Sunday, May 4, 2008
The Noble One and His Place In the Universe
The ideal of the “Noble One” as expounded by Daniel Rea, PhD-proabtionem, is very well thought out and draws on a long history of secular philosophy and scientific advance. Daniel pulls together the great thought of philosophers through-out history and at the same time disposes of most of their failings. I congratulate him fully for his hard work and dedication to improving the human condition.
Humankind has searched for its place in the universe for as long as we have contemplated our own sentience. We have marveled at all the wonders around us, both rapturous and dangerous. We have named them and categorized them. Initially we associated much of what we saw to a power or powers beyond ourselves. Powers both wondrous and capricious. Even today most of the world’s human population attributes the unknown to such one or more “supernatural” powers.
Mr. Rea proposes that, in fact, we have outgrown the need to associate the unknown with “god” and place it squarely in the field of natural phenomena yet to be properly labeled and categorized. With a proper understanding of nature in hand, he goes on to address our relationship with nature and our place in it and how we should more rightly view ourselves.
His philosophy assigns all or most of the characteristics that we, especially in the Judeo-Christian cultural sphere, associate with God. He proposes that we are in fact each “god” and that we have fashioned God from the ideal image into which we aspire to evolve. It makes for a very inspiring read and an admirable quest to achieve for anyone seeking enlightenment.
The only shortcoming that I feel this philosophy has (discounting the absence of the real God - if any) is the lack of, other than through DNA and your future descendants, immortality.
One of the most important attributes that we have always assigned to our gods, in every culture is their immortality. I think that this short coming needs to be addressed in a more comprehensive way. It is possible, in my view, that we have not reached the intellectual capacity to understand some natural phenomena that could be associated with immortality. Perhaps parallel realities which may surround us and even encompass us give us an immortality quite natural, yet “supra-natural.” This is speculation on my part but without some argument put forth as an avenue of future contemplation, I feel that Mr. Rea’s philosophy is as a beautiful full course feast without the spice.
Culling the Herd
Nature shows us that it is the strongest, quickest and smartest that survive. Time and again we can watch the discovery channel and see nature in its awesome beauty and grisly reality. Whenever a species over populates its range nature culls the herd whether by increasing its natural predators or with disease.
Humans are a natural creature. Can we view the same process in nature with us? Approximately 70,000 years ago, give or take a few months, it seems something happened and humans were nearly eliminated from the planet. How many there were before that time, their distribution or lifestyles we cannot say. We can see that out of however many there were, we all descend from one female.
Mitochondrial Eve. What characteristics were necessary for the species to survive and prosper? Was it a good respect for civil liberties and each other’s space? Was it their fine sense of ethics and the rights of the minority? Would these have been valuable assets to acquiring a mate and prospering or impediments?
We speak of ethics, ideals and freedom. Protection of the weak from being the prey of the strong in society. Your self-expression ends at the point of my nose. Are these the attributes of a strong vibrant natural specie group or, perhaps the sign of a weakened indulgent natural group on the edge of a culling. Spoiling its home with its own dung, too weak, feeble minded or ineffectual to be a vibrant asset to the evolution of nature. Is a culling due?
If we are strictly products of natural evolution, with no divine protection or guidance, then I put it to you: Is a culling logical? And if there is a culling, a mass lemming race, what will be the qualities that nature will look for worth passing into the new herd?
Oh, and just in case you think that the qualities that nature has provided you are valuable - how many off-spring have you passed those qualities onto? That's how evolution works; the polygamist in Texas is the evolutionary winner. And anyone with a nickname "Dangling Fury" would seem to have a great headstart.
Think about it.
Humans are a natural creature. Can we view the same process in nature with us? Approximately 70,000 years ago, give or take a few months, it seems something happened and humans were nearly eliminated from the planet. How many there were before that time, their distribution or lifestyles we cannot say. We can see that out of however many there were, we all descend from one female.
Mitochondrial Eve. What characteristics were necessary for the species to survive and prosper? Was it a good respect for civil liberties and each other’s space? Was it their fine sense of ethics and the rights of the minority? Would these have been valuable assets to acquiring a mate and prospering or impediments?
