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Why are you guys trolling??? This is not even the discussion!!!
Regardless, many have travelled to Haiti and found many things science can not prove to be True!
On topic, there is a major problem in the Black Community; to say they are Oppressed is no more vividly shown than in the Native American community, which been "allowed" to "enter" one single industry; Gambling Casino's. And there has been A demonization of that. In a way it's a bad thing that the States are United, now one group controls everything!
Palin, it's late and way past my bedtime, so I'll keep this brief. I believe that everyone, except the .00001% (Billionaire Welfare Queens), has been victimized by these evil so-called trade policies. Working people and poor people are not to blame, regardless of national origin.
Read Ken's post again. It's all about "illegals", Mexicans, Latinos... with nary any mention of the real culprits: politicians who've systematically screwed them, and us, over the past three decades or more. I'm tired of people dissing these poor displaced, destitute Mexicans, robbed of their livelihoods by NAFTA. Blaming the victims just doesn't cut it for me, Palin. If we're going to "draw the line", let's draw it where it counts: for these wealthy bums who are robbing us all, while pitting us against each other over the spoils. Mexican workers are not the enemy.
Anywayyyy... good night, comrades! Sleepy tight! - AIW
Nora: Well said! And of course, there were other peoples, too, who were treated very badly...the Chinese who also largely built the national railroad system and other things. Of course, the Chinese were very smart and very good with money. Families clung together helping each other. In fact, many of the immigrants were treated virtually as slaves in sweat shops, mines, some of the dirtiest jobs. But I don't think any were treated as inhumanely as were the blacks.
There are several groups that never were very well compensated for: the American Indians, the Chinese for Operation Golden Lily, and the Japanese American citizens for the property stolen from them and their false imprisonment during WWII. The Jews got some of their property back after WWII.
The American Indians got herded onto reservations and now have legal concessions for fishing and casinos. The Chinese, whose national wealth in gold, jewelry and art was stolen by the Japanese during WWII, never got it back. The US and Marcos recovered most of it but never gave any back to the Chinese...they sure gave some back to the Japanese war criminals, though, and kept most of it to fight the cold war with the Soviet Union.
Palin, thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I'm not being sarcastic; I really do appreciate it, because it helps me better understand where you are coming from. Kinda reminds me of something I posted days ago, when I felt compelled to explain why bullying is such a trigger for me. We've all got our triggers.
I feel your pain and anger around this whole issue regarding religion; how it relates to much of the trauma you suffered as a child. I think it is totally disgusting what those people put you through. The U.S. happens to be the most religious goddam country in the developed world. There's a helluva lot of truth in the points you make. So much of religion is about power and control; not love, or inclusiveness, or compassion or empathy. Like you, I resent it like hell that religious dogma is written into language used in the context of governance and education, where it clearly doesn't belong. I couldn't begin to guess how many times I've ranted: "Can't you idiots tell the difference between a school (or courthouse or public square) and a friggin' church?!!" Creationism trumping science in public school bloody infuriates me. I could go on and on, as you have. We are totally on the same page, about all that stuff. I hold no animosity toward you or your world view. Quite the contrary, we share much of that in common.
My main point was, we need to rise above that shit and take the high road. We do this by respecting the beliefs held dear by our friends who are not out to oppress us, change us or break our spirits. Otherwise we're no better than the religious bullies and control freaks we've grown to hate so much. Mark Saulys says it as well as anyone: "Stalin, the Red Chinese in Tibet, The North Koreans are all examples of persecution of other religions when atheism becomes the official state religion." Point being, it doesn't matter what belief system is being shoved down people's throats; even atheism can become a means of oppression this way. People often react to oppression by becoming oppressors themselves. Look at how Israelis treat the Palestinians! Like Hitler's Nazis treated the Jews, to cite an extreme example.
I'm sincerely saddened to learn of the suffering and abuse you endured while growing up. You didn't deserve that. Nobody deserves that shit. We all have the right to decide, for ourselves, what rings true for us.
