i am atheist now.
but when i was a jw.
i used to wonder since everything was created by god.
God is before, during, and after time.
Physics has shown that time is a property that is the result of the existence of matter. Time exists when matter exists.
Space-time has a geometry...
time is one-dimensional ...spatial coordinates require three numbers, hence three dimensions.
a couple of years ago, a psychologist i know made the off-handed comment that there is conclusive evidence that "atheists are not as happy as the ordinary, average person?
we tossed that subject around for a few minutes and then moved on to something else.
at the time, i didn't think too much about it.
I tend to use non-scriptural quotes for reasons stated by many here ........ -
So I guess you're damned if you do and damned if you don't
a couple of years ago, a psychologist i know made the off-handed comment that there is conclusive evidence that "atheists are not as happy as the ordinary, average person?
we tossed that subject around for a few minutes and then moved on to something else.
at the time, i didn't think too much about it.
@Newchapter... I thought it self evident that it would be the Christian God. His definition seems to strike a common sense cord with me, is all..
not sure if it means an endorsement of his God.
a couple of years ago, a psychologist i know made the off-handed comment that there is conclusive evidence that "atheists are not as happy as the ordinary, average person?
we tossed that subject around for a few minutes and then moved on to something else.
at the time, i didn't think too much about it.
Happiness is "different things to different people" and cannot be qualified by any one person
According to Aristotle happiness is an end, an end result of all the things a person does. Everything everyone does is for a reason, to achieve something else. Aristotle believes that the “something else” is happiness
Happiness is desirable in itself and never for the sake of something else. But honor, pleasure, reason, and every virtue we choose indeed for themselves, but we choose them also for the sake of happiness, judging that by means of them we shall be happy. Happiness, on the other hand, no one chooses for the sake of these, or, in general, for anything other than itself. Happiness then is something final and self sufficient. This leads Aristotle to his definition of the happy life as a life made perfect by the possession of all good things such as wealth, friendship, knowledge, virtue
I personally believe "virtue that satisfies" proceeds from God !
..specifically, the suffering of animals.
you can talk about free will/sin/people choosing to not listen to god etc to explain human suffering being allowed.. but how can you love a god that allows animals, that haven't sinned or chosen to not have anything to do with god, to have their short lives ended in often long, drawn out, painful ways.
i could list stories i've read that would probably make you feel ill, but i'm not looking to shock anyone or start an emotional debate.
How do you square this with the idea of a loving creator?In the square are four "Cardinal qualities" which must balance each other
love... justice ...wisdom .. power.
too much is unknown to us , to see the big picture.... I suspect that long term"wisdom " may hold the answer
No man has ever seen, heard or even imagined the wonderful things God has in store (I Corinthians 2:9) ( a nice way of saying we don't know much yet )
what we do know ....
Inflicting "needless pain" on any living creature is incompatible with living in a Christ-like way is all we understand
..specifically, the suffering of animals.
you can talk about free will/sin/people choosing to not listen to god etc to explain human suffering being allowed.. but how can you love a god that allows animals, that haven't sinned or chosen to not have anything to do with god, to have their short lives ended in often long, drawn out, painful ways.
i could list stories i've read that would probably make you feel ill, but i'm not looking to shock anyone or start an emotional debate.
If animals didn't suffer, there could be no ecosystem, and no way for man to benefit from animals (food, clothing, etc.).
To judge if a human's life is more valued than an animal is a moral judgement for God to make
How many of us feel sorry for the life of a turkey taken for us to enjoy thanksgiving ? ...
Being humane is still important however
humane (see synonym and pronunciation notes at human ).
Synonyms
1. merciful, kind, kindly,kindhearted,tender, compassionate, gentle, sympathetic; benevolent,benignant, Antonyms
1. brutal. having a balanced view is important Is the term "mercy killing" a contradiction or does it make some measured sense also ?
reply under these aspects.... 1)life/death.
3) freedom/ responsibilty.
5) no gods/ zero impact.
our perception is important because it has direct effect upon our body and mind
Various spiritual teachings say that there are only two fundamental emotions: love and fear. For the body, this is true. All mammals, including humans, have two opposing hormonal responses to stimuli. Threatening stimuli cause an increase of stress hormones—adrenaline and cortisol. Soothing or reassuring stimuli cause an increase in oxytocin.
Fear - Cortisol | Love - Oxytocin |
Aggression | Anti-stress hormone |
Arousal, Anxiety, Feeling stressed-out | Feeling calm and connected, Increased curiosity |
Activates addictions | Lessens cravings & addictions |
Suppresses libido | Increases sexual receptivity |
Associated with depression | Positive feelings |
Can be toxic to brain cells | Facilitates learning |
Breaks down muscles, bones and joints | Repairs, heals and restores |
Depressesimmune system | Faster wound healing |
Increases pain | Diminishes sense of pain |
Clogs arteries, Promotes heart disease and high blood pressure | Lowers blood pressure, Protects against heart disease |
Obesity, Diabetes, Osteoporosis | --- |
reply under these aspects.... 1)life/death.
3) freedom/ responsibilty.
5) no gods/ zero impact.
reply under these aspects...
1)life/death
2)sin/retribution
3) freedom/ responsibilty
4)fear/love
5) no gods/ zero impact
i looked all over for a place to introduce myself and either i'm completely blind or i missed it.
i figured i'd just post it here.. okay.. hello to everyone.
my name's tabitha.
Viridiansoul ... Welcome to the forum ... thanks for your intro . You appear to have a very balanced view toward things
Be moderate in order to taste the joys of life in abundance. Epicurus
Balance. The Ultimate Goal
I particularly enjoyed your thoughts here I'm very conservative by nature. Once I left "The Truth" I dabbled a good deal in feminism and liberalism, and tried to convince myself that because it was the opposite of JW, that meant it must be good and right. Now that I've grown up a good deal, I realized that I was only doing that to 'buck the system', as it were, and I've since come back around to the ideas of morality and virtue.
I do believe in God, as I consider him evident in everything around us and in the workings of the entire universe. I don't consider the paranormal to be particularly supernatural at all-- anything man hasn't discovered yet was still created by God, imo. I believe in the God that Jesus spoke o
once when i was profoundly sad for too many days, my brother in law sent us a mix tape.
he named each song after a person in our family.
this is the one he named heather.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZEQaGscbUk
Etched into my heart
ever present & true
yes deep in my essence ...
I'll always love you !
~~~Cal
