Trip, odenroylma2, this video looks to explain exactly what the two of you are discussing. How the universe can come from nothing. It's an hour long, but the time flies by, it only felt like 59 minutes. Really is interesting, take some time to watch. the video
I love how we're arguing over what the definition of "nothing" is. You've given me no reason to accept your position and all the reason to oppose it. You are in a blind faith with nothing. I just have to choose what I think is more compelling historically, logically, scientifically, philosophically etc. and I see the biblical story as fitting this world like a glove when read and understood properly, but again agree to disagree.
At least there's a source of intelligence in that. Heck, it could almost be compared to something God-like, almost
You and I both know that there is nothing (rimshot!) I could say that would cause you to rethink your views, and I'm fine with that. If you want to call an adherence to logic and observation "blind faith", that's up to you, man. Biblical stories fit you like a glove because you are their target audience. And, in all honesty, I wish you and your stories a lifetime of happiness together.
I have read several times that all basic physics constants, upon which the secondary constants rely, have been proven to be the same throughout this universe (to some extreme accuracy, like .01 to the 20th power or something). The elementary particles, their charges, the 4 forces, etc. are the same everywhere. But they may differ slightly in parallel 4-dimensional universes, if the multiverse theory is true.
We can slow light to a near halt, then let it resume its original speed. In the most recent radio lab podcast the final story is about exactly that. I was listening while doing other stuff, so can't recall well enough to fully explain, but its worth checking out.
The same is true at the other end of the universe. Scientists there get the same results near absolute zero as here. The constants are the same.
Agnostic There might be a god, might not, but no way to know for sure in this world. Funny though, the first time I was going to the hospital and made it to my vehicle and couldn't breath I sure prayed to god! When you have nothing else,,,,
i don't see how someone versed in science can disagree that an overall picture has been painted by observation of the natural world that superstitious religious tenets such as the christian narrative concerning the soul are improbable. do you really believe evolution or the findings of neurobiology are not evidence indicating the christian soul narrative is improbable just because there is no direct way to test a 'soul'? that would be an unneccesarily narrow constricting view of what constitutes scientific knowledge that is not shared by most working scientists i have read.
the old saying is you drop an atheist in the ocean, right before he drowns you better believe he will be praying
Various Biblical translations, for the most part, are thematically the same (in other words, the tenents remain aligned). The Message translates in probably more contemporary terms than many of the others.
There are some rather stark and distinct differences between the Old and New Testaments. We screwed up. God had to make adjustments.
A little joke for everyone The pope dies and goes to heaven. At the pearly gates, St. Peter welcomes him and asks if he's ready to enter heaven for all eternity. The pope replies, "Yes, but before I go in, I would really like to see what hell is like." St. Peter thinks a moment and then responds, "I suppose it would be okay if you went down there for a half hour or so." With that, the pope finds himself in hell, where, to his amazement, the inhabitants are having a huge party. They have the best of the best spread out: French champagne, Italian food, and music of all sorts, from Lawrence Welk to Jimi Hendrix. As the pope watches everyone eating, drinking and being merry, he starts to become very hungry and cannot wait to go back to heaven. When the pope returns, St. Peter asks him, "How was hell?" The pope replies, "Well, they were having such a big feast, I became famished watching them." St. Peter then asks if the pope is ready to enter heaven, to which the pope replies, "Oh yes, I'm very excited. If the people in hell are having such a good time, I cannot imagine how great heaven will be!" With that, St. Peter leads the pope into a small white room with a small white table and white chairs, and instructs the pope to have a seat. The pope looks a little puzzled but abides his host. After a few minutes, Jesus enters the room carrying a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk, and takes a seat. A moment later, St. Peter enters bearing two peanut butter sandwiches and glasses of milk. He hands a peanut butter sandwich and glass of milk to the pope, and sits down and starts to eat. As they silently sit eating, the pope becomes more and more agitated, until St. Peter finally asks him why he is not eating. "Well," the pope responds, "down in hell they are having a big bash, with all the finest food, drink, music and dancing. I imagined heaven would top even that!" "Why," St. Peter queries, raising his eyebrows, "you don't expect us to do all that for just the three of us, do you?"
Man shows up at the pearly gates, sees this guy in a pinstripe suit and a briefcase, a cigar, prancing about. He says to Saint Peter, ‘Who’s that guy?’ Saint Peter says, ‘Ah, that’s just God. Thinks he’s Denny Crane.’”