Peace, my friend. Sleep well. - Aliceinwonderland
Aliceinwonderland: Would you feel the same way about Chinese workers displacing American workers? They have to eat too! 20,000,000 illegal Mexicans displacing American workers or 200,000,000 legal Chinese workers in China displacing American workers. Hmmm! It seems like both are displacing American workers but you are right...people just want to survive...feed their families. Should we have more empathy for Mexican or more for Chinese workers or should we empathize more for out-of-work American workers who also want to feed their families?
We know that the real unpatriotic, greedy criminals are the corporations and their shareholders.
Our companies set up shop over in other poor countries to exploit their labor and, as a result, they do get paid more than they would have without those jobs. And then, of course, inflation begins because now that they are able to buy more things, the merchants raise their prices. And that is what would happen here in the US, even, when minimum wage increases...or if anyone's wages trend up...merchants raise their prices. I'm sure the price of yachts and beach mansions have gone way up since the criminal elite has amassed so much wealth in the past decades or so.
That is actually happening in China right now. It happened in Mexico as well. They have malls in Guadalajara that sells clothes that were just as expensive as in the US. The high tech corporations that moved there caused inflation. Those employed by the high tech companies could afford the higher prices but most of the population was still stuck in poverty. Some of those companies moved out of Mexico and into the Far East where labor was even cheaper. And I personally know someone that worked for the same company I had to work at down there who thought he had a rosy future...just married...baby on the way...just bought a nice house...and then the company decides to move to the Philippines and China.
Of course, we can't blame people for doing anything they can to feed their families. We can blame the greedy corporations and their stock holders and the politicians who let these unpatriotic thieving corporations get by with their crimes against the people.
I didn't read Ken's piece as racist or anti-anything except anti-illegal workers... not so much that he was against people trying to feed their families but against the politicians who let them into the country. We certainly have to draw the line somewhere... whether it be at the Mexican/American border or the American/Chinese import/export portals.
This situation happened to Britain (caused by British politicians and wealthy investors...banks) prior to World War I. They saw the opportunity to make a bundle by importing cheap goods rather than support the goods produced by the farmers and factories in Britain. I'm not saying that it caused WWI...a lot of things caused WWI..but one bit on animosity between Britain and Germany was that Germany didn't have the problems that Britain had because they regulated banking and not only protected their farming and industrial sectors but the had very good company training on the high tech equipment of their day. It led to innovations in better steel for their battleships and they also switched to oil rather that coal...which made their war ships faster, more maneuverable, and could go longer without having to pull in to dock to refuel. Stuffy old Britain stayed with inferior steel and coal powered ships. Then there was the paranoia that Britain had because of that and because of the Berlin to Baghdad railway which would carry oil from the Middle East to Germany.
We are seeing a similar path by the US...weakening itself by wealthy money people sacrificing America's ability to have a strong industrial base...having to rely on other countries..especially China..for key products...even military necessities...missile parts...electronics...etc. And we are constantly bullying other countries to give up their raw materials and cheap labor. American infrastructure is falling apart...bridges...roads...etc. I don't think we have much longer before something like another world war breaks out. The US is putting undue pressure on Russia. Fomenting revolutions. It wouldn't take much for a spark one day to set it all off.
The behavior of the rightwing bigots -- DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH yet! -- is deplorable.
These bigots know very well that black slavery as an economic system was THE BASIS of the rapid success of the early USA. (By the way, this is something for which African-Americans have never received reparation as they should. And if anyone thinks the inequities are over, consider that after World War II, a million African-Americans returning from the war theaters were not allowed to participate in the benefits provided by the G.I. Bill and so -- through machinations by the bigots -- were effectively prevented from participating in the great growth of the post-WWII middle class!) And the business sector continues to rely on the African-American minority in the USA to keep labor costs low/unemployment high -- which means more profits for business! And now, since the phony "War on Drugs" instituted by a government whose own Executive Branch agencies like the military and CIA are responsible for importing drugs (facilitated by a corrupt banking system which launders drug money) and so on -- a new FOR-PROFIT PRISON SYSTEM has also been built on the exploitation and suffering of African-Americans.
The nerve of these bigots to make statements about people of color being the cause of our nation's economic problems. Not only do these bigots stand in the way of TRUE reforms and reparations, but, obviously from incidents like the ones described in Thom's blog above, THESE BIGOTS AND PREDATORS LOVE TO KICK THEIR VICTIMS WHEN THOSE VICTIMS ARE DOWN. This is intolerable and unacceptable. This abuse and exploitation MUST END.
