Mockingbird

Could you be over-generalizing? There ARE answers out there... really. Ones that weren't "made up" even! Really. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

It is waaaaay too bad that discovering and following the "One True Path" would have this effect on some (i.e., making them feel superior). If anything, it should make them grateful, and sacrificial in their willingness to share it respectfully with others. If it makes them feel superior, I would doubt whether they actually received it with the heart and are on it. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Why is statistical probability considered proof the Bible is accurate but when you try to talk evolution Xtians get all pissy and talk about it being statistically impossible. Hi, Alex. I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that question. (I don't argue creation v. evolution as there is a lot of science involved, and I sucked at science.) However, the statistical probability that I was referring to had to do with the Bible's origin... one mind used many "channels" over a long period of time to author a volume which is remarkably harmonious throughout. That's all. (Just curious: Did you skydive this weekend? I'm dying for someone to ask ME that question... hint, hint) Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Pajarito, I see you linked to equip.org. That's one of my favorite websites (from the Chrsitian Research Institute). Do you ever hear Hank Hanegraaf on the radio? Really dear man and extremely knowledgable in his field. One of the acronyms he uses to sum up the question of whether the Bible is divine in origin is MAPS: M- The Manuscript evidence (the manuscript evidence is absolutely fascinating, in fact, overwhelming. No other book in history comes close in its amount of hand-copied manuscripts which have so few discrepancies! Especially when you consider how many people were involved in the copying and the time span over which the copies were made.) A- The Archeological Evidence P- Its Predictive Prophesies (which you also mentioned), one of my personal favorites being the prophecy of Isaiah about a King Cyrus 160 yrs. before King Cyrus lived. Of course, the prophecies concerning Jesus are the ones held most dear by Christians. S- The Statistical Probability of such harmony among the 66 books written by 40 different authors over a span of 1500 years. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Wow, you're so lucky to be close to the tunnel. If you use it, you probably won't have to repeat ANY of your levels. I figured I spent at least $2200 just for the Level 4 repeats plus the trip to Perris. Incredible! If I had only gone to the tunnel sooner, I could've saved myself close to $700. Live and learn... I'm just happy to have finally made it over this hump! Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Yes

HOOTYRAYDUMS for JIGS!!! [/B] I'm totally HAPPY for you, and I know the joy you're feeling right now, 'cos today I passed Level 4--- it took me six tries and over one month, but I finally did it. I also did Level 5. I, too, had thoughts along the way about giving up, but I wanted it too badly to give it much SERIOUS thought. I say that we toast ourselves tonight, Jigs. CHEERS! GREAT JOB! Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I'm waaaaaaaaaaaaiting! Not to worry, tho', because G-O-D has taught me patience... heh heh. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

This is not the case. Google the two terms.

None of the followers of Christ-- in his generation-- taught about a place where people go after death to be punished and cleansed until they're pure enough for heaven. In fact, this idea is diametrically opposed and inconsistent with the words of Christ and the teachings of his apostles (those who knew him and spread his teachings). If you want proof of this, I can list for you many references in the new testament about Christ taking all our sins and offenses upon himself when he was crucified. Salvation takes place at a moment in time; it isn't something that one attains to gradually: it is a Gift. Whether you refer to it as "salvation," "eternal life," "justification," "forgiveness", "redemption," "cleansing," "reconciliation," (and you only need to read the the book of Romans to see how all these terms are related and are part of the package, so to speak, in which His gift is given to us). Definitely, these aspects of the work He accomplished for us through his death and resurrection are ongoing in their scope. They are all part of a gift given at a point in time, yet lived out and enjoyed from then on. The idea of having to suffer for our sins at a future time is inconsistent with Christ's death FOR us. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I'm really interested in your observations about C.S. Lewis' "unproveable assumption" that he begins his book with, so do expand on that when you can get to your college paper tonight, ok?

Now, THIS is what I would consider the problem to be with religions... all the extra-biblical teachings that have evolved over time, obscuring the simple truths of the bible but assigned equal importance to the bible. This makes Christianity seem complicated... and as complex as U.S. tax laws. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Corrected my spelling indeed! For shame! Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Fact is there is nothing to back up anything that any religion preaches. That is where faith comes.....and it's about the same as kids believing in Santa Claus. ____________________ ... except for the fact it's unanimous among sane, logical people in the world that Santa Claus is NOT real. The same can't be said about God. ____________________ Depending on how you define sane and logical, maybe it is. ____________________ I take it you agree. ____________________ I worked in a psychiatric hospital for about a year and a half. I met several incarnations of Jesus while working there. One of them was actually somewhat convincing. Face it, when religious people are confronted with someone who claims to be one of the objects of their worship, they automatically assume they are dealing with a nut case. Why do you think that is? Because the person cannot PROVE he is who he says he is? But isn't that what FAITH is about? Walt ____________________ Some people in Jesus's day thought that he was a kook, too, because he claimed to be the Son of God; in fact, he claimed to be the "I AM" of the old testament; in other words, God (in the flesh). However, he DID prove that he was who he said he was, and therefore many believed. The ultimate validation by God that Christ was/is His son is that He brought him back alive from the grave.

