Cool, thanks. Even without studying it I would wager that this 'tester' & Christianity's 'devil' have the exact same origins, that they're merely different interpretations of the same myth.
+1 for the Jews & Muslims for not taking it literally

Perhaps you do, all but two of my [real life] educated friends are atheist or just not concerned, and of those two only one is ever up for discussion



Is that right? I confess, of the three big western mono's I've mostly only studied Christianity.
I like that you said 'a more modern view' - it is wise for a people to update their belief system as man advances and more discoveries are made (though I think extreme apologism - that the devil placed dinosaur bones in the ground to confuse us, say - is clearly absurd!). Moving on from primitive views is what I'm all about!

ahh but the Now you found is now Then.

Nor me, s1owhand, and yet it seems that most tradtionally religious people do have a problem with it. Perhaps because it removes the identity of their personal god, it negates the need to attribute human characteristics and emotions to god (something which primitive man needed to do apparently). More importantly, perhaps, because it forces one to view God as a whole, both light and dark, good and evil, not seperate entities or characters like a God and a Devil.

Thanks very much, Jeanniebean!



Right back atcha!

I acknowledge (not respect) the fact that faith is an issue to be tiptoed around and causing offence is not my aim, so I will choose my words carefully.




Firstly, I find it very hard to take someone seriously when they use terms like 'false religions' trying to make a distinction between their beliefs and those of others. Were I a follower of one of these faiths I'd be justified in playing the 'offended' card here (thankfully, I'm not). This 'I'm right, everyone else is wrong' mentality should be left behind in the dark ages IMO.



The ancient texts and their numerous translations can and have been interpreted in many, often opposing ways. A Pantheist could quote that exact passage as 'proof' of their God model. Scripture adds no weight to any argument.



'It's wrong because Moses said so' is hardly a conclusive argument. Regardless of whether one trusts that Moses was in direct communication with an almighty creator, or believes, as I do, that he spoke to a volcano, here is something I think we can all agree on: he lived thousands of years ago and as such had a limited (we may say 'primitive') understanding of the Earth and its place in the cosmos. We have come a long way since then.

Great answer, thank you.

could you explain how the concept is completely consistent with religions? I can't see that. from my p.o.v. the former negates the latter (not entirely, but enough to strip away any amount of dogma and differences between them).

Does anyone have any thoughts to share about the concept of pantheism (the idea that everything is god)?
as much as I dislike to use the G-word when discussing my thoughts, or label myself with any 'ism', I find this concept gels with me. If everything that ever was or will be was once one (before the big bang) then why not call that 'one' (and therefore everything in the universe) god?

I respect anyone who stands up for a cause and acts peacefully.

Also, I'm so glad to live in this age where even those who are unable to get physically involved can still contribute to a cause from behind their computer.

major respect to anyone & everyone who suffers through the winter in New York (and there will be some). the countless others occupying cities around the world will be thinking of them.

cool. thank you.

Jeanniebean, sorry for the delay; may I ask you what is your understanding of the age of Aquarius?

Has anyone heard about the possible artificial structures on the asteroid Vesta?

Nasa's Dawn spacecraft has recently approached the second most massive asteroid in the belt and there are pictures which show a decidedly unique crater

http://www.ufodigest.com/article/strange-structures-asteroid-vesta

I can't vouch for this particular website but there's a good image with a close up. Googling 'Vesta asteroid structures' yields other results.

I was just wondering how widely-known this is and if anyone has any thoughts or opinions to share.

cheers

@Jeanniebean that's good info, thank you. I've not noticed or read about night sky objects appearing brighter but will look out for it.
You mentioned the galactic alignment on dec 12 2012 - I've heard Dr Neil DeGrasse Tyson say that what the "end timers" fail to realise or neglect to mention is that such an alignment occurs every dec 12 lol

there's nothing pathetic about gaming dude!