21 Jun 12
2 edits
Originally posted by sonhouse
I have no doubt of the inner peace as a result of true faith. It is a mind drug in itself, in my opinion, a false drug, a crutch that never fails because of the way the propaganda of Christianity and all other religions are set up.
The original writers of the books of the bible were not stupid. There was definite intent, the intent being to control the ...[text shortened]... way to promote historical connections with a religious society but it is nothing more than that.
I have no doubt of the inner peace as a result of true faith. It is a mind drug in itself, in my opinion, a false drug, a crutch that never fails because of the way the propaganda of Christianity and all other religions are set up.
The original writers of the books of the bible were not stupid. There was definite intent, the intent being to control the population and to be able to rationalize the suppression of women. That is the long and the short of it.
It has worked for about 4,000 years so far, so in of itself it is a way to promote historical connections with a religious society but it is nothing more than that.
Now its suppression of women you have waiting in the wings.
I'm learning that some of you skeptics jump around like a grass hopper in a hen house. You bring to every discussion concerning God plenty of reserved complaints.
Is that in case one argument turns out to be weak ? So you make sure you always have another warming up, like a another baseball pitcher in the bull pen ?
Ie. " So if mind drug and conspiracy don't fly there's suppression of women waiting behind them in the line up."
Tell me then. Behind suppression of women what other problems do you have lined up for the Christian ?
- Joined
- 31 May 06
- Moves
- 1795
21 Jun 12
Originally posted by lauseyThat could well be the original source, however I was quoting pretty much verbatim someone else...
"I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it."
- Mark Twain
who was probably paraphrasing Mark Twain...
"Good writers borrow from other writers. Great writers steal from them outright."
- Joined
- 31 May 06
- Moves
- 1795
21 Jun 12
Originally posted by jaywillThe complete list of crimes, harms, and problems there are with the Christian faith would be too
....... Tell me then. Behind suppression of women what other problems do you have lined up for the Christian ?
long to fit in a whole page worth of posts.
The Christian faith is not particularly special in this regard and a similar list could be generated
for many or most religions.
However the suppression and marginalisation of women is one of the biggie's.
21 Jun 12
Originally posted by lauseyThat guy (and all who regurgitated that quote) , definately are scared of death.
"I do not fear death. I had been dead for billions and billions of years before I was born, and had not suffered the slightest inconvenience from it."
- Mark Twain
After all, aren't we all. Even if just a little?
21 Jun 12
Originally posted by karoly aczelI was just quoting where googlefudge may have got the source (although paraphrased from someone else).
That guy (and all who regurgitated that quote) , definately are scared of death.
After all, aren't we all. Even if just a little?
Although it is quite presumptuous to assume that Mark Twain was definitely scared, as well as everyone else on Earth.
21 Jun 12
Originally posted by lauseyPresumptuous. Yes.
I was just quoting where googlefudge may have got the source (although paraphrased from someone else).
Although it is quite presumptuous to assume that Mark Twain was definitely scared, as well as everyone else on Earth.
I did say a "little" scared.
it's the "billions and billions" part that set me off.
- Joined
- 31 May 06
- Moves
- 1795
21 Jun 12
Originally posted by karoly aczelThere is a difference and distinction to be made between death and dying.
That guy (and all who regurgitated that quote) , definately are scared of death.
After all, aren't we all. Even if just a little?
Being dead is not scary.
Just like it wasn't scary to not exist for the billions of years (since the big bang and possibly
uncountable aeons before that) before you were born and just like it isn't scary to be
unconscious or in non-rem sleep.
Being dead is not scary.
Dying on the other hand is or can be scary as all get out.
It can be slow and agonisingly painful, either physically or emotionally or both.
Dying is horrible, dying is scary.
Death isn't.
21 Jun 12
Originally posted by googlefudgeYes.
There is a difference and distinction to be made between death and dying.
Being dead is not scary.
Just like it wasn't scary to not exist for the billions of years (since the big bang and possibly
uncountable aeons before that) before you were born and just like it isn't scary to be
unconscious or in non-rem sleep.
Being dead is not scary.
