pajarito

*** RON *** I'll go with that. My limited knowledge of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics comes only from a Stephen Hawking book I read (mostly), "A Brief History of Time." Not from school. I'm not claiming at all to have a good grasp on it. I had to re-read several chapters. I'm just not that smart. What you say makes sense to me. I also saw that special on NOVA (I wish I could remember its name; it was several years ago) and thought it was very interesting. I'm not saying at all that I understand how it all happened. I'm not sure if the description in "days" was literal or figurative. I personally, however, believe in a God who created the universe and has no limits. I don't believe that he is bound by our laws of physics and has the capacity to make things happen or appear to happen as he wishes. Whatever you believe started the whole process of creation is obviously not bound by time (or our laws for time) unless you believe the timeline is in fact infinite (if there is such a thing) and that it continued backward into the negative realm past the beginning of the Big Bang (forever). The creator might then also be bound to operate within it as well. But then again, what set the rules and parameters for the thing called time to begin with? Some will say that I'm taking the easy way out on this one and I guess maybe I am. I can't prove it. That particular argument doesn't really affect my belief either way. I believe that we aren't meant to understand everything at this point and maybe never will. I'm not arrogant enough to state that, if just given time, we'll eventually figure it out scientifically. That doesn’t mean that I’m saying we aught not seek knowledge or try. *** masher *** I'm NO mathematician by any means and this is just (maybe an unintelligent) viewpoint/question. I apologize up front. I agree that certain things in mathematics can be proven (i.e. 1 + 1 = 2). However, many other things are based on estimations (i.e. value as it approaches zero). Also, what we measure and deem to be true in our little bubble of knowledge (our set of physics for our only possible measurable reality) may not hold true throughout. That's way out there but what I'm trying to say is this. We don't know everything and I don't think we can. There was a person (Jesus) who came and did things we would consider impossible within our given reality to prove who he was to us in a way that we could understand. Paul teaches us to seek knowledge but Jesus teaches that we have to accept some things on faith. There’s no way around that and that is a stumbling block for many people. It was for me for a very long time.

Flat packing a reserve?......really?.....

I don't have to outrun the bear... I just have to outrun you.

Let me start by saying that I know nothing about wingsuit flying and have never done it but it looks extremely appealing to me. My question is this. Why do the arm wings begin at the wrists and stop at the waist? I've noticed that the size of the wing surface area increases with the more technical suits that, of course I'm sure, require much more experience to fly. I'm just wondering, for only the most experienced, why not extend the wing from the wrist all the way to the ankle. You'd look like a kite. I'm sure that would be much harder to control but, if there was slack in the wing to create a cupping effect, wouldn't that stabilize you more and create a lot more drag? Again, I appologize if this is a stupid question and one that might have been asked before. I'm just always curious as to what the next level of possibility might be within any discipline. That really looks like fun!!!

Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue...

Something had to make it exist in the first place.

It sure would be nice to have a formula to give answers to the Bible but I personally believe some literal statements. i.e. "tear this temple down and I will rebuild it in three days. (referring to the resurrection)" Quote from Jesus himself. Sounds pretty specific in this example to me. I'm not saying that there's not figurative language in the bible to explain things. I'm just saying that there are also specifics.

*** Summary of the study done in the paper by Don Stewart that I posted before. Just a viewpoint. *** SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION TO THE RELIABILITY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT TEXT After looking at the evidence for the reliability of the New Testament text, we can summarize as follows. 1. The time span between the date of composition of the books of the New Testament and the earliest surviving manuscripts is relatively short. Most other ancient works have a much longer gap between the time when they were written and the earliest available manuscript. There is in existence a complete New Testament manuscript (Codex Vaticanus) which was copied within 250 years of the time of the writing of the New Testament. In addition, we have over fifty fragments of the New Testament that go back even earlier. The classical writings (Plato, Aristotle, etc.) are viewed as having been transmitted in a reliable manner, yet, the time span, between the original and their earliest copy, is over a thousand years. The New Testament documents, if evaluated on the same basis, also must be viewed as trustworthy. 2. Not only is the interval shorter between the writings of the New Testament and the earliest existing manuscripts, the number of manuscripts (over 5,000 in Greek) is far superior to any other ancient work. Given the axiom, “The more manuscripts, the better chance to reconstruct the original,” we again see that the New Testament is in much better shape than other ancient works. 3. The Greek New Testament was translated into other languages at an early date. Those versions provide further evidence in establishing the true text. The number of manuscript copies of the different versions is around 20,000. Most other ancient writings were never translated into another language. 4. A further line of evidence is found in the writings of the church fathers, where verses, passages and entire books are cited. If the other sources for the New Testament were non-existent (Greek manuscripts and versions) the text still could be reconstructed through the writings of the church fathers alone. There is nothing like this for any other ancient work. 5. It should be remembered that there were different groups who carefully watched the transmission of the New Testament text. These groups were opposed to one another in various beliefs and practices. They would certainly be watching each other to make sure the text was not altered in any way. 6. The variant readings that do exist, do not affect the reliability of the text. The number of places where there are variants is relatively small and they do not affect any Christian doctrine. In fact, there are only about fifty places in the entire New Testament where they are of any consequence whatsoever. 7. Therefore, three important facts demonstrate the New Testament can be trusted: (1) The short time span between the original and the manuscript copies (2) The great number of manuscripts, and (3) The lack of any substantial variation between the manuscripts. Given the above facts, we conclude that the New Testament has been accurately transmitted throughout history. Any contrary conclusion is based either on a willful desire not to accept the evidence as it stands, or ignorance of the facts.

