RE: God: No magic required
January 18, 2014 at 6:18 pm
(This post was last modified: January 18, 2014 at 6:45 pm by lweisenthal.)
Hi Minimalist,
You say:
"Lots of things "could" happen. I don't have time for such idle speculation. Let's deal with facts."
Of course, I can't offer "proof" of "facts" (that the factual dark energy of the universe - or hypothetical dark energy of the multiverse - could contain organized sentience). What I have suggested is plausibility.
It was only after I decided that it was plausible that there could be a God that I decided that it wouldn't be a waste of my time to determine if it were possible to develop a belief in said postulated God through regularly participating in several types of religious services. Again, my motivation for so doing was that (1) I was impressed by the robust medical literature supporting the hypothesis that there are both mental and physical health benefits (including impressively increased longevity) associated with religiosity and (2) I had some personal behavioral issues which were refractory to secular management strategies.
So, as explained, I did what I did and it's thus far working for me. It doesn't mean that you need to do it yourself, and it certainly isn't offered as "proof" of anything. It's only offered to support the point of view that there are objectively rational reasons for people like me to actively explore the possibility of developing belief in something which is provable only at the level of the individual. Of course, I can't prove it to you, and I'll never have it proven beyond the shadow of a doubt to me (and many of the most famous religious people in history readily "confessed" to having doubts).
Another example: I believe that I'll live at least another ten years, and I live my life and make plans accordingly, even though I have an element of doubt about this, being a cancer doctor and knowing lots of people my age who have died of cancer. It's akin to not letting the perfect be the enemy of the good. For me, religion comes down to plausibility, faith, and personally demonstrable benefits. But, of course, that doesn't "prove" anything to you. I never expected that it would.
- Larry Weisenthal/Huntington Beach CA
My chromosomal DNA may be only 50% Finnish, but my mitochondrial DNA is 100% Finnish.
- Larry W/HB CA
You say:
"Lots of things "could" happen. I don't have time for such idle speculation. Let's deal with facts."
Of course, I can't offer "proof" of "facts" (that the factual dark energy of the universe - or hypothetical dark energy of the multiverse - could contain organized sentience). What I have suggested is plausibility.
It was only after I decided that it was plausible that there could be a God that I decided that it wouldn't be a waste of my time to determine if it were possible to develop a belief in said postulated God through regularly participating in several types of religious services. Again, my motivation for so doing was that (1) I was impressed by the robust medical literature supporting the hypothesis that there are both mental and physical health benefits (including impressively increased longevity) associated with religiosity and (2) I had some personal behavioral issues which were refractory to secular management strategies.
So, as explained, I did what I did and it's thus far working for me. It doesn't mean that you need to do it yourself, and it certainly isn't offered as "proof" of anything. It's only offered to support the point of view that there are objectively rational reasons for people like me to actively explore the possibility of developing belief in something which is provable only at the level of the individual. Of course, I can't prove it to you, and I'll never have it proven beyond the shadow of a doubt to me (and many of the most famous religious people in history readily "confessed" to having doubts).
Another example: I believe that I'll live at least another ten years, and I live my life and make plans accordingly, even though I have an element of doubt about this, being a cancer doctor and knowing lots of people my age who have died of cancer. It's akin to not letting the perfect be the enemy of the good. For me, religion comes down to plausibility, faith, and personally demonstrable benefits. But, of course, that doesn't "prove" anything to you. I never expected that it would.
- Larry Weisenthal/Huntington Beach CA
(January 18, 2014 at 2:46 pm)Minimalist Wrote:Quote:You (and others) demanded citations/links from me,
Um, no. I asked for evidence of this statement.
Quote:If the bioelectric energy of the human brain can organize itself into consciousness, then how can we be certain that the dark energy of our universe and/or the exotic energy of other universes cannot do so, also?
Lots of things "could" happen. I don't have time for such idle speculation. Let's deal with facts.
(January 18, 2014 at 6:18 pm)Kayenneh Wrote: Oh Loki forgive me for the fallacy I'm about to commit!
You, sir, are not a True Finn TM!
My chromosomal DNA may be only 50% Finnish, but my mitochondrial DNA is 100% Finnish.
- Larry W/HB CA
