Do you believe in the supernatural?

[Laochtine]

Are all you believers in the christian god. Do you ever wonder why?:

[Big Blue Marble]

1. Why do you ask? N/T

[Laochtine]

26. I'm curious

Are all supernatural stories justified or just the ones you believe?

[Big Blue Marble]

55. Sounds like you may have a chip on the ole shoulder.

And by the way, i do not believe in a Christian god or any other deity for that matter.

I do believe that all supernatural stories speak of someone's perceive truth.
I respect their beliefs in that they work for that person and let it go.
Life is vey difficult for most of us and if a "story" helps someone get through
it, that is OK by me.

I do not have to go around knocking others down or acting like I am smarter
than they are, because I am not. What in the hell do I or you for that matter
know about reality. Not much that I do know.

[freshwest]

2. Three questions.

Do you believe in the supernatural?

There are things I don't understand how they work, but I think everything could be explained scientifically eventually. There are a lot of things that all sides of these debates are unwilling to allow for. I won't be put in anyone's box.

Are all you believers in the christian god.

Not at this time, but after a lifetime of being about believers, I know better than to try to change others' views. So long as they aren't screwing with my right to believe or not as I do, fine. It will determine where they end in life. I can't make the decision for them, and I sure as hell am not going to let anyone tell me how to think, just because they got a lightbulb moment.

Do you ever wonder why?:

All the time. I'm not alive on Planet Earth to suspend learning. There are some things it does little good to wonder about, and many things that need to be questioned. That have nothing to do with the christian god or any other belief system, the supernatural or what others want to persuade others to think. I'll wonder up until I take my last breath, even it's a peaceful sort of wonderment.

I have a feeling those are not the answers you may want, but that's my answers, with too many words, as usual. If you intended for those answering to make a connection between the three questions to come to a preordained conclusion, that would take a much longer time to agree or refute.

[Laochtine]

27. Lol

If I wanted my answers I wouldn't have asked. Your answers are well thought out and Great. Thanks

[freshwest]

35. By that I mean it seems some want the same conclusions as they hold. I can't do that.

[Speck Tater]

3. "supernatural" means non-existent.

On the subject of a transcendent being that exists outside of time and space, I remain agnostic. On the subject of the Christian version of "God", I say nonsense! If I wanted to believe in some kind of god I'm sure I could do a better job of inventing a god than the sociopathic Old Testament god invented by ignorant, prehistoric middle eastern goat herders.

On the subject of an afterlife, there's a lot of apparent anecdotal evidence, and lacking a proof of either existence or of non-existence it would be equally rational to provisionally adopt either hypothesis. Lacking justification for choosing any one alternative over the other I choose to adopt the hypothesis that is the most fun to believe, which is...

My favorite hypothesis is that this "reality" is a simulation and that the "afterlife" is what we do between rounds of the game, and "reincarnation" is "Hey dude! Let's play another round, only this time you be the bad guy and I'll be the good guy."

[Agnosticsherbet]

6. Supernatural as an adjective 1. of, pertaining to, or being above or beyond what is natural

Non-existent is not a synonym of supernatural.

Definitions exist and we should try to stick to them, otherwise discussions are meaningless.

[Speck Tater]

8. I should have said...

"supernatural" implies "non-existent".

If "natural" is defined as everything that exists then everything outside of nature is everything that does not exist. Hence, "supernatural" implies "non-existent".

If "natural" is used in the more limited sense of "artificial; not manufactured" then the Eiffel Tower is supernatural.

[Agnosticsherbet]

10. In some cases it applies...

In the 70's and 80's, in San Diego, there was a chain of hair salons named "Supernatural" that specialized in Afros.

[Speck Tater]

11. Yes, that makes sense. English grammar can be so slippery! nt

[tama]

16. Time and space

Modern mathematical physics is funny in the way that it often describes time and space as emergent categories, emerging from mathematical world of forms. The relation of mathematical world of forms to actual world(s) or time and space is interesting philosophical, metaphysical and why not also theological question.

I used to be horrified about the idea of Ground Hog Day Matrix, but now I'm OK; what ever...

[Speck Tater]

22. These are issues that need to be explored in the laboratory...

...not "settled" by reading dusty old books written by ignorant goat herders.

The big difference between science and religion is that science continuously increases the store of knowledge, building on previous knowledge, and always searching for AND finding general consensus among those doing the research. Progress keeps marching forward in science. Religion, on the other hand, is stuck in neutral. Nothing new is ever discovered. No consensus is ever found. No progress ever happens. It's the same old crap century after century.

[Laochtine]

28. Outside of nature

is the excuse of a Xtian God.

(On the subject of an afterlife, there's a lot of apparent anecdotal evidence, and lacking a proof of either existence or of non-existence it would be equally rational to provisionally adopt either hypothesis. Lacking justification for choosing any one alternative over the other I choose to adopt the hypothesis that is the most fun to believe, which is... )

This means my life sucks here or I can't face my death sentence

[Agnosticsherbet]

4. No, I don't believe in the Supernatural...

I am not a Christian. I am an agnostic.
But those who believe have faith, and that is why they believe.
That is true whether it be Christian, Jew, Islam, Buddha, Krishna, etc. etc.
I know many people of faith and the why is simply that they have faith.

