Its so important ...

Okay, okay I wasn't going to reply, but I can't help it.

First of all, cherie I understand you mean well, but I do not want your prayers. Like sweet (who's posts I totally agree with) I have an interest in philosophy and religious studies (it's not my major, but I enjoy learning about). I also enjoy science and my views veer toward Darwinism (no one is going to change that and please don't try).

I understand the solace and healing that faith offers (and I mean all faiths - Islam, Judaism, Chrisitianity, Buddhism, etc.) I have read countless books and taken countless classes on them. There are parts to all religions that I agree with and there are parts I don't agree with. Reading and understanding the history of religion(s) I would personally recommend. Even if you practice only one true religion, it allows a more open mind and a better understanding of your neighbors. Most people who practice religion are good, kind people and are using it (religion) as a way to channel through their god(s). Unfortunately, I believe religion causes a lot of destruction and hatred (the same thing it preaches against). This is what I don't like. There are people who use it to further their own conquest in the name of religion - the Crusades, the Holocaust, September 11 just to name a few. What I don't understand is why people cannot accept the beliefs of others and leave it at that?

Dani

 

I'm not sure quite how to answer it. Metaphysics is a category of philosophy, a discussion of the nature of the universe, not a degree program. lol

If you carry the conception of God as permeating the universe then you are right, God certainly could not "lift" anything. I was basing my conception of God on a more concrete entity, but you have made a good poiint that I'm going to have to go muddle over awhile

 

I also enjoy science and my views veer toward Darwinism (no one is going to change that and please don't try).

______________________________

Simply playing Devil's Advocate here: What if God did create the universe (and all it's various permutations) and is using Darwinistic Evolution to further refine his creation? Maybe he programmed it in as one of his tools. If each biblical "Day" of creation were 2-plus Billion years long? That'd pretty much match up with most major religions' timelines, wouldn't it?

Dancer

 

Dancer,

I'm a little confused on what you're asking? When speaking of God are you relating to the God of Christianity or a force of nature?

Differences between religion and geology:

To begin with the Earth is 4.6 billion years old. Man did not come into play until 1 million years ago (of course, this was a different type of man - we were still walking on all fours, very hairy, etc.) The first human man (two legs, upright, a little less hairy) evolved a little over 33,000 years ago.

Religion, itself, is a very new concept of life. It has not always been around and has evolved over time. Even, the religions have changed over time.
If I'm correct the first religions began about 10,000 years ago with the Chinese Arts. When people began spreading out (moving/discovering new places) other types of religions began being created - mythology and the belief of many gods (being one of them). This religious belief took place until almost 800 years ago when it began to slowly phase out.

The religion's that we abide by today are relatively new - Judaism is approx. 5700 years old (PyschDoc would know better than me, but I believe this is the rough time frame), Christianity is a older than 2000 years old, and Islam is even newer approx. 700 years old. Who is to say that we will still believe in these same gods and practice these same religions 5000 years from now? The Vikings, Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks all thought they were right to believe in what they believed in? Are they all in "hell" now? Before the occurrence of Christianity are those men and women now being focused into eternal damnation because they should have known better? Thirty-three thousand years ago the only objective of man's time was to survive. Religion did not play a factor.

I believe, religion like life, changes. As new ideas are formed and new questions answered - views change and people change.

Dani

 

I think we can pretty much clairfy that the Earth is older than 6000 years old. It takes 100 mil years for a star to form (the Sun), and then you have galaxies, planets, moons, etc. It takes trillions of years to form this. This planet is 4.6 billion years old - there is evidence to site this. Human man has been around 30,000 years + there is evidence to site this too.

Why do we have lizards and alligators? Lizards are formed from alligators (or maybe its crocodilles?) Many animals can evolve from one animal - it has happened since the beginning of time - look how many different varieties of birds and cats we have. People (animals) evolve with their surroundings.

The Earth changes. The Earth, herself, is still very young and forming as we speak. Ten thousand years ago Hawaii wasn't an island, but why is it here today? And it is still growing. That volcanos that now surround Hawaii erupt with lava. Lava creates new land (after it cools for thousands of years). It changes the land allowing new life to grow.