Aliceinwonderland: What I meant was... sorry about using the his/her reference...and it was only in jest. And I know that you are not a committed believer....you've said as much before. That was not what I was referring to...as I just said. ;-}
You know, the Republicans push and shove and bully and then if you dare to shove back a little they scream bloody murder and try to make you feel guilty for being unfair. Look where we are now!
My whole life I've had to put up with the pushers and shovers and religious bullies who made me feel like I was an outcast for not believing their superstitions. Many of my atheist friends got the same treatment...in schools where we not only HAD to say the pledge of allegiance but the damn Lords Prayer as well. We were forced to go to church and expected to be respectful to those hypocritical purveyors of nonsense...all the while knowing the history of the crusades and Torquemada and the inquistions.
Then the parents, the schools, the churches, the communities. and even our government were all forcing their nonsense on us. And we still have to put up with the proselytizing symbols of nonsense on our currency, pledge of allegiance, and sometimes public affairs. Our government still conducts religious nonsense sessions in congress...prayer breakfasts, etc. And they use religious lingo in opening those Congressional sessions.
And those damn religious nitwits still ring my door bell. Every time I go to the VA clinic, which fortunately is only once a year so far, they have racks of religious literature and/or some simpleton prancing around with a bible who approaches with some religious trinket. The plethora of religious proselytizer channels on Dish Network that hogs up the channels are another bugaboo.
What if atheists went around, door to door, trying to proselytize people into atheism? What if there were many..or, even one, atheist channel? The damn Christians would be so ticked off they'd raise hell. What if all those other things I mentioned were all done by atheists trying to proselytize people? The Christians would have a fit.
I don't believe that I should have to not express what I believe about these superstitious beliefs. They sure do express what they believe about atheists. "They will burn in hell won't they?"
If people continue to proselytize other people in a public forum with their religious, superstitious garbage then I should be just as able to tell people what I believe about their garbage. And, of course, they will not be deterred in telling me what they think about my "garbage" atheism beliefs...or, rather...non-beliefs...I'm sure. But these people will never give up...they have been at it for thousands of years trying to win converts to their ridiculous superstitions. And if subtle proselytizing doesn't work, they resort to other means, and they'd still burn people to the stake as heretics if they could.
Ken, I think it is very unfortunate how you persist in vilifying Latinos as "illegals" and job-swiping "aliens". This kind of talk is dehumanizing and racist, just the kind of toxic hate mongering Marc describes earlier in this thread (Post #7; "Tyranny 101"). Many of these people were born here, or arrived here with their families as very young children. What makes Obama's mass deportations so cruel is how they break up families, traumatizing and victimizing innocent kids who are then shoved into foster care after their parents are deported; or are deported themselves, forced into situations and environments where the customs and language are as alien to them as Greek to us. What you refuse to acknowledge or even recognize is the real source of the problem. As I tried explaining before, this upsurge in immigration is a direct consequence of NAFTA, which trashed Mexico's rural farming-based economy and left these multitudes suddenly destitute. All they're trying to do is feed themselves and their families. If you want to blame someone, then blame President Clinton! It was Clinton who laid out the red carpet for this job-killing trade policy. If fucking Obama succeeds at ramming the TPP down our throats, it will only get worse. - AIW
But Mark.... "didn't want to start a bunch of shit about this..."? It was you who re-posted my remarks so as to continue in this new post...not only that but you didn't practice what you had previously preached...ie: "happy talk"...remember? Do I sense a bit of hypocrisy here? It's ok when you do it but not when someone else does it? It looks like to me that it is you who are acting "defensively hostile". You don't think it is fair, that after you started the whole thing about reincarnation, that I should respond as to what I think about it?
*
But then you said:
So, you mean to say that you don't mind using scientific terms, like DNA, in trying to suggest that empirically unproven ideas like reincarnation is a fact....just as long as we don't have to get so deeply analytical that it might jeopardize your point?
