A realists view of the nature of reality.

[f|uke]

Two suggestions for this thread:

1) Take my advice and dont read it.

Unless you are a Buddhist, Agnostic, or Athiest, there is a high probability that you will be offended. Seriously. If you do, it is at your own risk. This thread may very well be hazardous to your mental health. This thread will discuss reality, God, and mortality.

2) The point here is to lay out a consensus of the true nature of reality. If you want to fill in some of the detail I just glazed over, please do. If you point out logical holes in my reasoning based on imperical evidence, I will conceed the point. This is a laymans, rant. I know this. I have come to these conclusions, however, through observations of imperical evidence and the reading of scientific texts.

However, please refrain from faith based arguments. Faith is not a part of common reality, no matter how many other people agree with you.

So let me break it down.

History:
Lets start out with the history of the universe. Everthing, including time itself, was created out of a singularity. Due to forces beyond our understanding this singularity exploded and created the galaxies and the stars and blah blah blah.

Science:
Quantum physics has posed us a riddle with the story of Schrodinger cat. To make a long story short, actual physical evidence of the nature of atoms has shown us that properties of particles are not defined until they are observed. But if this is the case, how was reality defined before any living creature was there to observe it? Well this leads to philosophy.

Another note of science is that, everything is indeed made out of nothing. Matter is energy, and everything came out of the same singularity. Every peice of matter is the same piece of matter, and all of it without any true tangability, except in relation to itself. I find that facinating.

Biology:
This may be the hardest part, as it really does negate any chances of a 'meaningful afterlife'. But here goes..

The frontal lobe of the brain is where 'personality' resides. Too much damage in this area, and you will be a very different person. Remove a specific part of the brain, and you will not remember your cats name. Remove another and you will not feel emotional when you see your mother, yet still will when you hear her voice (curious one, but true, saw it on nova!). The fact is, without your brain, anything that you consider to be you, simply doesnt exist. We can demonstrate this peice by peice on live subjects. Brains are the source of thought. So how could you possibly think that you might actually take any memories, thoughts, feelings, ANYTHING, with you into the next life? Many do not even get to take it all the way through this one.

Philosophy:
I can really only think of one reason "why". Reality exists because there is a need for something to exist. Period. For some reason, it is impossible to just have nothing. Perhaps because you can't even have nothing unless nothing is observed. As Schrodinger cat shows us, there is a need for an observer, not only in our material reality, but in a cosmic sense as reality did need to be defined before we came about. But who is this observer?

I do believe there is a force. This is what is responsable for the singluraity, and this force, in a sense, is the ultimate observer, observing through our accumulated minds eye. However this force exists outside of space/time, and has no brain of its own (and, as we know, brains are the source of thought). Therefore, this 'God', does not think, does not command, and does not judge. God merely observes. Its a one way street.

Religion:
The opiate of the masses. Any historian can easily see how the ideas of religions came about and why they were preached as fact to give power to the church as a governing state. It is also clear why the masses do not want to let go of these concepts, as they fear their mortality, and the ideas offered by the church are very comforting. Still it is curious that, after the stories in the bible are proved wrong time and time again, still they cling to the remaining stories therein.


And that ends my rant. Please, comment or whatever. Or better yet, everyone just ignore me. I'm not really sure what inspired me to post this except I'm in a really bad mood and needed to vent. I find it theraputic to remind myself that we have to fight to live and enjoy life, because this really is all we get.

 

[Asus]

I'm not offended.
I don't find really anything in there that is directly defying God actually...

Nice read on your thoughts.

 

[CrazyHarij]

Good theories you got there, I must say.

I'll take the buddhist/gnostic position here. I won't debate or try to prove my point, neither will I try to convert anyone. I will only input my point and inform.

Biology:
Yes, the brain is where the personality resides. Memories, reactions, instincts, it all resides in the brain. It's all a bunch of chemicals and reactions and etcetera.

However, I personally believe there is a difference between the personality and the consciousness. The consciousness is the true 'you'. No, not your appereance, not your thoughts and feelings. Simply, your Being. This is what is carried on between all these lives, you don't remember your past lives or anything since it is indeed impossible, that is a part of the physical brain.

Philosophy:
Very good point there. The whole concept of the observer sounds very interesting.
One of the major things to accomplish withing buddhism and gnosticism in general is to be "aware", to do nothing but observe. To lose all daydreams, thoughts, emotions, just observe. It is a very strange experience to practise awareness, but it is a way for me to realise that I am something else, inside this physical "shell". Some people also call it a "holy moment". So in a way, you become a part of "god" by being aware.

