Metaphysics and SL - Our place in the Metaverse

Something does drive the creating force - the human brain and its many intricacies.

What exactly are signs of "belief"? I am rather lost on the context you are using but would one of Light Wave's creations or his old Starax stuff qualify too?


huh?

What is wrong with "oh how clever i am"? Hell yes how clever we are from rocks to rockets in 2000 years with zero help from theist who only held back the world with their idea of preservation the written word during the Dark Ages, or the demonetization of science and scientist from Galileo onward.

The thread lock issue is not about believing anything or any such freedoms related to that.

It is SL Forum history and the reason the forums are like they are now.

Of course there is a god... and a goddess.

Number 2 most closely reflects my belief, although I would argue that God and a unifying force are two separate things. As a Zen Buddhist, my philosophy is non-theistic, but certainly spiritual. I believe there is a unifying force that binds all sentient beings, but I also believe that "I" will die with my body. Whatever it is that makes me uniquely me, my consciousness, if you will, will die.

I find it most interesting, as Weston mentioned, to read about developments in physics, and our understanding of the mechanism of human consciousness, as well as experiments in causality. The quest for understanding of the nature of reality. Religion started as a quest to understand the natural world, to me, science is the continuation of our early ancestors' quest for understanding of both the inner and outer world.

I don't know where spirituality fits in the scientific worldview. I know that contemplation and meditation bring me peace. I know that I sometimes experience an altered state of being. I know that I'm comfortable in the ambiguity of not knowing.

I try to live by one of the "five Remembrances" of Buddhist practice. "My actions are my only true belongings. They are the ground upon which I stand. There is no escape from the consequences of my actions."

Oh, and I belong to the Unitarian Universalist church.

The "Dark Ages" were really NOT as dark as we would wish them to have been. And yes, teh monks did maintain the written word so that so many Greek and Latin classics also survived. They didnt just create The Lindisfarne Bible or the Books of Hours that I have actually handled and marvelled at. The artists themselves would describe their creativity as Divine Inspiration. I may not believe so fervantly as they but if that got Michelangelo going each day (and he was deeply a believer) then good luck to him.

As to locking the thread - well you are simply confirming what I typed - if it is locked where does sl stand in terms of teh huge variety of beliefs and freedom of expression? Isnt this an American business (I am NOT American) which extolls teh virtues of our right to express ourselves?

Or what they were told to believe in. Or to not believe at all.

I don't think they care about this place anymore to even bother to lock threads.

Same thing But it didnt take a Phd to realize we were facing fascism and its accompanying evils by 1939 and we had to act accordingly. The belief in goodness is belief all the same.

I've read the bible. I thought it was a bit wordy.

The Jesus character was a pretty weak and I think the author should have given him more depth or something to make him more memorable such as a good catchphrase like Arnie's 'i'll be back'. Hopefully the sequel will be better.

BIBLE II - JESUS STRIKES BACK.

What are you meaning when you say "belief" here?

You're not into the strong, silent types?

Sometimes I feel there are strange and mysterious forces at work, although I wouldn't call that the hand of any 'god'. It's all just a part of what IS that we don't and, being mere humans, perhaps can never properly understand.

IMO we use religion as a support or a shield against fear and oblivion. In the worst cases it's used as something to control other people with, and the latter's not something I'd want to see happening in SL.

I suppose my take on it is: The Truth might be out there, but I don't believe any human really has a clue about it and it's not contained in any ancient texts. That isn't to say that religious texts can't include some wisdom and small t truths - but that's not the same thing.

--
Aes

Belief - to recognize or accept an inherent truth as existing.
Goodness - to accept or incline oneself to the recognition of positive values or virtues. Thus, logically accepting evil or "badness" as also existing in the metaphysical apparatus of our universe.
(my definitions so may be a bit hazy)
Thus, "belief in goodness"

I'm a witch in RL. I have at times belonged to, and even led a coven. I've been a solitary practitioner for a few years though since my coven broke up as people moved away for various reasons.

When I was new to SL, I thought about making a circle and altar on my land, and even considered holding inworld rites. However, I quickly dismissed it as not feeling right for me. Maybe it's silly, but I was not comfortable with digital virtual prayers and rites. I'm not saying that I think any inworld displays of faith are silly - just that it felt wrong for me.

So I dropped the idea and have never felt inclined to revisit it. It's enough for me to know that virtual faith is not for me.

Cheers!

-Atashi

Let's try to avoid discussion other than statements of our own positions, please so that no one does get ruffled - forgive me for butting in but just trying to keep my little thread alive long enough to get a nice number count.

This isn't about whether religion is a good thing or a bad thing or even if belief is a good thing or a bad thing- just hey, this is what i think and then we move on to the next brave soul.


In case anyone is curious, I am not a believer. And I find no hubris whatsoever in mankind having achieved things like art, music and sculpture- I think there is much more to be discovered and invented- we are young- very young.
TVM

god sucks

That definition is way different than anything i can find. Especially with the use of the words "inherent, truth, and existing". That is a totally loaded definition.

- Beleif at Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/belief
be⋅lief
   /bɪˈlif/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [bi-leef] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. something believed; an opinion or conviction: a belief that the earth is flat.
2. confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof: a statement unworthy of belief.
3. confidence; faith; trust: a child's belief in his parents.
4. a religious tenet or tenets; religious creed or faith: the Christian belief.
=======================

- Belief at Merriam-Webster.com http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/belief

1: a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing
2: something believed ; especially : a tenet or body of tenets held by a group
3: conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon especially when based on examination of evidence




Your definition of goodness is also directly theistic.

- Goodness at Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/goodness

good⋅ness
   /ˈgʊdnɪs/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [good-nis] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. the state or quality of being good.
2. moral excellence; virtue.
3. kindly feeling; kindness; generosity.
4. excellence of quality: goodness of workmanship.
5. the best part of anything; essence; strength.
6. a euphemism for God: Thank goodness!
–interjection
7. (used in expressions of surprise, alarm, etc.): Goodness, you gave me a start! Goodness gracious!
===========================

So you may look so favorably at people who 'chortle' "How Clever am I", but there are those who feel the same about people who so blindly redefine life and meanings in accordance with religious dogma to give the appearance 'inherent' truth in things where the truth is not really so inherently apparent.

Words Word Words - our use, understanding, definition of them say volumes about who we are, what we think, and obviously what we say.

"So you may look so favorably at people who 'chortle' "How Clever am I", but there are those who feel the same about people who so blindly redefine life and meanings in accordance with religious dogma to give the appearance 'inherent' truth in things where the truth is not really so inherently apparent."

I DON"T look favourably on that kind of person - please read my opinion carefully.

You asked "What are YOU meaning ..."
I explained what I was meaning - not what dictionary was meaning.

Wow Brianna, you sound miffed - or is this an Inquisition? In which case I am totally buggered since I am Jewish.
I did say they were my definitions.

What does it matter anyway? I am gonna watch the snow falling on my cedars.

*AR's you for being underaged

/me smiles

Jig, very nice mellow answer

Don't laugh. You think LL's punishments are swift and summarial?

'god sucks in mysterious ways' would have been funnier though.

--
Aes

wherever we go, we take our religion(s) with us....seems like there are more Neopagans in SL than anything else (although greatly difused in focus). why is that?

The clothes look better

I do not mean to sound so aggressive and miffed.