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Philosophy Discussion Forums | A Humans-Only Club for Open-Minded Discussion & Debate

Humans-Only Club for Discussion & Debate

A one-of-a-kind oasis of intelligent, in-depth, productive, civil debate.

Topics are uncensored, meaning even extremely controversial viewpoints can be presented and argued for, but our Forum Rules strictly require all posters to stay on-topic and never engage in ad hominems or personal attacks.


Discuss philosophical questions regarding theism (and atheism), and discuss religion as it relates to philosophy. This includes any philosophical discussions that happen to be about god, gods, or a 'higher power' or the belief of them. This also generally includes philosophical topics about organized or ritualistic mysticism or about organized, common or ritualistic beliefs in the existence of supernatural phenomenon.
#355240
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 4:07 am @Spyrith

If this is Heaven, we live in a tough universe!
If being alive
Life is hard.
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pmconscious
So is being conscious.
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pmand
And what? Please explain.
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pmaware
Aware of what? Who is aware?
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pmis
Is or are?
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm not
No need to be negative about it.
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm heaven
Just an ideal.
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm to
A preposition.
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pmyou
It's not about me.
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pmthen
What does this relate to? Where is the context?
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm so
Again, where is the context for this word?
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm be
In a bonnet?
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm it.
What is it?

You will either understand what I am trying to tell you with the above context-free absurdities, or not. It will be interesting to see.
#355259
Jklint wrote: April 12th, 2020, 10:05 pm If heaven is above us then NO.

If hell is beneath us then NO.

If both are in-between, then YES.
Living in such relatively dangerous times, the ancients would have figured that somewhere there must be a place that's peaceful and decent. They looked into the quiet night sky or the fluffy clouds above and saw heaven. Now we see water vapour in the atmosphere, that would be far from heavenly to be in. As for the stars, an entity a million kms in diameter, consisting largely of highly radioactive superheated plasma needs to be quite a long way away to be even remotely heavenly for life.

Then the ancients look at volcanoes and saw Hades. Down in the heat and fire was Satan torturing those who did not mindlessly obey arbitrary rules. Now we know it's just rock and magma, with microbes been found some kilometres deep into the Earth. Not exactly a place for eternal punishment, since it would kill you in seconds at most.
#355263
I guess it's hard for humans, having lived here for so long, to recognize where Paradise - though not of the biblical kind - is actually located compared to the actual real hell, no matter how grand it appears, which we're surrounded by and protected from. You'd think humans would be smart enough to return the favor...if for no other reason than to save themselves. It would behoove us (love that word) to sacrifice to planet Earth rather than the gods to insure it's future good-will to earthlings.
#355264
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm

If being alive
Life is hard.
Life is extremely easy, and simple. But, then again, I do look at and see things very differently than most.

The saying; "Life is hard", is one that so called "leaders" express so that the "followers", the public, would believe that this is actually true. They want the public, the peasants, to believe this is true so that they will not complain about all the money, through taxes, they have give to these so called "leaders", politicians or kings.

If Life really is "hard", then explain how just living, and being, is hard. This should be easy if it is actually true.
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pmconscious
So is being conscious.
Do you believe being conscious is hard also? If yes, then why?

If you are saying something else, then what is that?
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pmand
And what? Please explain.
The word 'and' is to indicate that 'being alive' as well as being 'conscious' are together in the context of the sentence.
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pmaware
Aware of what?
Of 'Life' or 'Existence', Itself.
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm Who is aware?
There are two who are aware;
There is the human being or personal self, the little 'i', which is only aware of some things, some of the times. And then,

There is the Being or True Self, the big 'I', which is Aware of ALL things, ALL of the time.

This big 'I' is the One that the word 'Spirit, Allah, God, Enlightenment' refers to.
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pmis
Is or are?
Definitely an 'is', from the way I wrote, and meant.

You asking this could mean that you are not quite sure what I am actually meaning. So, if this is the case, then just ask far more specific clarifying questions, then I can provide you with far more clarity and far more specific answers.
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm not
No need to be negative about it.
This is true, there is no need to be negative about 'it' (whatever 'it' refers to), and what is also true is I was NOT being negative about any thing here. I was just expressing my views, from how I see things.

Were you assuming I was being negative?
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm heaven
Just an ideal.
And this is EXACTLY what I was saying, and meaning.

And, just like EVERY other ideal, which has come to fruition, so to will the ideal 'Heaven' also come to fruition, relatively very soon I might add. That is; if human beings do not wipe themselves out through wars and pollution first.
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm to
A preposition.
Okay.
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pmyou
It's not about me.
But it is about 'you', because it was 'you' who made the statement: "If this is Heaven, we live in a tough universe!" with the exclamation mark.