I believe god is a collective consciousness, not a man or woman or a simple "it". Think of it as the staff members on Hl2.net here, they are all individuals but together they're a part of the Staff. You become "one" with something, but you keep your individuality.

Religion:

I don't try to prove my religion is "above" everything else, but I think all religions are based on one solid thing, and they've all modified and been created depending on circumstances and etc in the locations they was founded. Religions around Asia are very much alike, religions in Israel are very similar, and so forth. I think people take religion too physically. They read the bible or the Quran (sp?) and other scriptures and take everything as meaning exactly what it says, when they were made and written to be "hints" to the entirely same thing.

Anyhow, that's what I have to say. Feel free to comment or critique.

 

[CyberSh33p]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schrodinger's_cat

thats the schrödinger's cat thing. just thought you should give people a link I'll sum up my thouhgts on this later

edit: oh ya, do link to allusions and such in the future, just for practicality's sake good for others to know what you are talking about.

 

[hasan]

I would like to make a long post but I have to go now (to the mosque btw ..)
anyway, I have like 2mins, so I'll just comment one thing, more when I come back (inshallah)

Brains are the source of thought. So how could you possibly think that you might actually take any memories, thoughts, feelings, ANYTHING, with you into the next life? Many do not even get to take it all the way through this one.

you know, people before thought, if you turn into ashes, how can oyu be brought back?
well, how did you come to be in the first place?
God created you, and he can bring you back.
I mean, you argument assumes already that there is no God, so it's circular in a way.

 

[f|uke]

Thank you, Asus, Harij, Cybersh33p (thanks for the link )

However, I personally believe there is a difference between the personality and the consciousness. The consciousness is the true 'you'. No, not your appereance, not your thoughts and feelings. Simply, your Being. This is what is carried on between all these lives, you don't remember your past lives or anything since it is indeed impossible, that is a part of the physical brain.

I agree. There is definitly something about us that is not material,. the state of "being", and that this "being" is shared by us all. To meditate into this state is to become one with all things. I have experienced this myself through mindset, though aided by LSD (its a shortcut, but it worked for me).

It is a very strange experience to practise awareness, but it is a way for me to realise that I am something else, inside this physical "shell". Some people also call it a "holy moment". So in a way, you become a part of "god" by being aware.

I do think its a shame that some who experience this "holy moment" are still not able to let go of everything, and instead tie it to their belief structure, taking it as evidence of their personal savior. Ah well. Anyways, I thank you for your post. You speak with truth and reason.

God created you, and he can bring you back.
I mean, you argument assumes already that there is no God, so it's circular in a way.

I believe I stated the existance of a force which I call "God" (admittedly for arguments sake). This is just a very different "God" then the one you believe in.

 

[CyberSh33p]

Problem with death for me is actually sort of explained in your argument.

Philosophy:
I can really only think of one reason "why". Reality exists because there is a need for something to exist. Period. For some reason, it is impossible to just have nothing. Perhaps because you can't even have nothing unless nothing is observed.

its just that. I don't really believe in nothing. So based on that I figure there must be something. right?

so I'd say the philosophy part of your argument conflicts with the biology(based on my interpretation, which is absolute ). To me it does anyway, I believe chiefly the same thing and I can't decide between that myself. so yeah.

edit: yeah, that schödingers cat thing fascinated me...
I'm reading about related topics still. I'm now on the many-worlds interpretation and wondering why the feck chemistry isn't teaching me this sort of stuff since its infinitely more interesting and we're on quantum theory and related subjects anyway.

 

[CrazyHarij]

Thank you for your input.

I do think its a shame that some who experience this "holy moment" are still not able to let go of everything, and instead tie it to their belief structure, taking it as evidence of their personal savior. Ah well.

I'm not sure if you meant me by saying "some people".

If so, I'm not tied to anything. I'm ready to give up my beliefs if I experience that they are wrong. I don't take this as an evidence for my "personal saviour", just as an evidence that there's something out there. Or maybe not evidence, more as a reassurement. I don't really want solid evidence for everything I hear and believe in..

If not,
Yes, you have to accept though that that's the way the human mind works with.. well, pretty much everything. I'm not the one to judge them though, I think it's important to show your respect towards other people and let them believe whatever they want to believe in.

 

[f|uke]

its just that. I don't really believe in nothing. So based on that I figure there must be something. right? [...] so I'd say the philosophy part of your argument conflicts with the biology(based on my interpretation, which is absolute ). To me it does anyway, I believe chiefly the same thing and I can't decide between that myself. so yeah.

