Voices for America:
Free Form:
What is your prediction for the future of America?
What are the most pressing issues?
Where are we doing fine?
Who are your favorite politicians?
Worst politicians?
Pet peeve?
Ramble on!!!!Lyrics by Neil Young:
Someone and someone
Were down by the pond
Looking for something
To plant in the lawn
Out in the fields
They were turning the soil
I'm sitting here hoping
This water will boil
When I look through the window
And out on the road
They're bringing me presents
And saying hello
Singing words, words
Between the lines of age
Words, words
Between the lines of age
If I was a junkman
Selling you cars
Washing your windows
And shining your stars
Thinking your mind was
My own in a dream
What would you wonder
And how would it seem?
Living in castles
A bit at a time
The king started laughing
And talking in rhyme
Singing words, words
Between the lines of age
Words, words
Between the lines of age
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XNg_KglNu4Just for fun . . .
Neil Young Played Tonight’s The Night Songs For The First Time In 50 Years At Roxy Anniversary Show (Sept 21, 2023)
https://www.stereogum.com/2236914/neil- … 68QN7vAJf4
Harvest was my favorite album especially the song 'Heart of Gold'.Hey, Thanks!
In 1973, when I was 18, Lou Adler opened the Roxy Theatre on the sunset strip in Hollywood. Neil Young and his band played the first three nights. Did I go over my hill to see them?
No. How come? I was too young for the Hollywood scene, I guess.
Never knew!
Continuing:
"Young had just finished recording Tonight’s The Night, the classic bad-vibes album that wouldn’t come out until 1975. Recordings from those Roxy shows eventually became the basis of the live LP Roxy: Tonight’s the Night Live, which Young released in 2018.
Over the decades, the Roxy became a legendary West Hollywood fixture. Last night,(9/20/23) Neil Young returned to the scene of the crime, celebrating the venue’s 50th anniversary with a very special set."
Still didn't hear of the event and missed it ... all these years later.
Some things never change.
Humph
PS one of my favorites is Everybody Knows this is Nowhere, which he apparently played that night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsZjKQEN1tY
Also this one:
https://www.stereogum.com/2236914/neil- … 68QN7vAJf4
What is your prediction for the future of America?
( I think Americans are waking up to the reality we are on the wrong path, So I feel we will soon be set back on the right path.)
What are the most pressing issues? (The economy, the fact that we need better education, and the immigration issue.)
Where are we doing fine? ( sorry to say today I see none)
Who are your favorite politicians? ( I am a Republican, so I hope to see a Republican back in the White House.)
Worst politicians? ( I feel the Democratic party has many politicians that I lack respect for.)
Pet peeve? ( Oh My! I think it would be that I see many in our society willing to excuse Biden's job performance.)In answer to your 6 questions, as an outsider from across the pond:
1. What is your prediction for the future of America?
Like other great nations of the past e.g. British Empire, Roman Empire, America’s world dominance will become less prominent; but America has the potential of remaining a great nation.
2. What are the most pressing issues?
For America, from my perspective, is American political polarisation.
3. Where are we doing fine?
Great American Movies
4. Who are your favorite politicians?
My all-time favourite American politician is Barack Obama
5. Worst politicians?
From my prospective, it’s Donald Trump.
6. Pet peeve?
From my prospective (from across the pond): The impression that far too many Americans are introspective (inward looking) e.g. as if the whole world revolved around America, that the American way is the only way, and that the rest of the world is insignificant and unimportant?1 . Covidism was our last genocide of mass covered up of poverty, social structure, deaths, liar stats and in every facet of our live.
2 Since my conspiracy theories have all come true, yet not clear to the narrative. Carbonism is the next head of the snake financial institutionalized matrix game.
3. BRICS and new members countries are moving to a triple threat owning most of the world's energy of oil and gas, uranium and lethium mines. Backed by gold, silver and free trade.
4 Independent media boom, we are starting to push back on all fronts of corruption, making us stronger from what doesn't kill us.
5 Genderism education has had four year honeymoon. The 92% of the straight will take it back now. Or we won't exist.
6 Ron Paul and Vivek, although decent and smart these kind of men or women won't get elected.
7 Biden, first president most lacking a backbone and a brain, a jellyfish would have been more successful
8. Mass amount of People not loving their work for most hours of their lives.
Good questions.Gendersism education creeps me totally out.
One day, at a movie theater, I observed a mother and her two children as they were leaving. One was a six or seven year old girl and the other, a three year old boy. The mother had dressed the boy as a girl and he had a doll in his arms. He was walking with his legs wide apart. I wondered in horror if she had had his penis removed. For me to even suspect such a horrid thing is pathetic.
What a crazy world.In Canada, parents can have their child taken away from them ,if they don't agree with the trangender process. Plus we pay the taxes for it.
Nobody loves more and have more responsibles for their own child than their parents. Yes, this is insane, so leave our kids alone. Home schooling is booming, no wonder, this is where the line is drawn.Yes. Thank you.
It just creeps me OUT!!!!!!!!!
So does Drag Queen Story hours at public libraries or where ever.
What kind of zombie parent brings their child to the likes of these???
The Evil Kind ????This I would call this an evil too, the absence of reason. The Woke moments has dominated much of the Universities and political landscape. It will take along time to put our families and biological good sense back together again.
Such wankers.
Said very well here.
https://youtube.com/shorts/cd1-R_9zafs? … C2dBu1tgSLWoke thinks by cancelling cultures they are building back better. With no social, biological or economic model to go by. This has to be the beginning of the end of the ‘woke’ movement. Will the Democratic Party turn its back on ‘wokeness’ because it's so outrageous ridiculous. Woke peaked two years ago, after the murder of George Floyd. Another case of wrong facts and evidence along with January 6th..If this is the best the left can do against the right , this movement has to be declining in influence. In my non bias anarchist option. This a weapon of mass distractions confusion. To political debating race, immigration, gender ideology and school curricula swinging from hard left to hard right, The American pendulum might just be heading back to the “normie” middle in connection with my 80 year apocalypse theory of 2025.
