Could be said I guess that they refuse to acknowledge it. It's kind of typical I think. So I ask everyone else why you ignore it?
care to elaborate?
Could be said I guess that they refuse to acknowledge it. It's kind of typical I think. So I ask everyone else why you ignore it?
care to elaborate?
thus partial evidence of "soul"posts 226 [page 12] through to post 269 of this thread.
special emphasis on posts:
246 and 255 comparison shows direct contra
Could be said I guess that they refuse to acknowledge it. It's kind of typical I think. So I ask everyone else why you ignore it?
This was an experiment. Please let me explain.
This thread is about the soul and whether it indeed exists.
Many of us believe personal character [*1] is a defining attribute of the soul.
Sorry bub, the other social mammals have conscience. In fact its not hard to argue that some of them have a more active conscience than we do since their sense of greed isn't as well developed.Character requires a conscience and this differentiates the human species from other species.
All I saw in the "definitions" was that you are self serving and very unclear on the concepts of proof and existence.As you can see from the definitions these concepts are entertwined.
Hence I ran an experiment to see if any atheist could objectively evaluate what CHARACTER is.
I gave Jesus and Hamlet as examples [of fictional characters.]...No atheist has been able to get past "Jesus is just fiction"
The gospel authors intended Jesus as a morally good hero
Hence, an atheist can not differentiate character in a fictional writing where the motives are made known by the authors.
If an atheist can not rationally evaluate fictional CHARACTER
how can they rationally evaluate real character
the concept of a SOUL?
BMActually, later in this post you show that was a deceit on your part and it wasn't what this thread was about.Woody said:This was an experiment. Please let me explain.
This thread is about the soul and whether it indeed exists.The term soul is superfluous here and adds nothing which the other terms don't already contribute. The same applies to the rest of your "definitions."Woody said:Many of us believe personal character [*1] is a defining attribute of the soul.Sorry bub, the other social mammals have conscience. In fact its not hard to argue that some of them have a more active conscience than we do since their sense of greed isn't as well developed.Woody said:Character requires a conscience and this differentiates the human species from other species.
Dogs, who have lived with us for long enough to develop fair interspecies communication, can even express concepts like guilt in ways we understand.All I saw in the "definitions" was that you are self serving and very unclear on the concepts of proof and existence.Woody said:As you can see from the definitions these concepts are entertwined.Why is it that the theists who whine the loudest about souls and gods and judgment are the ones who lie and act with such deceit?Woody said:Hence I ran an experiment to see if any atheist could objectively evaluate what CHARACTER is.Jesus is just fiction. What about it? What exactly is there is to "get past?"Woody said:gave Jesus and Hamlet as examples [of fictional characters.]...No atheist has been able to get past "Jesus is just fiction"And failed because they weren't clear on the concept themselves, and weren't the world's best writers. What about it and what could fictional characters have to do with proving actual souls?Woody said:The gospel authors intended Jesus as a morally good heroWhat a self serving conclusion. Fiction often is interpreted in different ways by different people. It is all too common that how the author thought a character was being portrayed ends up portraying him differently, and this is when the author is still kicking around to be questioned. Also cultural nuances change from culture to culture and time to time. What many have seemed no big deal at the time may spark a fire storm of controversy today, like Mohammad's favorite wife having been a child bride.Woody said:Hence, an atheist can not differentiate character in a fictional writing where the motives are made known by the authors.
Grow up. Take a literary criticism class and broaden your horizons a bit.Failing to agree with you is not failing to evaluate the character of Jesus. In fact as a "believer" your rose colored interpretation is the one most suspect. I would hardly be surprised if you turned away from an accurate re-portrayal of the Jesus character. He isn't that attractive when you arent' lusting after his carrot or fearing his stick.Woody said:If an atheist can not rationally evaluate fictional CHARACTERWe each do it every day and you seem to be coming up short.Woody said:how can they rationally evaluate real characterAn archaic concept without merit beyond its use as a poetic metaphor.Woody said:the concept of a SOUL?
Jesus is just fiction. What about it? What exactly is there is to "get past?"
This "Electricl Aura", if it even exists, could easily be dismissed as a physical phenomena by a rational atheist.
As I think further on this, I keep returning back to bliss.
Nature is very efficient.
Evolution is very efficient.
The collection of emotions we refer to as “love” serves to propagate the species and foster familial connections and compassion. Without attachment to other human beings, without compassion we would not have cooperation. Without cooperation, an animal as weak and vulnerable as the human being will not survive.
We feel fear in order for us to be aware of potentially dangerous situations. Pain teaches us avoidance of those situations. Again, these things benefit us through helping to ensure survival and safety.
All our instincts are there for a reason, a purpose - a benefit to the individual or species. If that's true, then what is the purpose of ecstasy? What is the purpose of man's capacity to feel rapture? There is no direct survival benefit of the feelings of pure ecstasy that man feels related to his senses and emotions. Why does man have the capacity to experience extreme ecstasy over the taste or smell of a food, over a touch, over a piece of music, over art? There is no survival benefit from having the capacity for such immense and overwhelming pleasure. If anything an argument could be made for the detriments of our ability to fall into abandon over such elated bliss.
Perhaps this could be an atheist's argument for the existence of a soul?
Could bliss be evidence of the existence of a soul to an atheist?
Bliss and ecstasy are the relief of suffering manifested into our consciousness. It is in these words the ultimate mortal relief from a build up of inherent tension if you like. Unfortunately short lived as the pleasure of rapture turns into suffering and boredom and inevitably over comes the sense of ecstasy.All our instincts are there for a reason, a purpose - a benefit to the individual or species. If that's true, then what is the purpose of ecstasy? What is the purpose of man's capacity to feel rapture? There is no direct survival benefit of the feelings of pure ecstasy that man feels related to his senses and emotions. Why does man have the capacity to experience extreme ecstasy over the taste or smell of a food, over a touch, over a piece of music, over art? There is no survival benefit from having the capacity for such immense and overwhelming pleasure. If anything an argument could be made for the detriments of our ability to fall into abandon over such elated bliss.
ha...and you think having an orgasm is optional ha....tell that to most of the world men and women...especially the men and see what sort of response you get... [chuckle]You are making the mistake of thinking evolution is purposeful.
It isn't. It doesn't matter if something seems contrary like some members being driven mad.
Its just survive and reproduce. Everything else is optional.
ha...and you think having an orgasm is optional ha....tell that to most of the world men and women...especially the men and see what sort of response you get... [chuckle]