I believe I'm in a consensus with Harij when I say that the "being" is eternal (and in a timeless state). The "being" being that force, and the "light" of pure consciousness. I think this reconciles the two.

I'm not sure if you meant me by saying "some people".

I did not mean you. The core of Buddhism is right in line with most of what I believe to be true. Its almost a non-religion. (though as I understand it there are certain aspects that are religious in nature, yet I know not all Buddhists adhere to,. such as the worship of Buddha himself. Actually I'd like to hear your thoughts on that). As for respecting others beliefs, that is actually a personal trial of mine. I am planning on becoming a Paramedic, and am no doubt going to be with numerous people as they die. I am not sure what I will do if they look to me to affirm their faith. I just hope that doesnt happen..

 

[CyberSh33p]

I think I just hit the goldmine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_suicide

I love wikipedia.

I'm not gonna be able to sleep tonight

 

[hasan]

so uh, I'm back

please refrain from faith based arguments.

haha .. I think I understand what you mean, and if it is as I understand it, then I agree with you %100.
To clearify, I didn't really understand why people always say this untill two days ago, I was at the pat robertson website http://www.cbn.com .. I got a link in a mail I recieved about him saying Allah is the moon god or some other halarious claim anyway, I just decided to browse around the site, and I saw this:

Q:..... How can I ever truly know that God exists?

Pat Robertson
A:WE CAN KNOW IT IN OUR HEARTS
....

I shortened it, but I believe I didn't change the meaning.
http://www.cbn.com/partners/bringiton/BibleAndSpiritualLife.asp
scroll down.

anyway, I was quite shocked when I saw it, so just out of curiosity, is that how all chrisitan priests answer this question?

well he did use some reasoning in the end, but it's like "who cares about reasoning? it's in the heart!"

I mean, for God's sake, is that how you answer an athiest?

anyways .. just ranting .. not really on topic.

But if this is the case, how was reality defined before any living creature was there to observe it? Well this leads to philosophy.

oh, you mean the "if a tree falls in a desert and there is no one to hear it, will it make a sound?" I think that's redicilous, ofcourse it will.

Another note of science is that, everything is indeed made out of nothing. Matter is energy, and everything came out of the same singularity. Every peice of matter is the same piece of matter, and all of it without any true tangability, except in relation to itself. I find that facinating.

well I'm not really sure I knwo what I'm talking about here, but I don't think is how it actually works, probably one of the theories out there, but I wouldn't take it for granted, nor even use it in a debate.

anyway, about nothingness: I think there IS nothingness, how do I know? well, look, 'space' is not just empty area, space is dimension, and dimension is actually something, it bends around objects, and that's what causes gravity (General theory of relativity .. I think). If it bends, it is something, and it has properties.
There is a kind if a logical problem here, a paradox if you will; if nothingness exists, well, it exists, and if something exists then it is "some thing", hence it's not a nothing. but well, there are two things here to solve this:
-nothingness is byond the limit of our CPU's .. err, brains.
-we can't refer to it without choosing a name for it, hence we treat it as if it's actually something, we just can't express it.

If you think about it for a minute, it can make sense.

I mean, even though we do refer to it, but it's not because it is something, it's just that, we have no way of thinking about nothingness, I mean, what is nothingness? You said "there has to be something", well I say why?
I think it's not that there has to be something, it's just that we can't percieve nothingness, it just doesn't fit in our brains. thus if we can't imagine something, we will probably say "it can't be there".

I do believe there is a force. This is what is responsable for the singluraity, and this force, in a sense, is the ultimate observer, observing through our accumulated minds eye. However this force exists outside of space/time, and has no brain of its own (and, as we know, brains are the source of thought). Therefore, this 'God', does not think, does not command, and does not judge. God merely observes. Its a one way street.

well, if he can't think, command or judge, and if he doesn't have a brian, how can he "observe"?
when oyu say this force is reponsible for singularity, do you mean it created it?

sorry, this just makes absolutly no sense to me.
I'm not sure I understand that logic very well, but let me say this:Things DO happen and exist even if no one is there to observe them. The only thing is, if you can't observe it, you don't know about it. Hence, it DOES actually happen, but you just don't know about it. There is a huge difference between the actual event/thing, and our knowledge of that event/thing.

The opiate of the masses. Any historian can easily see how the ideas of religions came about and why they were preached as fact to give power to the church as a governing state.