This is obviously what 'you' see, think and/or believe is true. This is not about 'me' because I certainly do not see Heaven and the Universe this way that 'you' do.
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pmthen
What does this relate to?
The word 'then' relates to the 'if' part of my sentence.
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm Where is the context?
In the first part of my sentence.
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm so
Again, where is the context for this word?
In the first part, and the second part, of my sentence, which are separated by commas.
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm be
In a bonnet?
No.
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm
creation wrote: April 12th, 2020, 1:46 pm it.
What is it?
Whatever you believe is true.

To you, whatever you believe is true, has to be 'it' (or 'be true'). Obviously you would not believe some thing to be true and not be true at the same time. So, whatever you believe is true, MUST BE TRUE, correct?
Greta wrote: April 12th, 2020, 6:44 pm You will either understand what I am trying to tell you with the above context-free absurdities, or not. It will be interesting to see.
I think you wanted to annoy me, like the way you perceive I annoy you, and others? You have a belief that I ask clarifying questions out of context, so you are doing the same to me. But, I ask the clarifying questions in regards to the actual words used, which are NOT out of context to me. I understand what the context is already. I just ask the clarifying questions so that if the poster is truly OPEN and Honest, then they will understand what I am trying to tell them. Most of the time this goes completely unnoticed.

As I have continually said; If anyone wants to claim absolutely ANY thing, then I suggest they have at least some thing to back up and support their claims BEFORE they make the claim.

I can, and will, back up and support EVERY not just EVERY claim but also EVERY word I say and use, that is; if and when I am challenged and/or questioned about them.

I wonder when you, and others, will start to understand what I have been saying, in the context I mean it?

I have explained enough times now the BEST way to gain an understanding of what is thee actual Truth of things.
#355267
Jklint wrote: April 12th, 2020, 11:56 pm I guess it's hard for humans, having lived here for so long, to recognize where Paradise - though not of the biblical kind - is actually located compared to the actual real hell, no matter how grand it appears, which we're surrounded by and protected from. You'd think humans would be smart enough to return the favor...if for no other reason than to save themselves. It would behoove us (love that word) to sacrifice to planet Earth rather than the gods to insure it's future good-will to earthlings.
The natural environment has largely been taken for granted. Many seem to believe that it is no longer necessary. For them, perhaps heaven is living in crowded towers of tiny rooms, insulated from the toxicity and heat outside, surrounded by deserts and supported by high tech underground farming. It would be like living on a cruise ship without access to the deck. Not very heavenly.
#355270
Jklint wrote: April 12th, 2020, 11:56 pm I guess it's hard for humans, having lived here for so long, to recognize where Paradise - though not of the biblical kind - is actually located compared to the actual real hell, no matter how grand it appears, which we're surrounded by and protected from. You'd think humans would be smart enough to return the favor...if for no other reason than to save themselves. It would behoove us (love that word) to sacrifice to planet Earth rather than the gods to insure it's future good-will to earthlings.
Doing just what is right and good, for earth, and ultimately for us, I do not find to be a "sacrifice" at all. But I do hear and understand what you are saying here.
#355282
Greta wrote:I remember standing on a tropic island, enchanted by the sunset. Then it struck me that every single thing that I was internally rhapsodising over would soon kill me - the setting Sun, the sky and sea. Another example - the naming of the planet Venus before we found out what it was like.
I suppose Venus is the ultimate example of how distance, like time, is a great healer. The "Heaven and Hell" section of Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" talks a bit about this view we had of Venus, before we delved beneath its calm-looking upper clouds, and our space probes were dissolved by the acid.

Your general point kind of reminds me of the Monty Python alternative to the hymn "All Things Bright and Beautiful".
http://www.montypython.net/scripts/allthing.php

If there's a philosophical point to the way in which we rhapsodize about the beauty of Nature, despite its dangers, then I guess it's that we accept that you can't have life without death and you can't have heaven without hell. Beauty is in contrast and change. That sunset changed, minute by minute, until it was gone. The eventual heat death of the Universe (if it comes) will be no danger to anything because there'll be nothing left for it to be a danger to. Just a uniform ocean of lukewarm photons. It's the ultimate triumph of blandness, once all the brief candles have gone out. The magnolia coloured emulsion paint of the Cosmos.
#355284
Steve3007 wrote: April 13th, 2020, 5:22 am viewtopic.php?p=355240#p355240

:D . Sometimes satire (a.k.a taking the piss) is the most effective means of communication. But what if part of the problem is that the object of the satire doesn't understand satire?
Yes, "what if"?

What if the "object" of the satire worked out and understood the satire within about two or three lines anyway?

See, the actual reason WHY most people do not yet fully understand me is because they are so STUCK in their own narrowed and CLOSED IN views and perceptions. These people are also very afraid and scared to have Truly OPEN discussions with me. This is because of their inner most fear that actually what they believe is true may not be true at all, and that someone as slow, stupid, and as simple as me could reveal such a thing, for all to see.