Where are we doing fine?
Raising our kids?
Feeding them good food?
Giving them Mom and Dad?
Giving them good educations?
Giving them peace and quiet?
Guiding them toward success?
What is success in America today?The price of gas went up above six dollars here in CA.
Humph.
What words dare we say without the fear of being discovered, cancelled and punished?
Empty the coffers
Invade the land
The enemy
Is here at hand
An inside job
By crooks and cranks
Soon we will be
Needing tanks
Tanks to defend us
And ward them off
Yet right now
Most will scoff
Everything
Is fine as can be ...
We still live
In the land of the free.Here's a voice:
~ the wind cries...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc7B4i89008
https://americansongwriter.com/meaning- … 20apology.Only fund a government willing to secure the border:
https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/ne … border-actThis Bill must be passed. The survival of the republic is at stake:
Laws are being broken, the border is not being defended, we are giving rights to non-citizens, the DOJ has been weaponized,
the police defunded ...
We are not fine.
Chip Roy's voice:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?530671-1/ … epartmentsVictoria Sparz of Indiana.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?530671-1/ … epartmentsI'm an outsider. The topic/discussion interested me. I'll watch and contribute on points of interest.
Welcome in!
Do you think the illegal immigrants will assimilate here?
There are so many who don't speak English. I think they will end staying in groups speaking their own language.I'm sure they'll also gather to learn America English, and pass toeafl.
Why let them break the law, coming in illegally?? Isn't this disregard for what is legal and proper a bad precedent to set?
Or why have laws? Laws must be executed properly. We must hold the leaders, (Mr. Garland) who are allowing our laws to be broken accountable. Simple as that.I agree. But America, seems to be as a Father Chrismas!
... we shall see what happens to the land of Father Christmas.
especially without the Christ-.
The land of - Mas.what? by magic and slight of hand?
No. By common sense and light of mind.
Got Light?
Ronald Reagan:
"Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have."... won't they be surprised when they discover how hard it is to find employment, how few people will help them by renting out a room ... I mean, by giving them a room ... and then once they get on their feet to some extent, are charged $2,000.00 a month for that room?
... won't they be surprised when they eventually see how high their taxes are?
Aren't they already finding out how cold it is in Chicago or New York? Even LA, in the middle of winter can be wet and very cold on the streets. Or how constantly rainy it is in Oregon and Washington or swelteringly hot/humid summertime is in Texas or Georgia.
No, for those who cannot find housing and employment ... or would it be in reverse order: employment and housing?) They will be perishing huddled together in their groups.
Everything will be fine. Glory to Biden et al.Biden wanted to offset the number of whites and conservative voters with these massively migrating people. Surely, they can be told who to vote for, he/they assumed ...
But my hope is this:
Perhaps it will all backfire and these immigrants will see what is really happening here and vote for someone else to be in charge of this beautiful country they find themselves in ...
(where even non-citizen "residents" can vote!)
Perhaps they will vote for ...
Super Trump!!!Non-citizen residents vote for 'Super Trump'? No doubt, God would still be the greatest miracle worker, in the universe.
In fact, that is not scriptural, where is that found in the "good book"?
Credence, are you a Pastor, or you want to be one?
... does he want to argue that point?
If one believes in God, one knows that God helps us
in ways that are truly awesome and often unexpected.
The Bible says that God knows what we need before we even ask.
God is very close to us.
After all He is, according to Jesus, "Our Father."
What father does not love every child he has?
What father would not help each one when they ask for help.
What father would not allow them to develop their own powers/abilities to help themselves?
What father does not delight in his children's interests, hopes and dreams?"If one believes in God, one knows that God helps us
in ways that are truly awesome and often unexpected."
Whups! Belief does not produce knowledge. The idea that it does is one of the biggest differences between the believer and non-believer.'Whups!' here too. To me and like-minds, the difference between a believer and non-believer, is the mentality of God or Christ (-centeredness). Yea, believe doesn't produce knowlege. But it affirm knowledge in the form of faith or confession. We believd there's God, or God exists. Is that knowledge not an affirmation of faith?
"We believd there's God, or God exists. Is that knowledge not an affirmation of faith?"
Again, belief is not knowledge. Asking if the knowledge coming from belief is a confirmation of faith doesn't make sense as knowledge does not come from belief.Those that believe in "God", (and have an understanding of what God actually is,) KNOW that God exists as an invisible, spiritual, metaphysical force in their lives ... or they
w o u l d n ' t b e l i e v e.How do you know that? What tests have you performed, and what were the results?
Knowledge does not come without effort, even if it is only looking at the car next door and finding it to be "red". It does not suddenly appear in your memory all by itself.
Beyond that, knowledge is NOT required for belief. Neither is testing, searching or anything but, perhaps, desire.There are tests. Have you ever heard of ESP?
ESP (if it exists - it is as yet unproven) does not prove the existence of an "invisible, spiritual, metaphysical force".
But I asked what tests YOU have performed and what were the results (data, not conclusions). It is YOU, after all, that claim to have the knowledge.Is wilderness thinking like the Jehovah Witness group, or is he one of them? The Witnesses said they's no ESP: no dream, no vision, no spirit. All is flesh. A person may experienced ESP. But their can't test it due to lack of the testing tools. Yet, physicians, phychologists, and other professionals had the device, an had done marvelous tests that proves ESP.