We speak of ethics, ideals and freedom. Protection of the weak from being the prey of the strong in society. Your self-expression ends at the point of my nose. Are these the attributes of a strong vibrant natural specie group or, perhaps the sign of a weakened indulgent natural group on the edge of a culling. Spoiling its home with its own dung, too weak, feeble minded or ineffectual to be a vibrant asset to the evolution of nature. Is a culling due?
If we are strictly products of natural evolution, with no divine protection or guidance, then I put it to you: Is a culling logical? And if there is a culling, a mass lemming race, what will be the qualities that nature will look for worth passing into the new herd?
Oh, and just in case you think that the qualities that nature has provided you are valuable - how many off-spring have you passed those qualities onto? That's how evolution works; the polygamist in Texas is the evolutionary winner. And anyone with a nickname "Dangling Fury" would seem to have a great headstart.
Think about it.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Who Are the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost?
(A Christian based, but non-Christian viewpoint)
They are biblical allegories:
The Father is God: The progenitor; the creator of all things; the unmoved mover, the Absolute constant; seen yet unseen, known yet unknown.
The Son is – Me! (each man) I am the son, the one through whom God lives and loves. The one whose life gives meaning and purpose to the universe.
The Holy Ghost – The ministering spirit, the comforter, the one through whom life newly emerges. My wife (each woman).
Then what is hell? Hell is separation from the one you love! No fire or torture is greater than to be lonely seeking after a lost loved one. And, thusly, we create our own hell each time we speak a word of separation from another. And for this reason, if no other, it is not possible for hell to be forever. Because no matter who you are or how evil a life you lived, there is someone who loves you and shares your pain of separation and even if it takes an eternity, He will rescue you.
As distasteful as that may sound to some that a person like Hitler can eventually get to heaven, a mother still loves her son, though he be a mass murderer. Do you like the Christian heaven better? EVERYONE, good or bad, who does not believe in Jesus goes straight to hell, where all those in heaven look down from their clouds watching the sinners suffer. Sounds like a bunch of sadists.
I am not suggesting that there would not be a heavy price that he'd have to pay, but again, according to the Christian idea, if he confessed and professed a belief in Jesus before he died, regardless of his sin, he would be in heaven right now.
What is Sin? Sin is the act of inflicting pain on the heart of another. In the Bible, Adam and Eve “sinned.” What did they do? They inflicted pain on the heart of God by rejecting His guidance and followed the usurper. Though grievously wounded, God as our father-creator, is determined to rescue us even as we continue to reject His guidance and love. Though you do not believe in God, He more than any, believes in You. (Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum.) - St. Augustine
And there in lies the meaning behind the tales of the lost lamb and the prodigal son.
I seek with Reason; I live with Joy; I create with Hope; I die with Fulfillment. Say Amen!
They are biblical allegories:
The Father is God: The progenitor; the creator of all things; the unmoved mover, the Absolute constant; seen yet unseen, known yet unknown.
The Son is – Me! (each man) I am the son, the one through whom God lives and loves. The one whose life gives meaning and purpose to the universe.
The Holy Ghost – The ministering spirit, the comforter, the one through whom life newly emerges. My wife (each woman).
Then what is hell? Hell is separation from the one you love! No fire or torture is greater than to be lonely seeking after a lost loved one. And, thusly, we create our own hell each time we speak a word of separation from another. And for this reason, if no other, it is not possible for hell to be forever. Because no matter who you are or how evil a life you lived, there is someone who loves you and shares your pain of separation and even if it takes an eternity, He will rescue you.
As distasteful as that may sound to some that a person like Hitler can eventually get to heaven, a mother still loves her son, though he be a mass murderer. Do you like the Christian heaven better? EVERYONE, good or bad, who does not believe in Jesus goes straight to hell, where all those in heaven look down from their clouds watching the sinners suffer. Sounds like a bunch of sadists.
I am not suggesting that there would not be a heavy price that he'd have to pay, but again, according to the Christian idea, if he confessed and professed a belief in Jesus before he died, regardless of his sin, he would be in heaven right now.