So why do you ask?

[Laochtine]

29. Always asking questions

I have no faith in religions and I'm curious why others do. I, as an American find the Christian faith impedes my freedom.

[cbayer]

48. How does it impede your freedom?

[aletier_v]

5. I believe in something.

I'm not sure I'd call it "supernatural".

Our perception is limited and specific to our immediate environment, I have no doubt that things exist which we do not perceive, or perceive properly, or can understand.

I'm not sure I'd call it "God", even.

My latest theory is that our reality is test bed to answer a question, because not even God knows the answer to all things. If He did, he'd have no need to create the world. I don't know what the question is, and certainly not the answer.

[Laochtine]

31. yes

(Our perception is limited and specific to our immediate environment, I have no doubt that things exist which we do not perceive, or perceive properly, or can understand.)

Atoms and such?

(My latest theory is that our reality is test bed to answer a question, because not even God knows the answer to all things. If He did, he'd have no need to create the world. I don't know what the question is, and certainly not the answer.)

If the god you describe doesn't know everything? free will goes out the door and wouldn't he be you're smarter college roommate?

[CthulhusEvilCousin]

7. Yes I do

I am a believer in the supernatural insomuch that I have experienced it. Or, at least, had a really bad and realistic hallucination about it. It's a long story, but the summary is I was attacked once (and licked once) by something, and prayer subsequently solved the issue. Now that I think about it, prayer has solved a great deal of my various issues, and some of them in ways that defy the odds. That isn't really evidence to anyone though, as it is not something I can prove one way or another, even to myself. Human beings are inherently self-deceptive creatures, and it is not good to assume that you know something, since usually the passage of time reveals that you know nothing at all. I suppose that is why Jesus said "blessed are they who have NOT seen, and yet still believe."

My road to Christianity was a long and slow one, with many lows and very rare highs. Even the "attack" I mentioned did not happen until years later after I began the journey, and the attack did not make me more of a Christian or even less of one. In fact, a few months later I went into a heavy depression due to a romantic failure. Even the many "miraculous" answers to prayer I have received did not lead to my faith, but were rather a consequence of it.

The reason I believe in Jesus Christ is precisely because I "wondered why." I researched heavily, and every little doubt that came to me I kept searching for an answer until I found it. I did not stop at any one thing, and I have never let any one pressure me into some kind of an opinion. I actually haven't even gone to any kind of church for a very long time, and I have met and fought with many an ignorant pastor who would have liked to Lord over me. My observation has been that it is not good to put your trust in any man on the Earth, because man always lets you down. But I believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that Christ did rise again, and because I trust Him my many sins have been wiped away, and my dead soul has been made alive again. And this is not a blind faith, but a faith born through much struggle, observation and experiment. Though, not the kind of experiment I can put into a Peer-Review Journal!

[Laochtine]

30. I may disagree

But I have exclaimed "oh god" after being licked, so I understand. Keep researching

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. I believe I don't have answers for everything...and am very comfy with that. n/t

[Laochtine]

37. I don't have the answers for much

But I will take the truth at face value, the rest is speculation. and in a completly unsexist statement, nice tomatoes

[NRaleighLiberal]

38. why thanks!

they are nice, aren't they!

[beam me up scottie]

12. Not personally but I know one atheist who believes in ghosts

and another who thinks we were "planted" here by aliens.

I know.



Interesting op.

[Laochtine]

32. It's weird

But atheist only deal with gods, that's it.

It's still not a woo free zone. Dammit

[Festivito]

13. Holding that God is an absolute of perfection, and, ...

We cannot touch the absolute, and,
the absolute is just naturally super, and,
it's there, then,
answer 1 is yes, and answer 2 is no.

It would be nice to know how you define you.

[Laochtine]

33. Degrading meat puppet

[Festivito]

46. Well, that's almost interesting. /nt

[demosincebirth]

14. I do.

[Si MC]

15. Why is a "Christian" God different from others?

I'd like Christians to answer this question.

[Laochtine]

34. I am not one

so have at it

[edhopper]

17. No

The Universe works quite well within it's natural laws. there is no need for any supernatural structure to overlayer any explanation.

[Laochtine]

36. I agree

thanks

[rug]

18. Do you believe everything will be understood naturally?

All you nonbelievers. Do you ever wonder why or why not?

[Laochtine]

39. I

Would like to think our bodies will be understood, cancer cures, birth defects, longer lives. We got that.

The snake oil is deep in our minds, pretty easy to sell. I do wonder why, Freud gives clues?

[cbayer]

19. I don't believe we are the top of the food chain, that's for sure.

[Laochtine]

40. on this planet we are

how we take care of it, we'll mean our lives

[cbayer]

47. Agree. I mean on a bigger level.

[trotsky]

49. You believe aliens from another planet are going to come here and eat us?

Interesting.

[Iggo]

20. Nope. Nope. And why what?

[Laochtine]

41. got it!