DAM, you obviously believe that you see a bit of truth in your model of clones or in songs by the drug-inspired Grateful Dead. But, I don't see how it is relevant to scientific facts. Some people think they see God when they partake of some drugs; other people think they see demons. Some people think that it enhances their art. But, it really doesn't say anything to scientific facts. I would guess that more people who have chosen to believe superstitious things in religion or through the use of drugs see way more Gods and Demons than most Scientists or people who don't use drugs. Why do people even take seriously people who take drugs whether it be a rock band or a religious shaman?
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empirical_evidence
"Well," says Palin, "we've had lots of prophets who have managed to convince an awful lot of people to believe in him/her (sorry AIW and DAM)."
Palin, it sounds as though you've misread me. I am not a committed believer in any particular concept of reality or consciousness, in the context of mortality; I simply prefer to keep an open mind while accepting the ambiguity that comes with not knowing the answers. I think Mark Saulys makes a very important point in stating that even atheists can be dogmatic and rigid in their beliefs, as intolerant of others whose beliefs differ from their own as subscribers to any religion. I'm no theist myself, as I've stated enough times, yet I'm not convinced that death is the end of all consciousness. Even my own first-hand experiences would suggest otherwise. I don't claim to know what the meaning or significance of those experiences was, but I can't dismiss them either.
I think it's very disrespectful to tell another person that his or her beliefs are just superstitious nonsense. You are entitled to your opinion of course, PD, but some thoughts are best kept to ourselves when they have the potential of invalidating or hurting someone else. I'm well aware of the horrendous persecution atheists and agnostics have suffered at the hands of religious fanatics through millennnia, and yes that angers me too, but it does not justify you or me telling Marc or Mark- or anyone- that their beliefs are rubbish, to be equated with Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. The people I tend to dismissively tag as "Bible thumpers" are those who don't respect the rights of folks like you and me; folks who can't subscribe to their religion or any religion. Freedom from religion is just as important as freedom of religion. It all boils down to acceptance and respect.
Just speaking for myself, when I was in Australia years ago and heard the aboriginal natives there talking about the "dream time" (or something like that), it really resonated with me. It reminded me of a time when I was very, very young, before kindergarten, when I used to dream with my eyes wide open. I had visions of things that appeared quite unworldly, yet were as vivid and seemingly real as anything in my immediate surroundings. For awhile I had physical and non-physical reality so confused, I could hardly tell one from the other. I even thought butterflies were visions, until one brushed against me crossing a path I was on. I've never forgotten that moment, obscure or inconsequential as it may sound, because for me it was such an epiphany.
Could it be that when we're so young, just newcomers to this plane of existence, we're still in touch with a dimension of reality from the "other side" that we come from at birth, and return to at the moment of death? I don't know, but it's kinda fun to speculate. You can dismiss this as hogwash, PD, but I can't.
When someone like Sandlewould mentions having had a near-death experience in childhood that changed her perspective on the "bigger picture", I am loathe to dismiss that as well. I've had a few people describe their near-death experiences to me through the years, and every one was profoundly impacted by it. Without exception, these were beautiful, life-altering events that changed them forever. Left them more spiritual, less fearful, more embracing and trusting of whatever fate awaits them. No harm in that, regardless of empirical fact or lack thereof… - Aliceinwonderland
Stalin, the Red Chinese in Tibet, The North Koreans are all examples of persecution of other religions when atheism becomes the official state religion.
Statements like "reincarnation is nonsense" are, I believe - and have good reason to think - uninformed and uninquiring - if not also defensively hostile.
Anyway, I didn't want to start a bunch of shit about this but I couldn't leave it go I believe - that means I believe I have good reason to think - that we're not exactly incarnated with all our memories of previous incarnations but that we have them if our physical limitations do prevent us from accessing them. The disembodied soul has all those memories and somewhat of an omniscience - if not a complete omniscience.
Anyway, that's what I believe. I don't think I need to have everybody agree with what I believe. That's what people of "faith" do because they're really arguing with themselves and need to eradicate every doubt. I could make a lot of similarly nasty statements about the beliefs of atheists if I chose to, simply because they differ from or contradict mine, but I don't want to go down that path (any more than I already did - if that's what I did).
