Do you believe in God and why

[thaibeachlovers]

9 hours ago, partington said:

Just as a follow up : the idea that humans do not use most of their brain capacity is another urban myth, beloved of woo merchants who do not critically examine received ideas.

 

Explained in this Scientific American article (as well as many other sources that use facts rather than fantasy.)

 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-people-only-use-10-percent-of-their-brains/
 

 

Extract:

"Adding to that mystery is the contention that humans "only" employ 10 percent of their brain. If only regular folk could tap that other 90 percent, they too could become savants who remember to the twenty-thousandth decimal place or perhaps even have telekinetic powers.

 

Though an alluring idea, the "10 percent myth" is so wrong it is almost laughable, says neurologist Barry Gordon at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore. Although there's no definitive culprit to pin the blame on for starting this legend, the notion has been linked to the American psychologist and author William James, who argued in "The Energies of Men" that "We are making use of only a small part of our possible mental and physical resources." It's also been associated with Albert Einstein, who supposedly used it to explain his cosmic towering intellect.

 

The myth's durability, Gordon says, stems from people's conceptions about their own brains: they see their own shortcomings as evidence of the existence of untapped gray matter. This is a false assumption. What is correct, however, is that at certain moments in anyone's life, such as when we are simply at rest and thinking, we may be using only 10 percent of our brains.

"It turns out though, that we use virtually every part of the brain, and that [most of] the brain is active almost all the time," Gordon adds. "Let's put it this way: the brain represents three percent of the body's weight and uses 20 percent of the body's energy."

 

I'm aware of the studies that show all parts of the brain are functioning all or most of the time. However, real life convinces me that there are many that are not using large parts of their brain ie the parts that deal with compassion, love, joy, care for others, care for the environment, care for their children, happiness and contentment. The  brain parts of many people that are overused are vanity, gluttony, greed, scorn and hatred.

Whatever one thinks of Christianity as a religion, the message of love, forgiveness, joy and hope are beyond question ideals all should aspire to.

Where religion goes wrong, IMO, is when men add in bits like others are the enemy, homosexuality is sin, etc. The Christ's message was to love one another and forgive. Not much wrong with that, is there?

[mauGR1]

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Whatever one thinks of Christianity as a religion, the message of love, forgiveness, joy and hope are beyond question ideals all should aspire to.

Unfortunately, when materialism becomes a sort of religion, love, tolerance, forgiveness are often seen as weaknesses if not even stupidity.

It's a common occurrence to see kindness confused with weakness to be exploited as much as possible.

[ravip]

Ask and you shall receive...

 

[canuckamuck]

 

[Sunmaster]

Ok, sharing a couple vids too ????

A short one...to get warmed up

 

 

...and a long one...entertaining and informational

 

 

[OliverKlozerof]

Late to this thread but...I think it's interesting to consider Bart Ehrman's thoughts on God. He's one of the world's foremost biblical scholars. Especially his explanation of the difference between an atheist and an agnostic. (BTW, I think like he does, but call myself atheist.) (BTW2, I'm not receiving replies on this thread so, you're welcome to reply but I won't see it. ???? )

 

 

Edited February 18, 2020 by OliverKlozerof

[ThaiBunny]

On 2/17/2020 at 5:18 PM, mauGR1 said:

Good question, i think it's very personal.

Your results may be different from mine, but not necessarily more true or false.

You do realise you've just admitted that your religious perceptions are entirely subjective? In my morning reading I see an Indonesian politician is claiming that Indonesia remains free from coronavirus because of a decision by God that it be so https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3051068/we-owe-it-god-indonesia-prays-how-it-keeping

 

Perceptions are just that - subjective - like the Rohrschach Inkblot Test or the Intelligent Design fantasy

[mauGR1]

1 hour ago, ThaiBunny said:

You do realise you've just admitted that your religious perceptions are entirely subjective?

Nope, i just conceded that there could be some truth in what you see or think.

I believe in the power of thought, if you can think of it, it exists.

Even the "spaghetti monster" exists, in the minds of a few funny individuals.

 

Oh, and there is power in prayers, and collective thought can become a weapon, etc.

 

Of course, there are temporary truths and eternal truths, the intelligent design, or God, is eternal, but feel free to think that's only in my imagination.

 

[thaibeachlovers]

22 hours ago, Sunmaster said:

Ok, sharing a couple vids too ????