He's the only one good enough to judge. Plus, he's the only one who can see into your heart and know your intentions and attitude toward him. Your parents can't see inside you. They obviously mean well and love you a lot. Your parents will always be your parents! Trust me; I'm WAY over the hill, and my parents (well, mostly my mother) still want to hold me accountable to their standards! Yours are probably doing the best they can, but when it comes to your life, they can't make your decisions for you. That's between you and God. He knows your heart and whether it's "right" with him. (I'm referring to your statement that they say you need to get "right" with God.) Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

... except for the fact it's unanimous among sane, logical people in the world that Santa Claus is NOT real. The same can't be said about God. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Way to go, Jigs. 99% of your jump was good! You'll get the hang of finding your handle. I bet you know exactly where to place your hand when you are reaching for your wallet--- so no doubt you will get used to where the handle is, too! I'm proud of ya'--- sounds like you were really stable and everything in freefall! YEA JIGS! Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

He said you would all burn in hell if you didn't believe what? Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Over a year????!! Then I guess I'll believe it when I see it. Rats. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

I emailed the Zero-G Room and asked. Got this reply from Dennis E.: "Hi Cannie, I am sorry to say, we have not broken ground yet. We are still working hard to make that happen, so don't give up. Thanks for your interest and watch our site for updates. Dennis En------" Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Of course, I disagree. (Big surprise, huh.) First Cause is a logical argument. Gaps in science's understanding has nothing to do with it. For every effect, there is a cause. Just because science cannot explain God, doesn't mean that He doesn't exist. God's existence won't be proven, anyway, by debate, logic, or science. Right now, God is only really known by faith; but a time is coming when "every eye will see Him." This is true. However, even while many people were worshipping false gods, the worship of the REAL God was also occurring. At every point in the history of mankind, the true God has been acknowledged by some. I seriously doubt that there will ever come a time that there is nothing left to discover! Science will never have ALL the answers. But even if it ever did come to that point, it would not necessitate the "death" of God! There's no need to "jump to conclusions" about HOW God brought the world into existence, because He has already revealed the "how"! He spoke. We're talking about God, not some puny inventor. No doubt you find my faith as ridiculous as I find others' nonbelief. I think faith is very much connected to the human will in the sense that if a person is stubborn in his resistance and unwilling to subject himself to God's scrutiny (and God's love), he will not be able to conjure up within himself faith in God no matter how hard he might try... if he wanted to, that is... which he wouldn't!

Wrongway, it sounds to me like you are trying to convince yourself He's dead. Be careful 'cos it might eventually work! As you can tell, I DO believe in God for several reasons. I guess the biggest reason is that, to me, He is the only explanation for the universe and the earth we live on. A lot of people say, Oh no--- the big bang is the explanation. Well, I don't believe in a big bang necessarily, but even if there were a "big bang," what existed BEFORE that to cause it? If you have an answer for that, like say, some kind of atomic gases or something, well, then what existed before to cause the gases? If you keep asking, "... and what was before THAT?" you realize that there had to be a First Cause SOMEWHERE way back there. So, I think it's actually pretty logical to believe in God. But, as they say, that's just my 2¢. Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Houston is supposedly the future site of two wind tunnels. I find it a little hard to believe--- two? But go to these two websites to read about them. http://www.zerogroom.com/ http://www.bodyflight.net/adren-l-n_2.html The Zero-Gravity one is a Skyventure tunnel, and is due to open next spring. Let's keep our fingers crossed, ok? Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Jigs! Hi! One of the exercises in DeRosalia's book (Mental Training for Skydiving) is to write down your goal and the reasons WHY it is so important to you. I, like Orange, am willing to bet that making your father proud is NOT your main priority. That may be one of your reasons, but I doubt that it is your primary reason. No one jumps from a plane unless they enjoy it. Your previous posts testify to this. Besides there are much easier ways of making your father proud. If your father did not exist at this moment, would you want to learn to skydive? If the answer to that is No, then stop. If the answer is Yes, then go for it and don't give up. And if at all possible, get to your nearest wind tunnel! Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

Spelling mistake! "Callend" shoulda' been "Kallend"! Blue skies & happy jitters ~Mockingbird "Why is there something rather than nothing?"