I am an atheist thread 4

[Ronald_E]

Ronald E:

It just hit me! This could all be a vast consipracy! I could be sending out all these thoughts to a computer generated responder with no brain. No, on second thought… no computer could come up with these responses. The folks are really brillient thinkers! Didn’t someone once say that the exchange of differing ideas is a catalyst for growth?

Teri

You just said it. If you said it.
You know I am glad I have stopped expressing myself from my anger, if that is possible.

 

[Ronald_E]

Well as long as we are not using the dictionary definitions for words, we might as well be talking different languages. I am going to make a bold suggestion - use the same language as everyone else in the conversation. It may aid understanding. Have a good day at work.

A, I want to thank you for wishing me a good day at work. As you know some days are tougher than others and it seems that the tougher ones make me a better person, at least I become more focused on being a better person.
I believe you are an introvert because you seem so genuine.
Thanks.

 

[_A]

I have to agree with him on that one, A, there are many instances where dictionary definitions are inadequate. They aren’t an authority on what words mean, they usually give common usages, and they are of course open to the influence of their own bias.

I guess I don’t like the idea of someone pigeon-holing me from a few posts. (ok, a few hundred.)

A, Just as you do not believe in someone’s belief in God,

I do believe that people believe in god (though I don’t believe in that belief). I simply do not believe the nonsense that the churches offer up about their gods. I don’t believe in your god, and wont pretend that I do.

I do not believe in definitions applied to human beings. I rebel against using the same definition of a word that limits the understanding of a human being; uust as I rebel against using psychiatric diagnoses as the only criteria to understand someone’s suffering. We cannot begin to understand the universe without understanding the relationship of one object to another object. So, I will make statements that come from my observation that seem to be a foreign language. Now does that make my observation incorrect? I do not want to think like the masses and observe like the masses no matter what their particular orientation is.
I rebel against conformity!
P. S. …with as much love as I can muster at the time of rebellion.

You might remember, then, that I understand ‘regular guy’ language, mainly. You could let me know…

I’m taking this to mean that you think I’m out to lunch. Actually, I was only asking for Ronald E’s opinion on my interpretation of the idea he was presenting. Ah well, I suppose I’ll take your opinion on the actual idea…

Thanks.

Yes, women, men, and children are all capable of loving unselfishly. So, Ronald E. was making a generalization. I don’t see why acknowledging some traits that seem to be more dominant in men automatically implies a weakness or deficit in women, or vice versa. You know, I think kids love the most unselfishly of all! Doesn’t offend me a bit.

I find this kind of generalization excludes some of my favorite people in the world.

Come on, you know what I mean. That’s not wiring, that’s the walls, insulation, and roof.

I was referring to the noticeable differences…

Even CalmDown?

I answered him. I would again. With the usual reservations

No, honestly, I don’t remember at all. Fill me in?

How some of the differences that stem from belief vs lack of belief can be downright abrasive, and it is worthwhile trying to keep the temperature down.
Not important, the important part was thank you.

 

[phooney]

I guess I don’t like the idea of someone pigeon-holing me from a few posts. (ok, a few hundred.)

Well, THAT’S certainly fair enough.

 

[_A]

Just an open question here…

Do you think it is ever acceptable by your standards (be they based on Catholocism or reason or both) for an individual to inhabit another against their will?

 

[Armor_of_God]

Just an open question here…

Do you think it is ever acceptable by your standards (be they based on Catholocism or reason or both) for an individual to inhabit another against their will?

In the case of human babies - always.
In the case of aliens - I’m not so sure.
In the case of demons - never.

 

[lkddav]

Hi Les,

I am an ordinary Joe with a penchant for learning.
I confess, I had never heard of that acronym before and had to Google it. I have heard of the concept though - I think it was discussed a few times on that late night Art Bell radio show.
Right now, I don’t really have a strong opinion on it, except that I wonder why it fascinates some people. Is EVP something that interests you?