What I really want to talk about that's off topic is this woman shilling for the meat industry today on Thom's show willfully conflating "vegetarian" with "organic" so that she could say that poor people can't afford to be vegetarian when, in fact, that's a cheaper way to eat. It's not at all necessary to eat organic to be vegetarian. That was a typical, big business, PR and marketing fraud and she was with a typical PR firm created astro turf group, some kind of society of or society against "Alarmist Culture".
Also, now that we're living in a Nevil Shute novel, if we ever do get out of this we really should sue the hell out of the fossil fuel industry and take all their money giving it to social programs like we did the tobacco people. Like the tobacco industry, the fossil fuel industry knew darn well of the harm being caused by their products. Actually, that's why RFK junior is against pollution regulations and air safety standards because that just ends up being a liscence to pollute. Without the regulations we'd be able sue them under public nuisance law.
Whenever a rightie starts mumbling quotes from Reagan, you know they have run out of things to say to support whatever argument they are attempting to make. (There they go again!). It also is a clear case of "Reagan Invocation Delusional Symdrome" or simply RIDS. These con artists mistakenly believe Reagan to be the conservative savior, his words kin to scripture. It's their Audacity of Grope: groping and flailing to find some reason to be relevant.
Reagan was a liar, a cheat, a con artist, just to name a few of his traits, but a great leader worthy of quoting - no way, hah! He screwed up our economy, screwed the American worker, got a lot of Americans killed, got even more innocents in countries on most continents killed, again just to name a slight few of his transgressions. The modern conservative is struggling for some semblence of relevance in the world left in ruins by Reagan and his cult of followers.
Invoking Reagan means they don't know have any other arguments left to stand on.
Palin - I was going to get into what I meant in my comment, but it is late and I am too tired to start a conversation.
Palindromedary ~ Yes and no. Yes you are an entirely different person and no you are reincarnated. To be reincarnated by definition is, "to be reborn in another body." My take on it is so. If two different bodies have the same DNA--such as clones--they share the same conscious type only; and, not memory or experience. The reason being is because they have the same type of brain. Yet for all practical purposes these will be two completely different people and live completely different lives. Imagine if you will two identical computers with the same operating system and the same program. Given the same data they will generate the same result. Now give one computer a different program. Now that computer will output different results. Likewise, give the first computer different data and it too will output different results.
My take on spirituality I'm trying to leave out of this conversation because that would take more time then I have; and, go absolutely nowhere. Besides, my belief in the spirit is something that cannot be empirically proven. I do not want to state that anything is fact that cannot be proven. Therefore I would prefer to keep it to simple science and mathematical discussion. The videos and songs I shared the other night that might have sparked this spill over discussion occurred exactly the way I described them. The video release of "Just A Little Light" proves one of three possibilities. One, the musician was murdered and told about it in prophecy by someone who inspired such faith as to dedicate the song to his own death to inspire faith in others. Two, the musician decided to commit suicide and use it and his music to inspire faith in others. Three, the song, the lyrics, the video content, the musician's death, and the date of the video release were all merely huge yet completely unrelated super coincidences with no meaning at all. You, the viewer, be the judge. I have nothing more to say about it.
Two clones do not share conscious, only a similar type of thinking process. The same can be said of anyone reincarnated the way I understand the phenomenon. To prove my point all you have to do is try to remember a past life. If you can't then you prove me right. Mathematically, in theory at least, you have lived before. In fact, it is far more likely you've lived before then you will live again--the way the world is going. That is my belief I feel comfortable sharing.
Mark Saulys appears to take that a bit deeper into the paranormal. I must confess I know nothing about the paranormal; and, therefore prefer to remain completely silent about it. I'm sure that if Mark says that there is some proof he must know what he's talking about. I would enjoy hearing about that sometime when I don't have to get up early the next day.
The overriding point of my musical references in the past blog (see link below posts # 33 and 34) was what the songs were saying to me the way I interpret them. They are saying that we cannot escape our long term fate on this earth; and, that is why we need to take care of it. Death is a cop out not an easy way out. "The voice of one child crying..." says it all. If and when you are born again Palindromedary you won't know or remember anything. You will simply be a crying, helpless baby trying once again to understand the world and why you are in it. Imagine what that would be like in a future waste land that was trashed by your ancestors. Imagine trying to figure out why they did it; and, how you are going to live a happy life in it. Remember, those songs were written by a group called "The Grateful Dead." Duh! As you sow, so you shall reap.
