i think there's physiological evidence of prayer/meditation, as well. seems like i've read that before. but you're right...it is faith, in the end.
What is the ape to man? A laughing-stock, a thing of shame. And just the same shall man be to the Superman: a laughing-stock, a thing of shame.
definitely not. but there's no evidence of a cause of physiological changes regarding love, either. that was the suggestion made in the post i responded to.
Sure there is. Oxytocin is a love neurotransmitter. Free-thinkers, free from the shackles of religion.
2. I said I stand in awe of how He created the universe and yes I do not understand it. 3. I said he did not want to prove He exists. 4. OK- You simply believe there is no God. Please strike the word 'faith'. And given the logic that every effect has a cause, believing that the order of the universe was caused is more than enough logic to believe in origins. 5. It is perfectly logical to look at a computer notebook and rule out chance or non-intelligent intervention as to the cause of its complexity "creation if you will". I don't think scrap metal and billions of years will ever put a Mercedes on the highway. I consider the order of the universe, the complexity of life and the basis of moral relationships and can't help but be somewhat logical in attributing this to other than man and chance. I see we have a simple difference of viewpoint. I am not trying to prove that God exists and yet I believe in Him. You can't prove He doesn't exist and yet you refuse to believe He does. Everyone who has ever wondered where did we come from and where are we going has had to consider these things.
To believe in origins, in a general sense, sure. But nothing specific. But again, it isn't logical to attribute the order to God. That would go something like... There is order. Something had to create this order. Therefore that something is God. false...
OK, I did a search. I never read that far in the Dune series (I think i own the book, though) so did not recognize it. I remember now that you are a Dune nerd. As for your original question, I found this excerpt of letter he wrote to his sister about her a-s views on Wiki: Max, I really know nothing of your beliefs when you get down to it so I very obviously reacted superficially to your post. Sorry if I was off. I think it is a bit unfair to call his views on religion base and simplistic but he obviously was a part of a 19th century reaction to religion and their understanding would not be as ours (he did, however, move beyond "Christianity is fake" in his arguments). He was a complex writer and thinker but I think you must have had difficulty getting past his reactionary nature due to your own position (which is both understandable and normal). And he made Paul different than how you would see him. Oddly enough, and despite this being a religion thread, I was not even thinking of his religious writings when "defending" him to you so I don't really care about promoting his religious views. Oh yeah - as his father was a Lutheran minister, I think it is wrong of you to assume he had not read any part of the Bible thoroughly. As for his life, I am a bit of a romantic and would probably make the decision to accept the punishment if the result was that my thought could be world changing and lasting. I am sick, though, and generally punish myself for not being a genius.
rimbaud -- i'm not assuming he didn't read it. but the whole "all of this is a waste of time and chasing the wind" language in Ecclesiasties sounds like stuff to me that would resonate with him. i just think he makes assumptions about the faithful that aren't real. aren't true. and i'm a bit of a dork, as opposed to a romantic...because i believe affecting people in the here and now with love and true service is changing and lasting in a way far more meaningful than words on paper. that the change brought about by that kind of love and selflessness (is that a word?) lasts for generations.
So to those who don't believe there is a God... What are your thoughts on how this earth came about? Big Bang or other?