I’m not a Jehovah Witness, but I am sceptical about ESP; less so than I am about religion in that there are things we don’t yet understand that currently seems mystical to us, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a perfectly down to earth, scientific, explanation; it’s just that some things are still beyond our understanding – just as sun rise everyday seemed mystical to primitive man - Stonehenge being an example:
Summer solstice: Spectacular sunrise at Stonehenge https://youtu.be/eygsVj9vlS0
Record crowd celebrates winter solstice at Stonehenge https://youtu.be/PmCLmbeLU7s
ESP (Extra Sensory Perception), also known as sixth sense, is a paranormal ability about receiving information not gained through the recognized physical senses, but sensed with the mind.
Parapsychology is the study of paranormal psychic phenomena, including ESP. Parapsychology has been criticized for continuing investigation despite being unable to provide convincing evidence for the existence of any psychic phenomena after more than a century of research. The scientific community rejects ESP due to the absence of an evidence base, the lack of a theory which would explain ESP and the lack of positive experimental results; it considers ESP to be pseudoscience.Extra sensory perception by mothers is how we protect, aide and raise children. If mothers did not have intuition, only half the amount of children would survive.
I am quite sure ABwilliams and Sharlee01 would agree with this premise.
~ and I've never even met them.
(premise. 1 of 2 noun. prem·ise ˈprem-əs. 1. : a statement taken to be true and used as a basis for argument or reasoning.)Intuition is not ESP, and there is no relationship between the two at all. Not just apples and oranges but apples and fish.
Intuition and instinct yes and most certainly body language; we all have that and experience that. It may feel like ESP, and you can call it ESP, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it is; it may be no more than Intuition, instinct body language.
N.B: Intuition and ESP, although they may seem similar, they are not the same thing.A. Intuition:
1. Immediate apprehension or cognition without reasoning or inferring.
2. Knowledge or conviction gained by intuition.
3. The power or faculty of gaining direct knowledge or cognition without evident rational thought and inference."
B. ESP
"Extrasensory perception or ESP, also known as sixth sense, is a paranormal ability about receiving information not gained through the recognized physical senses, but sensed with the mind."
God is perceived directly by being "sensed with the mind." In this way, one can gain "direct knowledge" of His existence without rational thought.
May the force be with you.
Yeah; ‘intuition’ is the ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning, but that doesn’t mean its ESP:-
A shark and a dolphin have a similar appearance – but only one is a fish, the other is a mammal e.g. just because two things appear to be similar doesn’t mean they are the same thing.
We don’t just have a conscious mind; located in the part of the brain called the cerebral cortex (Cerebrum): We do also do have a subconscious mind - from where a lot of our intuition and instinct comes from; located mainly in the basal ganglia and cerebellum.
Your cerebellum (the subconscious mind, where your intuition and instincts come from) is the older, more primitive, part of your brain, which all animals have; the Cerebrum is a more advanced modern addition to the brain that is only found in reptiles and mammals.
Conscious, Subconscious and the Unconscious Mind: https://youtu.be/fSmbGYBJUFwArthur, d' you agree that the concious, the sub-concious, and the unconcious mind are liable to be inert accordly to certain school of thoughts? This means that if a person dies, their die as a dog, a cow, bird, or a fish. These lesser beings can't experience ESP. So when they die, its all over. I believe mankind that is created in the 'image and likeness' of his creator can refleck that image and likeness. Times are when we dream during the day, or night. We're receiving information beyond the concious or unconcious level. This is why ESP or intuition shouldn't not be dismised easily as if it were related to the lesser animals.
You lose me with this post, mostly because it seems you are posing opinions as fact.
"These lesser beings can't experience ESP"
How do you know that? You haven't asked them, so how do you know?
"So when they die, its all over"
You appear to assume that people die it is NOT "all over" - how do you know that? What source of information has given you that bit of knowledge? Has it been checked, has it been tested by unbiased researchers? What proof can you offer, when every attempt to find the "soul" (or whatever part survives death) has failed?
"Times are when we dream during the day, or night. We're receiving information beyond the concious or unconcious level."
I have never had that happen. I have, upon waking, found I had "new knowledge" that I didn't have when going to sleep, but it has always (always!) come from an accumulation of memories and facts that I hadn't put together consciously. During the night, during sleep, the unconscious mind obviously did, and upon waking there was that "new knowledge"...that I had had all along if I only put it all together.Wilderness, you're always welcome. My primary source of information, is the Bible, and theology, including oriental theology. 'How do you know? Have you ask them' makes me jiggle, jiggle. If you've noted that the 'dumb ass spoke', and 'God spoke to the fish', in the books of Judges and Jonah respectively, you would have hit a point. Seriously, the spirit and the soul are not the same thing, in either humans, or animal.
Well yeah, if you are religious then of course you might be inclined to turn to your bible as the prime source of your inspiration; but as an atheist, or agnostic, that’ll not be the case.
But one interesting facet about today’s Church of England faith is that many Church of England Christians don’t take the bible literally, they take the bible metaphorically; and that includes a surprisingly high number of Church of England religious leaders, including the Arch Bishop of Canterbury to a degree e.g. the occasion when the Arch Bishop of Canterbury (the leader of the Church of England) publically stated that ‘he questions whether God exists’ (which at the time was well publicised across the British Press): https://youtu.be/OdGZNzYsGTE
A YouGov survey in 2014 found that 2% of Church of England priests don’t believe in God, and our next door neighbour used to know one of them e.g. one of my next door neighbour’s lecturers at university was an ordained priest in the Church of England, in spite of also being an atheist?
