at one time scientists believed that living things and non-living things were made of different material, accounting for the unique properties of living things.
this idea is called vitalism and is no longer popular.
what does remain popular (in fact is still the dominant view) is a similar idea that things that experience the world (humans, frogs, mice) are different from things that don't experience the world (potatoes, rocks, snowflakes).
Consciousness, a matter of "degree". Why not? I even like the idea, as long as it's kept n the realm of philosophy... for now.
No evidence? ...I think there's enough evidence in the animal kingdom to make speculative inferences.
However, I will apply the idea only to live matter.
i used to be a staunch believer in god.
maybe its technology and science advancing so much thats got me doubting idk.
do you believe in god?
The only possible God is the God of Einstein and Spinoza.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9qkdv6yg3s.
I know personally 3 people who were healed miraculously. On of them was my son; two were colleagues.
Do you ever wonder why God chose those three people while he has ignored for thousands of years the plight and suffering of others. I guess your son is more special than millions of other sons and daughters. I call that narcissism. By the way, I am glad your son is doing well. But I would me much happier if the countless of others sons and daughters could share in your sons divine favor.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9qkdv6yg3s.
David Jay,
You missed the part where I wrote that God is constantly changing to fit to current dominant morality, which always correct previous perceptions of God. The God of Abraham has suffered the fastest evolution ever since humanism appear five hundred years ago. It is humanism that is constantly causing theologians to reinterpret God.
It's politics. Always has been.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9qkdv6yg3s.
Of course God is real. We humans invented it. We made him a male, of course. We made him invisible, mostly -- only few people who lived long ago could see him. We made him silent, mostly --only the ancients could talk to him. We made him transcendental so we could shut the mouth of smart people who wanted proof. Also he is infinitely wise so is impossible to question his decisions, no matter how stupid or cruel they seem to us lowly humans. We also made him flexible so he could change His morality to the changing moralities of humans. It's been the most perfect invention of humans. He is never wrong. He has been injected with a rapidly evolving nature that allows Him to always provide the right answer to anyone, in any circumstance, no matter place or time. Billions use Him everyday and there's 99.9 %satisfaction. Take that Honda Motors
this has possibly been brought up before however here goes.. constant reference is made by many posters to scientific research as being the only way to prove something factual that would otherwise have to be taken on faith.
there actually seems to be "faith" in scientific findings.. my experience over many years is that most scientific research is fake.
nothing oftencomes of the big announcements made to raise more money.. money, prestige, pride, human error, suppositions etc., are rife amongst the scientific community.. i realise that there have been many advances over hundreds of years but humankind is in a mess, although very different to even a century ago.. the medical profession now has vaccinations for everything, antiviral drugs etc.
Sheperdless,
Another cult with profits far greater than those of the JW's, the vitamins and supplements company. I have a relative who did not have enough with one cult. She belongs to two cults: watchtower and the other is m'lis (a Utah Co). Like all cults, they provide a little benefit, but the cost is way too high.
if you went to it, (or go later this week) how was it handled?
just the video or some commentary too?.
i have heard of a few negative comments from some that attended - one jw even openly said to me "not very encouraging, all they go on about is money lately" and another (a serving elder, no less) said "someone's got to pay for all those lawsuits".
I just showed my loyal love to Jehovah by posting a comment:
"In 1879, the second issue of this magazine stated: “‘Zion’s Watch Tower’ [as this magazine was then called] has, we believe JEHOVAH for its backer, and while this is the case it will never beg nor petition men for support.” We have not wavered from that policy."
Really? All they do lately is beg for money
ask any jw this one question.
are there any apostles from the 1st century still walking the earth alive today ?.
100% will say there are no apostles from the 1st century alive today.
who would have thought that 2000 years later millions would still be debating the words of a delusional hippie who got crucified by the Romans.
i once asked my dad why, with all the power the wt insists on having so much control over its adherents' lives, they don't provide information about healthy eating habits or, like the adventists, wilderness training.
i mean, the gb encourage people to remain poor, and poverty is known to correlate with health outcomes, particularly those that are diet related.
i'd say most witnesses i knew over the age of 40 were overweight, had high blood pressure, heart problems, gastrointestinal issues, one kind of cancer or another (no doubt a result of eating their feelings if you ask me).
There's a correlation between unhealthy bodies and unhealthy minds. The JW population proves that. If a sick mind thinks that only doom and gloom are around you, what's the point of pursuing having a healthy body? It's not just correlation, it's a vicious cycle.
i've done a good deal of posting in my brief 24 hours here so far, figured i might as well provide a slightly more in depth narrative.
second generation born-in.
elder's daughter and elders' granddaughter.