What is Sin? Sin is the act of inflicting pain on the heart of another. In the Bible, Adam and Eve “sinned.” What did they do? They inflicted pain on the heart of God by rejecting His guidance and followed the usurper. Though grievously wounded, God as our father-creator, is determined to rescue us even as we continue to reject His guidance and love. Though you do not believe in God, He more than any, believes in You. (Cum dilectione hominum et odio vitiorum.) - St. Augustine
And there in lies the meaning behind the tales of the lost lamb and the prodigal son.
I seek with Reason; I live with Joy; I create with Hope; I die with Fulfillment. Say Amen!
The Un-cocooned Butterfly
I put it to you:
Humans are indeed all that you say, I fully agree with your description of the known universal human ideal and yet more as I wrote, I think that part of the psyche is much more than tarot reading but just the still little understood twinkling of a power within. Humans are the apex of the universe, which as we know little of the universe, seems a very conceited thing to say but I take my position in that this way:
We are the apex, the representatives of God, and we are the ultimate in the universe, only just beginning to see our true value as a newly un-cocooned butterfly, not because God was created in our image, to express our inner desire TO BE, but because we indeed were created in God's image, and as creations of a perfect God, we could be no less ourselves!
CH, Of course if cats were self conscious God would look like a cat - that's what my cat said too. Do you know something your not sharing?
I am a rationalist in that I do not suggest that God interferes in the operation of the universe as do Christians. More that He set it in motion initially. If there were no God at any level, we would not have any foundation to argue an "ideal" human, a goal or purpose in any phenomena in this universe other than to continue to evolve. We then have to define the meaning of "evolve" from nature's point of view (not our own). All things are just random chance encounters that if they turn out well, that's nice if not, well that's ok too.
In any case, for the point of this argument, the value and character of Human as described by Daniel probably wouldn't change whether my God exists or not. Or would it?
Humans are indeed all that you say, I fully agree with your description of the known universal human ideal and yet more as I wrote, I think that part of the psyche is much more than tarot reading but just the still little understood twinkling of a power within. Humans are the apex of the universe, which as we know little of the universe, seems a very conceited thing to say but I take my position in that this way:
We are the apex, the representatives of God, and we are the ultimate in the universe, only just beginning to see our true value as a newly un-cocooned butterfly, not because God was created in our image, to express our inner desire TO BE, but because we indeed were created in God's image, and as creations of a perfect God, we could be no less ourselves!
CH, Of course if cats were self conscious God would look like a cat - that's what my cat said too. Do you know something your not sharing?
I am a rationalist in that I do not suggest that God interferes in the operation of the universe as do Christians. More that He set it in motion initially. If there were no God at any level, we would not have any foundation to argue an "ideal" human, a goal or purpose in any phenomena in this universe other than to continue to evolve. We then have to define the meaning of "evolve" from nature's point of view (not our own). All things are just random chance encounters that if they turn out well, that's nice if not, well that's ok too.
In any case, for the point of this argument, the value and character of Human as described by Daniel probably wouldn't change whether my God exists or not. Or would it?
I Will It So
Passion is the gateway to volition, intellect merely the tool that determines degree and direction. Intellect does not provide the power of will only the direction and sometimes the brake. It is my heart, my desire and my passion that drives my will. I want it therefore I will it so.
Just a thought
Just a thought
Logos - The beginning
KJV "John Chapter 1”
:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
:32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Magister I have some questions:
What is the word?
Who are the "Father", "Son" and the "Holy Ghost" that the cave dwellers speak of?
Are they real or an allegory?
If they are real how can we know? Can I meet them? If we can not know are we doomed to the hell they speak of? What is hell?
If these are allegory what do they represent? Again, can we know?
It seems important if the whole of western civilization hangs on these three characters. And especially if we want to know and understand the whole truth.
Magister?
:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
:32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.
:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.
Magister I have some questions:
What is the word?
Who are the "Father", "Son" and the "Holy Ghost" that the cave dwellers speak of?
Are they real or an allegory?
If they are real how can we know? Can I meet them? If we can not know are we doomed to the hell they speak of? What is hell?
If these are allegory what do they represent? Again, can we know?
It seems important if the whole of western civilization hangs on these three characters. And especially if we want to know and understand the whole truth.
Magister?
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