I almost totally agree with you. And well anyway, don't think that I'm an athiest, I'm a muslim (don't tell me you hanv't figured this out already =P ).
It's not that I think this applies to Islam, it's just that, all these religoins believing in all kinda wierd things are man made stuff.
It's in the Quran

many of the priests and anchorites devour the wealth of mankind wantonly and debar (people) from the way of Allah.

 

[Letters]

I took your advice and didn't read anything afterward... where's my cookie?

 

[Phisionary]

I suppose I will preface this by saying I am an athiest. I disbelieve in the existance of God, in any form. I do not lack belief, but rather deny the possiblility of God's existance (to clarify some differing definitions of atheism). With that in mind, I'll address these topics as I see them. Don't get offended, if makes no difference, does it? And if you've gotten this far, I suppose you've gotten over it. In short, don't take my marginalizations of your belief systems too seriously, they are, in truth, mine only.

Philosophy:
I can really only think of one reason "why". Reality exists because there is a need for something to exist. Period. For some reason, it is impossible to just have nothing. Perhaps because you can't even have nothing unless nothing is observed. As Schrodinger cat shows us, there is a need for an observer, not only in our material reality, but in a cosmic sense as reality did need to be defined before we came about. But who is this observer?

I do believe there is a force. This is what is responsable for the singluraity, and this force, in a sense, is the ultimate observer, observing through our accumulated minds eye. However this force exists outside of space/time, and has no brain of its own (and, as we know, brains are the source of thought). Therefore, this 'God', does not think, does not command, and does not judge. God merely observes. Its a one way street.

I find the concept of 'an observer' rather interesting. I suppose it isn't such a deep philosophical concept to me. If I try to seriously understand the nature of things, I run into this-- "Why does anything exist if it has no awareness of it's own existance? Why is there anything if there is nothing capable of comprehending that anything is?" In this sense, I can understand how religeous beliefs were started. So much in the world beyond explanation, comprehension... This being, of course, far before modern science and understanding, when it was believed there was no possibility that we could ever truly understand the nature of existance...

Not that I think we ever truly can. I feel that religeon will begin to lose it's appeal as the average person's understanding of the operation and nature of the world we live in gets very advanced. This may take centuries, millenia to achieve, but I feel it will happen. But, there will very likely always be the unexplainable, the unknowable. As far as I can imagine, there will be no way to ever discern the reason we exist. Physicists and cosmologists, in whatever form they may take in our future, may eventually understand the mechanics of the universes' creation, but will never know why. Here is where the human weakness (don't take my use of the term too seriously) for belief in some higher power will remain.

Anyway... to imagine a world where things exist, but have no ability to comprehend that they exist... that nothing has a capability to attempt to understand or explain... A world where we are not there, I suppose.... Very fascinating... But of course, in my world, there can be nothing outside that observes.. Although, once it is seperated from the constructs of human belief, the possibilities of a higher power are much easier to approach.

Religion:
The opiate of the masses. Any historian can easily see how the ideas of religions came about and why they were preached as fact to give power to the church as a governing state. It is also clear why the masses do not want to let go of these concepts, as they fear their mortality, and the ideas offered by the church are very comforting. Still it is curious that, after the stories in the bible are proved wrong time and time again, still they cling to the remaining stories therein.

I agree as well.
Not to infer thais is your view, but interesting quote:
Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura: "Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers. It tells people to go out and stick their noses in other people's business."

Hmm. I think the same for religeon in general. Not to fault it at it's core. What it does for people, in many circumstances, is wonderful. I often wished I could believe in something greater than myself (as a being, a force, I mean. A God, for instance). Afterlife's are a comforting concept when someone around you is ill or dying (or as you consider your own mortality).
But I know it can't be... and deal with it. Sucks.

And that ends my rant. Please, comment or whatever. Or better yet, everyone just ignore me. I'm not really sure what inspired me to post this except I'm in a really bad mood and needed to vent. I find it theraputic to remind myself that we have to fight to live and enjoy life, because this really is all we get.

not atall. Sometimes as the cynical scientific non-believer I am, I feel besieged by the highly theological society I/we live in (depending on where you live I suppose). Abstract philosophy, andvanced scientific discussion, and the disguised critical disbelief in the institutions of religeon are very refresing to me.

Religion:

I don't try to prove my religion is "above" everything else, but I think all religions are based on one solid thing, and they've all modified and been created depending on circumstances and etc in the locations they was founded. Religions around Asia are very much alike, religions in Israel are very similar, and so forth. I think people take religion too physically. They read the bible or the Quran (sp?) and other scriptures and take everything as meaning exactly what it says, when they were made and written to be "hints" to the entirely same thing.