With that thought... I bid you all good night!
http://www.thomhartmann.com/blog/2014/03/cmon-americalets-keep-lights
Well guys, there's only one way to settle this issue, and I don't think any of us is ready for that just yet. To quote that ole "Depends" commercial: "Ya got a lotta livin' to do!"
ken ware: thank you for changing the subject to the original one. Anyway, I certainly agree with you there...#20! I think that both groups of "Welfare Queens" both on a people level and on a corporate one has been greatly abused. But to reform the people one to the extent of austerity would be as cruel as my refusing to feed my cats anymore. Damn Cat Welfare Queens, anyway! Lazy bums just lay around all day and refuse to work!
So, you don't think the Christian, or other religions, have been radical? The Christian bible says that God told Abraham to go down upon the lands of Canaan and kill everyone, every man, woman and man-child, except young girls that they can use for wives (sex slaves, of course)! The idea was to steal their land. And Jews and Christians haven't acted very nice to their fellow man ever since, if they had divergent beliefs.
There are even some people who call themselves Christians who would bring back the witch burnings of the middle ages if they could. And just like you cannot call all who believe they are Christians violent radicals you also cannot call all Muslims violent radicals either.
But US warmongers, cheered on by radical Christians, aren't gaining any friends in the Muslim world either. I'd say slaughtering one's entire family doesn't win friends and influence enemies...in fact it turns them into radical terrorists.
The problem with most namby-pamby Americans is that they have never had their homes invaded and family members murdered by a powerful military and occupying force like the Muslim countries have. They haven't had their neighborhoods torn apart under bombardment nor have they had killer drones stalking our skies indiscriminately raining down terror from the skies. They'd be radicalized too if they had to go through the same things that the Middle Eastern countries have had to go through.
One point that I believe has a great deal to do with the unemployment rate for black men, is the abundance of cheap labor from illegal aliens. I have noticed that the hiring of illegal Latino workers has caused an increase in the inability of many black citizens to find blue collar work. I live in Southern California and the increase of Latino workers into every field imaginable has put many blue collar workers of all ethnicities out of work. I have had this discussion with many of my friends and they agree it would be difficult to find any blue collar jobs that are not dominated by the explosion of THE NUMBER OF illegal Latino workers INTO OUR WORK FORCE. I realize this sounds like pitting one group against another, but you cannot overlook the reality that this is going on all over S. California and in our Nation. Whether it is construction, maintenance, truck driving, manufacturing, etc., etc., etc. I realize many of the Latino workers I see are here legally or citizens of our country. But, you cannot overlook the fact we have at LEAST 20,000,000 illegals in our country and that is a factor in the displacement of millions of Black, White and Latinos that are Americans and cannot find work in the field they have training in. I cannot believe nor accept the fact that this President has directed the Justice Dept. and I.C.E. to STOP DEPORTING ILLEGAL ALIENS FROM THE U.S.! I am sure it has nothing to do with the upcoming elections in 2014 and 2016. K.W. I know it sounds that I am anti-Latino in the comments I have expressed today. I am not anti-Latino or anti any other group of people here in the U.S., I am anti-illegal workers being in our country and taking jobs from all Americans.
I have a conservative neighbor who continually blast the food stamp distribution in America, because many are just people who do not want to work or welfare queens ripping off the system. Well, he found himself out of work and he ran out of his unemployment insurance. I suggested he apply for food stamps because he expressed he had used up all of his savings as well. He applied for and is getting $200 a month in food stamps and shazzam, all of a sudden foods stamps for the unfortunate is a good thing according to his new point of view. Funny how hunger can change a person’s opinion about the safety net programs we have.
It started this time when Mark Saulys posted what I said about 3 days ago. And, in response to the conversation started by Mark Saulys back then when he said "Reincarnation is, I believe, a fact." So, I said: "reincarnation is not a fact."
Then Mark went on to say: "Reincarnation is a supernatural fact." To which, in this blog I say...a what? Supernatural fact? what the hell is that? Well, I didn't really say it quite like that!
Anyway, Marc obviously wanted to bring that conversation to light in a more up to date venue....more happy talk...as he put it when Kend and I were talking about Canadian Oil History.
