Well I only got two responses to the question so I am going to put them both in this post. The first person's responses are in blue and the second person's are in red.
Jesus Christ:
an insightful man who could take a look at the world around him and
with relative certainty predict the inevitable fate of the land,
country and people around him. The key word in that sentence was
"man". He was not an immortal or deity. He was not the healer or son
of God, whom so many claim today. I also think that he was a great
leader, an insightful leader, and an optimist who saw better of the
people around him. He tried to teach people a better existence through
meaningful stories designed to make people think about their own
action and ways to live a better life. Unfortunately...history, lies,
zealotry, and religion will forever blur the idea of a man and an
immortal deity that can damn us, kill us, help us or save us.
Son of God
Muhammad:
see JC above sans stories. He used laws instead of parables. He tried
to make the lives of his people better. Unfortunately the idea of
religion and law were never separated and now his teachings have been
slanted from so many different viewpoints his original views have been
lost.
the prophet in the Muslim religion that carries the same weight as JC, but is not the son of God (I think?)
Moses:
MLK for the Jews, but much much earlier.. He spoke up for those who
had no voice. Should have invented a compass though.
Wrote the 10 commandments, parted a sea, lead Jerusalem to freedom. Made weird bread fall from the sky too
Buddha:
Much like Moses had it all at the start. Saw that life was not the
fanciful bouquet of roses his sheltered life masked from him. Sought a
more meaningful existence through patience, self meditation, and
personal understanding.
I think buddha is in several religions? Hinduism, Buddism, etc.? I really don't know without looking it up
Summaries:
Of all of the religious leaders I think Buddha's message is the best
and least tainted through centuries of self-serving, vile "religious
leaders" that try and present themselves as only one step from God and
pray on peoples fears and faith to control them. While I don't believe
that the icons themselves were that way in reality, only that their
messages have been so tainted by centuries, its impossible to
understand their true intent.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Proclamation of Thanksgiving
Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.
I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State
October 3, 1863
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defense, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.
I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward,
Secretary of State
Friday, November 7, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
If abortion isn’t killing babies…then why are these pictures so disturbing?
WARNING The link below contains pictures of the aftermath of abortions.
Link
Animal rights advocates argue that in order to make their case they must show terrible photographs, such as baby seals being clubbed to death. If there’s a place to look at such pictures, why shouldn't there be a place to look at pictures of abortions?
Gregg Cunningham of The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform says, "Abortion represents an evil so inexpressible that words fail us when attempting to describe its horror. Until abortion is seen, it will never be understood."
Pro-abortion columnist Naomi Wolf observes, "The pro-choice movement often treats with contempt the pro-lifers' practice of holding up to our faces their disturbing graphics....[But] how can we charge that it is vile and repulsive for pro-lifers to brandish vile and repulsive images if the images are real? To insist that the truth is in poor taste is the very height of hypocrisy."
I am not intending to turn this blog into one only about abortion but I think this is an important worldview issue and should be addressed.
Link
Animal rights advocates argue that in order to make their case they must show terrible photographs, such as baby seals being clubbed to death. If there’s a place to look at such pictures, why shouldn't there be a place to look at pictures of abortions?
Gregg Cunningham of The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform says, "Abortion represents an evil so inexpressible that words fail us when attempting to describe its horror. Until abortion is seen, it will never be understood."
Pro-abortion columnist Naomi Wolf observes, "The pro-choice movement often treats with contempt the pro-lifers' practice of holding up to our faces their disturbing graphics....[But] how can we charge that it is vile and repulsive for pro-lifers to brandish vile and repulsive images if the images are real? To insist that the truth is in poor taste is the very height of hypocrisy."
I am not intending to turn this blog into one only about abortion but I think this is an important worldview issue and should be addressed.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Judicial activism
"I think that it's important for judges to understand that if a woman is out there trying to raise a family, trying to support her family, and is being treated unfairly, then the court has to stand up, if nobody else will. And that's the kind of judge that I want."
-Barack Obama
That isn't what judges are supposed to do. Judges are not there to be activists. They are there to apply the law based off of the Constitution of the United States of America. Why is it we even have a written constitution if judges can just make their decisions on what they personally think is fair?
Activist judges used the due process clause 14th amendment to say that anti-abortion laws were violating women's constitutional right to privacy. Not sure what that is? Well here you go:
I guess that whole depriving a person of life thing only applies if your mother finds it convenient. Now some will say that we don't know when a baby in the womb should be called a person. They may even say it is above their pay grade. Well if we don't know when then why don't we err on the side of caution? Everyone knows that human life begins at conception. To deny that is just sticking your head in the sand. Why is it ok to end that life simply because the mother doesn't want to take responsibility? What if the mother of an infant no longer wants the responsibility? If the baby is ok to kill at 6 months in the womb why can't he be killed at 1 month outside?
I have no doubt that if elected president Barack Obama will appoint activist judges to the supreme court. I base that off of his record and previous statements. He will sign the the freedom of choice act which will make partial birth abortions completely legal again.
If you think it is a good idea to kill babies in this way then by all means vote for Barack Obama. If you don't then vote for someone else.
-Barack Obama
That isn't what judges are supposed to do. Judges are not there to be activists. They are there to apply the law based off of the Constitution of the United States of America. Why is it we even have a written constitution if judges can just make their decisions on what they personally think is fair?
Activist judges used the due process clause 14th amendment to say that anti-abortion laws were violating women's constitutional right to privacy. Not sure what that is? Well here you go:
"No State shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law ..." (source)
I guess that whole depriving a person of life thing only applies if your mother finds it convenient. Now some will say that we don't know when a baby in the womb should be called a person. They may even say it is above their pay grade. Well if we don't know when then why don't we err on the side of caution? Everyone knows that human life begins at conception. To deny that is just sticking your head in the sand. Why is it ok to end that life simply because the mother doesn't want to take responsibility? What if the mother of an infant no longer wants the responsibility? If the baby is ok to kill at 6 months in the womb why can't he be killed at 1 month outside?
I have no doubt that if elected president Barack Obama will appoint activist judges to the supreme court. I base that off of his record and previous statements. He will sign the the freedom of choice act which will make partial birth abortions completely legal again.
If you think it is a good idea to kill babies in this way then by all means vote for Barack Obama. If you don't then vote for someone else.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
A person who claims to be "pro-life" is not being truthful if they are supporting a "pro-abortion" political figure.
Another very provocative statement. I am hoping it will stir up some conversation. Let me know what you think, either in the comments or by sending an email to worldview.experiment@gmail.com.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
A new question
This morning I sent out a new question to the same list of people that I sent the first six questions to.
The question was this:
Who are the following people? (I'm not looking for an encyclopedia definition. Tell me what who you think they are)
Jesus Christ
Muhammad
Moses
Buddha
I am really looking forward to the responses that I get from this one. As before I will be posting responses but this time I think I will put them all together. One post per person with all the responses I get.
