Fourth- nearly every war ever fought has a religious undertone if not a straightforward religious element. This is just too cool. Killing in the name of a religious belief ? Convert 'em or kill 'em. Now that's control. Scary stuff. And it still goes on. I find that to be incredible. Oh, and stupid.
Religion just isn't a required element of life anymore. We grew up. We don't need a bunch of dead and invisible 'spirits' to tell us what to do and how to live. We have government for that (LOL). I really don't see any point in propagandizing my children. Let them come to their own conclusions on their own clock. But do teach moral behavior, which can be done with no religious overtones whatsoever.
I do enjoy Buddhist teaching as the thoughts and idealism's are so 'clean' to me philosophically.
I think the life-force may be somewhere inside of quantum physics.
I'm not dismissing anyone. I have a lot of respect for those folks who "get it" and understand that it's the "values" of religion that can be good, not the strict word. It's the strict definitions that get folks into trouble, read: shiites vs. sunnis. Need I say more... killing based on interpretation... give me a break.
But I will never put down anyone who gets such lessons as tolerance, love, caring for the downtrodden, yada yada, from their religious beliefs. Those are good things...
She is right for her. She also agrees that nothing in religion should be taken totally at face value, but for it's essences of truth. It's messages; not messengers.
What is true law ?? You lost me there as any law is a human fabrication. Even the laws of physics are but humanities interpretations of reality.
It's already being tossed around in the physics community that many "laws" may be changing when quantum physics are better understood, including Einsteins theories. It's all a moving target.
But I think I hear where you are going with that- that there are inevitable truths concerning man.
Quantum physics, in a nutshell (hazelnuts, it seems you prefer) concentrates on the premise that there is a fundamental realm behind the physical realm humans are able to visualize. I want to stress the word "fundamental" as that is what us humans strive for - the underlying "truth" behind substance.
Now, whether you believe this branch of science's credibility is dependent on the practicality of the information as it stands today is your problem, but I really don't feel you should dismiss it completely. As is commonly said, the abstract of today is the practical of tomorrow.
Religion is the last excuse from a man that has no argument and wishes to avoid a life of critical thinking. As nameless, another poster on this forum stated, 'Belief' and 'critical thought' are diametrical opposites, the more of one, the less of the other.
What little I know I will tell you. So far as I can reason it out I will do so, but as to what I do not know I will simply tell you what the books say. It is wrong to believe blindly. You must exercise your own reason and judgment; you must practise, and see whether these things happen or not. Just as you would take up any other science, exactly in the same manner you should take up this science (religion) for study.
More generally, physicists hope that the LHC will enhance their ability to answer the following questions:Is the Higgs mechanism for generating elementary particle masses in the Standard Model indeed realised in nature? If so, how many Higgs bosons are there, and what are their masses?
Are electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force and the weak nuclear force just different manifestations of a single unified force, as predicted by various Grand Unification Theories?
Why is gravity so many orders of magnitude weaker than the other three fundamental forces? See also Hierarchy problem.
Is Supersymmetry realised in nature, implying that the known Standard Model particles have supersymmetric partners?
Will the more precise measurements of the masses and decays of the quarks continue to be mutually consistent within the Standard Model?
Why are there apparent violations of the symmetry between matter and anti
matter? See also CP-violation.
What is the nature of dark matter and dark energy?
Are there extra dimensions, as predicted by various models inspired by string theory, and can we detect them?
Hey, but that is just what religion also speaks of. Just replace your "quantum physics" words with "religion".
Don't get me wrong; I don't auto dismiss it, but as it's name says it all, it's still only a theory. I am not very familiar with quantum theory though so I speak from a laik's perspective. But even if the theory is spot on, would it really explain everything and disprove religions and God?