Dani

 

Ken Ham's website is at http://www.answersingenesis.org/

 

I looked at Ken Ham's website and read his latest article on scientists having recently discovered a million year old skull in Africa. He offers no concrete facts for his reasons of creation in that discussion (every other topic he discusses I have to purchase the material on to find out how or why).

I will answer your question about my views of death now, if you would like.

I feel when I am dead that yes, I am dead. I don't believe I have a soul and I dont' believe in reincarnation or life after death. I believe, we have a few good years on this Earth and we need to make the most out of them. I also, believe we create our own destiny. Many people are afraid of death, they do not want to believe that upon dying there is nothing else left (do any us want to believe that). But, when I am dead I believe that I just stay in the ground and over many years only my bones remain. It is quite depressing, but I have resigned myself to the fact. My only wish to live my life to the fullest and enjoy everyday as it comes. I may die 70 years from, next month, or even tomorrow so all I can do is be a good person, love my family, respect others, and keep the fights down to a minimum.

Dani

 

Hey, Cherie, you're welcome! And thanks for your prayers -- I'm also praying for you!

Doc

 

Hi Dani,
maybe you should be happy that you at least ranked high enough to be prayed for. I have neither ranked high enough for prayer nor response to my later posts

 

Sweet,

I will trade spaces with you. You can be saved instead and they can come back later for me. I'm a hopeless case anyway.

At 24, I'm too old and set in my ways.

Have a great weekend.

Dani

 

Hey, Sweet21510, Don't feel bad! People everywhere are praying for "those looking to find the one true faith". So I'm sure someone is praying for you right now. Oddly enough, there are about a few hundred religions who feel they are the "one true faith". So who decides which of frequently mutually exclusive prayer requests is correct?

I certainly don't have the hubris for it.

Just for grins: What if the concept of Zen is correct? you know, "there are many paths to the top of the mountain, what matters is not which path you take but whether or not you get there." Sort of a "Hey man, if your religion trips your trigger and causes you to be further enlightened then that's cool by you. If something else helps someone else then thats cool by them."


And BTW why can't God employ evolution as his tool? I seem to remember that there aren't supposed to be any limits on his abilities...........

A "day" or anything else in the Bible is very much open to interpretation for symbolism. Sort of like Lot's wife or the whole "Camel through the eye of the needle trick". They used a lot of metaphors to help get their points across. Not to mention that it's been edited and censored then edited some more for thousands of years. Depends on who was doing the translation and for what office they were doing it......... After all, if you are translating for the king you probably want to put a spin on the translation that he'd want to hear. Otherwise the consequences might be unpleasant.....


Dancer
Dancer

 

LoL try being 37 and set in your ways, and then suddenly deciding you need to go back to school. My hubby said I was having a mid-life crisis. To me it was more like I hated my job type of crisis, but it was kinda weird cuz i was a vet tech for many years, and enjoyed the work, just not the situation.

Religiously I live in Jerry Falwell's town, and quite frankly well, we have religion flowing out the yin/yang. There are two things we have fame for..churches and an inordinate number of restaurants.

 

I didn't really feel bad, just thought it odd considering the nature of what i had posted, and number of times. I'm very much for people finding their own paths. I've studied a number of different religious/ spiritual practices, including shamanism, and Hawaiian huna. Many have a common denominator in the conception of God. Native american spirituality considers God to be a single entity, sometimes called the great void or great mystery for lack of a better translation. Huna believes that God has better things to do than mix himself up in the more petty 'sins' of mankind. Huna too is very complex, and very interesting. The term Kahuna that is often played upon in movies 'the great kahuna' is a term that refers to ones profession. For example, psychdoc would be the Kahuna of psychology and considering his knowledge about credit the kahuna of credit, a fire chief would be the kahuna of fireman. It has to do
leadership skills and abilities in your chosen path. I know i'm rambling, but i thought you might get a kick out of it
have a terrific weekend as well....oh and would anyone be interested in doing a chat later this evening on this subject? Say about 8:30 EST. I think this would be great live

CC aka sweet

 

I've become very interested in this discussion of the 6000 year old earth because every evidence that has been found is to the contrary. What is the explanation for dinosaur bones, and ancient civiliztaions?Certainly God didn't put them there when they didn't actually exist. That would make God in the same league as Satan, a deceiver. Every bit of evidence points to an earth that is several million years old.