If there is anyone reading this blog that would like to chime in just send your response to worldview.experiment@gmail.com.
The question was this:
Who are the following people? (I'm not looking for an encyclopedia definition. Tell me what who you think they are)
Jesus Christ
Muhammad
Moses
Buddha
I am really looking forward to the responses that I get from this one. As before I will be posting responses but this time I think I will put them all together. One post per person with all the responses I get.
If there is anyone reading this blog that would like to chime in just send your response to worldview.experiment@gmail.com.
Friday, August 29, 2008
If atheism is true then humans have no value
That is quite a provocative statement. I post it for a couple reasons. First I want to see if anyone is reading this silly little blog. Second I think it is a good statement that will stir debate.
So what do you think? Is that statement true? Why or why not?
So what do you think? Is that statement true? Why or why not?
Monday, August 18, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
10th responder
Why is there something rather than nothing? There has always been something. Pure nothingness does not exist.
How do you explain human nature?
Man was once perfect but since since the fall man is sinful.
What happens to a person at death?
An infinite existence in the presence of the Creator or an infinite separation.
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
We all have a moral compass that we follow that is defined by a combination of experiences throughout our lives. Unfortunately there has only ever been one man who got it right.
How do you know that you know?
I know therefore I know.
What is the meaning of history?
It is a resource to help us define the decisions that we make today.
How do you explain human nature?
Man was once perfect but since since the fall man is sinful.
What happens to a person at death?
An infinite existence in the presence of the Creator or an infinite separation.
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
We all have a moral compass that we follow that is defined by a combination of experiences throughout our lives. Unfortunately there has only ever been one man who got it right.
How do you know that you know?
I know therefore I know.
What is the meaning of history?
It is a resource to help us define the decisions that we make today.
Friday, July 25, 2008
More follow up with responder 3
Why is there something rather than nothing?
There is something because the without something,
existence would have no purpose. The existance of
something is the basis for all that we see, feel and
do.
Where did the something that we call the universe come from?
God created the Universe. The Universe is the physical realm of existence and Heaven/Hell is the spiritual realm.
What leads you to believe that God created everything?
God is the spiritual supreme being of all existence. The Universe had to have come from somewhere -- it didn't just appear at the Big Bang. God was there first -- at the beginning.
How do you know that you know?
I don't know that I know anything. All I know is what
I believe. I don't know there is a God because there
is no physical proof that he exists. God defies
science. However, I believe in God. That's faith,
believing in something you cannot know because of
proof, but something you do know because you have
faith -- that you know in your heart to be the
absolute truth.
If you don't know that you know anything then how can you "know in your heart" that something is "absolute truth"?
Faith. It's the sense that what I know is right.
Do I think there are aliens? Yes. Can I know that there are aliens? No, unless one knocks on my door sometime. However aliens have no connection to my soul while God does. So while I can say I believe in aliens, I cannot prove they exist because there is no scientific proof. The spiritual connection I have with God allows me to know God exists without scientific proof.
Science is defined as "the effort to understand, or to understand better, how the physical works, with observable evidence as the basis of that understanding". Given that definition how does God defy science?
God is not physical, God is spiritual. Science can only prove or disprove what exists in the physical world. They haven't invented the gauge or meter yet that can prove or disprove anything spiritual.
I agree that God is not physical and that He is spiritual. That still does not answer the question on how God defies science. To defy something one has to actively oppose it. I would say that God does not oppose science at all. Rather, science is a way that we can discover more about the design of His creation.
When I say that God defies science, I mean that God cannot be proven by science as God is spiritual and intangible. I agree that science can study God's creations, which are physical but it cannot prove or disprove something spiritual because (at our current level of scientific knowledge) we have no way to analyze spiritual energy, beings or realms.
What kind of evidence would qualify as proof of God?
I don't think there will any be any true evidence of God. God won't allow it -- proof would remove faith from the equation.
While I don't think there there is any emprical proof of the existance of God I do think there is some strong evidence to support His existance. For now lets get rid of the word proof and stick with evidence. Do you think that evidence for the existance of God would remove faith. If you do then why?
Yes. Faith is the belief in God without evidence. I believe in God even though there are no photos, no video, no physical being I can touch or speak to. If solid evidence of God's existence was discovered, faith would no longer be necessary. People would look at the evidence and know. Knowing in your heart because of your soul is different than knowing in your brain because of evidence.
Do you think it is important to know that what your believe is real or not?
To myself, it's not important that I know that what I believe is real or not real. What I believe is defined by the logic part of my physical brain and the faith of my spirit. I don't need to know that what I believe is real, because I feel that is is real and that's good enough for me.
There is something because the without something,
existence would have no purpose. The existance of
something is the basis for all that we see, feel and
do.
Where did the something that we call the universe come from?
God created the Universe. The Universe is the physical realm of existence and Heaven/Hell is the spiritual realm.
What leads you to believe that God created everything?
God is the spiritual supreme being of all existence. The Universe had to have come from somewhere -- it didn't just appear at the Big Bang. God was there first -- at the beginning.
How do you know that you know?
I don't know that I know anything. All I know is what
I believe. I don't know there is a God because there
is no physical proof that he exists. God defies
science. However, I believe in God. That's faith,
believing in something you cannot know because of
proof, but something you do know because you have
faith -- that you know in your heart to be the
absolute truth.
If you don't know that you know anything then how can you "know in your heart" that something is "absolute truth"?
Faith. It's the sense that what I know is right.
Do I think there are aliens? Yes. Can I know that there are aliens? No, unless one knocks on my door sometime. However aliens have no connection to my soul while God does. So while I can say I believe in aliens, I cannot prove they exist because there is no scientific proof. The spiritual connection I have with God allows me to know God exists without scientific proof.
Science is defined as "the effort to understand, or to understand better, how the physical works, with observable evidence as the basis of that understanding". Given that definition how does God defy science?
God is not physical, God is spiritual. Science can only prove or disprove what exists in the physical world. They haven't invented the gauge or meter yet that can prove or disprove anything spiritual.
I agree that God is not physical and that He is spiritual. That still does not answer the question on how God defies science. To defy something one has to actively oppose it. I would say that God does not oppose science at all. Rather, science is a way that we can discover more about the design of His creation.
When I say that God defies science, I mean that God cannot be proven by science as God is spiritual and intangible. I agree that science can study God's creations, which are physical but it cannot prove or disprove something spiritual because (at our current level of scientific knowledge) we have no way to analyze spiritual energy, beings or realms.
What kind of evidence would qualify as proof of God?
I don't think there will any be any true evidence of God. God won't allow it -- proof would remove faith from the equation.
While I don't think there there is any emprical proof of the existance of God I do think there is some strong evidence to support His existance. For now lets get rid of the word proof and stick with evidence. Do you think that evidence for the existance of God would remove faith. If you do then why?
