That depends on whether we have the godlike power of immanent causation (that is, whether we can act as Prime Movers).
And that depends on whether consciousness is reducible to physical processes, or whether it emerges from them as its own distinct kind of thing.
Like many things, this seems to be a matter of two parties being unable to agree on definitions. In this case, the definition of "Christian".
I tend to agree with you on this one, Shiranui; it seems to me that Christianity and Animism aren't entirely incompatible. But then, the way I define...
Human beings should strive towards virtue above all.
The highest virtue is contemplation of the divine.
A good way to approach religions is as a guide for that.
Christ provides us with an excellent example of a virtuous person.
We are all children of God; Christ points that out to us.
What makes you guys think that there's a default expectation at all? Surely, the only reason we think that either something or nothing could be an "expectation" is because there is a something around to expect, no?
I see where you're going with this, but Mormons place Jesus in a central role within their religion, defining themselves largely through their allegiance to him. Sure, they have an unconventional view (to say the least), but that can't mean that they're not any kind of Christian at all, can it?
Hello Religiousforums!
I'm Bob Dixon. As you can see.
I'm not exactly new; I was an active member years ago, but I eventually stopped posting. I don't know why, but I suppose that's how things go sometimes. Recent events have drawn me back to the forums that once felt like home.
You really...
God needs no reminder, of course. But humans do.
By having Jesus say this, the Gospel's author reminds the reader of this reality. Why Jesus said it may be unclear, but it is easier to determine why the author included this.
Why do you think it can't be a coincidence?
Also, I'd like to see a source on that claim. I don't necessarily doubt it, but it would be cool to see a journal article that provides evidence of that.
As much as I agree with you, I'd like you to consider that it's more like grafting Red Delicious apples onto a Granny Smith tree. Jews and Gentiles are all humans, after all.
As such, the grafting analogy (and the defense against it) becomes meaningless.
Perhaps you can say that Jesus himself...
This, too, is true.
Personally, I can't decide if it's completely meaningless or simply too deep for me. I'm leaning towards too deep for me, but it really can be quite an impenetrable text.
That's entirely unnecessary and probably a waste of time.
OP, just get a set of beliefs together. If they help you deal with the fact that you're conscious, you've probably got a religion on your hands.
1. The difference between "all is God" and "nothing is God" lies in your own definition of "God".
2. I can't see any practical difference between yourself and a Pantheist, except for the fact that you don't believe in any "God" and they do.
I'm thinking it would be a vapouriser. Efficiency and health-consciousness above all. But it might be hard to find a plug in the desert.
Allow it. He'd smoke blunts. Fat blunts, too.