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Thread ID: 129795	2013-03-13 21:03:00	Shape-Shifting Jesus Described in Ancient Egyptian Text	zqwerty (97)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1332605	2013-03-15 19:11:00	One of the 'shapes' perhaps? 4858	zqwerty (97)
1332606	2013-03-15 19:28:00	God did not give us freedom of choice because he does not exist. God? She's black. But maybe *she* does ;)	lordnoddy (3645)
1332607	2013-03-16 02:44:00	I asked her, she said I have the choice to do as I'm told right now or experience the hereafter toute suite.	R2x1 (4628)
1332608	2013-03-18 00:01:00	I guess it all comes down to what you choose to believe, and there are plenty of options: Quote: Since the beginning of recorded history, which is defined by the invention of writing by the Sumerians around 6000 years ago, historians have cataloged over 3700 supernatural beings, of which 2870 can be considered deities . Those numbers are probably a very conservative estimate because we have no accurate information before 4000 B . C . This means any dieties worshipped by man before this period are unaccounted for . In truth, the possibilities are nearly infinite . For example, in Hindu the entire living universe is merely a unique manifestation of Ishvara . This leads to the fact that there are 330 million "gods or goddesses . " However, the essence of a loving god, as preached in the days when I went to Sunday School, was that the 'supreme deity' (we shouldn't presume that 'Gods' are exclusively male, there are plenty of both gender around, see above) was all forgiving, so that doesn't fit with the 'vindictive God' model preached by the Christian and many other belief structures, some of which demand sacrifices in lifestyle, basic freedoms, gender equality, and a host of other constraints on freedom of lifestyle or expression . Many evils have been done in the name of religion, and one of the more mealy-mouthed but popular descriptions is 'sectarian violence' which occurs in all flavours . I can't reconcile that at all with any concept of a benevolent deity, but in due course inevitably there will be a change in the guard on a global scale anyway as the Muslim population grows . They hold their faith more closely to their hearts and it is embedded in their whole lifestyle, and it is not just a one day a week wonder . Universal Godlessness offers one major benefit for society: it would remove belief structures as a cause of human conflicts and get back to good old territorial issues which are the second most prominent cause of internecine violence . At least that is identifable as 'we want what you've got, and we are going to take it' . You'd know what you were fighting for . Billy	Billy T (70)
1332609	2013-03-18 00:08:00	If God didnt exist, we would invent one. sorry, dont have the reference for that phrase :p:p The chances of any agreement from the 3 factions in this discussion is zero.	1101 (13337)
1332610	2013-03-18 00:43:00	Why we are born to believe in God: It's wired into the brain, says psychologist By Arthur Martin UPDATED: 08:18 GMT, 7 September 2009 Humans are programmed to believe in God because it gives them a better chance of survival, researchers claim . A study into the way children's brains develop suggests that during the process of evolution those with religious tendencies began to benefit from their beliefs - possibly by working in groups to ensure the future of their community . The findings of Bruce Hood, professor of developmental psychology at Bristol University, suggest that magical and supernatural beliefs are hardwired into our brains from birth, and that religions are therefore tapping into a powerful psychological force . All in the mind: Scientists have claimed we are born to believe in God His work is supported by other researchers who have found evidence linking religious feelings and experience to particular regions of the brain . They suggest people are programmed to receive a feeling of spirituality from electrical activity in these areas . The findings challenge atheists such as Richard Dawkins, the author of The God Delusion, who has long argued that religious beliefs result from poor education and childhood 'indoctrination' . (Emphasis mine - Walone) Professor Hood believes it is futile to try to get people to abandon their beliefs because these come from such a 'fundamental level' . 'Our research shows children have a natural, intuitive way of reasoning that leads them to all kinds of supernatural beliefs about how the world works,' he said . 