Yes. Faith is the belief in God without evidence. I believe in God even though there are no photos, no video, no physical being I can touch or speak to. If solid evidence of God's existence was discovered, faith would no longer be necessary. People would look at the evidence and know. Knowing in your heart because of your soul is different than knowing in your brain because of evidence.
Do you think it is important to know that what your believe is real or not?
To myself, it's not important that I know that what I believe is real or not real. What I believe is defined by the logic part of my physical brain and the faith of my spirit. I don't need to know that what I believe is real, because I feel that is is real and that's good enough for me.
More follow up with responder 6
What happens to a person at death?
I think when you die that's it - it's over. You are gone. I wish I could say I believed in some form of life after death or some continuance of the spirit but I don't. Death is final.
What makes you come to this conclusion?
Many faiths that follow the bible have contradicting stories or beliefs or rules. Christian religions for me are the most unbelievable. The bible portrays "god" as a vengeful wrathful being. Do these things and I will strike you down to hell. I will not forgive you for doing these things and I will send you to a terrible place. With a god like that - No thanks. I have learned about other religions that believe in reincarnation or other version of afterlife/heaven/hell and I don't find solace in any of them. I'll stick with dying frees you from fear, emotion and pain. Death is the absence of all life.
Why should people take care of the poor and sick?
Taking care of others I think is a good thing. I think to improve as a race we should take care of the sick more often.
If death frees people from fear and pain then wouldn't it be helping the poor and sick to just kill them?
I do believe in euthanasia. If a person is terminal and is in excruciating pain - why not help them slip into death and free themselves from the pain and the agony. Of course it would be the patients choice and no one else should try to interfere with that choice such as government or religion.
What faiths that follow the bible have contradicting stories/beliefs/rules?
Christianity (includes Catholicism, lutheran, baptist etc) would be the one I am referring to. Prime example: whatever happens is God's will. God does things for a reason and we should not question that. So - why does the bible encourage prayer when God has already decided what shall be? Seems to me that praying is useless. Another example is that if you do one of these 10 things (commandments) god will send you to hell - directly to hell. But he is a merciful god and he loves you.
Based off of what you said about the bible I can see that you don't like it. How does just not liking something make it unbelievable?
Actually - if you change your question around you get my answer - I don't believe in God or the bible - therefor, I do not like it.
What other reasons do you have for not believing in a god or higher power?
As far as not believing in another higher power - I have not seen any evidence to support a theory of a higher power of any kind. I do believe there are other living beings in the galaxy that we don't know about be it human or another species all together but an omnipotent all knowing supernatural power - sounds a little too much like Santa Claus.
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
Part of it is the same as knowing you know. You can feel inside that your heart and brain are in sync and there is no anxiety in your body. (See next question for full detail) The other part I think is deeply rooted in childhood. I think you look back on experiences and ask yourself what is right. Since everyone had a different childhood perspective there is no simple answer as to what is right and wrong. Some believe in cultural norms or ethics or morals or whatever you want to call it. But determining what is right and wrong goes much deeper than what a culture says is OK. I rely on feelings to determine what is right and what is wrong. Again, it's the feeling that my heart and my brain are in sync. This is a very broad question and I think alot of my answer has to do with a specific right or wrong. Be it a personal decision, a question of someones business practices, a government decision, a religious practice.
Do you think that there is some objective moral standard of right and wrong or good and evil?
No. It's different for every one. I don't think with the world we live in today it could that black and white.
If rape was not illegal would it still be wrong?
Yes. Illegal does not automatically make something bad and legal does NOT make something automatically good. Rape is taking and violating someone against their will. Any act done to intentionally hurt someone and/or against their will is wrong in my opinion.
Why is what the hijackers did on 9/11 considered evil?
They killed innocent people for no other reason than they didn't like americans. They killed people because we didn't share their beliefs in Allah and they think americans are evil across the board. You want to commit suicide - go ahead and have fun. Don't take others with you. Killing in the name of any higher being is one of the worst - immoral - evil things going on. Violence begets violence. I don't think it solves the world's problems.
If there is no objective moral standard (ethic) then how can anyone say something is right or wrong?
Maybe we can't. Maybe we just decide our perception of right and wrong is the same one others should follow. I really think that as long as you are not physically or emotionally hurting some other living being that you're OK.
What if two people's feelings on what is right and wrong are diametrically opposed? Who is "right" in that case?
There is no simple answer as to who is right or wrong. Could be both, neither or one. Honestly, I think would depend on the situation. There is no way to say one person/culture/group/ideal is "right".
What if one person/culture/group/ideal feels it is right to kill off anther person/culture/group for being too short/tall or wrong color skin/hair/eyes?
Is that right or wrong and why?
It's wrong to kill others who don't believe in the same things as you do. Take for instance the Holocaust. Was it wrong for the Nazi's to kill Jews because of a different belief structure? YES Was it wrong of us to kill the Nazi's for killing the jews? No - The line I draw is the Nazi's killed the jews because of their beliefs/looks etc. We killed the Nazi's for killing innocent people. It all stems down to believe what you want. But when you hurt another living being you are committing a bad/evil act.
I think when you die that's it - it's over. You are gone. I wish I could say I believed in some form of life after death or some continuance of the spirit but I don't. Death is final.
What makes you come to this conclusion?
Many faiths that follow the bible have contradicting stories or beliefs or rules. Christian religions for me are the most unbelievable. The bible portrays "god" as a vengeful wrathful being. Do these things and I will strike you down to hell. I will not forgive you for doing these things and I will send you to a terrible place. With a god like that - No thanks. I have learned about other religions that believe in reincarnation or other version of afterlife/heaven/hell and I don't find solace in any of them. I'll stick with dying frees you from fear, emotion and pain. Death is the absence of all life.
Why should people take care of the poor and sick?
Taking care of others I think is a good thing. I think to improve as a race we should take care of the sick more often.
If death frees people from fear and pain then wouldn't it be helping the poor and sick to just kill them?
I do believe in euthanasia. If a person is terminal and is in excruciating pain - why not help them slip into death and free themselves from the pain and the agony. Of course it would be the patients choice and no one else should try to interfere with that choice such as government or religion.
What faiths that follow the bible have contradicting stories/beliefs/rules?
Christianity (includes Catholicism, lutheran, baptist etc) would be the one I am referring to. Prime example: whatever happens is God's will. God does things for a reason and we should not question that. So - why does the bible encourage prayer when God has already decided what shall be? Seems to me that praying is useless. Another example is that if you do one of these 10 things (commandments) god will send you to hell - directly to hell. But he is a merciful god and he loves you.
Based off of what you said about the bible I can see that you don't like it. How does just not liking something make it unbelievable?
Actually - if you change your question around you get my answer - I don't believe in God or the bible - therefor, I do not like it.