On that last point: I agree. I find it fascinating to believe that people take these 'holy books' in all their idiosyncratic nature, chock full of innacuracies and contradictions and so obviously filtered through the lens of the human condition, and can accept them as the 'absolute truth' or the direct word of God. I don't think very many people do this, TBH, but some do. I can't understand.

Of course, how can I talk, since it's all silly rubbish to me anyway...

I agree. There is definitly something about us that is not material,. the state of "being", and that this "being" is shared by us all. To meditate into this state is to become one with all things. I have experienced this myself through mindset, though aided by LSD (its a shortcut, but it worked for me).

I disagree. Any attempt to delagate the state of being human as any other that chemical interactions (vastly complex and interrealated interactions, but nonetheless wholly chemical) moves into the realm of religeon. I disbelieve that there is any state of human thought that transcends quantifiable physical law. That we will ever completely understand it's operation, I dont know...


If (when, really -- it's 'if we survive long enough') we develop computer systems of high enough complexity, and gain enough understanding of the processes and interworking of the human brain, we will be able to simulate in full complexity all that makes us human, but without the bioloogical component. It would be horrendously difficult to mask the man/machine boundaries and differences, but would be possible.

There are interesting questions about whether you could really understand the operation of something as complex as we ourselves are. We may understand abstractions and analogies and concepts, but never everything at once... I could be wrong on that theory. It's just a pet...

I love wikipedia.

Oh, holy shit, no kidding... I just found the Wiki entry on cannabis. It may be the most fair and reasonably description of this I have ever seen. Brilliant. I know I'll haveto refer people to this, and I won't have to worry so much that they'll get the wrong idea about it...

Oh, and your link.. I feel like someone kicked my in the frontal lobe.

And I just relized the irony of using 'holy shit' in my incredibly secular (is that the right word?) post. I've only recently notice my rather liberal use of religeous terms (as insults and exclamations, mostly) and am a bit uncomfortable with it, to br honest.

oh, you mean the "if a tree falls in a desert and there is no one to hear it, will it make a sound?" I think that's redicilous, ofcourse it will.

Exactly. It's a fascinating train of thought, but I can't pursue it on anything other that a superficial level. Kind of that stoner "oh... WOW!! That is SOOO deep!!" kinda feeling. I like that feeling somethimes, but only for fun... The philosophy of it is pointless ad usually contains circular reasoning. About as much utility as considering that we can't actually "know" anything is real, becuase it's all based on inputs from neural connections that we don't know are erally connected to what we think they are... Like, maybe we're just being fed information to our conciousness that makes us think that we have a brain in a body and live in a phyiscal world. But what's that point? We'll never get any where? You end up refuting it with stuff like 'I think, therefor I am...' How bloody profound.

OT, I want to take a philosophy class.

:dozey: :naughty: :smoking:​

damn. too many smilies. there supposed to be more​

Sorry. Too many serious thoughts.

anyway, about nothingness: I think there IS nothingness, how do I know? well, look, 'space' is not just empty area, space is dimension, and dimension is actually something, it bends around objects, and that's what causes gravity (General theory of relativity .. I think). If it bends, it is something, and it has properties.
There is a kind if a logical problem here, a paradox if you will; if nothingness exists, well, it exists, and if something exists then it is "some thing", hence it's not a nothing. but well, there are two things here to solve this:
-nothingness is byond the limit of our CPU's .. err, brains.
-we can't refer to it without choosing a name for it, hence we treat it as if it's actually something, we just can't express it.

interseting indeed.

Nothingness is a concept like beginning. Nothingness can exist only if the universe has a beginning. For the universe to begin, there would have to be nothingness before it.

I don't have a lot of deep thoughts on this, TBH. :E

did you know that math was limited by people not having a concept of zero? nothingness is really wuite a difficult concept...

I find the concept of negative interesting. If you subscribe to belief in virtual particles ala vaccuum energy ala zero-point energy, well, one of the theories connected to it, is that there has to be times where there is negative energy in a point in space. I don't mean just negative particals (electons/ positrons) or anything like that, or even antimatter. But, a level of energy less than no energy (alos: mass) at all. Fascinating. not exactly related to your point either...


Anyway. Here is a thread on religion (dammit, I don't know if I'm spelling it right. Idiot) that sprang up a few weeks ago. It has some interesting discussion if you want to read the opinions on the theological side (and a lot of the other, I'm surprised how many answerd 'no') of this all. Some good read in there.