'As they grow up they overlay these beliefs with more rational approaches but the tendency to illogical supernatural beliefs remains as religion . ' The professor, who will present his findings at the British Science Association's annual meeting this week, sees organised religion as just part of a spectrum of supernatural beliefs . Religious feelings: Shaolin monks who practise meditation have been linked to showing religious sensations in parts of the brain . In one study he found even ardent atheists balked at the idea of accepting an organ transplant from a murderer, because of a superstitious belief that an individual's personality could be stored in his or her organs . To reinforce his point, Professor Hood produced a blue cardigan during a lecture and invited the audience to put it on, for a £10 reward . This prompted a sea of raised hands to volunteer . He then said that the notorious murderer Fred West wore the cardigan, causing most to put their hand down . Although it was merely a stunt - the cardigan was not West's - the professor said this showed that even the most rational of people can be irrationally made to feel uncomfortable . Another experiment involved asking subjects to cut up a treasured photograph . When his team then measured their sweat production - which is what lie-detector tests monitor - there was a jump in the reading . This did not occur when destroying an object of less sentimental significance . 'This shows how superstition is hardwired into our brains,' he added . The Rev Michael Reiss, professor of science education at London University's Institute of Education and an Anglican priest, said he saw no reason why such research should undermine religious belief . 'We are evolved creatures and the whole point about humanity is that we are rooted in the natural world . '	WalOne (4202)
1332611	2013-03-18 01:58:00	Why we are born to believe in God: It's wired into the brain, says psychologist By Arthur Martin UPDATED: 08:18 GMT, 7 September 2009 Humans are programmed to believe in God because it gives them a better chance of survival, researchers claim. A study into the way children's brains develop suggests that during the process of evolution those with religious tendencies began to benefit from their beliefs - possibly by working in groups to ensure the future of their community. The findings of Bruce Hood, professor of developmental psychology at Bristol University, suggest that magical and supernatural beliefs are hardwired into our brains from birth, and that religions are therefore tapping into a powerful psychological force. All in the mind: Scientists have claimed we are born to believe in God His work is supported by other researchers who have found evidence linking religious feelings and experience to particular regions of the brain. They suggest people are programmed to receive a feeling of spirituality from electrical activity in these areas. The findings challenge atheists such as Richard Dawkins, the author of The God Delusion, who has long argued that religious beliefs result from poor education and childhood 'indoctrination'. (Emphasis mine - Walone) Professor Hood believes it is futile to try to get people to abandon their beliefs because these come from such a 'fundamental level'. 'Our research shows children have a natural, intuitive way of reasoning that leads them to all kinds of supernatural beliefs about how the world works,' he said. 'As they grow up they overlay these beliefs with more rational approaches but the tendency to illogical supernatural beliefs remains as religion.' The professor, who will present his findings at the British Science Association's annual meeting this week, sees organised religion as just part of a spectrum of supernatural beliefs. Religious feelings: Shaolin monks who practise meditation have been linked to showing religious sensations in parts of the brain. In one study he found even ardent atheists balked at the idea of accepting an organ transplant from a murderer, because of a superstitious belief that an individual's personality could be stored in his or her organs. To reinforce his point, Professor Hood produced a blue cardigan during a lecture and invited the audience to put it on, for a £10 reward. This prompted a sea of raised hands to volunteer. He then said that the notorious murderer Fred West wore the cardigan, causing most to put their hand down. Although it was merely a stunt - the cardigan was not West's - the professor said this showed that even the most rational of people can be irrationally made to feel uncomfortable. Another experiment involved asking subjects to cut up a treasured photograph. When his team then measured their sweat production - which is what lie-detector tests monitor - there was a jump in the reading. This did not occur when destroying an object of less sentimental significance. 'This shows how superstition is hardwired into our brains,' he added. The Rev Michael Reiss, professor of science education at London University's Institute of Education and an Anglican priest, said he saw no reason why such research should undermine religious belief. 'We are evolved creatures and the whole point about humanity is that we are rooted in the natural world.' Yes looks about right its the superstition thing from our cave man times which is still wired up on weak people.	prefect (6291)
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