Possibly...but I don't think your number definition would fit throughout. Other instances in the Bible appear to be exact. For instance, resurrection in 3 days. I also believe Peter denied Christ 3 times before the rooster crowed. Who's to say...Still doesn't put religion in conflict with science (again, IMHO)

I agree. Paul stated to be prepared to give answers to questions, study to show yourself approved, and to reason with others. Definitely argues against "blind faith."

I wish I knew the name of it. I'd buy it if I could. I'm going to look around and try. It was a very interesting theory. I like your opening statement. I agree that we don't have all the answers and I believe we're not supposed to. I don't see that as religion being in conflict with science, however. It depends on how you approach the problem, I think. From the perspective that, we don't know everything and science is tool provided us by God to work toward better understanding, or if you only believe, from our extremely limited boundaries and abilities, only what we can prove.

I believe this also. Nothing "just happens." IMO

I’m not going to pretend to fully understand the beginnings of the universe but here are some of my thoughts. It’s possible that the Earth, planets, moons, stars, universe are billions of years old. It’s also possible that it was all created in 6 days depending on how long 6 days is to God. Maybe Relativity comes into play where time could be changed depending on which way you’re looking at it. I can’t explain it the way it should but I saw a NOVA special on the topic one day and they were trying to explain this. They said something to the effect that, depending on whether you were looking at the Big Bang from it’s origin or from where we are now, time would appear very different. From our perspective, it might seem as though the universe was billions of years old, whereas, from the origin, it might only be 6 days (or so). It was interesting and again, I can’t explain it and give it proper credit. I’m not denying either the 6-day or billions of years theories. I think it could be either one and it wouldn’t discredit the Bible in any way.

Are you referring to the creation in 6 days versus the scientific prediction that the universe is billions of years old?

It's called "The Law of Causality." Every limited thing is caused by something other than itself.

I need a specific example first.

I really can't spell for shit... Beautiful

25,000ft under canopy going cross-country with my team over the mountains of Yuma, Arizona. I had only been out west once before in Portland, Oregon. We don't have mountains like that in the East. I was WAY up there but the mountains seemed so close. Humbling experience. Beutiful!!!

The reason for the "alleged" conflict is that people do not know what the Scripture really teaches, neither do they understand the power of God. (Don Stewart) Jesus said: “You are greatly mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29)

I've posted this before and some didn't like it, of course, but I do and think it provides an interesting perspective, whatever you believe. I exported it from a .pdf file to a text file and only copied chapter 3 concerning the reliability of the New Testament text. The rest of the study is very interesting as well. Let me know if you're interested. I can only post in chunks, however, due to the attachment size limitation. If you don't want to read the whole thing at first, the conclusion at the bottom gives a nice overview. Later...

I've never paid someone to pack my main. I like to know that I've packed it when I jump plus it takes me less than 5min to do it anyway.

Warren "Toad" Bullen - He was my Instructor on my first AFF skydive as well as my Instructor when I got certified to do Tandems. He was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1999. Hell of a guy and a close friend of the family. He is missed.

So...you want to be an action guy?...Do ya?.......Eeeeeverybody want to be an action guy...

That's a bad ass looking suit. I like the silver.

That's nice! Looks like fun. I did my first head down pair last Saturday. Worked great. Very different perspective from someone who's pretty much always flown on their belly. I really like your pics! Nice job.