dduckwessel

Sorry I didn't answer...been away. It seems to me that the promise of eternal life (or at least the hopes of it) is more the selfish gene than anything else! At this point I would agree with you that you should read Stephen King... until I can prove the single author idea, the Bible will look pretty mundane in comparison.

there's no magic wand...something to do with free will and not interfering with things here

If it didn't contain a complex code you would say it was horse feathers!!

I agree that from a surface veiw it appears as a jumble of contradictions but so do puzzle pieces that are incorrectly assembled! We would be incapable of imitating the unique "style"...I suppose with today's technology it might be possible for computers to replicate it but that would not explain how people thousands of years ago could! You seem to see the bible strictly as a religious book whereas I view it as ancient texts not yet deciphered but with algorithm technology I believe it's very close.

The writings are the very place that should show evidence of a superior (to us) mind. If you're speaking of the earth as being God's creativity it's not a good example of benevolence: animals eating other animals and we eat them, mass starvation, wars, disease, an unfriendly universe, etc.!!

I know, it's a huge claim and you're right, one that needs to be confirmed but I make it based on years of study. According to the link I sent you the algorithm identified individual writers (those that penned the words) and synonyms (an important component of my own studies). They believe it shows the Bible had different authors. However, it didn't even mention the repetitive aspect, which is the main component to the puzzle effect [all of the writers wrote the same words sometimes verbatim but mostly uniquely rephrased (in ways inconsistent with human writing)]. I have painstakenly over the years put some of the puzzle together but the job is monumental especially as many books from the apocrypha have to be included as they contain the same writing style. I was really excited to read about this algorithm because from there it's a step closer to the one that isolates the repetitive aspect, which I am ocnfident will reveal a single author. I have contacted the university and hope to hear from them. Thanks for your time Moontanman. :)

Thanks for the reply...why do we have to have the original texts though? I'm confident the existing ones will work fine. If an algorithm was developed that can decipher individual handwriting then one can be developed to recogise patterns of repetitious information (which if I'm correct will reveal a single author).

The operative thought is that it's not considered real until science has discovered it!!

It's at odds with religion but according to my studies, a soul = beast (animal/flesh) as coming from the earth itself (dust/ground/mud/primordial soup) soul = (Greek, Psuche) = the animal sentiment principle only= of earth spirit = (Hebrew, ruwach) = higher consciousness = immortal = of heaven A good example is Job 7:11: "I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul." At first look it appears that soul and spirit are used interchangeably but careful study shows they are dissimilar as spirit (Strong's #7307, Heb. ruwach) refers to a metaphysical force, whereas soul (Strongs #5315. Heb. nephesh) is a "breathing creature".

Religion has been shown to be inconsistent and false but what if religion and the bible are in reality two very different things? What would happen if an algorithm (not sure if this is the correct word as I have previously thought puzzle-paradigm fits better) was discovered in the words (must include some apocrypha)? Would people be interested in investigating it, or would it be shoved under the carpet for fear there may be something there afterall? I'm not referring in any way to the Bible Code or to this: http://news.yahoo.com/israeli-algorithm-sheds-light-bible-163128454.html I'm referring to an as yet undiscovered (by science) pattern of words.

It's just another church (mission statement, congregation!!) they always start out nobly but just give it a few years and it will show its true colors, possibly turn into a cult...they need to correct the spelling error, interpitation (interpretation)!

In Gen. 2:7, man is strictly a soul (coming from the dust/ground/mud/primordial soup). God did not give Adam a soul per se'. It's more correct to say that the earth produced the man/soul. soul = dust/animal principle/beast/spirit of earth-mortal/physical body/emotions/personality In 2:7 man is not Adam but only became Adam after it entered the garden in Gen. 2:8.

There appears to be a real downside to domestication: 1) "The bonobo is less aggressive than the chimp, with a smaller skull and shorter canine teeth." 2) "In the 1950s Belyaev started raising wild silver foxes in captivity and breeding those that were least aggressive toward their human handlers. Within just 20 generations, he had created the fox equivalent of our domestic pooches. Instead of snarling when humans approached, they wagged their tails. At the same time, their ears became floppier, tails curlier and skulls smaller." It seems to me that aggression may make our brains larger (and smarter: iron sharpens iron)...then again if we want a utopian society, domestication is the way to go :circle:

This is a really good instructional video and should be introduced in middle schools. A video along the same lines should be made for very young children. In Canada the Principal's of each school decide which extra-curricular teachings are introduced into the schools. If they have Creationism or Intelligent-Design beliefs, there's no way in hell this video (or others like it) is getting into his/her school! Working in the rural public school sector I know this is not a rare occurence and I found it very frustrating.

I especially like Ian Moore, Bluey Robinson, Frankmusic, Arcade Fire and Hungry kids :) Can't forget those oldies that Moontanman posted - I never get tired of listening to them.

"Before the beginning of great brilliance,there must be chaos." - Fortune Cookie Is this true I wonder or does it just sound good?

yeah they're good that way - very hospitable and non-judgemental! :)

The inalienable rights the US and Canada used to enjoy are systematically being replaced with bureauocratic nonsense. We now have more laws to protect our rights but less freedom...a far cry from its beginnings: http://blog.mises.org/2917/cicero-on-justice-law-and-liberty/

Would it be fair to say Hans (and I hope you don't mind me bringing it up) that everything you learned about a mythical being was tainted by your father's hypocrisy? This makes far more sense as wars, suffering, disease clearly shows a diabolical contrivance not a "benevolent" creator.

This is where I don't believe that you understand Christians, Moontanman (Popoff being one of the exceptions). You have to attend those churches on a regular basis before you can say that you understand the people. Most of the people that I met were very genuine; they truly believe in what they're preaching. Most of them were not dishonest but indoctrinated, which is something altogether different.

I must differ on this point. I don't believe that any religion properly represents the God of Bible writings. Yes religions sometimes do good but just as often commit horrible wrongs (rape of children by RCC priests) - it's more accurate to say that religions are a mix of right and wrong, which is called hypocrisy. I believe in God but I do not believe in religion as they are two very different things. not sure what you mean by inner conflicts!...I don't struggle with what I believe about God (if that's what you mean), I struggle with wrong concepts of God caused by the misquoting of Bible writings.

great story...i have my own...times when I needed a miracle and I know that God was there for me...when there's no other recourse it helps to have friends in high places :). I do however agree with Moontanman's hilarious video of Peter Popoff (a charlatan that takes advantage of desperate people).

I thought that initially our rights were defined simply by moral values (don't kill, don't steal, don't lie, don't defraud) and everyone knew the rules...and even tho some broke them they fully expected to be punished if caught... if someone breaks into your house you have the right to bear arms but that law (among so many others) took a wrong turn somewhere as often the innocent party is punished right along with the offender(s): http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=123703&page=1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Martin_(farmer)

People make religious choices based on logical (to them) ideas...what formulated those ideas is another story...people start with "I believe in God" (spirituality) but end up with "I believe in (my) religion" and it all goes downhill from there.