See, people who are not actually sure nor aware of themselves, like many in this forum, do not like to be questioned and challenged on their beliefs, as can be witnessed and evidenced in this forum, because, if what they believe is true is shown to actually be false and/or wrong, then who they actually are becomes even less know, and is shown to be nothing like who they want to be, nor who they believe they are.

Only those who KNOW thy Self, and are able to answer the question, 'Who am 'I'?' are not afraid at all to have Truly OPEN discussions with anyone here.

Also, trying to talk about another, like in a little whispering discussion "behind someone's back", as they say, some might see as being the littlest way to behave. If you cannot or will not discuss with someone some issue you may or may not have, then why? What is it actually that you fear or afraid of exactly?

Also, why is sometimes satire or "taking the piss", to you, the most effective means of communication?

Who do you think it is the most effective means of communication to exactly?

For example if I and others who are writing and reading this are talking to ourselves here about how you are so easily manipulated, how you are so completely incapable human being that you cannot even back up and support your own strongly held onto beliefs, which you dearly love, so this means that you are a very stupid human being, and that you are also a very weak and very scared person to not even be prepared to just have an OPEN discussion with some one else, which makes us all continually laugh at you, then how would this be a "most effective means of communication" and to who exactly would this be the "most effective means of communication"?

Your open and honest answer would be much appreciated. But we KNOW you are not even capable of doing this.
#355285
Steve3007 wrote: April 13th, 2020, 5:46 am
Greta wrote:I remember standing on a tropic island, enchanted by the sunset. Then it struck me that every single thing that I was internally rhapsodising over would soon kill me - the setting Sun, the sky and sea. Another example - the naming of the planet Venus before we found out what it was like.
I suppose Venus is the ultimate example of how distance, like time, is a great healer. The "Heaven and Hell" section of Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" talks a bit about this view we had of Venus, before we delved beneath its calm-looking upper clouds, and our space probes were dissolved by the acid.

Your general point kind of reminds me of the Monty Python alternative to the hymn "All Things Bright and Beautiful".
http://www.montypython.net/scripts/allthing.php

If there's a philosophical point to the way in which we rhapsodize about the beauty of Nature, despite its dangers, then I guess it's that we accept that you can't have life without death and you can't have heaven without hell. Beauty is in contrast and change. That sunset changed, minute by minute, until it was gone. The eventual heat death of the Universe (if it comes) will be no danger to anything because there'll be nothing left for it to be a danger to. Just a uniform ocean of lukewarm photons. It's the ultimate triumph of blandness, once all the brief candles have gone out. The magnolia coloured emulsion paint of the Cosmos.
More examples of just how greedy and selfish each human being can be, and how they think about their own self more than any thing else. They actually think that 'they' are somehow important in Life, which is beyond a joke, and they look at Life and danger as though it is in relation to 'them'.

When you stop looking at things as though they revolve around 'you', then what is actually True and Right can be seen much quicker and much clearer.
#355288
Steve wrote:
If there's a philosophical point to the way in which we rhapsodize about the beauty of Nature, despite its dangers, then I guess it's that we accept that you can't have life without death and you can't have heaven without hell. Beauty is in contrast and change. That sunset changed, minute by minute, until it was gone. The eventual heat death of the Universe (if it comes) will be no danger to anything because there'll be nothing left for it to be a danger to. Just a uniform ocean of lukewarm photons. It's the ultimate triumph of blandness, once all the brief candles have gone out. The magnolia coloured emulsion paint of the Cosmos.
Maybe men invent order maybe men discover order. Whichever it is, most men seek order through beauty, goodness, or truth and that justifies the idea of the God that personifies those.

Heaven and Hell are fictions for social control. If there is no actual God then Heaven and Hell, or similar, rewards and punishments can be attributed to Karma , or the pantheon of gods.
#355292
Belindi wrote: April 13th, 2020, 6:48 am Steve wrote:
If there's a philosophical point to the way in which we rhapsodize about the beauty of Nature, despite its dangers, then I guess it's that we accept that you can't have life without death and you can't have heaven without hell. Beauty is in contrast and change. That sunset changed, minute by minute, until it was gone. The eventual heat death of the Universe (if it comes) will be no danger to anything because there'll be nothing left for it to be a danger to. Just a uniform ocean of lukewarm photons. It's the ultimate triumph of blandness, once all the brief candles have gone out. The magnolia coloured emulsion paint of the Cosmos.
Maybe men invent order maybe men discover order. Whichever it is, most men seek order through beauty, goodness, or truth and that justifies the idea of the God that personifies those.

Heaven and Hell are fictions for social control. If there is no actual God then Heaven and Hell, or similar, rewards and punishments can be attributed to Karma , or the pantheon of gods.
'Heaven' and 'hell' are just two words that relate to two different ways of living. These two words were not transpired for social control. Social control is just something that adults seek to have.

Lucky there is God. Pity human beings, however, cannot get past their own assumptions and beliefs in order to SEE what 'God' IS, actually.
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