prometheus_unbound

What happened to the meat here? I remember a time when Christians and Moslems defended their faith with vigour, using scriptural references that could be verified and debated..Did we win by default? Did they all just run away? Are they finally taking some time off to read some books?

I mean, just how messed up do you have to be? And please, don't try to tell me that God decided to punish spiders and have them paralysed and eaten alive because of Adam and Eve's sin! come on, give me a reason that will convince me that God isn't a psychopath!

You're the king of a very small country,surrounded by countries that ostensibly have the same religion as you,and even look to you as the top representative of this religion. The surrounding countries are at war, and word comes to you that large groups of people not of your religion are being rounded up, sent far away, and are tortured and killed. Do you speak out at this atrocity? as your religion insists you do? risking reprisal from your neighbours? Or do you say nothing? after all, they are not of the same faith as you...you have a lot more in common with the neighbouring kings. Would YOU take the risk?

You're leaning over the edge of a cliff, in each hand you hold a rope, at the end of one rope is your only child, at the end of the other, a group of saints,altruists,great philosophers etc. You need both hands to pull up one of the ropes, and if you keep holding on the weight will pull you over too....who do you let fall?

(ok, I know it's not really a religious question, but i'd like to hear the reasoning from both christian and atheist perspectives...and of course male and female)

Sometimes, when I read a question posed by an obviously troubled adolescent, whose only way of coping is through their faith, I don't have the heart to add to their misery by debunking their beliefs. Do any other Atheists feel the same way? or is everyone fair game? I dunno, I'd feel like I'd just stepped on a puppy!

From some arab friends of mine i've been told that, under the rules written for the observance of ramadan ('scuse spelling if it's wrong), they are not even allowed water between sunrise and sunset. This is a desert religion! There are however situations that allow you to drink..eg, if you're really thirsty! and eat..eg, if you're really hungry (or diabetic,pregnant etc) so, what is the point? you submit to the real rules, you probably die or end up seriously brain damaged (the brain is over 50% water!), or you ignore the rules, live, but maybe get smoted by Allah! come on Allah..you're having a laugh no?

sorry all, this question is a direct result of a very good Cabernet Sauvignon! but hey, i've got an excuse..I live in France! I HAVE to drink!

debra posed a question stating that there are millions (billions) of people we can never know or touch, however there is a theory that states that we are not really so far apart...

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-5325100.html

In 1967, the sociologist Stanley Milgram conducted the first recorded experiments on social connectivity using post cards in the United States. Despite the crudity of the experiment, and the tardiness of the participants, he recorded a median number of 5.5 degrees of separation. Round up and we see the start of "six degrees of separation."

I personally know a son of John Lennon, people that work for Paul Allen, and the royal Family of Monaco! To paraphrase JL..."Imagine all the people"!

"No man is an island" (John Donne)

Face to face with the inevitable, how do you react? with a sense of satisfaction? or a sense of guilt? And in those last few seconds, when you see the lights arcing across the sky...whom do you think of? yourself? your family? your god?

think about it!

Bonobos are capable of passing the mirror-recognition test for self-awareness. They communicate through primarily vocal means, although the meanings of their vocalizations are not currently known; however, we do understand their facial expressions[3] and some of their natural hand gestures, such as their invitation to play. Two Bonobos, Kanzi and Panbanisha have been taught a vocabulary of about 400 words which they can type using a special keyboard of lexigrams (geometric symbols), and can respond to spoken sentences. Some, such as bioethicist Peter Singer, argue that these results qualify them for the "rights to survival and life" rights that humans theoretically accord to all persons.

How happy is the moron,

He doesn't give a damn!

I wish i was a moron,

My God! perhaps I AM!

is this a warning? oooooooooooooooooooooooooh!

A religion needs believers to exist, if people stop believing or convert to another faith, then the old religion dies, so,a religion needs "new blood" to live. Or, a crisis of faith could trigger a "mutation", forming a new species-of-religion. (eg Muhammad, jesus). Seems like even religions obey Darwins laws!

(and yes i know selection in nature is sex based, but if you look, there are parallels for that in religious growth also)

for starters, how about the disparities in character between the old and new testaments? Jealous smiting vs Loving father figure? world destroying rage followed by... "take my son and nail him to a tree." Truthfully people, if a close member of your family acted like this, wouldn't you call for the men in white coats?

the world needs peace and more TP!

Two chimpanzees in a bath......

1st chimp..."Hoo Hoo hoo HAA HA HA!"

2nd chimp...."Bloody hell, if it's too hot put some more cold water in!"

A burglar breaks into a house, he's looking for the safe when he hears a voice.....

"Jesus is watching you!"

In panic he spins round and his torch illuminates a parrot.

"Was that you? did you say that?" exclaims the thief.

"Yes it was me,and Jesus is still watching you!" says the bird.

"I couldn't give a toss for your Jesus, but you might be worth something. You got a name?"

"Moses" the parrot replies.

"Moses? what kind of religious idiot calls a parrot Moses?"says the burglar with a laugh.

The parrot caws and winks...." The same idiot that calls the Rottwieler Jesus!"

ok, hard to explain this question i know, and maybe it's better suited to the Philosphy section, but if anyone wants to know what a 21st century spirituality might look like i suggest you check out this link.

http://www.princeton.edu/~pear/

Yes that's right, Princeton!, and PEAR as in Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research.

These people are serious about this work, and this is a serious question about something that affects us all, so please take the time to look it up; especially the heavy thinkers out there. (For those who can't be arsed to go to the site,they are investigating statistical anomalies in random events, anomalies caused by human thought...wishful thinking if you like)

maybe not, but some people believe there's evidence!

dan daan da dan DAAAANNN!

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Religions/R...