Perhaps you would be able to explain a question that arouses me (a bit off topic?). You've mentioned the LHC: Yeah, the LHC is being tested and it should provide us some more knowledge about the subatomic world. But why are the scientists wanting to build their own particle accelerator, when they will never be able to exceed the one nature gave us for free, our universe. The combined energy of particles in LHC of 14x10^12 eV is ridiculously small compared to 3x10^20 eV nature is giving us.
Don't get me wrong, this doesn't stop at religion either, here's another form: Patriotism.
...I'm going to define the word "religion" in the context I will be referring, before I proceed, in order to avoid confusion:
A.) Defined belief system twisted together by tenents usually founded on a supernatural being; a lack of critical thought, a figurative cage.
B.) Political and social institution by which order is sought - A segregation of humans vying for a common goal, financial or otherwise, but following control: A tool for power.
I want to first clarify with you that when I spoke of my religion in my text, I included the definition to which I was referring. With that said, religion is NOT a progressive tactic towards finding the fundamentals of the universe.
But not all religion is a form of control.
It's been said before, in one way or another, that generalizations regarding religion at large are extremely difficult if not impossible. Religion isn't a form of control, some (yeah, probably the vast majority) religious institutions are a form of control.
I'm sorry but I can in no way identify with your definition of religion. I will try to clarify but since we are on entirely different hills I don't think I can contribute anything progressive anymore.:surrender:
"A lack of critical thought?" There are MANY critical thoughts written in favour of religion. The eastern religions have their own psychology science that is probably 10 times more "advanced" and extensive that the one that is known under today's science.
"A figurative cage"? I don't know why this reminds me of "models" of atoms we were thought in primary school. It's common everywhere.
And even if you would be right that would still only prove that the method is wrong and not the message or idea.
Yes, religion is NOT a progressive tactic towards finding the fundamentals of the universe. In religion, the fundamentals of the universe are known. But since we humans are obviously advancing our way from the opposite point, let's call it from the beggining, it's so hard for us to understand it, because the path between isn't known.
I would also say that "religion is not something that is useful or meaningful to me" and "religion is a pointless waste of time and energy." But I wouldn't call that opinion humble. I'm not ashamed to admit that my opinion is downright arrogant. To completely dismiss the wisdom and tradition of all those that came before me who esteemed religion, and call it all useless, meaningless and a waste is anything but humble... in my humble opinion. :whistling:
Is a form of control a bad thing though? Look at where it has led us. For example a christian follows the ten commandments. Thats a good thing. The only sad thing about all of this is that the only reason why we follow the ten commandments is that if we don't we have this idea that we will go to hell. I do also believe that religion is a waste of time.Yah there is definitely a god watching our every move.( sarc.) Why would god send us to hell anyways, after all he loves us doesn't he. In my opinion the people who made the bible were either delusional/psychotic or they overdosed on alcohol.
Didy, we have spoken about this before, and that is exactly why I wanted to clarify the facet of religion to which I was referring. The word is too liberally used, as you know, and you're right it isn't always a form of control - it's only as controlling and mind-numbing as one allows... just as any form of blind-faith can be. Again, the problem lies in the zealots, those that seek power, and think not twice about taking another's life in the name of whoever/whatever they idolize.
Sorry to cut in, but I just wanted to point out that religion is not a form of blind faith unless that is what we turn it into.
That's fair enough, but very surprising you cannot identify in some way. People kill in the name of religion all of the world - A friend of mine from Serbia had to leave his country because of the immense amount of bloodshed in the name of religious and political beliefs. This has been happening all over the world, and the control I speak of has been commonly seen for centuries and is still happening to this day. This is why I find it surprising you've never come across, either directly or indirectly, a form of this fanaticism.
Again, the problem lies in the zealots, those that seek power, and think not twice about taking another's life in the name of whoever/whatever they idolize.
Matthew 22.38:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, "Love others as much as you love yourself." All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.
Matthew 6.24:
You cannot be the slave of two masters! You will like one more than the other or be more loyal to one than the other. You cannot serve both God and money.