maadmax

I hold Spiritual phenomena to the the same standards as scientific proofs. RESULTS! If a spiritual principle is from God it works and produces visible results, just like a valid scientific principle. It is a subjective process but the serious spiritual students can accumulate Truth that allows them to live a life free of self destructive stupidity that characterizes the unenlightened human decision making process. Bash Spirituality all you want but the scientific process is useless in helping us make the right decisions on a daily basis that keeps us from self destructive decisions and behaviors.

[ How do you know we have only scratched the surface, and what makes it so obvious? How about dark matter and energy that possibly makes up 95% of the universe, or the ubiquitous Higgs boson that determines the mass of matter, or the extra dimensions proposed by the string or M theories, or the theoretical possibilities yet to be proven or disproved predicted by general relativity etc...

It's a game and it always ends the same way. The theist shouts "faith!" and the game is over. ____________________________________________ No, as long as you draw breath the game is not over. Another point I find interesting. It only takes a cursory glance at our history as a species to realize that science has only recently taken its proper place in the realities we construct for ourselves. For most of our existence science has been shrouded in superstition myth and mystery. Very few , if any people acknowledged it existed, until late (BCE 12,000). They contrived every possible explanation for natural phenomena. Because people were ignorant of science , and lacked the ability to prove its existence, did it make science any less real? Do you really think that we are at the end of all that is knowable such that we can make such sweeping conclusion like "I know there is no God because if there was someone would be able to prove it" What would you call that kind of leap of faith? Bold , brave, sincere, misinformed, arrogant, stupid? Help me out I would like to understand.

I see Science as the Living Creative Acts of God and the Bible as the Living Word of God. I have studied both extensively and hold both sacred. I personally have no problem holding them as equals. One thing is very obvious about both, we have only scratched the surface of what lies below.

Phil you are one hell of an evangelist. Why do you put so much time and energy into this. If we are so wrong and deluded why do you bother with us. And to those of you who think death is it. How do you come to that conclusion? There is nothing in this universe that can cease to exist. Matter and energy can be changed but is can't cease to exist. As things stand right now, no one has any idea what fuels and drives the self consciousness that defines our being ( Soul) . You may say its a function of the electrical activity along neurons, dendrites, synaspes, involving neurotransmitters, & glial cells, all occurring in the proper physiological environment. I say your degree of faith humbles me in comparison.

To the Christians: Why does god allow people to starve to death? ____________________________________________ This question has be asked in many different ways. The obvious answer is God has His own thoughts about how things should go. All we can ever see is small parts of the picture. As a Christian, I have faith that all things will work together for good for those who love God. If God had consulted with me, I definitely would have lobbied for an easier time for all of us. But I take great comfort in knowing God is in control and that indeed ALL THING HAPPEN FOR A PURPOSE AND ULTIMATELY WILL WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD.

One thing is for certain, God will not be found in this bantering. If you are ever to find Him you have to start by looking with in yourself, if that is still possible. If you are human and honest there is a gaping spiritual need rattling around inside your head. Sure it is easy enough to deny but it is still there, and will make itself known form time to time . A personal relationship with God is the only solution.

I would like to commend DropDgorgeous on picking such and interesting topic and for the courage to express view points that has generated so many personal attacks. And to all of you who know their is no God. How can you prove that? Especially when the matter and energy that make up the stars and galaxies we see only accounts for 5% to 25% of the universe. Dark matter and energy accounts for 75% to 95% of the matter and energy that makes up the universe and nobody has any idea what it is. How could any logical person make conclusions on the fabric of reality with such a large piece of the puzzle missing?

what exactly did Jesus/God lose for the sake of all your souls??? _________________________________________________ He lost His innocence, and took the sins of the world and all of the accumulated judgement onto Himself.

Hi Again, The usual recovery time if from 5 to 7 days with 100% return to normal once the inflammation of the 8th cranial nerve(ie Vestibular Nerve) is resolved. Prednisalone is the drug of choice for this. I doubt that Delilah has encephalitis, her symptoms would have been more numerous and severe. The 3rd cranial nerve is usually not involved in this syndrome. Most of the time the cause remains unknown. The only complication would be if the brainstem including the hypothalamus was involved. In this case recovery would be less likely but this condition is rare. If you get good initial response once you start treating with prednisalone everything should be fine. Good luck and let me know how things turn out.