Hello AoG

I became interested last fall when my brother and family went to a ghost hunt, etc.
I thought i would try it and sure enough, their are voices on my digital recorder that should not be there.
I have recorded a few interesting ones. I have no idea why the voices are on there or what generates them but it is fascinating.
Thanks for your reply.

les

 

[_A]

In the case of human babies - always.

Let’s not divide things up. Surely one standard can fit for every case. Is it OK for someone to inhabit someone else against their will?

I say no, whether it is a rapist, a parasite or a fetus. I know where you stand on abortion, but why specifically do you think that it is OK for one person (the embryo you call a person) to enslave another?

 

[Faustina_Rose]

I’m sorry to intrude, but does anyone mind if I ask a quick question to one of our atheist friends?

 

[_A]

I’m sorry to intrude, but does anyone mind if I ask a quick question to one of our atheist friends?

I’ll answer. Can’t speak for others of course…

 

[Armor_of_God]

Armor of God: I am new at this posting thing! I hope I did this right this time! I am interested in these kind of people as well. More thoughts below.

I figured that’s what had happened with your posting, as I didn’t really think my post merited a second posting on it’s own!

There are people (of all ages) who have had great pain and adversity in their lives and despite all these experiences have come out the other side with a spirit about them that encompasses the epitome of kindness, love, and understanding of others. Yet others who might experience the same become bitter, angry souls. The fact is that there are no two people exactly alike. How I react to my experiences in life will be different from how someone else reacts because we are not the same. I have to ask myself if I could truly explain to another person the full depth of why I believe in God. I don’t think that is possible. There is something however; that I could say is a big part of why. It has come from studying people, who have lived through horrific suffering, illness, persecution, etc., (in today’s world and in throughout history) and when you look into their eyes they shine brightly, compassion and warmth for humankind resonate from them and they bring comfort and joy to those that they touch. These are people who don’t care about material things, because their hearts and minds are full of all that they need to bring them happiness. What I see in them is not the sum of an equation or a recipe for happiness drawn from the pages of a self help book.

I was just reading about someone like that in the newspaper the other day. I learn more about overcoming adversity from people like that in just a few hours than I could ever learn from reading Dr. Phil books or “instructional” books on how to deal with stress and adversity. I think the key is that these people give hope, and it has nothing to do with what they possess materially, or even their relationships with the people in their lives.

When I asked for feedback regarding the human spirit, where it comes from, what makes it strong or weak, good or evil, I was thinking in terms of how it is so difficult for humans to comprehend what is not tangible or what cannot be proven by history or scientific measure, as in faith in God for instance. I was once what I would call a “follower” of the Christian faith rather that a true believer. What changed me was a series of experiences unique to me. At one time I might have been considered one of those people that had gone through some bad times and ended up bitter and unhappy. How interesting that the basis for my spiritual renewal came from witnessing or reading about those who had gone through similar trials, but had survived and even more, who had been able to break through the trappings of their pain and effect change upon the world. I can’t prove to anyone that I am a changed person, but I am. I have no explanation for the many wonderful things that have changed my life that just came out of no where. If I can be open everyday to the possibilities of new experiences, accept my life as it is today and people in it just as they are, focus on the richness of life, and try to give back more than I receive, I feel peaceful and happy. In letting go, it seems the universe unfolds as it should.

May you find joy today by the touch of a stranger.

Teri

Thank you for your post, Teri - I see you have put a lot of thought into it. I am glad your life has taken a turn for the better!

 

[Armor_of_God]

Let’s not divide things up. Surely one standard can fit for every case. Is it OK for someone to inhabit someone else against their will?

I say no, whether it is a rapist, a parasite or a fetus. I know where you stand on abortion, but why specifically do you think that it is OK for one person (the embryo you call a person) to enslave another?

Being a human and a Christian, I am biased towards human life and can’t bring myself to lump babies in with parasites in this discussion.

I don’t think rapists really fit in with your question, as they don’t “inhabit” an individual’s body. Rather, they may “invade” it violently and temporarily.