So in Britain, you don’t have to be religious to be in the Church of England: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/h … 21899.html
Another survey done in 2013 found that about a third (33%) of Church of England followers in Britain doubted the existence of God.Yup, belief in God or gods or lack thereof has existed for, what, eons. As I see it it is a matter of belief be that from socialization, cognitive thought, or some say a result of faith. Of course, we have to consider gut feelings too.
I took a class on the Bible in college, a secular institute as it is public. The course was the Bible seen as literature. It gave me an appreciation for the usage of language within the texts. Also, it gave me a new perspective and sent me on a journey pondering translations/interpretations of the Bible.
Those come from the original texts - Hebrew and Greek. Basically, there are three types of translations:
** Word for Word
** Meaning to meaning
** Paraphrased
Those impact one's search, if undertaken, for some semblance of understanding to satisfy one's curious mind or edify a believer's mind.
Yes, we have the same trends as you do with people abandoning their belief in God. No problem with that as I see it. From my playing around on the net some become agnostic while a higher percentage are unaffiliated or nones. With conversations over the years, many take up the position of being spiritual. That is my position today.
If curious, next is one report about religion/beliefs here in the U.S. The landing page shows the percentages with the choices they offered. Interestingly, don't know is only 0.6%. Spiritual was not a choice.
Religious Landscape Study by Pew Research using 2007 & 2014 surveys composed of 35,000 participants.
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/re … ape-study/Yes, translation of the scriptures from Hebrew and Greek to English is bound to have an effect on interpretation of meaning, and how it affects interpretation will be dependent on the method of translation e.g. word for word, meaning for meaning and paraphrasing etc. So, the class you took on the Bible at college must have been a fascinating course – It reminds me of some of the controversy over the translation and interpretation of the ‘Dead Sea Scrolls’.
Thanks for the link; yes I was curious – and on viewing the data, it struck me on the stark difference between the level of religious faith between the USA and Britain (excluding Northern Ireland).
The data from the 2021 census, which every adult in the UK were legally obliged to complete, has recently been published; and one of the questions on the census required you to state your religion, or non-religion (including whether you are an agnostic or atheist) – So that provides an accurate, and up to date snapshot on people’s religious/non-religious status in the UK.
Therefore out of interest, using the data from the UK’s 2021 census, and from the link you provided, I’ve put together a simple spreadsheet (copy below) comparing the level of religious/non-religious belief in the USA, Northern Ireland and the UK.
Wow! A distinct contrast between the US and Northern Ireland compared to the UK. That alone shows the distinction between religion, per se, and secularism.
That piqued my interest followed by a quick search. I arrived with an article; How Secular Is Europe Compared To The United States?. It was written on June 6, 2023, by Religion Unplugged.
https://religionunplugged.com/news/2023 … ted-states
Doing a quick skim, only, I gave attention to the graphics there. Again, Wow! It shares not only by country but by individual states for the US. It is using weekly religious attendance as a metric.
Discovery shares:
Europe = 14%
US = 25%
Great Britain = 12%
Where I live in California = 22%
The highest for states = Utah = 41% (The main religion is Mormonism with a long story with that.)
The lowest state = Vermont = 14%
The highest European nation = Poland = 44%
The lowest European nation = Denmark = 3%
Once again from Forum threads/posts, I have a 'new look into' folder on my PC
Secularism vs. Christianity
With jest, I wonder if I live long enough to delve into all the folders I have created over the past recent years. I keep reflecting on Quantum Mechanics and measurement after reading the dualism article in that regard. I need to read a very basic article about Quantum Mechanics. Again, alas, another quest for discovery, eh?Wow, thanks for the link; a most fascinating read, and very educational; and Denmark being just 3% - you can’t get much lower than that.
On reading the article, it reminded me of a video I viewed a few years ago, of an American Pastor touring Europe – I managed to find that video, and link below:- https://youtu.be/ZVc1ab2RcMsWhile going to the front room to watch a little TV I returned and prompted by your post I read the article I referenced and watched the video you shared. One thought I had was what about the other continents/countries? Seems, continents have likeness regarding religion?
Particularly South America with a strong Catholic base to my understanding, certainly Christian. And, Asia with their religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. Unsure about Africa?
The video certainly was skewed, wasn't it? I mean that in the sense of the purpose it was created as seen in the introduction. One thing to consider it is eight years old. By that I mean when they were discussing same-sex marriage, here in the US, in the year 2015 or coincidentally eight years ago, it became legal.
I wonder if that played into the interview and the intent of how the video produced would be used with perhaps his ministry. hmm Alas, the impact of Christianity/Secularism we discovered with the article comparing Europe with the US with religious service attendance.Yes, the video was certainly skewed; I would have liked to have seen more of it, and had more feedback on the Pastors thoughts about his visit to Europe. Although I thought the Pastor was brave to make the tour, and I was impressed on how composed he remained in spite of what must have been a culture shock!
That’s a good observation of yours. Your comments prompted me to have a quick look on Wikipedia about religion and irreligion in Africa and South Africa, as a quick guide: According to Wikipedia:-
It’s estimated that in Africa:-
• 47% in Africa are Christian, and
• 46.8% are Islam
In South Africa:
• Christian faiths = 78%
• Other religions = 9.8%
• Non-religious = 10.9%
• Not stated = 1.4%
I also looked at Australia (where I have cousins that I keep in close contact with); and according to their 2021 Census:-
• Christianity = 43.9%
• Non-religious = 38.9%
• Other religions = 10%
• Not stated = 7.2%Yes, that's the impression I got when I looked at Wikipedia, which suggested that only an estimated 1.2% of people in Africa are not religious.
Perhaps, this 1.2% are not family oriented. They're those wonderers or roaring mads. In Africa, apart from being a Christian or a Moslem, every household had a 'god' ancestor, a dead relative, or a totem, that receives sacrifices of favourite foods, drinks, money. That was done once or twice annually.