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DAnnemarc: Well, if you and Mark want to believe...you surely will believe. Although, it looks like you have doubts about the kind of reincarnation that many people believe in. As for me...I don't believe that reincarnation is a fact. It's a free country! Or, is it?
But isn't this somewhat contradictory? And do you think Mark would have the same beliefs? If you start off with a "clean slate" doesn't that mean, essentially, that you are an entirely different person and NOT reincarnated. Sure you may have inherited the traits from the genes of your parents, from their parents, etc. But that's just plain old genetics. Science doesn't dispute that, of course. But remembering a prior existence? Quite a stretch!
I must have missed something in Hartmann's blog today. Where did the part about religion and the deep discussions I have read today start? I have found the smartest and best way to express my thoughts about anyone's religion is to say nothing at all. I truly believe a person’s personal beliefs should be honored and accepted by those reading or hearing about them, unless as in the radical Muslim beliefs, that we have to kill or eliminate the infidels for God, that cannot be accepted. In my humble point of view, God is love, not hate in all the religions I am familiar with. And, if you do not choose to believe in a God, than love is a good starting point for a fulfilling life. But whatever belief system a person adheres to, it should be accepted and appreciated for the good it does for that person. Demeaning and criticizing the beliefs of others as folly and nothing more than wishes for eternal life, because they cannot accept your reality that physical death is the end of existence, should be kept to one's self. I would like to believe I will see loved ones that have passed on, but I do not expect, nor do I want anyone demeaning something that may bring me comfort. Excuse me if I am off the point of this discussion. Tolerance is the key to respecting the beliefs of others. I personally do not know what lies ahead of us once our physical bodies die, and it is hard to prove or disprove anyone's beliefs. As long as a person's belief system does not advocate violence towards people with a different belief, I say more power to you if it helps you to survive this world. No belief system should be based on hate and killing of those who do not agree with your own beliefs. K.W.
FractionallyUnnerved: Dreams are real in the sense that people have real dreams..but I am certainly glad that some of my dreams aren't real but wake up other times pretty disappointed that the dream I just had wasn't real. ;-}
Wow, FractionallyUnnerved, you must have really liked that Lark and the Elephant fable. Those other associated fables are pretty fun to read too! I even have them written in Arabic as well as English so that I can practice the Arabic language. The Tales of Kalila and Dimna is in both English and in Arabic both colorfully illustrated by Dr. Mohammed Hassan Omar.
I have read about ideas of the study of telepathy..and laboratory experiments that have been done. Thing is that they have to use very sensitive equipment in order just to pick up signals even just a few centimeters from the brain that emits them. But, it's a giant leap from that to the ability to send telepathic thoughts any distance to another person. And even if people put their heads together separated by only a few centimeters, I highly doubt that it would matter...one person would not be able to send telepathic information to another even in that situation.
Telepathy is just another largely imaginary, unproved by facts, idea that is used by some to exploit other's gullibility. Telepathy, x-ray vision, super-human strength (as in Super Man), being able to fly without some external device or propulsion are all just creations of the imagination. These things are fun to think about, or watch on the TV or in the movies...but there really are no scientific facts that support them.
The sonar in bats or dolphins emits sound waves that give them the ability to sense nearby objects...hardly anything more than that. It would be a giant leap to make anything more of it than that ...or to draw from that any conclusion that it lends credibility to humans being able to communicate with one another through telepathy.
One could argue that the brain is an electrochemical organism and that the electrical charges between the synapses could radiate out into space. But those signals would be so feeble that it takes very expensive and delicate instruments placed only centimeters from the brain in order to detect them. And then, after detecting them how to interpret them? We've come a long way from having to actually put probes into the brain...although they still have to do that as well. I'm afraid that some people are just way more attached to magical thinking than to science.
Well, we've had lots of prophets who have managed to convince an awful lot of people to believe in him/her (sorry AIW and DAM). And in some cases it has resulted in millions of deaths fighting over them. I hope the next one will come in an alien craft...UFO...and make "itself" known to every single person on the planet...and not through some specially selected "spokesman"...how convenient, aye? We certainly don't need another Jesus or Mohammed or Buddha, or Claude Vorilhons latching on to people's minds and lives.