...[text shortened]... ther physically or emotionally or both.
Dying is horrible, dying is scary.
Death isn't.
I understand.
I'm sure you take my point as well, no?
Can I ask you a question?
What do you think the ideal average age is for the length of a human life? Are we on par now? (about 70 yrs old average in first world country)
- Joined
- 31 May 06
- Moves
- 1795
21 Jun 12
Originally posted by karoly aczel
Yes.
I understand.
I'm sure you take my point as well, no?
Can I ask you a question?
What do you think the ideal average age is for the length of a human life? Are we on par now? (about 70 yrs old average in first world country)
I'm sure you take my point as well, no?
No not really. That's why I countered it.
Can I ask you a question?
Yes, you just did.
What do you think the ideal average age is for the length of a human life? Are we on par now?
(about 70 yrs old average in first world country)
Ideal for what? Or for who?
There will probably come a time where a person has lived so long that there is no longer anything they
haven't done or experienced (that they want to do or experience) and or that they are just tired of living
and have had enough.
However I can't see me reaching that point in 100 years, 200 years, or even 1000 years.
I don't know how long it would take to reach the point where I have had enough, or even if I would
ever reach that point. (assuming that I alter myself over the aeons with advances in technology)
So given the choice I would like to continue until I do get there.
And because I am I hope not selfish I would like everyone else to have the same option.
Now what the average age would land up being if everyone had a choice over how they aged and when
they died I don't know.
It might be hundreds of years, it might be thousands.
A study looking at death rates estimated that if you removed natural causes (illness and old age) as a cause of
death then the average lifespan would be about 1000 years (with people dying from accidents and crime/war)
however there are a number of changes that are likely to happen that would bring down the accidental/criminal
death rates that would likely extend that.
However to achieve this (apart from the medicine/technology needed) we are going to need more living space.
LOTS more living space.
Which requires moving into space and artificial habitats.
The trouble is at the present rate we will achieve biological immortality before we manage to develop the
technology and build the required habitat space to cope with the population explosion.
Which is why I am very pro green technology and space technology and research.
If you want to know more I would look into transhumanism.
Ian M Banks' fictional Culture society has a norm of people living for about 400~500 yrs with their first few years
till about the age of 20 being like ours, then settling down for 350~450 yrs of veerry slow ageing to what we would
consider a fit and active 40 and then a gentle decline over the next 50 or so years of more normal ageing.
With of course the option for immortality (or just a longer span) if the individual desired and complete control over
their time of death (assuming that they don't die in an accident or are killed, although they have backup technology
to store and revive a conciousness of someone suitably enabled)
Something like that might be popular and strike the right balance.
http://www.vavatch.co.uk/books/banks/cultnote.htm
22 Jun 12
1 edit
Originally posted by googlefudgewhat? you dont think the majority are scared of dying? (I just changed "death" to " dying" )I'm sure you take my point as well, no?
No not really. That's why I countered it.
Can I ask you a question?
Yes, you just did.
What do you think the ideal average age is for the length of a human life? Are we on par now?
(about 70 yrs old average in first world country)
Ideal for what? Or for pular and strike the right balance.
http://www.vavatch.co.uk/books/banks/cultnote.htm
22 Jun 12
Originally posted by googlefudgeYes, projections into the future.I'm sure you take my point as well, no?
No not really. That's why I countered it.
Can I ask you a question?
Yes, you just did.
What do you think the ideal average age is for the length of a human life? Are we on par now?
(about 70 yrs old average in first world country)
Ideal for what? Or for ...[text shortened]... pular and strike the right balance.
http://www.vavatch.co.uk/books/banks/cultnote.htm
What about now? 2012?
What should the ideal age be, given all things, in a first world country?
Your talking about 100's of years, right?
I dont know man, but most people look pretty crusty after 90 or so.
The human mind and it's expectations are kind of weird. In one sense, we have great imaginations and have got out of all sorts of troubles , largely created by ourselves, on the other hand the human body is kind of fragile in a way. The mind even more so.
Then again there are all sorts of exceptions ...
Why wouldn't the rich keep the secrets of anti-aging for themselves?