What other reasons do you have for not believing in a god or higher power?
As far as not believing in another higher power - I have not seen any evidence to support a theory of a higher power of any kind. I do believe there are other living beings in the galaxy that we don't know about be it human or another species all together but an omnipotent all knowing supernatural power - sounds a little too much like Santa Claus.
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
Part of it is the same as knowing you know. You can feel inside that your heart and brain are in sync and there is no anxiety in your body. (See next question for full detail) The other part I think is deeply rooted in childhood. I think you look back on experiences and ask yourself what is right. Since everyone had a different childhood perspective there is no simple answer as to what is right and wrong. Some believe in cultural norms or ethics or morals or whatever you want to call it. But determining what is right and wrong goes much deeper than what a culture says is OK. I rely on feelings to determine what is right and what is wrong. Again, it's the feeling that my heart and my brain are in sync. This is a very broad question and I think alot of my answer has to do with a specific right or wrong. Be it a personal decision, a question of someones business practices, a government decision, a religious practice.
Do you think that there is some objective moral standard of right and wrong or good and evil?
No. It's different for every one. I don't think with the world we live in today it could that black and white.
If rape was not illegal would it still be wrong?
Yes. Illegal does not automatically make something bad and legal does NOT make something automatically good. Rape is taking and violating someone against their will. Any act done to intentionally hurt someone and/or against their will is wrong in my opinion.
Why is what the hijackers did on 9/11 considered evil?
They killed innocent people for no other reason than they didn't like americans. They killed people because we didn't share their beliefs in Allah and they think americans are evil across the board. You want to commit suicide - go ahead and have fun. Don't take others with you. Killing in the name of any higher being is one of the worst - immoral - evil things going on. Violence begets violence. I don't think it solves the world's problems.
If there is no objective moral standard (ethic) then how can anyone say something is right or wrong?
Maybe we can't. Maybe we just decide our perception of right and wrong is the same one others should follow. I really think that as long as you are not physically or emotionally hurting some other living being that you're OK.
What if two people's feelings on what is right and wrong are diametrically opposed? Who is "right" in that case?
There is no simple answer as to who is right or wrong. Could be both, neither or one. Honestly, I think would depend on the situation. There is no way to say one person/culture/group/ideal is "right".
What if one person/culture/group/ideal feels it is right to kill off anther person/culture/group for being too short/tall or wrong color skin/hair/eyes?
Is that right or wrong and why?
It's wrong to kill others who don't believe in the same things as you do. Take for instance the Holocaust. Was it wrong for the Nazi's to kill Jews because of a different belief structure? YES Was it wrong of us to kill the Nazi's for killing the jews? No - The line I draw is the Nazi's killed the jews because of their beliefs/looks etc. We killed the Nazi's for killing innocent people. It all stems down to believe what you want. But when you hurt another living being you are committing a bad/evil act.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Unstoppable force vs. unmovable object
I'm not sure if this would qualify as a worldview question but I am going to ask it here anyway. Send your answer to worldview.experiment@gmail.com. I will post any answers I get next week.
Can an unstoppable force and and unmovable object both exist? Why or why not?
Update 7/18/08
Well I only got one response and here it is:
According to the dictionary, "unstoppable" is defined as: that cannot be stopped or surpassed; unbeatable: an unstoppable ball team. Unmovable is defined as: not able or intended to be moved; "the immovable hills." With that information, I hold the same answer as I did before reading the definitions. This is a fancy way of saying "Could God create a rock so heavy that even He couldn't lift it?" There is nothing greater or more powerful than God. God can not be contained or restricted in any way. He is everywhere and all knowing. So does that make God an unstoppable force? I suppose so, if that is the way you want to look at it. I don't view God that way though. God just is. God said, "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' " How powerful God is. He didn't say "I was" or "I will be," just "I am." Those two tiny words transcend time and space. What could be more powerful than that? I digress. Now to the issue of an unmovable object. From a human being standpoint, yes, there are plenty of objects we cannot lift let alone move. This leads me back to God. He created everything with mere words. God can move the mountains and arrange the planets with just His words. Nothing is more powerful than that.
Update 8/15/08
I got another response
yes
3 ways
1. The unstoppable object started at the location of the unmovable
object and continued infinitely into space. Geometrically this would
be similar to a ray. With the theory that the universe is continually
expanding the unstoppable object would never stop and never loop back
around to interact with the unmovable object.
2. Relative view. If the object were large enough (say planetoid
size) a person seeing the object approach the object would appear
unstoppable. To a person located on the object it would appear to be
unstoppable.
3. Relative view. The object were moving slow enough, say a large
fraction of a small measurement per multiple millenniums. One observer
would say that the object is immovable since the movement could not
accurately nor quantifiablly be measured. A second observer would say
that although it can not be measured it is still moving and its
movement could be measure given enough time.
Can an unstoppable force and and unmovable object both exist? Why or why not?
Update 7/18/08
Well I only got one response and here it is:
According to the dictionary, "unstoppable" is defined as: that cannot be stopped or surpassed; unbeatable: an unstoppable ball team. Unmovable is defined as: not able or intended to be moved; "the immovable hills." With that information, I hold the same answer as I did before reading the definitions. This is a fancy way of saying "Could God create a rock so heavy that even He couldn't lift it?" There is nothing greater or more powerful than God. God can not be contained or restricted in any way. He is everywhere and all knowing. So does that make God an unstoppable force? I suppose so, if that is the way you want to look at it. I don't view God that way though. God just is. God said, "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' " How powerful God is. He didn't say "I was" or "I will be," just "I am." Those two tiny words transcend time and space. What could be more powerful than that? I digress. Now to the issue of an unmovable object. From a human being standpoint, yes, there are plenty of objects we cannot lift let alone move. This leads me back to God. He created everything with mere words. God can move the mountains and arrange the planets with just His words. Nothing is more powerful than that.
Update 8/15/08
I got another response
yes
3 ways
1. The unstoppable object started at the location of the unmovable
object and continued infinitely into space. Geometrically this would
be similar to a ray. With the theory that the universe is continually
expanding the unstoppable object would never stop and never loop back
around to interact with the unmovable object.
2. Relative view. If the object were large enough (say planetoid
size) a person seeing the object approach the object would appear
unstoppable. To a person located on the object it would appear to be
unstoppable.
3. Relative view. The object were moving slow enough, say a large
fraction of a small measurement per multiple millenniums. One observer
would say that the object is immovable since the movement could not
accurately nor quantifiablly be measured. A second observer would say
that although it can not be measured it is still moving and its
movement could be measure given enough time.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Clash of worldviews
This man did what he did because of certain beliefs he has. In his worldview it is ok for a man to kill his daughter for bringing dishonor to his family. The predominant worldview of the US says that what he did is wrong.
Which worldview is more in line with reality? Would what he did still be wrong in a culture that allows honor killings?
