How do you determine existence?

[Hansel H]

Quote from Thunderdog:

Anything other than wishful thinking.

OK, but It is possible to construct a logical argument for the existence of God or at least the possibility of the existence of God.

You're obviously a reasonable dude. Not trying to start a fight with you.

 

[ShoeshineBoy]

Quote from gaynproud:

Existence is consciousness, physicists are slowly realizing what occultists have always known

All is mind, pure living mind, the universe is an expression of that one mind's self awareness

Some call it god

How many aliases do you have, guy?

 

[ShoeshineBoy]

Quote from Thunderdog:

Anything other than wishful thinking.

For example, imagine if the deistic or pantheistic views are correct in total or in part. In that case, the universe has been set in motion with varying degrees of interaction since. We need some ways to estimate or approximate validations of these viewpoints, correct?

 

[gaynproud]

Quote from ShoeshineBoy:

How many aliases do you have, guy?

Are you using guy in general or as a nickname?

And give them a little spit and polish while you're down there

(and I'm not talking about the shoes)

 

[Hansel H]

Quote from gaynproud:

Existence is consciousness, physicists are slowly realizing what occultists have always known

All is mind, pure living mind, the universe is an expression of that one mind's self awareness

Some call it god

Maybe. But how does knowing this help us in our relating to the world ?

 

[gaynproud]

Quote from Hansel H:

Maybe. But how does knowing this help us in our relating to the world ?

Knowing that the basis of reality is consciousness is the key to evolution

The goal of evolution is to develop self conscious awareness as opposed to the absolute's (god's) undifferentiated awareness of oneness

In short know thyself and you will know existence/god

 

[Thunderdog]

Quote from ShoeshineBoy:

For example, imagine if the deistic or pantheistic views are correct in total or in part. In that case, the universe has been set in motion with varying degrees of interaction since. We need some ways to estimate or approximate validations of these viewpoints, correct?

I cannot imagine how you would go about validating such notions in a meaningful way. It is for this reason that I choose not to attempt it. Believing something may give a person comfort, but that doesn't make it real. For example, consider a pauper who decides to believe that he has $1 million in the bank and that he simply "chooses" to live a "frugal" life. The fanciful notion of financial security may provide him with some psychological comfort from time to time, but that doesn't make the money real. It won't be there when he actually needs it for more than a warm and fuzzy feeling. And as for the people who actually believe that God has helped them, well, that must make them particularly special when you consider the legions of humanity that He has not helped throughout the ages. And that brings us back to megalomania...

 

[gaynproud]

Think of it like this, there is nothing but god (ie: existence/mind)

This presents a problem of awareness though

If there is nothing else to compare yourself to as in god's case then you can never know yourself

That is the purpose of the universe and ourselves, we are those bits of the hologram that interact and can be compared to promote awareness

 

[ZZZzzzzzzz]

If the world were only filled with such rational people as Thundermutt, then no doubt it would be a perfect world, a fully rational world.

Oh, are you gonna tell everyone here your New Years Resolutions again this year, start another thread on the topic, and then not keep it...again?

That was sooooooooooooo rational.

Quote from Thunderdog:

We are so far apart, I don't even know where to begin. Let's start with your reference to "God's word." On whose say-so? Did you hear it? If not, and until then, it's just another case of he said He said.

If you need someone to tell you how to live properly, then you have not yet grown up. If you need a book to be your moral compass, then you are a sociopath.

I know religious people who are spending far too much of their time in pious worship, filling their minds and lives with the notion of a hereafter that no one in history has ever been able to validate, waiting for something...better. Time that could be far better spent either enjoying their own lives or helping others.

If you don't also see the use of religion as a political device, then you are ignorant of history. Have a nice day.

 

[Thunderdog]

Quote from ZZZzzzzzzz:

If the world were only filled with such rational people as Thundermutt, then no doubt it would be a perfect world, a fully rational world.

Oh, are you gonna tell everyone here your New Years Resolutions again this year, start another thread on the topic, and then not keep it...again?

That was sooooooooooooo rational.

Would this be one of your spiritual ad hominems? The very ad hominems that you accuse others of perpetually perpetrating against you? You are the very source of enlightenment.

On the plus side, I have learned from my mistakes. Should I ever choose to make another resolution, I will keep it to myself. In this way, if I fail to follow through on such resolution for one reason or another, then I won't be subject to ridicule by assholes. Thank you for that.