew
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posted May 21, 2002 14:59     Click Here to See the Profile for +Andrew   Click Here to Email +Andrew     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by CrawGator:
Well, the Anthropic Principle points out that there are over one hundred variables to this universe, that would have made life as we know it impossible, if they were even slightly different. This Universe had to be finely tuned to the conditions that make life possible. Could this have happened by chance?

In my opinion, it's hard to say what the actual probability of our universe ending up as it is without being able to study the creation of several to watch and see what 'normally' happens when a universe is created, if you will.

Besides that, there seems to be something flawed with many arguments about the arrival of life in the universe. Most discuss the probability of 'life as we know it' occurring. For one thing, improbable does not mean impossible. Second, you have to also consider the possibility that life as we know it simply evolved to take advantage of the environment available. If some property of the universe happened differently, who's to say a different form of life wouldn't have evolved to take advantage of that? The question of probabilty then becomes not the probability of life as we know it occurring, but rather of a form of life occuorring.

quote:

The only other possibility is that there are so [b]many
universes, that the equivalent of one hundred quarters falling out of someone's pocket and ALL of them ending up balanced on their edges occurred, completely by random chance.
[/B]

We don't really know one way or another if there are many universes. Quantum physics suggests the possibility, but it hasn't been proved.

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CrawGator
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posted May 22, 2002 14:54     Click Here to See the Profile for CrawGator   Click Here to Email CrawGator     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
If some property of the universe happened differently, who's to say a different form of life wouldn't have evolved to take advantage of that? The question of probabilty then becomes not the probability of life as we know it occurring, but rather of a form of life occuorring.

Well +Andrew,

There are two properties I can think of off the top of my head that if they were not as they are, life would not exist period.
1) The electron / proton charge balance
2) The electron / neutron mass ratio (1/1837)

Without the perfectly precise equal yet opposite charges of electrons and protons, the universe would have thec consistency of a uniform and tenuous mixture not so very different from air.

How accurately must the charge of the elctron be matched with that of the proton so that we can exist? Relatively small things like stones, people. and the like would fly apart if the two charges differed by as little as one part in 100 billion. Large structures like the Earth and the Sun require for their existence a yet more perfect balance of ONE PART IN A BILLION BILLION


The mass of the electron is 1/1837th the mass of a neutron. Big deal, right? Actually it IS a big deal.

Suppose we call the difference between the two, which is (1837)^-1, B, and the fine structure constant, A, which equals to e^2~(137)^-1. Quoting from Barrow and Tipler's THE COSMIC ANTHROPIC PRINCIPLE.

"Although the Exclusion Principle provides for the overall stability of solid bodies it is not responsible for the comparitively fixed properties of ions within solids. Consider a lattice of ions; it is more realistic to think of the electrons moving through it as a sea amid the islands of fixed irons within solids. Every iron behaves as an independent harmonic oscillater with mass =~mN(mass of Neutron) and vibrates with a frequency (designated as W). If an iron is displaced a distance X from its equilibrium position that it will gain a potential energy ~0.5mN W^2 X^2 which must become AaO^-1 when x is of order aO since the bonds then break. For these ionic oscillations the mean-square velocity is ~2W^2 X^2 and so the mean-square momentum is ~AmN(AmE)^3

"The Uncertainty Principle ensures that the momentum resisting localization is ~^-1 and the uncertainty of the electron's position, (which we'll call U) will be of order aO so the relative fluctuation in the ion location relative to that of the passing electrons in the lattice is

( The square root of (/U^2) ) ~B^1/4 << 1

"and so the nuclei are accurately and rigidly located in the solid. The uncertainy in the position of the atom is ~B^1/4 of the inter-atomic seperation. If ions tried to move further afield than this they would push the electrons into such a small region that their momentum would grow to resist localization and force them back. The dependence in the above formula reveals the key role that B(the difference between the mass of the electron and the neutron) plays in Nature. It ensures that nuclei have well-defined, relatively invariant, locations. When a substance is heated, the positional uncertainty of the irons rises. If atoms stray ~aO from their locations their materials will melt or, if molecules stray, disassociate. If one tried to build up ordered materials built upon the strong nuclear force one would not have this important property since neutrons and protons have similar masses so neither are located with precision in nuclei and from the outside nuclei appear fairly spherically symmetric. It appears that well-ordered structures rely heavily on the small volume of B. The specific application to DNA replicative fidelity was highlighted in..."

And then Barrow and Tipler quote another work...

"It might as well be that a whole set of perfectly reasonable S-matrices exist for any choice of these mE(Mass of the electron)/mN(Mass of the Neutron) parameters, all of them yielding rather weird, self-consistent universes, all but one of them existing only in the sense of Plato. Our universe would be determined by the fact that only the choice mN/mE=1837 guarentees that there are large chain molecules of the right size and kinds to make biological phenomena possible. It could be for instance that the slightest variation in these parameters would change critically the size and lenth of the rings in the DNA helix as to invalidate its typical way of replicating itself. In this sense we could say that mN/mE=1837 just because we are here. Other universe do exist as well but nobody is around to see them. I am describing this somewhat paradoxical mechanism just in order to warn that we may expect quite exotic criteria to come into play when fixing the fundamental constants." Regge, ATTI DEL COVERGNO MENDELEEVIANO, Acad. del Sci. de Torino, p. 398

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CrawGator

A common mistake people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. Douglas Adams Mostly Harmless

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spungo
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posted May 23, 2002 02:55     Click Here to See the Profile for spungo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by CrawGator:

...Suppose we call the difference between the two, which is (1837)^-1, B, and the fine structure constant, A, which equals to e^2~(137)^-1. Quoting from Barrow and Tipler's THE COSMIC ANTHROPIC PRINCIPLE...