[NoOneMan]

21. If you do, you aren't special. Humans are hardwired to feel "something more"

Some call it "spirituality". Some call it the "holy spirit". Some call it "supernatural'. Some people call it the result of neurons firing in some predefined, similar pattern to induce behavior that is beneficial for survival.

I've heard some people feel "it" in church. Its also proven that people feel "it" while looking at nature or observing babies being born. The feeling promotes harmony and community, and I posit that all organisms have similar feelings that promote behavior to keep them in harmony with nature and living according to natural law (if they do not, they would become extinct by living out of sync with nature and creating dangerous imbalances).

Unfortunately, religion has hijacked this feeling, and estranged man from his innate bond with nature. Then science has laughed at religion, and attempted to invalidate this beneficial instinct, leaving us without a real path forward. Throughout this time, the occult has tried to tap into this, suggesting "something more" has to do with unprovable spirits. Meanwhile, our very innate drive to simply live in harmony with nature and each other falls by the wayside to kookery and skeptics alike.

That is why our world is falling apart. Subconsciously, we are being told to exist alongside nature and live sustainably. Consciously, we are being told these feelings are God, or Ghosts or ridiculous. So we aimlessly wander ahead towards progress (aka exploitation of earth) leaving our residual, evolutionary "souls" behind in our repressed subconsciousness. It will take a multitude of hurricanes to resurrect that old soul, if its possible at all. In any case, its probably too late.

[cbayer]

23. Welcome to the Religion Group, NoOneMan

Very interesting perspective you present.

[brooklynite]

44. And yet, I don't...

...and never did

[NoOneMan]

50. I would bet you can and should

If you come and fish alongside me, you will stand in a warm estuary full of acres of returning salmon while the ocean waves lap against your chest. You will see the sun begin to peak with a vibrant hue above the island mountains, shining down on the life below, feeding it with its ancient energy. You will see the heron peak its head below the surface, searching for breakfast, as its majestic halo casts out gloriously in the morning air. The gulls will be the only sound you hear besides the waves crashing--those waves which pull and tug at you, luring your consciousness into an eternal hiatus; and as the bright salmon jump in front of your eyes, a stone's throw away, you will truly get lost in that moment. You will see the life and energy around you, and perhaps, if fortunate, understand that you are a part of it all in a way our minds can only comprehend as "divine". It doesn't take church, a hymn or even psilocybin...we are from nature, a part of it, and we can rejoice in this harmony as easily as dominate it.

A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, our perceptions of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which only in their most primitive forms are accessible to our minds: it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute true religiosity. In this sense, and only this sense, I am a deeply religious man... I am satisfied with the mystery of life's eternity and with a knowledge, a sense, of the marvelous structure of existence -- as well as the humble attempt to understand even a tiny portion of the Reason that manifests itself in nature. - Albert Einstein

FYI, there are a lot of these types of studies: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20953710

Its common. Pictures invoke it. Being in nature invokes it. Taking psychedelic substances invokes it. We feel "it" for a reason (I suggest), and we have forgotten that reason, moving forward aimlessly without it.

[brooklynite]

51. I could indeed see those dramatic vistas...

...and I could also return to Morocco and see barren desert. Natural laws and science govern the parts of the planet Earth that work and the parts that don't. Envisioning a greater message in their existence is as irrational as envisioning "God's hand" in the way and the reason they were created.

[NoOneMan]

52. There is no greater message envisioned

I merely state, when I live close to nature, I naturally feel a harmony with nature that compels me to live in accordance with nature (symbiotically). I am not alone in this experience, and studies confirm this.

It isn't a "message". Its neurons firing, much like the "pleasure" we feel when we have sex (which induces behavior that is beneficial to survival). We have residual instincts and they "tell" us to behave in certain ways, triggered by specific events or even drugs (I mention drugs because psilocybin induces a very similar experience). Some we choose to listen to, and others we lock away.

Listening to instincts is not irrational, as they provided the founding blocks that made us a viable race. And I can feel this experience (of the divinity of All, of the awe and mystery of existence) and follow my instincts without actually extrapolating that there is objectively a divine. Rather, it gives me a greater understanding of the community & universe we belong to and how my actions should be in accordance with that to promote our survival (just as I can revel in the experience of sex and procreate).

[brooklynite]

53. I appreciate that you feel that way...

My point is that I don't, and see know evidence that I'm "hard-wired" to do so.

[NoOneMan]

54. Understandably, I most certainly did make a blanket statement

I also understand that not everyone has the instincts to procreate, avoid heights, abhor murder, etc. Enough have thus far that we did become a viable species.

[Marrah_G]

24. Depends on what you mean by the supernatural

No I don't believe in the Christian version of God.

No, I never wonder why.

[Laochtine]

42. outside nature?

kk

[Marrah_G]

45. Even that is relevent

Like some folks would say bigfoot is supernatural and others would say its part of nature.. Same about aliens, ghosts and any other number of things.

Personally, I think there is much on the world we have not figured out yet and I don't begin to have all of the answers.

[mr blur]

25. No.

[Laochtine]

43. ty mr blur

[EvilAL]

56. Depends on what you mean by supernatural,

like, psychics? ghosts? demons? angels? gods? aliens?
Then no, I don't believe in anything supernatural.