Which worldview is more in line with reality? Would what he did still be wrong in a culture that allows honor killings?
Monday, June 30, 2008
6th responder with some follow up questions
Why is there something rather than nothing?
From a purely scientific point of view - there is always something air, a molecule a miniscule particle. Even space or "outer space" has particles, stars, moons planets. Something is always there. Even in ones self there are the intangibles of feelings, thoughts and emotions. A state of nothingness does not exist for me - in life.
How do you explain human nature?
This was probably the hardest question. The last one I answered. And I still don't think I have a very good answer. I think it is just human nature to survive and maybe even to deny the eventual end of life. It is in our nature to find what gives us pleasure, whatever that may be.
What happens to a person at death?
I think when you die that's it - it's over. You are gone. I wish I could say I believed in some form of life after death or some continuance of the spirit but I don't. Death is final.
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
Part of it is the same as knowing you know. You can feel inside that your heart and brain are in sync and there is no anxiety in your body. (See next question for full detail) The other part I think is deeply rooted in childhood. I think you look back on experiences and ask yourself what is right. Since everyone had a different childhood perspective there is no simple answer as to what is right and wrong. Some believe in cultural norms or ethics or morals or whatever you want to call it. But determining what is right and wrong goes much deeper than what a culture says is OK. I rely on feelings to determine what is right and what is wrong. Again, it's the feeling that my heart and my brain are in sync. This is a very broad question and I think alot of my answer has to do with a specific right or wrong. Be it a personal decision, a question of someones business practices, a government decision, a religious practice.
From a purely scientific point of view - there is always something air, a molecule a miniscule particle. Even space or "outer space" has particles, stars, moons planets. Something is always there. Even in ones self there are the intangibles of feelings, thoughts and emotions. A state of nothingness does not exist for me - in life.
Have you ever thougth why all the "stuff" (or someting) exists?
I believe that something exists rather than nothing because to me nothing equals death.
How do you explain human nature?
This was probably the hardest question. The last one I answered. And I still don't think I have a very good answer. I think it is just human nature to survive and maybe even to deny the eventual end of life. It is in our nature to find what gives us pleasure, whatever that may be.
Would you say that human nature is basically good or bad?
Neither. I think people are born with a clean slate. What you learn and how you are raised play a big part in determining if a person is good or bad. Maybe even just your natural development helps determine good or bad. But I don't think that human nature is either good or bad. Good cannot exist without bad, something can't exist without nothing. I think everyone has a little of both in them.
What happens to a person at death?
I think when you die that's it - it's over. You are gone. I wish I could say I believed in some form of life after death or some continuance of the spirit but I don't. Death is final.
What makes you come to this conclusion?
Many faiths that follow the bible have contradicting stories or beliefs or rules. Christian religions for me are the most unbelievable. The bible portrays "god" as a vengeful wrathful being. Do these things and I will strike you down to hell. I will not forgive you for doing these things and I will send you to a terrible place. With a god like that - No thanks. I have learned about other religions that believe in reincarnation or other version of afterlife/heaven/hell and I don't find solace in any of them. I'll stick with dying frees you from fear, emotion and pain. Death is the absence of all life.
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
Part of it is the same as knowing you know. You can feel inside that your heart and brain are in sync and there is no anxiety in your body. (See next question for full detail) The other part I think is deeply rooted in childhood. I think you look back on experiences and ask yourself what is right. Since everyone had a different childhood perspective there is no simple answer as to what is right and wrong. Some believe in cultural norms or ethics or morals or whatever you want to call it. But determining what is right and wrong goes much deeper than what a culture says is OK. I rely on feelings to determine what is right and what is wrong. Again, it's the feeling that my heart and my brain are in sync. This is a very broad question and I think alot of my answer has to do with a specific right or wrong. Be it a personal decision, a question of someones business practices, a government decision, a religious practice.
Do you think that there is some objective moral standard of right and wrong or good and evil?
No. It's different for every one. I don't think with the world we live in today it could that black and white.
What if two people's feelings on what is right and wrong are diametrically opposed? Who is "right" in that case?
There is no simple answer as to who is right or wrong. Could be both, neither or one. Honestly, I think would depend on the situation. There is no way to say one person/culture/group/ideal is "right".
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
2nd responder
Why is there something rather than nothing?
Because God exists and made something
How do you explain human nature?
Sinful
What happens to a person at death?
If they believe in Jesus and accept Him as their savior then Heaven awaits
If they don't believe, they go to Hell
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
Based on the Bible the standards of right and wrong contained w/i it.
How do you know that you know?
Because I know that know - I simply know - There is no greater authority than God.
What is the meaning of history?
not sure- would defer to Webster on the English meaning of "history"
Because God exists and made something
How do you explain human nature?
Sinful
What happens to a person at death?
If they believe in Jesus and accept Him as their savior then Heaven awaits
If they don't believe, they go to Hell
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
Based on the Bible the standards of right and wrong contained w/i it.
How do you know that you know?
Because I know that know - I simply know - There is no greater authority than God.
What is the meaning of history?
not sure- would defer to Webster on the English meaning of "history"
This question doesn't refer the the meaning of the word. Basically it is asking if history has any meaning.
Here are some examples:
One answer is that history is determined as part of a mechanistic universe. Another answer is that history is a linear stream of events linked by cause and effect but without purpose. Yet another answer is that history is meaningless because life is absurd
Those history answer examples are way out there. I have not found my mind capable of producing that kind of abstract thought in most cases.
so "What is History?
I would say it is events of the past from creation until leading up to right now that we can study and learn from now / learn from past mistakes and successes - that's all I got.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
4th responder
Why is there something rather than nothing?
Everything can be defined... which means "nothing" can never exist.
How do you explain human nature?
An oxymoron. Its the desire for order within the chaos of life.
What happens to a person at death?
Hopefully something wonderful. But I'm ready for disappointment and the smell of sulfur!
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
Usually with logic... if its faulty or not is the question.
How do you know that you know?
The only true knowledge is that you know nothing.
What is the meaning of history?
History is a wonderful thing. If only it were true. Its all about perception and who hold the pen.
Everything can be defined... which means "nothing" can never exist.
How do you explain human nature?
An oxymoron. Its the desire for order within the chaos of life.
What happens to a person at death?
Hopefully something wonderful. But I'm ready for disappointment and the smell of sulfur!
What makes you hope for "something wonderful"? Why do you think you will be disappointed?
The romantic in me would like to believe in a heaven/hell. But the realist in me thinks you just vanish. The strange idea is that the energy in your brain has to go somewhere. Energy doesn't just stop. Does it dissipate or move on?
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
Usually with logic... if its faulty or not is the question.
How do you determine if your logic is faulty?
All you can do is keep an open mind. Listen to opposing points of views, and always understand that you could be wrong. After all the data is gathered, processed and interpreted, a decision is made. Whether you care if its right or wrong is another question.