Yes, I have had a glimpse of what you say on documentaries I've seen on TV. Thanks for the clarification
Thanks! Interesting too! A thought passed by while reading is the most prominent struggles between religions for me is that of the Crusades - Islam & Christianity, and that of Ireland - Catholic & Protestant.
Another thing was, that I studied for a short while Pantheism particular to Greek gods and Norse gods. I was fascinated by them. They strongly influenced society, culture, and governing in their time. They still do somewhat in my view.
For high school, we read the Iliad not for history or such, but for an English class about poetry. I think that is where the bug was implanted into my curiosity about it in later life. Plus, I have a close friend in Sweden who is much more literate than I of Norse mythology.And in England Paganism has strongly influenced society and culture, and it still show its presence to this day, such as Stonehenge and Glastonbury Tor; and a lot of the Christmas traditions that come from paganism e.g. the Yule log.
In England and Wales there are currently over 74,000 pagans (up from 57,000 in the 2011 census), and over 13,000 wiccans (2021 census).
Glastonbury - The Most Pagan Town in England https://youtu.be/nF_FsyZ-NAE
Arthur, again, you're welcome. I've heard such naratives about the Church of England, and her ministers, from you, and other source(s). Critically, certain Ministers and worshipers, and they groups are politically inclined as the Pharisees and the Sadducees, in the Bible. Hence, these class of people had no faith in God, as a person. Yes, to these the Bible, is another book of literature. Don't you ever found them in the Roman Chatholic Church? To me the evidence of God's existence is that he hears, and answer prayer(s).
Yes, the Roman Catholic Church is a lot stricter than the Church of England, for sure. And yeah, everyone is entitled to their own faith, as long as they respect the views of others.
"... everyone is entitled to their own faith,
(and I would add ... or lack of faith!) as long as they respect the views of others."
Atheists should not push Atheism any more than Religionists should push Religion.Absolutely
In fact the official wording (as an all inclusive statement, to include everyone) used by the Government, Monarchy and other Officials in Britain these days when referring to matters of faiths, is the phrase:
"All faiths and none".
Unfortunately, your source of knowledge is known to be rife with false statements. Enough that, especially when coupled with the acknowledge method of writing it, puts the entire tome in a very bad light - something to always be taken with a large grain of salt, and something that requires it be proven before accepting as truth.
Understanding that not all agree with that - that they take the biblical falsehoods as straight truth or simply ignore them and choose what they wish to believe is true, it is still there, and if a person wants actual truth the bible is not the place to start.Okay, wilderness. Where d' you think one should start with the truth? Critically, I've noted for years what you described as the 'falsehoods' of the Bible. Critically again, the 'false statements or more accurately 'mistakes' was like any typo of print, electonic media, or oral sources of information. Seriously, have you ever heard about the Canonical Bible or Scriptures? If you have,,have you wonder why/how it all come about? The thing is that no perfect Grail ever exist. Those who subscribed to a perfect scripure can later fuel and burnt themselves with fire, to end precious life.
ESP (Extra Sensory Perception) is a paranormal ability about receiving information not gained through the recognized physical senses, but sensed with the mind.
Parapsychology is the study of paranormal psychic phenomena, including ESP. Parapsychology has been criticized for continuing investigation despite being unable to provide convincing evidence for the existence of any psychic phenomena after more than a century of research.
The scientific community rejects ESP due to the absence of an evidence base, the lack of a theory which would explain ESP and the lack of positive experimental results; it considers ESP to be pseudoscience.
The scientific consensus does not view ESP as a scientific phenomenon. Sceptics have pointed out that there is no viable theory to explain the mechanism behind ESP, and that there are historical cases in which flaws have been discovered in the experimental design of parapsychological studies.
Whereas in contrast, Intuition is the ability to acquire knowledge, without recourse to conscious reasoning or needing an explanation; which includes direct access to unconscious knowledge and unconscious cognition, without any need for conscious reasoning e.g. the conscious mind (the cerebrum) accessing information from our subconscious mind (the cerebellum).
To answer your questions more specifically:-
If you mean that we have a spirit/soul that lives on after death of the body; then as an atheist I say no.
As regards the suggestion that humans can experience ESP and other animals can’t; if for argument sake we say it’s not ESP but ‘intuition’, and that there is a relationship between ‘intuition’ and ‘instinct’, then all living creatures have instinct, and all mammals have intuition to varying degrees – dreaming is not unique to humans; all mammals dream.
I can’t think of any specific experiments at this time (without spending time doing lots of research), that would demonstrate what I am trying to say. But what does spring to mind is research demonstrating that not just humans, but other mammals also show empathy; one documentary in particular that I remember being where a free rat was awarded 5 chocolate treats for freeing a trapped rat, and on freeing the trapped rat shared the chocolate at the ratio of 3 for himself, and 2 chocolate treats for the rat that he freed. Below, is a related experiment:-
Researchers in neuroscience find that rodents show empathetic behaviour toward each other: https://youtu.be/TNKbDTcDsqw
To put things into perspective; humans is a mammal, humans evolved from mammals – the only real thing that sets us apart from other mammals is that we are more intelligent, and we’ve infested the surface of the Earth – BUT:
We may not be the most intelligent mammal on Earth: - https://youtu.be/WnFy-uzLBu0Curious . . . have you seen the movie; The Sixth Sense? It is a 1999 psychological thriller film with Bruce Willis in the starring role. As the title shares, it is about ESP. It was mystical, magical, mysterious, and, for me, enthralling. My thoughts bounced from here to there within the confines of my 'mind'. For sure, entertaining.
