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It could also be that in having a soul, humans are able to see (however minutely) beyond the physical aspects of earth into the spiritual realm. We are also able to not only learn and to remember the history of our entire species, but to pass it on to future generations.One of my favorite theories and the premise of his best selling book Sapiens, Yuval Harari supposes it's our ability to tell and believe in fiction. Other animals have cultures and language. Monkey's can communicate with one another to say hey look out! there's a lion prowling or a falcon circling over head. What they don't have is the ability to suggest that there is a lion in our wardrobe, he is our lord and savior and that we should worship him.
Different species to have a varying number of genes. What I find fascinating is that my chinchillas and I have ninety percent of the same DNA. We are only a percent or two away from sharing the same DNA as chimpanzees.How many genes do all animals share. What teh difference between humans and other animals -- gene wise?
Then there is no reason not to commit suicide, or follow lemmings off a cliff.Nothing.
The only real difference is that humans have larger brains and we've evolved to make ourselves think we have a purpose so we don't go around committing suicide.
We're not here for any reason at all.
But do we have souls? In order for me to accept that premise you have to prove it. Also no, you don't remember the history of our entire species which is over 300,000 years old. The oldest records for any human civilization only goes back around 5,000 years.It could also be that in having a soul, humans are able to see (however minutely) beyond the physical aspects of earth into the spiritual realm. We are also able to not only learn and to remember the history of our entire species, but to pass it on to future generations.
"Proof" means, "Provide me with physical evidence." The soul is one's spirit, and the spiritual realm is spirit, so no physical proof. Asking for such would be similar to people of old saying, "If you want me to sail off on that boat, first prove to me there is something other than a cliff out there."But do we have souls? In order for me to accept that premise you have to prove it. Also no, you don't remember the history of our entire species which is over 300,000 years old. The oldest records for any human civilization only goes back around 5,000 years.
Yep. That's typically how we prove things are real rather than figments of our imaginations."Proof" means, "Provide me with physical evidence."
So no proof then? Then why should I believe you any more than I would someone imploring me to believe in unicorns or leprechauns, or Santa Claus?The soul is one's spirit, and the spiritual realm is spirit, so no physical proof.
I don't understand the analogy. The sentiment you are expressing above is fear of the unknown. Someone eventually did it and thus gave proof to everyone else it could be done and then we were off to the races.Asking for such would be similar to people of old saying, "If you want me to sail off on that boat, first prove to me there is something other than a cliff out there."
No.... what I contemplate are ideas. I use my mind to accomplish this.What you can contemplate is your own mind.
It's the rational side of me that requires rational evidence before I believe something is real.You have a problem or a choice before you, and your mind presents you with several alternatives to consider. Who is that 'you' that selects that choice?
Correct. No physical proof. Spirituality is in the realm of what is beyond the physical realm.So no proof then? Then why should I believe you any more than I would someone imploring me to believe in unicorns or leprechauns, or Santa Claus?
The analogy is that some are explorers despite the unknowns (lack of proof/evidence). Some are settlers, happy with what they know already...no real need to know more or go beyond the familiar.I don't understand the analogy. The sentiment you are expressing above is fear of the unknown. Someone eventually did it and thus gave proof to everyone else it could be done and then we were off to the races.
Correct. Many are settlers, not explorers.It's the rational side of me that requires rational evidence before I believe something is real.
What makes a person different from any other animal/mammal?
Then they said, “Let us make life in our image, in our likeness, the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky the livestock and all the wild animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground.”
Human kind is the only animal we know of who is aware of other species that it has never experienced or seen.
The question remains. Is there indeed a spiritual realm? I don't believe in one.Correct. No physical proof. Spirituality is in the realm of what is beyond the physical realm.
Explorers brought back answers, you have none for me.The analogy is that some are explorers despite the unknowns (lack of proof/evidence). Some are settlers, happy with what they know already...no real need to know more or go beyond the familiar.
Correct. Many are settlers, not explorers.
I wish I could, but I can't boil it down to quite that simple though. While my personal intellectual and emotional makeup embraces pure recreation for no other purpose than the enjoyment of it--riding a roller coaster, zip lining, watching a good movie, playing a computer game etc.--I also need to believe I am here for some greater reason than Bach's philosophy. In other words, not purely for my own benefit. But who knows? I hope we get to find out these things in Heaven.I do like Richard Bach's assessment as to why we are here. To him (and without dismissing God) it all boils down to two things:
- To learn
- To have fun
Just as people back in the day did not believe in anything beyond the sea.The question remains. Is there indeed a spiritual realm? I don't believe in one.
Explorers brought back answers, you have none for me.
I explained badly then. Bach was suggesting you look at everything you do. Are you learning from it? Do you enjoy what you are doing? For example, think of having a family. Does anyone always enjoy cleaning up after, etc. Of course not. You do it because you enjoy your family. We might enjoy a meal more than the preparation of that meal, but the reason we do the prep is for the fun/enjoyment in store.I wish I could, but I can't boil it down to quite that simple though. While my personal intellectual and emotional makeup embraces pure recreation for no other purpose than the enjoyment of it--riding a roller coaster, zip lining, watching a good movie, playing a computer game etc.--I also need to believe I am here for some greater reason than Bach's philosophy. In other words, not purely for my own benefit. But who knows? I hope we get to find out these things in Heaven.
I can appreciate that. And thank you for that explanation. (You didn't explain badly. You just assumed your reader knew what you knew. LOL. )I explained badly then. Bach was suggesting you look at everything you do. Are you learning from it? Do you enjoy what you are doing? For example, think of having a family. Does anyone always enjoy cleaning up after, etc. Of course not. You do it because you enjoy your family. We might enjoy a meal more than the preparation of that meal, but the reason we do the prep is for the fun/enjoyment in store.
But now we do because we have evidence. See how that works? Or maybe you don't? Maybe that's the problem...Just as people back in the day did not believe in anything beyond the sea.
It's not a very good answer. It doesn't tell me what this spiritual realm is, how I'd know if I was in it, what it's boundaries are.... you really haven't given me any evidence it actually exists, unlike explorers who came back with answers to our questions.I have brought back an answer: There is a spiritual realm for you to explore. Your choice whether to explore it or not. Back in the day...when explorers said there was land beyond the sea, did everyone go in search of it? Actually, only a small percentage.
It may be that the “purpose” (if there is one) is simply beyond our capacity to comprehend. But even if there were no purpose, maybe we should still strive for excellence for the sake of all of us.Which begs the question, "What is the purpose of this "clump of cells?" If there is no purpose, then there is no reason to be the best we can be.
If God has decided to enjoy the company of a companion and we are the material out of which He will eventually fulfill that objective, I don’t believe the purity of His spirit makes any difference.God is complete within himself. Also, he has angels, who are pure spirit. It may have more to do with God's nature, which is pure love. He created us out of love...what is it about us that is lovable? Did God create us to teach how to love as he loves? If so, how are we doing?
thank youDifferent species to have a varying number of genes. What I find fascinating is that my chinchillas and I have ninety percent of the same DNA. We are only a percent or two away from sharing the same DNA as chimpanzees.
You're speaking to a member of usmb.Then there is no reason not to commit suicide, or follow lemmings off a cliff.