How do you know that you know?
The only true knowledge is that you know nothing.
If the only true knowledge is that you know nothing then how do you know that you know nothing?
You don't.
What is the meaning of history?
History is a wonderful thing. If only it were true. Its all about perception and who hold the pen.
8th responder
Why is there something rather than nothing?
without something there is nothing.
without something there is no existance.
without something there is no matter, no life, no thought.
How do you explain human nature?
Human nature is both instinctual and learned reactions to situations.These situations can be organized and well planned, random andchaotic, or even dangerous and frightening. The great scope of "humannature" sometimes drastically conflicts with a rational well thoughtout reaction due to the seriousness and/or instantaneousness of thesituation. The difference between rational planning and a person'sdecision is often determines how others rate their actions; rangingfrom brutal and inhumane to heroic and purely self sacrificing.
What happens to a person at death?
While the thought of a person's personality and soul simply disappearsat the moment of their death is both disheartening and depressing, itis easy to see how this idea was the initial catalyst of religion andidea of life after death. That idea makes the thought of our ownfuture death more acceptable as well as accepting of the passing ofthose we love. Almost all religions believe in some form of acontinuation of a person's spirit or soul once their earthly shellceases to function. This can be the idea of reincarnation, Heaven,Valhalla, a continual replay of the happiest moment in your previouslife, or even a random combination or blending as one sees fit.Personally, I try to think of it as little as possible. I neither lookforward to seeing what awaits me nor fear it. I embrace what and whomakes up what I know now.
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
A combination of what was instilled (or beaten) into me growing up,current criminal and civil law that I am aware of, and the idea of thegolden rule; treat others as you would like to be treated. I oftenthink of how my actions would or can affect those around me andsometimes a random stranger.
How do you know that you know?
I don't. I guess alot. ALOT!
What is the meaning of history?A record of previous event in time as scribed by persons involved inthe events or a theory of previous events through careful examinationof artifacts and scientific data from a given moment or moments intime.
without something there is nothing.
without something there is no existance.
without something there is no matter, no life, no thought.
How do you explain human nature?
Human nature is both instinctual and learned reactions to situations.These situations can be organized and well planned, random andchaotic, or even dangerous and frightening. The great scope of "humannature" sometimes drastically conflicts with a rational well thoughtout reaction due to the seriousness and/or instantaneousness of thesituation. The difference between rational planning and a person'sdecision is often determines how others rate their actions; rangingfrom brutal and inhumane to heroic and purely self sacrificing.
What happens to a person at death?
While the thought of a person's personality and soul simply disappearsat the moment of their death is both disheartening and depressing, itis easy to see how this idea was the initial catalyst of religion andidea of life after death. That idea makes the thought of our ownfuture death more acceptable as well as accepting of the passing ofthose we love. Almost all religions believe in some form of acontinuation of a person's spirit or soul once their earthly shellceases to function. This can be the idea of reincarnation, Heaven,Valhalla, a continual replay of the happiest moment in your previouslife, or even a random combination or blending as one sees fit.Personally, I try to think of it as little as possible. I neither lookforward to seeing what awaits me nor fear it. I embrace what and whomakes up what I know now.
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
A combination of what was instilled (or beaten) into me growing up,current criminal and civil law that I am aware of, and the idea of thegolden rule; treat others as you would like to be treated. I oftenthink of how my actions would or can affect those around me andsometimes a random stranger.
How do you know that you know?
I don't. I guess alot. ALOT!
What is the meaning of history?A record of previous event in time as scribed by persons involved inthe events or a theory of previous events through careful examinationof artifacts and scientific data from a given moment or moments intime.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
7th responder
Why is there something rather than nothing?
Out of nothing, God created everything.
How do you explain human nature?
Human nature is sinful.
What happens to a person at death?
When we die, we are judged by God according to His book of life.
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
That which is wrong goes against the nature of God. That which is right agrees with His nature.
How do you know that you know?
My brain and five senses enable me to perceive the world I live in. More importantlyI know what I know because of God's word.
What is the meaning of history?
Man's view is the occurrence of events which make us as a species what we are today.God's history is the events revealed in His word for His glory and purpose.
Out of nothing, God created everything.
How do you explain human nature?
Human nature is sinful.
How do you define sinful?
That which is contrary to the nature of God.
What happens to a person at death?
When we die, we are judged by God according to His book of life.
What happens to those not in the book of life?
They spend eternity separated from God.
How does one get into the book of life?
By confessing that Jesus Christ, born pure and without sin, took our place on the cross to be the only sacrifice worthy to be placed before God as payment for our sins. And that through Christ, and only Him, we may stand before God without blemish to spend eternity in His glory.
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
That which is wrong goes against the nature of God. That which is right agrees with His nature.
How do you know God's nature?
From reading His word.
How do you know that you know?
My brain and five senses enable me to perceive the world I live in. More importantlyI know what I know because of God's word.
How do you know what God's word is?
I'll admit, this question made me think quite a bit. I believe that which is written in the Holy Bible. Without getting into extreme detail, I believe those books to be without error. Many events that took place in the scriptures have been proven by scientists and historians, and other documents around the same time period have also proven the Bible's accuracy
What is the meaning of history?
Man's view is the occurrence of events which make us as a species what we are today.God's history is the events revealed in His word for His glory and purpose.
3rd responder
Why is there something rather than nothing?
There is something because the without something, existence would have no purpose. The existance of something is the basis for all that we see, feel and do.
How do you explain human nature?
Homo sapiens are inherently greedy and violent creatures. Human nature is to consume, to amass belongings, to procreate and to crave power over others. It's our humanity and our soul that separates us from other animals. It allows us to control our animal urges and live in an orderly society. Our laws are crafted to control the more animal aspects of our human nature (murder, assault, theft, rape, etc.) so
that we can live in a civil society. People who give into our instincts have lesser control over their humanity and are jailed to keep the peace of those who
do obey the laws of society.
What happens to a person at death?
I've heard many versions of what happens at death, spanning many different religious views. Here is what I believe happens, culled from what I've been taught and what I feel in my heart is right. When a person dies, he or she is brought to the gates of Heaven. The person's life is judged based on the negative and positive things they accomplished while alive. If the person is truly good, they're allowed passage to
heaven. If they're at heart a good person, but may have a 'tarnished' soul due to excessive endulgence in their vice(s) of choice (sex, drugs, etc.), they are
sent to Purgatory so their soul may be cleansed. While time doesn't exist in heaven, a soul is very aware of passing time while their soul is purified and they've sufficiently attoned for their sins. The truly evil (those who have committed horrible acts, and show no remorse) are sent directly to hell and are punished for eternity. Those who believe in God, no matter what God they pray to, will be eventually accepted into Heaven. I do not think God would punish any soul for praising his glory in the wrong manner. Those who deny God's existence are sent to a
particular level of hell, which is basically limbo.
