An Empirical Theory Of God (2)

[Michael]

Scientists Reconstruct Brains' Visions Into Digital Video In Historic Experiment

FYI, this is the type of technology that might actually be useful in building real empirical experiments related to this topic. This is a COOL technological breakthrough IMO.

 

[mzungu]

Scientists Reconstruct Brains' Visions Into Digital Video In Historic Experiment

FYI, this is the type of technology that might actually be useful in building real empirical experiments related to this topic. This is a COOL technological breakthrough IMO.

OH BOY!!! How on Earth is this experiment pertinent to the Bible??

Also you seem to mistake historical fact for scientific empirical evidence. The Bible does contain names and places of people and places that did exist. This however does not in any way mean that science accepts the Bible as an accurate text book. Far from it; The bible has very little historical value and no scientific value apart from sociology and such fields.

The Bible is very much like Greek mythology; A mixture of facts and fantasy. It is a spiritual guide and has nothing to do with science!

Also I want you to clarify what you define as dead!

 

[Michael]

OH BOY!!! How on Earth is this experiment pertinent to the Bible??

I meant that this technology was pertinent to this thread. I didn't mean the technology was related to our little side conversation. I was thinking more in terms of those meditation experiments I first proposed.

Also you seem to mistake historical fact for scientific empirical evidence.

I get the impression that you just don't like the implication that at least some of information that is contained in the Bible is "true" and scientifically accurate.

The Bible does contain names and places of people and places that did exist.

Indeed.

This however does not in any way mean that science accepts the Bible as an accurate text book.

Since when did you personally speak for all scientists?

Far from it; The bible has very little historical value and no scientific value apart from sociology and such fields.

And atheists claim they simply "lack belief". The Bible is in fact one of the single most important historical documents of all time. You can rant about some of it's content all you like, but there aren't a lot of books from antiquity that have more historical value.

In terms of it's "scientific" content, there really isn't all that much to discuss. It's not really a scientific text book in the first place, so what exactly would you expect?

The Bible is very much like Greek mythology; A mixture of facts and fantasy. It is a spiritual guide and has nothing to do with science!

It is in fact a spiritual guide, not a science textbook. When you say "nothing to do with science" however, you're ignoring it's archeological value entirely.

Also I want you to clarify what you define as dead!

Someone who isn't alive?

 

[mzungu]

Someone who isn't alive?

Define alive? (don't say "someone who is dead" or "someone who is not alive"). I want a proper definition please.

 

[Nostromo]

I thought this might be a useful addition to this thread:

Christoph Adami: Finding life we can't imagine | Video on TED.com

 

[Michael]

I thought this might be a useful addition to this thread:

Christoph Adami: Finding life we can't imagine | Video on TED.com

I've managed to work through about half the video between tech calls at work. Thanks! Cool video. I'll finish it as I get time today and I'll comment further. As a programmer and as a theist I'm fascinated by the concept of 'intelligently designed life'.

 

[Eudaimonist]

[The Bible is] not really a scientific text book in the first place, so what exactly would you expect?

It's not a history book either. The Gospels, for instance, are not written in the style and tone of historical writings of the time. It's clearly something else.

It is in fact a spiritual guide, not a science textbook.

And as such is dubious as a source of history.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Michael]

Wow! That was a really great video and presentation. I liked his overall approach a lot. Christoph would definitely be a blast to meet in person. Cool presentation. I'll have to watch it again when I'm not interrupted a million times. That type of "outside the box" thinking about life could certainly be applied to this topic. Thanks for that link.

 

[Michael]

It's not a history book either.

Well, actually, it is. It's a history book of early "Judaism" written by Jews, followed by an account of early "Christianity", a Messianic offshoot of Judaism. Do you doubt that Jerusalem existed in the past?

The Gospels, for instance, are not written in the style and tone of historical writings of the time. It's clearly something else.