I am intrigued by the info you shared Arthur. Many know of Jane Goodall's work with chimpanzees. And, remember KoKo the gorilla proficient with sign language. I don't know if you have seen videos about dogs using buttons when pressed to make noise. They also have words printed on them.
It is used to express various things such as needs as well as respond to the owner's questions. hmmm . . . owner or friend? They ask the pup questions to understand what they want amongst other things.
On several occasions, I have been to Sea World here in the San Diego area seeing the dolphin show. For the first time visiting as a Boy Scout, we were privileged to go on a private tour. We learned interesting things about behavior modification techniques as well as about their intelligence.
Another element is the relational experience with the trainers. It was shared that dolphins at times have a preference for certain trainers. True or not I am unsure. Do intelligent mammals make friends with humans?
On that note here there was the late sixties TV show Flipper. It was about the escapades of a dolphin interacting with a park ranger and his two sons. It aimed at the youth audience, though I am sure adults enjoyed them. Was it aired there in the UK?I’ve heard of the film, but I’ve never actually watched ‘The Sixth Sense’; although as a teenager I did live in a house that (for want of a better word) was processed, which was quite an experience, and for an atheist quite challenging!
Yes I have seen documentaries on chimpanzees by scientists like Jane Goodall, and on KoKo; the one that sticks in my mind is the work done by the Gardeners with Washo, the chimpanzee first taught sign language; and I’ve seen other documentaries on TV similar to the dogs using buttons etc., including teaching parrots not just to learn words parrot fashion, but to also understand and use a small range of rudimentary human language.
The one area where we do struggle; is learning to understand languages of other animals e.g. just think how great it would be if we could learn dolphin. Although, as a cat owner, over my life time I have learnt a few rudimentary aspects of cat communication e.g. the blinking of the eye’s, the kissing on the lips etc., and over the years, we’ve taught our cats to have a basic understanding of a few English words that have relevant meaning to them.
Where you raise the question “….owner or friend?” in relation to dogs: Dogs are pack animals and have an instinctive desire to be led by an alpha dog; which, in order to keep a dog under control, is the human owner – which is why dogs can be so very faithful to their owners. Domestic cats on the other hand are very different; the human relationship with cats is one of friend or family, depending on the relationship and bonding between you and your cat.
Yes, Flipper was aired on British TV, I do remember the series.On the point of actually understanding the 'animal/mammal' language, I marvel at the shows I've seen on whales and them communicating with different songs.
Whale Song a YouTube video (2:57 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WabT1L-nN-E
I don't know about there in Britain, the wolves use howling to communicate too.
How Do Wolves Say Hello? by International Wolf Center
https://wolf.org/wolf-info/basic-wolf-i … unication/
As far as dogs being a friend, though may be biased from life experience, I feel they at least are very sensitive to their owners or family. I consider a family to be a pack. From observation and as a kid having a dog they knew my emotions. Or, at least feel so.
Although I know, assistance dogs undergo extreme conditioning/behaviorism training I feel they have an inclination to the meaning of what purpose they are serving. My nephew's assistance dog, Diablo, for diabetes was amazing.
Today, I have no pets whatsoever, as I smoke and do not want to expose them to secondhand smoke.Yep, I too marvel at the whales songs; so beautiful – and if we could only crack their language, and understand what they are saying, it would be I think, an eye opener.
Wolves became extinct in Britain in the 15th century; but yes, certainly, their language has been inherited by the domestic dog. Yes, certainly, a family is a pack, and most certainly both cats and dogs are very sensitive to their human’s feelings and emotions. And certainly dogs are intelligent enough to understand their purpose, when for example they are trained to be ‘guide dogs for the blind.
I had a great rapport with one cat I had; sometimes on an evening, when everyone else had gone to bed our cat and I would sit down together for up to an hour just communicating with each other through eye contact and body language (which was quite emotional), and then often, after an hour our cat would stand up on his hind legs to each my face and gently kiss my on the lips. Sometime later, when watching a documentary on TV about cat communication I was intrigued to learn that cats will only kiss each other on the mouth when they are blood related – as a way of saying “you’re family”; so on seeing that, I feel quite honoured that my cat felt that I was ‘family’.
Astronology, astrophysics, ayurvide, and others are also regard as false science. These are study up to degree level. Labeling them as false gives rise to 2 schools of thoughts. All the so called psueo-sciences has contrbuted to mankind and the world's progress.
Two of the three you list are considered pseudoscience.
1. Astrology is a range of divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that claim to discern information about human affairs and terrestrial events by studying the apparent positions of celestial objects.
2. Astrophysics (Astronomy and Physics) is a science that employs the methods and principles of physics and chemistry in the study of astronomical objects and phenomena.
3. Ayurveda is an alternative medicine system with historical roots in the Indian subcontinent. It is heavily practiced in India and Nepal, where around 80% of the population report using Ayurveda. The theory and practice of Ayurveda is pseudoscientific.
Where you say “All the so called pseudoscientific has contributed to mankind and the world's progress.” yeah, they have, and so has religious belief (for better or worse).
Astrology, I would take with a pinch of salt; but something like Ayurveda, although largely ignored by western medicine, often has some merits e.g. a lot of today’s modern medicine has derived from medieval medicines e.g. herbs and other plants based medicines. Our Chinese friends (neighbours a couple of doors up from us) are fully qualified in both Chinese medicine and Western medicine, and work in R&D (research) in a Bristol university (UWE) doing research into incorporating Chinese medical practices into Western medical practices e.g. for the NHS – I’ve seen some of the work they do, and it is exciting stuff.
Link to a repeatable test done by several unbiased testers, proving the existence of ESP?