Other than parasites, the only individuals I have heard of that inhabit a human’s body are babies, demons, and aliens. I am going to take a leap and assume that you don’t believe in the existence of aliens or demons (correct me if I’m wrong).

So, in dealing with the true sense of your question on an ethical, anthropocentric level, we really are only talking about babies. As a Catholic, I believe that humans have the gift of free will and reason. I also believe that our procreative abilities are a gift. We make choices to either use or abuse all three of these gifts. We should be prepared to accept the consequences either way. Central to this is taking responsibility for our actions and not blaming others or making them suffer or pay for our choices.

In most cases, babies are not causing physical harm to the body they inhabit. In the cases where the baby does cause physical harm, I do not believe it does so intentionally. In all cases that I am aware of, the baby didn’t wilfully enter the body with malicious intent to enslave.

 

[_A]

In all cases that I am aware of, the baby didn’t wilfully enter the body with malicious intent to enslave.

If the woman decides on abortion the ‘baby’ never is. In fact, at the early stage that most abortions take place, there is little more than a lump of cells. Calling it a ‘baby’ is just another way of demonizing women who make this choice.
It is the actions of other people invading her personal space (in her body is pretty personal) saying what goes on there.
Can she declare, by religious decree, that cancer is a life form, and thus sacred? Can she deny you treatment for a tumor based on her belief and opinions?
What goes on inside someone’s body is not anyone else’s business.

 

[LaMar]

What goes on inside someone’s body is not anyone else’s business.

Oh, brother. Now you’ve done it.

I said something similar when I first got here. 3 days later, after I finally finished reading dozens of screaming rants, pages and pages long, looking like they had been penned by lunatics from the insane asylum, I decided not to touch on the issue again. My hat’s off to you for your brave gesture, but common sense doesn’t always go over very well with the “loving” followers of Jesus.

 

[lkddav]

I’m sorry to intrude, but does anyone mind if I ask a quick question to one of our atheist friends?

Ask away! Do I get to ask a question back?

Your Atheist friend.

les

 

[_A]

Oh, brother. Now you’ve done it.

I said something similar when I first got here. 3 days later, after I finally finished reading dozens of screaming rants, pages and pages long, looking like they had been penned by lunatics from the insane asylum, I decided not to touch on the issue again. My hat’s off to you for your brave gesture, but common sense doesn’t always go over very well with the “loving” followers of Jesus.

I was thinking it might be that way, but it looks as if no-one has a good answer.
That is because it IS always wrong for someone to inhabit another person against their will.

 

[Armor_of_God]

If the woman decides on abortion the ‘baby’ never is. In fact, at the early stage that most abortions take place, there is little more than a lump of cells. Calling it a ‘baby’ is just another way of demonizing women who make this choice.

Hi A,

Are you in support of abortion up to and including full-term? If not, why not?
Is there a certain point in time or development where the lump of cells turns into a human? If so, when would you estimate that takes place?

 

[_A]

Hi A,

Are you in support of abortion up to and including full-term? If not, why not?
Is there a certain point in time or development where the lump of cells turns into a human? If so, when would you estimate that takes place?

I think abortion should be available, administered by a health care professional, up to full term. No restrictions.
I think that when a late-term pregnancy is ‘aborted’, all efforts that the medical professionals wish to make can be directed toward helping the infant survive.
The thing is, if a pregnant woman wants out, out she will get. If not be a medical professinoal, then it will be an unprofessional.
Would it be OK for someone to hijack your body for their own purpose, without your consent, AofG?

 

[Armor_of_God]

Would it be OK for someone to hijack your body for their own purpose, without your consent, AofG?

All of the hijackers that I am aware of in mainstream society are fully grown, powerful people with malicious intent, usually packing a weapon or two. I have not heard of any babies who have forced their way into a woman’s womb.

 

[Armor_of_God]

A, you missed answering this part.

Is there a certain point in time or development where the lump of cells turns into a human? If so, when would you estimate that takes place?