Well, they were written thousands of years later by entirely different authors for starters. Why would that be surprising to you?

And as such is dubious as a source of history.

Actually, I think it would be more dubious if it was all written in one sitting by one guy. The fact I wasn't created that way is what gives it historical value IMO.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Well, actually, it is.

Well, no, it's not. It's not written by historians with an eye towards historical fact and objectivity. It may include some history, but that is not its purpose.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Michael]

Well, no, it's not. It's not written by historians with an eye towards historical fact and objectivity.

Well, yes and no. Let's start with the first five books. It's a JEWISH account of JEWISH history. Do you believe none of those events took place as described? In terms of 'objectivity', you're right, no "historical account" is ever 100% "objective". It always has a "purpose" and an "objective" to some degree. I'll grant you that criticism is true of ALL historical accounts, not just this one. You can't however toss out the baby with the bathwater just because it has a political spin associated with it.

It may include some history, but that is not its purpose.

I would imagine that the "purposes" were somewhat different depending on which Bible you're talking about, which parts of that bible we're talking about, etc. That doesn't change the fact that it has historical value, *INCLUDING* the fact there was some discernible "intent" behind the writings.

 

[Michael]

Distant galaxies look too mature for Big Bang - English pravda.ru

It would see that the 'Big Bang' theory's predictions related to metals in the distant universe aren't panning out very well.

 

[Doveaman]

Distant galaxies look too mature for Big Bang - English pravda.ru

It would see that the 'Big Bang' theory's predictions related to metals in the distant universe aren't panning out very well.

A flawed theory can never pan out well.

This observation is also likely to be swept under the carpet too.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Distant galaxies look too mature for Big Bang - English pravda.ru

It would see that the 'Big Bang' theory's predictions related to metals in the distant universe aren't panning out very well.

Note that the article's author represents... the Institute for Creation Research.

Reference fail.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Michael]

Note that the article's author represents... the Institute for Creation Research.

Reference fail.


eudaimonia,

Mark

Gamma ray blast zaps two distant galaxies
Distant gamma-ray burst lights up chemically rich galaxies

I believe that the author of the study (Sandra Savaglio) actually works at the Max Plank institute and her paper was published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. I think the Creation Research website is simply where Pravda originally picked up the story.

 

[Michael]

Proofs of God in a photon - Arts & Entertainment - The Independent

This is a pretty cool article and it's related to this thread.

 

[Michael]

TEDxSF - Louie Schwartzberg - Gratitude - YouTube

If you haven't seen this video yet, I highly recommend it. It taps into the wonder of nature and awe of nature in a way that I really enjoy. I think you will too.

 

[Michael]

This recent article has some interesting finding related the human brain and spirituality.

Distinct 'God spot' in the brain does not exist, study shows

I found this part of the article and findings to be most relevant:

"Neuropsychology researchers consistently have shown that impairment on the right side of the brain decreases one's focus on the self," Johnstone said. "Since our research shows that people with this impairment are more spiritual, this suggests spiritual experiences are associated with a decreased focus on the self. This is consistent with many religious texts that suggest people should concentrate on the well-being of others rather than on themselves."
Johnstone says the right side of the brain is associated with self-orientation, whereas the left side is associated with how individuals relate to others. Although Johnstone studied people with brain injury, previous studies of Buddhist meditators and Franciscan nuns with normal brain function have shown that people can learn to minimize the functioning of the right side of their brains to increase their spiritual connections during meditation and prayer.

I suppose that is why Jesus states in Matthew 23 that the greatest among us will be your servant.

 

[sandwiches]

Sorry to necro this thread but I figured Michael would appreciate this article:
http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblo...und-linking-earth-to-suns-magnetic-field.html

 

[Elendur]

Sorry to necro this thread but I figured Michael would appreciate this article:
"X-Points" --Hidden Portals Found Linking Earth to Sun's Magnetic Field

Cool don't know about their name for it though:
Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS)
Why not MMM?