Seems to me the only "tool" needed for a test are two human beings and some sort of recording device. A smart phone, perhaps.Wilderness, seems to me you're always on the physical plan. You don't mind the 6th senses, above and beyond. That's your problem.
I have many, as in endless amounts, of anecdotes.
But why bother to recount them here when you will only call them coincidences?If you haven't repeated your tests multiple times, recording the results each time, you haven't tested at all. All you have are, indeed, coincidences...unless you can prove they are not.
Sorry. The thing is that our religion may differ. But we had the same God, the Creator. Our believes may also differ. Same God.
Yes, God, Creator, Source of All Things Created, (including the Devil, and Satanic Delusion,) Father/Mother, Divine Friend, is at the top of a mountain according to one appropriate analogy. All the religions which surround the mountain are climbing up different paths to reach Mighty Triple O, who oversees and manifests as all things.
"Mighty Triple O":
Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent force and source of the universe.
No, I am not a pastor, but have taken the time to Read the Book, so that I remain difficult to lie to and deceive regarding its actual contents or misled by those that profess in its name.
What father would allow too many people outside his family to barge into his home and take over? He knows that would not be good for his family OR the intruders.
The intruders need to mind their lives and make them good lives ...
where they have been placed:
In their OWN HOMES,
in their own countries.
Here are some grim realities for them.
https://www.latimes.com/california/stor … could-helpJesus said, "Know ye not that ye are gods?"
Did he say this to show that we ourselves are "gods ..."
as in spirits made in God's likeness, being:
s p i r i t u a l souls.
According To MY Understanding
The Way I See it
Take It or Leave itI'm able to take much of every group into my soul and incorporate it. For my soul is made of a million parts. Like Country, name, spirit, environment, work, love, health, freedom and so on. Centroism in an over ego world and is most dangerous. First I'm a biological organism first and look at each individual more holisticly, from being more of a moderate. To know and be everything like God claims. Is like a worm trying to describe the Sun, at least we can all see and experience the Sun. Still Kathryn, your OK with me
Scientifically speaking we are not solid. We are whirling cells of light/energy.
When one gets cancer the light of the cell goes static.
The brain or nervous system of the cell does not function as it should/(was designed.)Furthermore:
------->knowledge is absolutely necessary for belief.
Jesus discusses this topic as well when he says, "your belief has made you whole/well."
meaning your belief and faith is based on knowledge.
Learning, researching and confirmation is r e q u i r e d to have faith and belief.
TWISITWISI
And therein is the difference, for you do not need proof that your belief is actual and real. Others do - they do not see the world as you do, and do not accept claims of knowledge without actual, repeatable, real proof.I agree. One should not trick oneself into believing something that is not actual and real.
I had asked:
Where are we doing fine?
Raising our kids?
Feeding them good food?
Giving them Mom and Dad?
Giving them good educations?
Giving them peace and quiet?
Guiding them toward success?
What is success in America today?Have a good look at our own family. A show and tell of North America most revealing success story.
The western empire nations are collapsing like the Romans. Like civil wars and world wars are booming, where I've not seen in my life time . Wars of social and economic divides and depopulation programs. Forget the Politicians and the head of the snake, being the wealthiest business men. Last 15 years I've prepared my own family and community bond. A bed I can lay in with a tiny housing community and urban farming. People are sure talking about it now. Even got few hit men, to boot, half my girlfriend family are in the military. Only a very few are prepared for more worst to come. Can't beat the Man, woman and child institutions of love. Don't know a better leadership than myself and with a our prepared community. Where the sissy genderism mental disorders with political community is not. Or good luck with that.
Europe = 14%
US = 25%
Great Britain = 12%
Where I live in California = 22%
The highest for states = Utah = 41% (The main religion is Mormonism with a long story with that.)
The lowest state = Vermont = 14%
The highest European nation = Poland = 44%
The lowest European nation = Denmark = 3%
InterestingThe religious groups is still most of the world's populated groups on earth still. The greatest opposed to woke and gender Idealogy are the Religious. For most part I agree with the religious on this topic . Although ,If there were 3000 God groups on earth.I would believe in one less God than you do.
Seem a middle road moderate gets run over from both sides. Shows I'm not one sided, and find good points from each side and then incorporate the best parts into myself and into a friendlier world.
Just a FYI here in San Diego metro area they are building Tiny-homes for the homeless now.
150 tiny homes to be built for San Diego homeless by Fox5 San Diego (TV station) written Mar 8, 2023.
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-new … -homeless/
South of San Diego metro Chula Vista is doing it too.
Chula Vista opens tiny home community to help homeless by ABC 10 News (May 15, 2023)
https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/ … p-homelessIn LA a proposal of Tiny homes help restore dignity, safety and a sense of autonomy to its residents.
Each cost about $55,000.
Although expensive LA building codes are a greater problem and 75% of the street homeless are mentally ill. I had to refuse a similar problem with my approval to build tiny house villages in Vancouver because this adds up to an impossibility issue. For many years there were a few people builders building 100s of free tiny houses in LA free. Which were almost all removed and trashed.
My tiny houses come with urban farming, solar, rocket stove/ heater/cooking. Chemical toilet, portable and moved by tow truck cheap. Winterize for anywhere in North America. Costing only $20,000. I've given up in Government corrupted encouragements, it's never ending to design things to fail. My designs are for healthy enough people, who may fall through the cracks of Government. And another options rather than a 15 minute cities salvey agendas. One of the greatest revolution in world history was the first American Revolution for individual independence and integrity.tsmog, the first link doesn't found me well. The second link does. However, I can say that these 'tiny houses' are nothing less or more than houses for the poor, or moderate income earners. In Nigeria, the politicians are always envious of such ventures when completed. I recalled one such venture while serving in civil service. Though the money for the buildings was borrowed from mortgage bank, Civil Servants are ear-marked as the main beneficiaries, because their monthly deductions contributed for the repayment of the loan. But when the building was done while still serving, the politician, under the watch of the State governor hijacked it. Critically, they was a protest and those who retired had to take back their money with interest, and the deductions stop. I now live in the houue I build before I retired.
