Why an Atheist in the R&S Forum?

[myuen2]

Originally Posted by Sonof

No.

Knowledgeable, educated people don't believe that it's gravity because Newton said so.
They know that it is gravity b/c, based on what Newton said, they can make novel testable predictions.
They can predict all kinds of thing about the future nobody knows yet and they will be correct 100% of the time.


Moreover, they would be willing to bet as much as you, or any other magically thinking <<cut>> (I speak American) like you can come up with that they will be correct 100% of the time while predicting all kinds of thing about the future nobody knows yet and, at the same time, you, or any other magically thinking <<cut>> (I speak American) like you, will never be able to outperform dumb chance while trying to do the same. And that with all the help that can be gathered from any and all gods, spirits and magic.

So the question is, would you be willing to take these methodologically naturalistic bets in the name of gods, spirits and magic or what?

Is it not enough just to know that I can fall if I were to jump off the balcony and damn the reason why? Mountain goats know as much about falling off mountain sides without getting burdened with Newton's law about gravity.

The need to know was the cause of the fall of mankind, condemned to an absurd existence of Sisyphus rolling a boulder uphill by the sweat of our brow only to have it roll back down. Over and over again you roll that boulder uphill till you die. Does knowing that it is gravity that you are pushing against make you feel better?

[mensaguy]

Originally Posted by LearnMe

Hard to have the sort of discussion you were advocating by shoving crap along rather than something a bit more worthy of consideration. Just saying...

Again, you are new here, and again welcome! I'm all for promoting the better discussions, and since you are new (speaking of gospel truth), I will direct you to a thread I started some time ago that made for more of the discussion I think you might enjoy. Fairly well known by the regulars here. I called it my Ten Truths. Check it out and feel free to post your thoughts there if you like!

Originally Posted by myuen2

Thanks, buddy. I will definitely check it out.

I do not indulge in discussions for enjoyment. Life is too serious for mindless fun.

The thread referred to is here: https://www.city-data.com/forum/reli...en-truths.html

[mensaguy]

Originally Posted by myuen2

Correct. I don't think you can fall in love with anyone or anything.


I never like going to school, and it was torture studying all that science and math in university. My parents said I had to do that to earn a living. I can't say I did not enjoy the challenge and excitement of my professional career but I could sense that I was living the absurd life of Sisyphus. I retired as soon as I could, early. Life is magical. I wasn't going to waste it pushing a boulder uphill like you.

You don't think you can fall in love with anyone or anything?

That's very sad. I'm sorry you never experienced real love.

[Tzaphkiel]

Originally Posted by mensaguy

You don't think you can fall in love with anyone or anything?
That's very sad. I'm sorry you never experienced real love.

the love we may feel is already within us. it does not come from nor is it caused by nor is it dependent upon anything external.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by Tzaphkiel

the love we may feel is already within us. it does not come from nor is it caused by nor is it dependent upon anything external.

That’s a subjective philosophical perspective which may, or may not, bear out in individual real-life situations. Perhaps the ability to love is innate, but the ways in which we express our love—be they good, bad, or indifferent—come down to cultural values and personal experiences. What’s especially important is how love and loving behaviors are modeled for us by our families and caregivers. Breaking these patterns is difficult, even if you know, on a conscious level, that certain behaviors are unhealthy and dysfunctional. This is a key reason why, all too often, people who are abused go on to become abusers themselves.

[cb2008]

Originally Posted by Tzaphkiel

the love we may feel is already within us. it does not come from nor is it caused by nor is it dependent upon anything external.

Nicely put, Tzaph. All expressions of love, compassion, generosity, courage etc are reflections of the Divinity within. That we are aware of these feelings within us is also reflection of the Divinity within. That is the only source, there is no other.

[cb2008]

Originally Posted by mensaguy

You don't think you can fall in love with anyone or anything?

That's very sad. I'm sorry you never experienced real love.

What is real love? The kind where one falls out of love with same person they fell in love with, and even begin hating this loved one, and sometime even killing this object of “real” love?
Love does not change or die. It simply is.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by cb2008

What is real love? The kind where one falls out of love with same person they fell in love with, and even begin hating this loved one, and sometime even killing this object of “real” love?
Love does not change or die. It simply is.

Most forms of love are conditional. Falling out of love with someone who does wrong by you is setting boundaries.

The one form of love that is, or at least should be, unconditional, is a parent’s love of a child.

[Harry Diogenes]

Originally Posted by Tzaphkiel

the love we may feel is already within us. it does not come from nor is it caused by nor is it dependent upon anything external.

Only if you are an egoist. My love for my wife is dependent on her external existence.

[chief scum]

Originally Posted by chief scum

My first sentence was looking at how plants grow, as they grow toward the gravitational drawing of light. And also rest when light is not present. And water is also required for that growth to happen. And produce juicy fruit.

My second sentence was a simple observation of filling a glass of water.

Originally Posted by mensaguy

Plants growing toward light is not caused by gravity.

When you put your response to me (that is according to you) on the balance, which uses gravity. You use the downward weight of declaring what I wrote as wrong (putting me down) and lift yourself up in that to declare yourself right and declaring yourself as rising in the light of enlightenment.

Science overlooks the spirit, and words are spirit going forth. Words can lift up and words can put down. Words can set free and words can imprison.

It is said of Samuel that his words did not fall to the ground.