A short one...to get warmed up

 

 

...and a long one...entertaining and informational

 

 

Can't say I put much stock by "mediators". The ones I've had dealings with from the nursing unions were rubbish, and Palestine has been mediated for decades without any sort of resolution.

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that mediators have managed to invent a well paid job that allows them a respected life without actually having to produce a result.

In my book, mediators are in the same category as consultants, lawyers and politicians- people we'd like to do without, but have made it impossible to do so.

[Sunmaster]

9 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Can't say I put much stock by "mediators". The ones I've had dealings with from the nursing unions were rubbish, and Palestine has been mediated for decades without any sort of resolution.

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that mediators have managed to invent a well paid job that allows them a respected life without actually having to produce a result.

In my book, mediators are in the same category as consultants, lawyers and politicians- people we'd like to do without, but have made it impossible to do so.

Meditators....not mediators. ???? 

[thaibeachlovers]

16 minutes ago, Sunmaster said:

Meditators....not mediators. ???? 

LOL. I really fell into that one. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Sunmaster]

But since we're on the topic of mediators....Don Edward Beck, the guy who worked out the Spiral Dynamics theory I mentioned pages ago, was also an effective mediator in South Africa and was instrumental in the transition from the Apartheid to a more inclusive society.

 

From http://www.memenomics.com/2013/12/08/don-becks-1995-strategy-to-unite-south-africa-through-rugby
Here’s how journalist Linscott described Don’s strategy: Beck recommended that an African crowd song should be introduced at The World Cup matches. That if possible the support of Nelson should be enlisted… It is history now, but the mainly white crowds adopted the African miners’ song Shosholoza. Afrikaner hardliners cheered and wept with emotion as Nelson Mandela wore Piennar’s No.7 jersey before the final game. Black newspapers, which had ignored Rugby as a white sport, went into frenzies of excitement with each succeeding World Cup Victory. Never before had the new South Africa been more emotionally united. Sports unity is something Beck always called for, not just for its own sake, but as a nation-builder.

[mauGR1]

3 hours ago, Sunmaster said:

But since we're on the topic of mediators....Don Edward Beck, the guy who worked out the Spiral Dynamics theory I mentioned pages ago, was also an effective mediator in South Africa and was instrumental in the transition from the Apartheid to a more inclusive society.

I find these kind of posts extremely interesting. ( i don't bother to read the links, but i trust your interpretation)

As the Tao explains clearly, sometimes you can find a shining spot even in the dark, dirty, stinking mud which is politics nowadays.

 

..As for mediators, i can understand @thaibeachlovers aversion for too many masters, as i often feel the same.

I think Jesus said: Don't look at me, but look of my father which is (in) the SKY.

 

Or Confucius version..

 

Yet, i would recommend a master, a good one, to anyone who practice yoga techniques, i saw a few people, including myself, losing the plot a bit while practicing without a guide.

[mauGR1]

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Palestine has been mediated for decades without any sort of resolution.

Funny that you bring out Palestine, , it's often in my thoughts, and i am seeing the issue there, as a perfect example, in the physical world, of both of the 2 conflicting parties being, in theory, in the right from a moral point of view.

..Yet there seems to be no solution.

Perhaps conflicts are inevitable in the physical world, and if we don't like it, we better do some spiritual work to get out of this place into higher spiritual realms.

[Tippaporn]

Assume for a moment that consciousness is not dependent on form.  One obvious implication of that would be that we survive death.  Another important implication would be that physical reality is but one reality.  Another is that if consciousness is not dependent on form then an after death environment may well be one of formlessness, in other words non-physical.  And furthermore, if we were not dependent on form and we embark to another reality after this one then it would be implied that our physical reality is not a closed system (else the travel of consciousness beyond this reality would be impossible).

 

Let's playfully consider these assumptions as true.  If we survive death, and if our reality is indeed only one of many (perhaps infinite), and if our system is not closed, then it would only be logical that information has pathways allowing it to cross between realities.  In which case the flow of information goes both ways.

 

Playing with the idea further then it would be not only possible but quite natural for information to enter our realty from another.  Any hints our clues confirming this that anyone can come up with?

 

So here's an interesting question:  What if an entity (I'm assuming we are neither male nor female but both) were to send information to us explaining our reality, who we really are, what "God" is (the term one wishes to use for a prime entity is unimportant), and how reality works in specific detail?  Has it happened?  Is it still happening?