In Mexico most people or families build their own house. After corruption in Canada and the US. A house with a mortgage and coded services cost are 70% over the cost of a house in its lifetime. In Vancouver and Toronto the adverage house is a million dollars. Vancouver is the third most unaffordable city in the world and Canada has one of the longest freezing temperatures. Strange Canada has the second largest land mass country in the world. As a youth adult, most can buy a house in their late 20s. Today it's people in their late age 40s and need 25 years to put a down payment on a house.
Your lucky In Nigeria, I think your able to build that house there and avoid the deathgrip of a mortgage and for most part cost of a house. I built nine of them so far because got around ridiculous building codes and outrageous services and taxes by tiny house building. Imagine all the freedom with money to spare. Just add additional housing as you can afford it.'Just add another housing as you can afford'. Thank you. I've laid the foundation for that. And when completed, to enhanced my passive income via, rental of living space.
Smart! most people here can't do math and act that well,to save their life.
Castlepaloma! Castlepaloma! I noticed you've changed your human picture profile to a castle. Did you stole the castle, and you're talking about God, and religion? Which way? Where have you been all these days? I'm sure you're visiting Alice in Wonder? Did you catch you with Nathanville, and ignore him to talk with a complete stranger? Castlepaloma, Castlepaloma!
Castle means protective shield vessel for home and family. Paloma is my daughter's name, meaning in latin -White dove of peace. Daughter is half Azteca native.
Thank youSorry. I was editing when you respond. Would you re-read my post again? Thanks.
Why would I steal , my own indoor world record scale sandcastle? Most of my hubpages topics are of my sand sculptures. Today I make tiny houses called Castlewithout thehassle. Castles were first designed to protect from animals, until people's greed and envy came along. Alice in Wonderland was a girl trying to understand Adults hypocrites. At times I'm childlike, not childish, with an adult attitude and grateful for it. Always open to anyone with no fear. Natanville is still stuck on the dark age of the British Empire. Glad the continent of Africa is wiser now, to their corruption. Not putting down your God, just don't understand it. Whatever works. Don't understand anymore than a worm knows the Sun.
Thank you. I like your last sentence on Africa.
... rather than post a new topic I think I shall just continue this thread.
Could Donald Trump Be The Next Speaker of the House?
What if they picked Trump?
How would that look?
I mean, Marjorie Taylor Green is adamant that Trump should be it, even though he may not have much time right now, what with all his pending legal battles.Think Vivek is a more intelligent thinker and speaker. He generally support Trump and Green support is not so bad. Trump would be the lesser of the two evils. Yet Trudeau must go.
What I'm I taking about, I'm a mini anarchist*$&""Agreed But what? Donald Trump, next Speaker? Is he running as a Representative or as a Senator? Is not 'real' Donald Trump, gunning for the Presidency again? What's Majorie Taylor Green?
At least Trump listen to what the popularist wants. Like everybody love dogs, don't they?
He turn to vaccines afterwards and that was too late. He loss the election for vaccines bandwagon fears. .Very little integrity there.That don't ever surprised me. They say the guy was a novice politician.
He says he is more of a businessman rather than a politician. That's better than a career politician like Biden or Hillary.
No wonder Biden, a politician, enjoy bleeding common Americans dry? America, is better off when Trump, was in the saddle? Contrast this with a Bola Tinubu, of Nigeria, who for 100 days, nearly bring Nigeria's economy to a stand-still. 'Whacking' or 'real' Donald Trump? The guy is GREAT.
At least Trump looks Hardy and Biden looks fraill.
The unite Stat s is not a business entity and the President of the United States is not a CEO of a capitalist class company. He cannot be an authoritarian, so his modus operandi isnprone to fail from the outset. Trump has always been out of his element from 2017.
Perhaps the "element" of being a powerful politician has passed its usefulness as far as the country is concerned. Although it certainly has its perks for the politician.
The 'element' of dictatorship can be beneficial if so intend.
There is a differences between a leader and a manipulator. And why I don't trust top policans as much as I can throw them. And I can't throw big Trump, very far.
A true leader has good intentions to lead by example and from the heart, shortly follow by the mind.
A munipulator
occurs when a person uses controlling and harmful behaviors to avoid responsibility, conceal their true intentions, or cause doubt and confusion. Manipulation tactics, such as gaslighting, lying, blaming, criticizing, and shaming, can damage a person's psychological well-being.Your last sentence apply can destroy a country. Algier, Haiti, and pre- WW Germany.
well, thank you!
"manipulation occurs when a person uses controlling and harmful behaviors to avoid responsibility, conceal their true intentions, or cause doubt and confusion. Manipulation tactics, such as gas lighting, lying, blaming, criticizing, and shaming, can damage a person's psychological well-being."
Its one thing to attain personal power.
Its another when that power is gotten through r o b b i n g life, liberty and the individual right to pursue happiness."Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
~~~ Lord ActonWhen we go back a step to 1776, America Revolution. The first mass freedom of its kind throughout human history. We the People, the independent of individuals. Brings Absolute corruption to a very minimal.
Yes, absolute power, corrupts absolutely. Even a little, or media of power, corrupts. But thanks to Democracy. This absoluteness is contained by other branches of goverment, that birthed the love of liberty, freeing men and women, from dictatorial slavery. Therefore, 'we the people' not just the 'yankee' can decide who represents in goverance.
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