Free Will

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[_Themis]

Would that be Gaia? I'm thinking Issac Azimov's Foundation series.

I thought Gaia was just talking about the spirit of the earth (could be wrong not that familiar) And the earth is an organism that evolves (is subject to time)

No the conceptual being i was trying to describe ... but failing I guess ... would be what string theory seeks explain.

You would need to be familiar with the foundation series which has Gaia as the whole earth as one organism, both organic and inorganic.

[Guest]

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[Guest]

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[Guest]

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[_PrickKicker]

Is your computer doing the same as mine? I click submit and it seems nothing is happening...I click submit again and then it appears twice!?!

[_Molok]

Your discounting that wondering has any value ...

So if people knew for sure that God existed, there would be nothing to wonder about anymore? That doesn't follow at all. The benefits to knowing that God exists far outweigh any benefits of wondering if he exists, sorry.

Plus thinking in the context of the magical sky daddy again ... Do you think he wants people calling him up asking for him to give them the awnsers all the time ... No he wants you to be able to be a strong and self reliant individual ... make some freaking deciscions on your own.

Where have I ever mentioned God doing everything for everyone? How would knowing he exists prevent us from being strong and self reliant? This is just a non sequitur.

[_Themis]

So if people knew for sure that God existed, there would be nothing to wonder about anymore? That doesn't follow at all. The benefits to knowing that God exists far outweigh any benefits of wondering if he exists, sorry.

I have brought up a number of times that religion tends to focus on faith(blind) in God's existence instead of faith in God.

[_Molok]

So if people knew for sure that God existed, there would be nothing to wonder about anymore? That doesn't follow at all. The benefits to knowing that God exists far outweigh any benefits of wondering if he exists, sorry.

I have brought up a number of times that religion tends to focus on faith(blind) in God's existence instead of faith in God.

Yes, it does. I don't understand this argument that wondering if God exists is somehow more beneficial for humans than knowledge. It seems that there are plenty of other things in the world for us to wonder about.

[_subgenius]

[Yet you consider it reasonable for us to "believe" you claim that you have a diploma whereas for you to believe "us" that there is a God, is unreasonable....ironic, but got it!

So, you've never seen a diploma, or a college before? And if your comparison wasn't hopelessly inept, my behavior would be hypocritical, not ironic. But whatever.

i have seen them before...just have never seen yours...therefore your claim must be taken on faith if it is taken at all.

contradictions do not exclude His existence. A contradiction, real or perceived, is not how truth or fiction is determined.

The contradictions I was referring to speak to the truthfulness of the spiritual experience, not to the existence of God.

then explain how they "speak" to that truthfulness?

The first and obvious (and reasonable) "good reason" is that God has chosen not to. In a universe where free-will is considered to exist, this is a valid conclusion and an appropriate response to your request.

The question is WHY God has chosen to do this.

That is not what you asked.

But to be fair to you, there is also no "good reason" why God should reveal Himself to everyone.

Of course there is. It would prove that he exists. No reason to wonder anymore.

Do you feel compelled to prove you exist to everyone?
What "good reason" do you propose supports God needing/wanting to prove He exists to those who doubt His existence?
The scriptures seem to convey that He has little concern for those type of people.

"completely beyond our ability to reason"?....hmmm...seems like you just offered the "good reason" you were requesting above...nicely done.

Oh, if you seriously want to go down this route, then list some reasons why you should trust such a being.

1. He has been manifest to me
(short list)

I always appreciate one who can admit their "ad hoc" lifestyle...there is something so adorable about those who fumbling about, it is actually quite medieval as it relates to urban development etc...and you call yourself Molok...tee-hee

Oh look, the guy who believes in bronze age mythology is trying to be all condescending and such.

was not trying, pretty sure i nailed it.
and a pretty ironic statement about "bronze age mythology" coming form a guy who adopted an australian aboriginal mythological name
(if we make you laugh will you give up all that water?)