 

Some enquiring minds would like to know.

[Sunmaster]

2 hours ago, Tippaporn said:

Assume for a moment that consciousness is not dependent on form.  One obvious implication of that would be that we survive death.  Another important implication would be that physical reality is but one reality.  Another is that if consciousness is not dependent on form then an after death environment may well be one of formlessness, in other words non-physical.  And furthermore, if we were not dependent on form and we embark to another reality after this one then it would be implied that our physical reality is not a closed system (else the travel of consciousness beyond this reality would be impossible).

 

Let's playfully consider these assumptions as true.  If we survive death, and if our reality is indeed only one of many (perhaps infinite), and if our system is not closed, then it would only be logical that information has pathways allowing it to cross between realities.  In which case the flow of information goes both ways.

 

Playing with the idea further then it would be not only possible but quite natural for information to enter our realty from another.  Any hints our clues confirming this that anyone can come up with?

 

So here's an interesting question:  What if an entity (I'm assuming we are neither male nor female but both) were to send information to us explaining our reality, who we really are, what "God" is (the term one wishes to use for a prime entity is unimportant), and how reality works in specific detail?  Has it happened?  Is it still happening?

 

Some enquiring minds would like to know.

From my point of view, your whole post is spot on. 

So spot on actually, that I suspect you already know the answers to your questions. 

[Tippaporn]

19 minutes ago, Sunmaster said:

From my point of view, your whole post is spot on. 

So spot on actually, that I suspect you already know the answers to your questions. 

You're very perceptive.  

[Tippaporn]

The Universe As Idea Construction.  An interesting notion, is it not?  How far might that concept go to providing accurate explanations for what we are experiencing?  And if indeed correct how vast would the effects be upon our current thinking of how the world works?

[Tippaporn]

If it is true that our consciousness cannot be located anywhere within our physical forms then where does it reside?  From whence comes the seemingly never ending energy which sustains our universe?  Where does the source originate from?  If our consciousness is located elsewhere might the source of our universe be located elsewhere?

 

Just asking some pertinent? questions.

[mauGR1]

3 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

The Universe As Idea Construction.  An interesting notion, is it not?  How far might that concept go to providing accurate explanations for what we are experiencing?  And if indeed correct how vast would the effects be upon our current thinking of how the world works?

I think that the "accurate explanations" are there, but the attachment/connection to the physical body make it difficult to translate them in ordinary languages.

Sometimes we can get glimpses of superior thoughts, but, at least for me, they don't pass the gates of reason.

[Tippaporn]

2 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

I think that the "accurate explanations" are there, but the attachment/connection to the physical body make it difficult to translate them in ordinary languages.

Sometimes we can get glimpses of superior thoughts, but, at least for me, they don't pass the gates of reason.

Perhaps not enough puzzle pieces assembled to form a cohesive picture?

[Tippaporn]

9 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

I think that the "accurate explanations" are there, but the attachment/connection to the physical body make it difficult to translate them in ordinary languages.

Sometimes we can get glimpses of superior thoughts, but, at least for me, they don't pass the gates of reason.

I forgot to mention, I agree that language has it's limitations for the expression of much of the knowledge we possess.

[mauGR1]

13 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Perhaps not enough puzzle pieces assembled to form a cohesive picture?

Perhaps, or perhaps too many pieces of different puzzles.

If i told you that every atom is self-conscious, would it make sense to you ?

Or, consciousness pervades everything, but most of us can perceive only tiny flashes of it, does it make sense ?

It does make enough sense to me, but i guess it doesn't to most.

[mauGR1]

10 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

I forgot to mention, I agree that language has it's limitations for the expression of much of the knowledge we possess.

Yes, totally agree.

[mauGR1]

31 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Where does the source originate from?  If our consciousness is located elsewhere might the source of our universe be located elsewhere?

 

According to some author i'm studying, the spiritual worlds conpenetrate the physical worlds, and the physical worlds are "condensed" expressions of the thoughts of the spirit.

The concepts of "here, there, near and far" belong to the physical world, and make sense only in the physical world.

 btw, i'm very pleased to read your posts today, this thread never ceases to surprise me ????

[Tippaporn]

2 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

Perhaps, or perhaps too many pieces of different puzzles.