Well one thing is obvious, I doubt there will be any agreement between those of us who believe and those who don't any time soon. If you are content with the explanations you all have given to what some of us have shared with you, then as they say in my neck of the woods " WELL SHUT MY MOUTH". May I wish you many fortuitous chance occurrences with beneficial combinations. May you find sufficient empirical theories, scientific rationalizations and one liners to make sense out of the chaos. And most sincerely may you acquire a seizure disorder that fulfills your deepest yearnings. In the meantime lets go skydiving!!!!!! BIIIIIGWAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi I am a Vet and see this condition often, although not usually as severe as you have described. Has your Vet tried Prednisalone? This condition is usually caused by an inflammation of a cranial nerve located next to the inner ear. This area of the brain controls balance and eye movement. Seeing a specialist would be good idea. Good Luck!!

Butters you ask a lot of good questions, your frustration is probably similar to what we all feel from time to time. All I can tell you is that I have unspeakable gratitude for what GOD has done for me. There is not a day that goes by that I don't refresh myself if GODs presence and power. The thought of living with out this relationship makes me shudder. You all are right their is little proof for any spiritual phenomenon if you want print outs, facts and figures. But once you have experienced what I am talking about, that becomes proof enough. It is not that I want you to become spiritually alive because I feel insecure unless surrounded by a crowd of like minded people. It is by the Grace of God I have been save from the chains of life and for good or bad I feel the need to raise my hand and say there is another way. Sorry, other than that there is no proof.

philh you have put a lot of thought and energy into this topic, I AM IMPRESSED and I can't say that I don't agree with many of your points. One of the problems here is that I am not talking about what you are talking about, so I am not sure how to connect our two view points without changing the subject. One of the strangest paradoxes I have seen regarding Spirituality is that truly good people and truly evil people participate; and sometimes it is very difficult to tell the difference. I don't understand it, but it happens. And why do people get so upset about the possibility that every one might not go to heaven? I don't hear a clamor concerning how few sea turtles make it to maturity and a happy productive life. Or any other species for that matter, the success rate is pretty low. Why are we so special or any different? I will agree the thought of you not going to heaven is upsetting, but I am not going to reject the TRUTH that I know because of that fact. The difference of course, is that the sea turtle doesn't have a choice, WE DO.

I don't know about ya'all, but theories don't do a whole lot for me. Until they come up with the grand unified theory or find the Higgs bozon I don't get real excited. Theories change quicker than the current fads or politically correct view points. Do you want to know why the Bible is still around after all these years? It is real easy. IT WORKS! It gives love to the despondent, incite to the discouraged, direction to the purposeless , joy to the wretched, peace to the afflicted, self control to the hedonist, wisdom to the foolish, and most importantly PROVIDES A MEANS OF FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND SALVATION TO THE HOPELESS. Whether you understand it or not, doesn't matter. Whether you can fit it into your theories or not, doesn't matter either. IT STILL WORKS and has the power to change lives for the better. And guess what even though you are convinced the whole thing is a myth propagated by fools and misfits, GOD STILL LOVES YOU NONE THE LESS, AND WILL BE THERE FOR YOU.

All of these questions about why God did this, why didn't He do that are very legitimate good questions. There is no person alive who doesn't ask those on a daily basis. But understanding God is not the issue. The issue is finding the Light, quieting the rage, embracing the peace that God offers. Religions and all of their rules and regulations be damned. They just add to the confusion and noise. Jesus said " Deny yourself pick up your cross, and follow me".

Christian teaching is the means to dismantle the self-deification instinct we all possess. This instinct confuses, and makes us think we can create our own view of the absolutes of Good and Evil. The process of self-denial (i.e) humility , is the pathway to the peace that surpasses understanding. Jesus is the Way the Truth and the Life. Know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.