emotional

Good point. I have the following answers:

1) This irrational obsession and phobia of death comes in waves. It comes and goes from time to time. It isn't an omnipresent state.

2) I figured out, as a safety valve, that I could believe in naturalistic reincarnation, compatible with naturalism: if matter assembled once to form a mind that is me, it can do so again. No way of verifying this, of course, but better than nothing, and it doesn't force me to give up the naturalistic scheme of things.

I have a right to pick and choose. Maybe you'll think belief in life after death is irrational, but it's the only irrationality I indulge in. I'm totally rational as far as other things are concerned. 99% rational isn't bad!

emotional

A LITTLE faith?! This is a former fundamentalist theist you're talking to, kid! I've spent years doing nothing but eating, drinking, breathing faith!



Sorry, but I don't get a kick out of mysticism. I've been the whole shebang from kether to malkhuth and I didn't find anything mind-blowing there.

Cool. Ever tried worshipping the Sun? It's an experience you'll never forget!

Starboy

Please remember to wear eye protection and plenty of sun block. Oh, and you can only merge with the sun once.

Shake

Yeah, sure am glad I'm not one of those goll-darned athiests!

(athy, athier (more athy), athiest (the most athy))

Mageth

Can I go with you next time?

Sure. I learned a long time ago never to go camping with Jesus. He never brings enough food. No matter how many people go, it's always the "one fish and a bit of bread should do for us all" routine with him. Not to mention "Just bring water, no need to bring whisky. I can always turn some water into wine or something."

emotional

Yeh right ... go ahead, laugh at my religion.

No, really, I'm not offended. Just don't think all this talk about nature worship is a joke. It's at least as serious, if not more so, than the mystical stuff rubbercok is talking about. "To each his spirituality according to his nature", as the Bhagavadgita says.

Mageth

Just don't think all this talk about nature worship is a joke. It's at least as serious, if not more so, than the mystical stuff rubbercok is talking about.

Like I said earlier, one fantasy is as good as another.

Starboy

I was not making a comment about religion. I am involved with astronomy events for the public all the time. It is standard practice to warn the morons of the world that looking at the sun is dangerous. Otherwise it was intended as a joke.

Starboy

Ensign Steve

Been there, done that. Nothing happened.

Quote:

Just have a little faith and I guarantee you something life changing could happen!!!!

My life changes all the time. I make it change for the better every chance I get.

Tell me, where do you propose somebody pick up "a little faith." I don't want any, but supposed I did? How do I take your advice and have something that I don't have? How does one force oneself to have faith? Or do you mean one should suspend disbelief? I do that whenever I go to a movie, but not when I seek The Truth(tm).

Quote:

I am just saying that being an atheist stops your search. In terms of mysticism of course.

Why should it? I've been an atheist all my life, but I've never stopped searching. Daily, almost hourly, I search for knowledge, truth, information, entertainment, you name it. As far as mysticism, I don't need to turn to some god to find it. It's everywhere in the natural world. You know when electrons jump into and out of existence in their little electron shells? That blows my mind! And that's just one of a quadrillion things going on in actual reality (as opposed to some drug induced state you lovingly refer to as "reality") all around us. Quite fascinating and mystical. No god required.

Viti

Sorry, but I can't take anything you say seriously with a name like rubbercok3000...I keep thinking of some superturbocharged vibrating dildo.

And give me a break...I have tripped on 'shrooms, I had hiked the rocks in Sedona carrying crystals, I have slept under the stars and millions of other things and never once did any kind of god concept or astralhooey play a part. Other people and real relationships are fun to explore though.