ARmy Rumour SErvice

Originally Posted by Higgs_bosun

Can we now have some justification for religion?

Most people recognise there is more to their lives than the very mechanistic understanding of "the scientific". This includes the artistic, hence some find help in poetry as per the last day or so on this thread, and the spiritual. Some people internalise the search to understand this, and others look elsewhere.

Personally, I have found the best way to understand the spiritual part of my life is to have faith in a loving God, and the best expression of that love is in Jesus, his life, death and resurrection. All this is from my personal interpretation of the bible.

And as you well know, I can offer you no empirical evidence for a spiritual life, nor do I believe in creationism, etc.

Personally I quite like the Humanist idea, no gods, no afterlife, just the life you have now so live the sh*t out of it in the best way you can. I went to a church of england school as a kid so the Christian faith was drummed into me from an early age with daily prayers 3 times a day and the local vicar coming in to school to recite bible passages to us several times a week, and as a child who knew no better I believed in it all till I hit my teens and started to think for myself. Now I just think it is outdated made up fairy tales and the cause of most of the worlds problems, same with all other religions in the world.
Just the opinion of a civvy cnut of course!

Originally Posted by Tricky1982

Personally I quite like the Humanist idea, no gods, no afterlife, just the life you have now so live the sh*t out of it in the best way you can. I went to a church of england school as a kid so the Christian faith was drummed into me from an early age with daily prayers 3 times a day and the local vicar coming in to school to recite bible passages to us several times a week, and as a child who knew no better I believed in it all till I hit my teens and started to think for myself. Now I just think it is outdated made up fairy tales and the cause of most of the worlds problems, same with all other religions in the world.
Just the opinion of a civvy cnut of course!

Christian humanism is an interesting aspect reflecting similar concerns for those engaged by the walking dead of The Church and their dry officers. Welcome to the debate, try and stick around.
Just listening to Niall Ferguson discussing the value of evolutionary thinking and trust and relationship within the banking sector. A similar marriage is my concern, science and faith hand in hand.

Originally Posted by bigpod

Most people recognise there is more to their lives than the very mechanistic understanding of "the scientific". This includes the artistic, hence some find help in poetry as per the last day or so on this thread, and the spiritual. Some people internalise the search to understand this, and others look elsewhere.

Personally, I have found the best way to understand the spiritual part of my life is to have faith in a loving God, and the best expression of that love is in Jesus, his life, death and resurrection. All this is from my personal interpretation of the bible.

And as you well know, I can offer you no empirical evidence for a spiritual life, nor do I believe in creationism, etc.

I appreciate that individuals under the influence of dogma feel that their lives are enriched and safe by submitting their minds to an imaginary father figure. The comfort of religion works for many…although it can never be anything other than a delusion and escapism.

Being an atheist does not actually reduce one’s appreciation of the arts nor the wonders of existence. It is just impossible to accept that the unknown is some kind loving god, there is far too much horror pain and suffering in the world for that. Also that the only channel for goodness can be through a guy called jesus is totally absurd.

On one hand there are rational explanations for the way things are, with good evidence and there are some likely theories to fill the gaps.

On the other hand there is irrational theology, a totally imaginary system of blind faith lacking any form of evidence. It has divided mankind and destroyed peace for thousands of years.

Better to smell the flowers and see the sky knowing what is really happening than to wander like a zombie through cloud cuckoo land.

Can Capitalism have a heart in an age of austerity

Can Capitalism have a heart in an age of austerity

Originally Posted by Higgs_bosun

I appreciate that individuals under the influence of dogma feel that their lives are enriched and safe by submitting their minds to an imaginary father figure. The comfort of religion works for many…although it can never be anything other than a delusion and escapism.

Being an atheist does not actually reduce one’s appreciation of the arts nor the wonders of existence. It is just impossible to accept that the unknown is some kind loving god, there is far too much horror pain and suffering in the world for that. Also that the only channel for goodness can be through a guy called jesus is totally absurd.

On one hand there are rational explanations for the way things are, with good evidence and there are some likely theories to fill the gaps.

On the other hand there is irrational theology, a totally imaginary system of blind faith lacking any form of evidence. It has divided mankind and destroyed peace for thousands of years.

Better to smell the flowers and see the sky knowing what is really happening than to wander like a zombie through cloud cuckoo land.

Agree with the absurdity perspective. I think a lot of my faith is absurd. I'm not sure, however, whether that makes it lacking in value. On the basis a lot of ordinary life, language and experience is absurd but rewarding. I think life is absurd a lot of the time but exciting and a lot of the rational, dangerous, suspect. I'm appealing for blind faith as having value. My prayers with my children at night for members of our family are absurd. OK, I am a desperate nutter, damaging their minds according to some, but this is a rich uplifting experience. They also have a robust rational interaction where cheap statements about the world are challenged. They are both rationally infused and spiritually strengthened I'd argue. We give thanks to God for every single meal. This seems entirely natural. It is wonderful to pray together at the meal table and recognise how tenuous life is and how fortunate we are. I'd argue this is absurd but also wonderful and enriching. It binds us together.

Originally Posted by BoomShackerLacker

Can Capitalism have a heart in an age of austerity

Can Capitalism have a heart in an age of austerity

Well that depends on wether you view it from a Calvinist or Lutheran point of view, but even from a Simbianese aspect Paternalistic Capitalism can be a real winner on the basis that kindness can have a pay back and it's certainly not a new concept. Even if we ignore Marxist of socialist principals you can have benevolent capitalism, in fact I would argue that during periods of recession it's probably vital. But in my experience businesses rarely indulge in the goodwill aspect, which is strange really given that businesses are sold including Goodwill. It really all depends on the Business community, so I'm not holding out much hope.

Originally Posted by LeoRoverman

Well that depends on wether you view it from a Calvinist or Lutheran point of view, but even from a Simbianese aspect Paternalistic Capitalism can be a real winner on the basis that kindness can have a pay back and it's certainly not a new concept. Even if we ignore Marxist of socialist principals you can have benevolent capitalism, in fact I would argue that during periods of recession it's probably vital. But in my experience businesses rarely indulge in the goodwill aspect, which is strange really given that businesses are sold including Goodwill. It really all depends on the Business community, so I'm not holding out much hope.

Yes, but, we have neither Calvinist or Lutheran consciences anymore as both these emphasised individual accountability, ultimately to God. Capitalism was born in the Scottish Enlightenment where accumulation of wealth was dependent on spending it, not hording in for the 'self'. You made money for 'the Other' as a form of Christian service.