Keep up the discussion. Interesting stuff. Need some more theoretical physics. :E I love that stuff.

 

[Phisionary]

Well.. I ran out of time to edit... I guess I should have done all my spell checking before I submitted.... Oh well.

That took me an hour and a quarter to get down. Oh my... :O

 

[hasan]

That took me an hour and a quarter to get down. Oh my... :O

Haha .. that's too long.
sometimes replies take me like an hour .. maybe more, I'm not sure. but an hour and a quarter is just damm too much!

edit:
when I was a child, a thought came to my mind, maybe I'm the only thing in the world and everybody else doesn't really exist and is just in myimagination, I wanted to ask people stuff like "do you really feel yourself like I do?", but I never asked it, but my cousin asked it to me once, I thought like "wow .. I was thinking the same thing!!".
sometimes I also imagine that this whole life of mine is just a dream, in reality I'm just a few months old child sleaping and dreaming, someday I'll weak up and everyone will be surprised about how I know alot when I'm still just a kid

heheh .. just something to share aobut this silly philosophical concept.
But you know, in reality the world is quite different than we see it, colors are just something our brain percieves, it has to do with how the objects interact with light .. or something.
space too I guess, I think there are more dimensions than just 3, but we just can't percieve them. I think some theories say there are 11 dimensions .. w/e.

 

[Phisionary]

yes, I've had those thoughts before... usually i'm on drugs.
...but other times too

sometimes i wonder if the colors that I see are the same as what colors look like to other people... maybe what I percieve as 'red' isn't percieved in the same way for others. Like, a brain isn't an interchangable part, and if we could read minds, if would be gibberish, because someone elses brain has been wired up differently, and just happens to fulfill the same basic functions.

it's also interesting to consider this since some people are colorblind, and don't percieve color as I do. Some impirical evidence if you'd call it that...

but then again, does it really matter? not a whole lot, as long as you think that stop-light is the same color I think it is.


I don't think those other 9 diminsions are the same sort as our three diminsions, if you speak of string theory. they are suposed to exist on an incredibly small scale, like, billionths of an inch or something, and twist and loop about. A place for forces to exist that ther is no apparent place for in our visible three (er, four. forgot time) diminsions, or something like that.

 

[RRunner]

History:
Lets start out with the history of the universe. Everthing, including time itself, was created out of a singularity. Due to forces beyond our understanding this singularity exploded and created the galaxies and the stars and blah blah blah.

I know im not that bright, nor do i follow science news..But is the steady state theory gone?

Because it made alot of sense to me, answered alot of my Q too.
That there always has and always will be. There is no start and no end, there is no chicken before the egg etc.
The start and finish is man made, because it is impossible for us to understand and to define things such as infinite and nothing, because such things do not exist, only to our limited view and concept of reality, that are confined by our short life span, as a spicies and person (exist is the wrong word to use, but for the lack of a better 1, i´ll use it).
That there are forces that create matter, and forces the absorbs matter, in a non stop flow.
or?

and on a second note, it clears out when or by whom god was created, he is then by the biblic word the alpha and omega, always has been.

 

[CrazyHarij]

I believe I'm in a consensus with Harij when I say that the "being" is eternal (and in a timeless state). The "being" being that force, and the "light" of pure consciousness. I think this reconciles the two.
I did not mean you. The core of Buddhism is right in line with most of what I believe to be true. Its almost a non-religion. (though as I understand it there are certain aspects that are religious in nature, yet I know not all Buddhists adhere to,. such as the worship of Buddha himself. Actually I'd like to hear your thoughts on that). As for respecting others beliefs, that is actually a personal trial of mine. I am planning on becoming a Paramedic, and am no doubt going to be with numerous people as they die. I am not sure what I will do if they look to me to affirm their faith. I just hope that doesnt happen..

As far as I know, there is no direct "worship" of Siddartha Buddha. Some buddhists like to thank him at times, sort of a thanksgiving thing, but I'm not focused on that.

 

[spookymooky]

Ya know, if the whole reverse schroedinger's cat thing is real (which I highly doubt), then i will live forever. Thats pretty damn cool.

 

[Triggerhappy41]

I like the bit about how your brain is your personality. My emotions, to most people, would be what makes up my soul...but if I remove a part of my brain and some of my emotions go away...then do i really have a soul? It seems pretty evident that our soul/conciousness IS our brain itself. If our soul is really our brains, then when we die...there is nothing :O