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
Generally speaking, right is thoughts or actions that
help yourself or another person and wrong are thoughts
or actions that hurt.
How do you know that you know?
I don't know that I know anything. All I know is what
I believe. I don't know there is a God because there
is no physical proof that he exists. God defies
science. However, I believe in God. That's faith,
believing in something you cannot know because of
proof, but something you do know because you have
faith -- that you know in your heart to be the
absolute truth.
What is the meaning of history?
History is the record of what has happened. It's
guide for ourselves to study, so we can grow and
evolve our humanity. We study the past so we can
avoid the errors of history in the future, though when
leaders with flaws of human nature (greed, lust for
power, etc.) are in power, the errors of history are
often repeated.
There is something because the without something, existence would have no purpose. The existance of something is the basis for all that we see, feel and do.
Where did the something that we call the universe come from?
God created the Universe. The Universe is the physical realm of existence and Heaven/Hell is the spiritual realm.
How do you explain human nature?
Homo sapiens are inherently greedy and violent creatures. Human nature is to consume, to amass belongings, to procreate and to crave power over others. It's our humanity and our soul that separates us from other animals. It allows us to control our animal urges and live in an orderly society. Our laws are crafted to control the more animal aspects of our human nature (murder, assault, theft, rape, etc.) so
that we can live in a civil society. People who give into our instincts have lesser control over their humanity and are jailed to keep the peace of those who
do obey the laws of society.
Based off of your description of human nature I would say you consider humans inherently bad or evil. How are our souls and our humanity not corrupted by our inherent bad or evil nature? Or how do inherently bad/evil people come up with good laws?
Human beings are simply animals. Most of our animal instincts drive us to bad or evil behavior. However, I believe that humans are the only creatures on earth who have souls. The soul is what differentiates us from animals and gives us the understanding of good and evil. The soul gives human beings a duality of physical (animal) and spirtual (the soul). The soul influences our behavior and tells us what is good and what is evil.
Some people choose to favor their animal instinct and indulge in sinful behavior. It's when people turn their back on what the soul tells us is right and wrong that people turn to evil and sin.
What happens to a person at death?
I've heard many versions of what happens at death, spanning many different religious views. Here is what I believe happens, culled from what I've been taught and what I feel in my heart is right. When a person dies, he or she is brought to the gates of Heaven. The person's life is judged based on the negative and positive things they accomplished while alive. If the person is truly good, they're allowed passage to
heaven. If they're at heart a good person, but may have a 'tarnished' soul due to excessive endulgence in their vice(s) of choice (sex, drugs, etc.), they are
sent to Purgatory so their soul may be cleansed. While time doesn't exist in heaven, a soul is very aware of passing time while their soul is purified and they've sufficiently attoned for their sins. The truly evil (those who have committed horrible acts, and show no remorse) are sent directly to hell and are punished for eternity. Those who believe in God, no matter what God they pray to, will be eventually accepted into Heaven. I do not think God would punish any soul for praising his glory in the wrong manner. Those who deny God's existence are sent to a
particular level of hell, which is basically limbo.
How does a person go from being "inherently greedy and violent" to being a "good person"?
The soul is the difference between a "greedy, violent" homo sapien animal and a "good" human being.
Who or what decides how much indulgence is "excessive indulgence"?
I'm not sure how to define excess. One could argue is that more than one of anything is excessive, or that more than one needs to survive is excessive. Only God knows what truly separates need from greed.
Where does the idea of Purgatory come from?
I was taught about Purgatory in CCD when I was very young. I'm not certain where the concept of Purgatory originated, but I believe that God does not see things in black and white. Purgatory is the gray area, where people who are neither pure enough for heaven or sinful enough for hell are sent as their soul is purified and they atone for their sins.
Since every religion has exclusive claims to who God is and what happens in the afterlife then how can all paths lead to the same place?
For example Buddhism is pantheistic and says there is no personal God and everyone can reach "godlikeness" on his own. Islam says that Jesus was just a prophet, and not the only way to God. Christianity says that there is a personal God, and that the only way to Him is through Jesus.
(I think the answer to this follow up question was included in the next one)
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
Generally speaking, right is thoughts or actions that
help yourself or another person and wrong are thoughts
or actions that hurt.
Let me rephrase the question a bit. How do you know that what you see as right and wrong actually are right and wrong? Or how do you know what good and evil are? Do you think there is some sort of objective ethic?
I believe that the common set of ethics held across the world is due to the fact that human beings have souls. The general sense of right and wrong is the same across the world, though the specifics may differ. That general sense of right and wrong is because of the existence of the person's soul. No matter what God they pray to, the soul guides their sense of right and wrong.
How do you know that you know?
I don't know that I know anything. All I know is what
I believe. I don't know there is a God because there
is no physical proof that he exists. God defies
science. However, I believe in God. That's faith,
believing in something you cannot know because of
proof, but something you do know because you have
faith -- that you know in your heart to be the
absolute truth.
If you don't know that you know anything then how can you "know in your heart" that something is "absolute truth"?
Faith. It's the sense that what I know is right.
Do I think there are aliens? Yes. Can I know that there are aliens? No, unless one knocks on my door sometime. However aliens have no connection to my soul while God does. So while I can say I believe in aliens, I cannot prove they exist because there is no scientific proof. The spiritual connection I have with God allows me to know God exists without scientific proof.
Science is defined as "the effort to understand, or to understand better, how the physical works, with observable evidence as the basis of that understanding". Given that definition how does God defy science?
God is not physical, God is spiritual. Science can only prove or disprove what exists in the physical world. They haven't invented the gauge or meter yet that can prove or disprove anything spiritual.
What kind of evidence would qualify as proof of God?
I don't think there will any be any true evidence of God. God won't allow it -- proof would remove faith from the equation.
What is the meaning of history?
History is the record of what has happened. It's
guide for ourselves to study, so we can grow and
evolve our humanity. We study the past so we can
avoid the errors of history in the future, though when
leaders with flaws of human nature (greed, lust for
power, etc.) are in power, the errors of history are
often repeated.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
6th responder
Why is there something rather than nothing?
From a purely scientific point of view - there is always something air, a molecule a miniscule particle. Even space or "outer space" has particles, stars, moons planets. Something is always there. Even in ones self there are the intangibles of feelings, thoughts and emotions. A state of nothingness does not exist for me - in life.
How do you explain human nature?
This was probably the hardest question. The last one I answered. And I still don't think I have a very good answer. I think it is just human nature to survive and maybe even to deny the eventual end of life. It is in our nature to find what gives us pleasure, whatever that may be.
What happens to a person at death?
I think when you die that's it - it's over. You are gone. I wish I could say I believed in some form of life after death or some continuance of the spirit but I don't. Death is final.