If i told you that every atom is self-conscious, would it make sense to you ?

Or, consciousness pervades everything, but most of us can perceive only tiny flashes of it, does it make sense ?

It does make enough sense to me, but i guess it doesn't to most.

Spot on.  I would go further to say that everything is composed of energy and that energy itself is aware.  The obvious implication would be that there is nothing that is inert, everything in existence is alive.

 

Are we perceiving everything?  I think obviously not.

 

And yes, too many pieces from different, and most likely many contradictory puzzles.  Who said this so succinctly:?  "What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so.”

 

Is the difficulty in understanding anything beyond our beliefs due to the mistaken beliefs we hold to be true?  Is the difficulty in the learning or the unlearning?

[Tippaporn]

3 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

According to some author i'm studying, the spiritual worlds conpenetrate the physical worlds, and the physical worlds are "condensed" expressions of the thoughts of the spirit.

The concepts of "here, there, near and far" belong to the physical world, and make sense only in the physical world.

 btw, i'm very pleased to read your posts today, this thread never ceases to surprise me ????

Might physical reality be a medium for the expression of who we are as non-physical entities?  Do we not express ourselves in the mediums of music, art, literature, and even mundanely by the clothes we wear and the type of vehicle we choose to drive?

 

Might the implication then be that the source of the objective universe is subjective reality?  That the "outside" reality our senses are designed to perceive (and perhaps help create) is merely a translation of our "inner" reality?  Would these questions be blasphemous to scientists who, in general, regard subjectivity as "not real?"

 

Might it be that physical reality is like a mirror?  A mirror into which we project our thoughts and transform, translate them into a physical medium?  But more than a mirror?  Where we get to actually experience the results of our projections?  Where we also get to interact with our projections?  Where we project even ourselves into a physical body as well?  Where we learn the process of transforming energy?

 

Are we not imbued with creativity?  And what are the limits of creativity?  If creation is an attribute of a God (or whatever label is preferred) what does that imply about us?

 

I'm glad you enjoy the posts, or rather the questions.  Food for thought.

[mauGR1]

34 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Is the difficulty in understanding anything beyond our beliefs due to the mistaken beliefs we hold to be true?  Is the difficulty in the learning or the unlearning?

To put it succinctly, at the best of my limited rationality, to "suspend" the dualistic judgement is a sure way to get questions answered.

In other words, see things as they are, not as we think they are.

I find it difficult to practice all the time, but apparently it may become easier with regular practice.

I believe it works, but surely there must be infinite ways to get close to the Truth.

[mauGR1]

3 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

Might it be that physical reality is like a mirror?  A mirror into which we project our thoughts and transform, translate them into a physical medium?  But more than a mirror?  Where we get to actually experience the results of our projections?  Where we also get to interact with our projections?  Where we project even ourselves into a physical body as well?  Where we learn the process of transforming energy?

That's some point i try to make here, but your command of English is obviously much better then mine !

I agree with every word, perhaps we have been reading the same books, been having similar experiences, or something.

The other day i was wondering if the answers of all questions are already within the limits of consciousness, and the answer is yes, as individual beings, but ...

Things start to be complicated for any human society, from a family, to a tribe, a nation, or the whole planet. Conflicts will always arise.

yet, apparently, without helping each other, we can't survive as a species.

I remember one old man saying to me: "The individual is free to embrace spiritual values, but a nation cannot afford the same luxury".

Thanks again for the good posts.

 

[Tippaporn]

9 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

To put it succinctly, at the best of my limited rationality, to "suspend" the dualistic judgement is a sure way to get questions answered.

In other words, see things as they are, not as we think they are.

I find it difficult to practice all the time, but apparently it may become easier with regular practice.

I believe it works, but surely there must be infinite ways to get close to the Truth.

Spot on again.  To get to the truth absolutely requires the temporary suspension of beliefs.  I find that many are afraid to entertain ideas which run contrary to their adopted beliefs.  There's nothing that I find to fear in such an endeavor.  You can always go back to the beliefs you so cherish.  Indeed, the case is often that even when a decision is made to change a belief the old belief once again takes hold.

 

If ideas are the building blocks of creation then the attitude which works best is a playful one.  Just as children do, if you don't like what you've constructed you are free to tear it all down and start over again.  Children have fun with it.  Adults, not so much.