Ok - blatant bragg time. I personally stuffed John Barrow and his cronies at cricket once! Yay me!!! I was in charge of the student cricket team (Maths and Physics) at Sussex one year (where John-boy used to work - does he still???) - he was the staff's star batsman. We creamed'em (like, by 100 runs or so) ... and he was so cocky beforehand...

Ok - that's that... my one and only claim to fame...


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MacGenius
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posted June 06, 2002 13:37     Click Here to See the Profile for MacGenius   Click Here to Email MacGenius     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
_END OF LINE!!!

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neotatsu
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posted June 08, 2002 03:29     Click Here to See the Profile for neotatsu   Click Here to Email neotatsu     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by MightyJoeSakic:
I think more important than which religious track is right or wrong is the question.........

Assuming god exists: Does he have a Mac or a PC?

~Thom



hmm actually my friend had a similar question...so he sent an email to [email protected] and the email actually went through....he even got a response and it was all about the christian religion...heh go figure......he also tried [email protected] ...the email went through but he got a nasty flame email that was obviously automated that told him to screw off....odd isnt it

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neotatsu
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posted June 08, 2002 04:07     Click Here to See the Profile for neotatsu   Click Here to Email neotatsu     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
ok here it goes:

I was (indeed still am) raised in a VERY strict christian household....i beleive that there is ONE God and that Jesus was indeed God made flesh...but i dont beleive alot of stuff about the christian religion..as it was mentioned earlier the book was written 200 years after the fact..its been translated and edited countless times....my personal beliefs tend to stem from many religions..i dont consider myself a part of any SPECIFIC religion...rather many small parts of them all...it was mentioned about wiccan and paganism...a few of my personal beliefs are taken from paganism..but wiccan...i had no idea..this opens up more possibilities....im off to do some more wiccan research right now...im reluctant to give up some things of my christian upbringing but then im willing to believe anything as long as it can be satisfactorily proven to me....from everything that ive read on religion i must say that there are ALOT of things that are similar about them all....its very difficult to say that i belong to one in general...i dont proclaim myself christian though i'd say most of my primary beliefs stem from it....I dont like being associated with the Christian church because of the "better than you" attitude most christians have....though the fact that it states in the christian bible that all you have to do is beleive and you shall be saved..not a direct quote but close enough...basically the foundation of the religion states belief is all that matters...in the end the movie Dogma actually states part of my personal philosophy on the matter "it's not belief that matters...all it takes is a good idea" ....well ive got my idea....hopefully im at least partially right...eternity in fire would really suck eh...im gonna stop here...i realize i didnt go into much detail but...that would be difficult...so....just somthing everyone has to figure out for themselves...now...anyone know of a good reliable wiccan site...i need some information thats actually factual...

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Nietzsche
Newbie Larva

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posted June 08, 2002 11:57     Click Here to See the Profile for Nietzsche     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This thread is dead as well.

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neotatsu
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posted June 08, 2002 15:15     Click Here to See the Profile for neotatsu   Click Here to Email neotatsu     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
ah it may be dead but i wont let anyone else have the last word Hahahahahahaahah......hehe

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GameMaster
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posted June 08, 2002 21:24     Click Here to See the Profile for GameMaster   Click Here to Email GameMaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My lord... Not another fight over the last word... Firures a Christian would fight for it on this thread. As for the Also Sprach reference. If god is dead, then I am the Ubberman. I almot made my sig:
Nietzsche was right,
God is dead,
and I am the overman

And translate it to german using bable, HHGTTG or altravista... Then I remembered, I don't like Nietzhe.

I have recently began thinking about more eastern indeas and am looking for a place to find information on Chi or Ki as a recent documentry has spacked an old intrest. If anyone has any good sites about Chi or Ki and Tao or Zen beliefs please post them, or e-mail them to me.

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Twinkle Toes
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posted June 08, 2002 21:47     Click Here to See the Profile for Twinkle Toes   Click Here to Email Twinkle Toes     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by neotatsu:
ah it may be dead but i wont let anyone else have the last word Hahahahahahaahah......hehe

NO!! YOU COPIER!! I'M THE RESURRECTOR!!

*shakes fist*...Damn you...

Ooh, but neo...you're not a religious person are you now...?

To be truthful, I actually like Nietzsche...I guess one of the few women who do, from what I've been told. I really enjoyed reading and contemplating some of his opinions and maxims...


< Last Word >

< Actual Last Word >

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Look at me, dammit, I'm your little princess!!

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GameMaster
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posted June 08, 2002 21:55     Click Here to See the Profile for GameMaster   Click Here to Email GameMaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
No, it isn't... I will be post a reply to neo's after I get done on ICQ... but for a little while this is the last word.

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neotatsu
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posted June 09, 2002 13:47     Click Here to See the Profile for neotatsu   Click Here to Email neotatsu     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
yaye i actually posted that to keep this thread from dying because its an important topic to me.....it usually works heh...anyway no twinkie im not a religious person anymore...I am however interested in learning as much as i can about the few religions ive never read about......as for Nietzsche.....well i actually havnt got around to reading that stuff yet...its actually next on my list of philosophy related studies...as for now though i have to much to do for school to sit and read the way I do...if i start any actual book i cant put it down...heh

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