Is The Supernatural Real?

Quote: Evenbob

How so. I don't 'believe' in reincarnation,
it's not a religion. I certainly find it interesting
that reliable science is involved & has uncovered
things that can't be explained and could
point in certain directions.

If science has uncovered that it is true, why don't you "believe" in it? Furthermore, there are old posts that indicate you do have a strong belief in it.

Quote: Wizard

If science has uncovered that it is true, why don't you "believe" in it? Furthermore, there are old posts that indicate you do have a strong belief in it.

An 11 page topic on it
http://diversitytomorrow.com/thread/1210/0/

Quote: Wizard

If science has uncovered that it is true, why don't you "believe" in it? Furthermore, there are old posts that indicate you do have a strong belief in it.

It often occurs to me what a poor means of communication, writing is.

The way I read the statement, " I don't "believe" in.... was, I, me, don't believe if I stick my hand in the fire it will hurt me, I know it will hurt. I believe I won't do it again.

added, It gives me all the more respect for authors, where I feel I understand the meaning, or see the colors.

Quote: Wizard

If science has uncovered that it is true, why don't you "believe" in it? .

Science doesn't talk that way. Science
says things 'point' in certain directions,
they never talk about it like it's a belief.
I look at the science and see where it's
pointing, I don't 'believe' in it like it
was a religion.

Reincarnation has always made sense to
me for many reasons. It's sounds more
logical than, this is a religious testing place
where we will all be judged by some daddy
god someday and punished and rewarded.
Those are things you tell to children to get
them to behave. Maybe reincarnation is
true, maybe it's not. We'll all find out
some day, what's the hurry. One thing I am
sure of, there is no god judging us, that's
just too silly.

Quote: Evenbob

Science doesn't talk that way. Science
says things 'point' in certain directions,
they never talk about it like it's a belief.
I look at the science and see where it's
pointing,

I just want to claim credit for these words from Evenbob. He would never have in a million years said such profound and actually sensible things if it wasn't for our many discussions about the role of science and faith.

For the record this is exactly what I believe as well. I believe science points in the direction that the universe has a beginning and therefore a cause, I believe it points in the direction that the universe is so fine tuned as to suggest a divine intelligence had a role in the constant universal laws that govern everything, I believe that science just in its discoveries about the awesomeness of our universe from the make up of a atom to the rings of Saturn points to everything being made to wow us by a God who loves us. I could go on and on about what I think science points to a God. However, I am not limited to science in pointing to God. History, philosophy, anthropology, art, music, also in my opinion point to God.

Finally, I want to point out that NOTHING and I mean NOTHING points away from God. So I ask Evenbob or any atheist what points them in the direction that would lead to the conclusion that there is no God.

Quote: FrGamble

I believe science points in the direction that the universe has a beginning

You mean the galaxies in the universe,
not the universe itself. The product of
the BB is NOT the universe, it's in the
universe. The actual universe has been
here forever, is infinite, and has no
beginning and no end. Beginnings
and endings are illusions of our minds.
We are fish trying to figure out the
ocean we swim in, thinking it's the universe
because that's what it looks like and we
don't know any better.

Quote: Evenbob

You mean the galaxies in the universe,
not the universe itself. The product of
the BB is NOT the universe, it's in the
universe. The actual universe has been
here forever, is infinite, and has no
beginning and no end. Beginnings
and endings are illusions of our minds.
We are fish trying to figure out the
ocean we swim in, thinking it's the universe
because that's what it looks like and we
don't know any better.

Maybe, maybe not. We don't know if the Universe had a beginning or not. It seems logical that there was a point in time when the Universe, as we know it, did not exist. Seems logical. But the laws of physics get bent out of whack when all of the major forces intermingle at some great numbers at such close proximity. Physics has yet to explain that. So the jury (to me) is still out on whether there was a beginning or whether there will be an end.

As for your belief in reincarnation, just as good as anything else I've heard.

Quote: boymimbo

Maybe, maybe not. We don't know if the Universe had a beginning or not.

The galaxies that exploded out of
the BB, or the universe the galaxies
are in. We have no indication the
actual universe that the galaxies
are in hasn't always been here. It
makes logical sense that it has.
It has made sense to the Hindu's
who've believed it for thousands
of years. They say there have been
as many BB types of occurrances
as there are grains of sands on the
beach. And always will be forever.

But that doesn't fill church coffers
like the end of the world god religions
do. The reward and punishment
religions. They make their money
on preaching the short term, better
act now dogma.

Quote: boymimbo

Maybe, maybe not. We don't know if the Universe had a beginning or not. It seems logical that there was a point in time when the Universe, as we know it, did not exist.

Strictly speaking, that was just a moment ago. Since then the Universe has grown larger.

Quote: Evenbob

Science doesn't talk that way. Science
says things 'point' in certain directions,
they never talk about it like it's a belief.
I look at the science and see where it's
pointing, I don't 'believe' in it like it
was a religion.

Reincarnation has always made sense to
me for many reasons. It's sounds more
logical than, this is a religious testing place
where we will all be judged by some daddy
god someday and punished and rewarded.
Those are things you tell to children to get
them to behave. Maybe reincarnation is
true, maybe it's not. We'll all find out
some day, what's the hurry. One thing I am
sure of, there is no god judging us, that's
just too silly.

That was one of your best posts. Well said.

If the evidence points towards reincarnation, then I think there can't be any way to explain it other than a soul. However else could memories pass from one person to another? That I think would put you and FrG not as far apart as you may seem.

Question for FrG -- Let's say that we accept the existence of a divine creator. Why is then Christianity the correct religion among so many to choose from?