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
Part of it is the same as knowing you know. You can feel inside that your heart and brain are in sync and there is no anxiety in your body. (See next question for full detail) The other part I think is deeply rooted in childhood. I think you look back on experiences and ask yourself what is right. Since everyone had a different childhood perspective there is no simple answer as to what is right and wrong. Some believe in cultural norms or ethics or morals or whatever you want to call it. But determining what is right and wrong goes much deeper than what a culture says is OK. I rely on feelings to determine what is right and what is wrong. Again, it's the feeling that my heart and my brain are in sync. This is a very broad question and I think alot of my answer has to do with a specific right or wrong. Be it a personal decision, a question of someones business practices, a government decision, a religious practice.
How do you know that you know?
Best I can say is gut reaction. I feel deep down inside and my heart and my brain feel together and centered. When I don't know,I do feel conflict in my body especially in the stomach area. It shows up in the form of a nervous/anxiety feeling. When I know, it feels natural and there is no second guessing.
What is the meaning of history?
"They" say history repeats itself. Does it or do we just find events happening now that could coincide with the past? When thinking about history, I do feel it is important to know what happened and do our best not to let the bad things happen again. History is boring to learn about and I don't think it really has too much bearing on this time in the world. We should learn from our mistakes but as a whole - people are stupid and are destined to make the same mistakes over and over agian. Both on a personal level and on a global level. Some do learn but not enough to make a difference.
From a purely scientific point of view - there is always something air, a molecule a miniscule particle. Even space or "outer space" has particles, stars, moons planets. Something is always there. Even in ones self there are the intangibles of feelings, thoughts and emotions. A state of nothingness does not exist for me - in life.
How do you explain human nature?
This was probably the hardest question. The last one I answered. And I still don't think I have a very good answer. I think it is just human nature to survive and maybe even to deny the eventual end of life. It is in our nature to find what gives us pleasure, whatever that may be.
What happens to a person at death?
I think when you die that's it - it's over. You are gone. I wish I could say I believed in some form of life after death or some continuance of the spirit but I don't. Death is final.
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
Part of it is the same as knowing you know. You can feel inside that your heart and brain are in sync and there is no anxiety in your body. (See next question for full detail) The other part I think is deeply rooted in childhood. I think you look back on experiences and ask yourself what is right. Since everyone had a different childhood perspective there is no simple answer as to what is right and wrong. Some believe in cultural norms or ethics or morals or whatever you want to call it. But determining what is right and wrong goes much deeper than what a culture says is OK. I rely on feelings to determine what is right and what is wrong. Again, it's the feeling that my heart and my brain are in sync. This is a very broad question and I think alot of my answer has to do with a specific right or wrong. Be it a personal decision, a question of someones business practices, a government decision, a religious practice.
How do you know that you know?
Best I can say is gut reaction. I feel deep down inside and my heart and my brain feel together and centered. When I don't know,I do feel conflict in my body especially in the stomach area. It shows up in the form of a nervous/anxiety feeling. When I know, it feels natural and there is no second guessing.
What is the meaning of history?
"They" say history repeats itself. Does it or do we just find events happening now that could coincide with the past? When thinking about history, I do feel it is important to know what happened and do our best not to let the bad things happen again. History is boring to learn about and I don't think it really has too much bearing on this time in the world. We should learn from our mistakes but as a whole - people are stupid and are destined to make the same mistakes over and over agian. Both on a personal level and on a global level. Some do learn but not enough to make a difference.
The first response
Here are the answers that I got from the first person to respond.
Why is there something rather than nothing?
(no answer)
How do you explain human nature?
Sinful
What happens to a person at death?
according to revelation you are asleep until judgement day
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
I read G-d's laws that Moses wrote down so we would know what was right and wrong
How do you know that you know?
in regards to the previous question? - the rest of the bible points us back to the laws to determine what is right and wrong
That question is tricky and I feel like it is a trick. I almost want to ask the asker a question to clarify but I know I can't. Sooo...I would have to respond like this...
"How do I know that I know anything? By the response of the things around me according to my actions. Cause and effect proves that I know something. For example, I am confident that I know my husband's name because he responds when I say it...to put it simply. The only way you could NOT prove that you know anything, is if you were floating in black space and could not use any of your five senses. Even a baby in the womb knows something. He/She experiences cause and effect too and remembers it even after he/she is born."
What is the meaning of history?
In my opinion, something that took place whether completely truth or not.
_________________________________________________________________
I will be posting more as soon as I get permision to.
Why is there something rather than nothing?
(no answer)
How do you explain human nature?
Sinful
What happens to a person at death?
according to revelation you are asleep until judgement day
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
I read G-d's laws that Moses wrote down so we would know what was right and wrong
How do you know that you know?
in regards to the previous question? - the rest of the bible points us back to the laws to determine what is right and wrong
(There was some confusion on this one. After clarifying the question the responder replied with the following)
That question is tricky and I feel like it is a trick. I almost want to ask the asker a question to clarify but I know I can't. Sooo...I would have to respond like this...
"How do I know that I know anything? By the response of the things around me according to my actions. Cause and effect proves that I know something. For example, I am confident that I know my husband's name because he responds when I say it...to put it simply. The only way you could NOT prove that you know anything, is if you were floating in black space and could not use any of your five senses. Even a baby in the womb knows something. He/She experiences cause and effect too and remembers it even after he/she is born."
What is the meaning of history?
In my opinion, something that took place whether completely truth or not.
_________________________________________________________________
I will be posting more as soon as I get permision to.
Friday, June 6, 2008
An interesting quote I found about truth
Without it the world devolves into an amorphous chaos where everyone's preferences describe a personal reality disconnected from everyone else's. In that dark place no decision is good or bad, no action is right or wrong. But in the presence of truth - we are exposed for what we are. Therefore we need truth as the divine measuring rod of our identities.
I thought that this is a pretty relevant quote since everyone thinks that their own worldview is true.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Beginning
I have decided to start this blog to document a little experiment. I have sent out 6 worldview questions in an email to 30 people and asked for their responses. So far I have gotten 6 replies with interesting results. I plan on posting some of the answers here but that will be a bit later.
First here are the 6 questions I have asked:
I think that how one answers these questions will provide a pretty good picture of their worldview. If anyone reading this would like to send me their answers to these questions you can email me at worldview.experiment@gmail.com.
Note: I forgot to mention that these are not questions I came up with. I got the questions from Probe.org
First here are the 6 questions I have asked:
Why is there something rather than nothing?
How do you explain human nature?
What happens to a person at death?
How do you determine what is right and wrong?
How do you know that you know?
What is the meaning of history?
I think that how one answers these questions will provide a pretty good picture of their worldview. If anyone reading this would like to send me their answers to these questions you can email me at worldview.experiment@gmail.com.
Note: I forgot to mention that these are not questions I came up with. I got the questions from Probe.org
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