How are we different ?

[rbtvgo]

what is your point??????????????????????
Life is gruel. What are you looking for?
Think as you want. Doing, on the other hand is something different.
Judge the world, as you see it and pontificate on what the problems are, oh hum! another voice of wisdom.................
Or change the world with your own efforts like others have done.
Step in, step up or bottle your wisdom for the next dinner party.
Last post from me.

 

[Vida May]

You have your ire up.....good.
Yes to all your question. the Bible explains all. You have not read it. Don't quote me Lord of the Flies or any other book for that matter. All were produced by the creation, not the creator.

Who created you? where did you come from? Before you could speak someone nursed you, brought you up. Before you knew ANYTHING!

Now you want to debate logic. The meaning of life, why God allows horrific things to happen. Why life is so unfair.
Read the Bible. Don't debate every issue you have a problem with....just read it.

I am not going to debate you on why life is gruel or unfair. I am not going to debate about the things that don't make sense to you or me for that matter. There are things that I question yet I know, believe, and never doubt that God is there and he has my back. I served in Vietnam so I know what that means.
Don't have the answers you are looking for but I suspect that if you do take the time to read the Bible you will be surprised.

Have a good evening

Excuse me was that an explanation of why you do not need to support what you said, "the bible was a book of infinite knowledge" because I am so inferior you do not need to be logical? I think the kind of thinking is behind wars and genocide and denying Native American children their religion and language.

The Bible gives us different laws for slaves and tells us that only Hebrews can not be slaves because of their special relationship with God. The Bible is also very misogynistic and I will back everything I say with quotes from the Bible.

Now do want to tell us what you think is the important knowledge of the Bible?

 

[dilettante]

The Bible is also very misogynistic

This victim mentality is problematic.

I'm no Bible thumper, but an awful lot of it was intended to help societies function. Other religions have very similar lessons and rules to offer.

If anything the societal norms that made it practical for people to live in large groups were also a vast improvement over how "women were treated" in bands of far fewer individuals.

 

[Vida May]

If anything the societal norms that made it practical for people to live in large groups were also a vast improvement over how "women were treated" in bands of far fewer individuals.

I believe Christianity is the product of the Roman Law of Nature. That has nothing to do with the science of nature, but was a legal method that took the laws of different city/states into consideration when making legal decisions. They looked at what the people from different city/states had in common. Christianity is a blend of several competing mythologies beginning with Sumer's story of the creation of humans made to help the river stay in its banks and including the story of a flood and more. If you like this subject perhaps we can start a thread about what religions have in common.

Writing that led to the first written law would also be important to the development of civilizations. There are many interesting things we can talk about, including how Zeus replaced his mother as the most important god and the transition from matriarchies to patriarchies and changes in public buildings that provide a record of this shift.

 

[Vida May]

what is your point??????????????????????
Life is gruel. What are you looking for?
Think as you want. Doing, on the other hand is something different.
Judge the world, as you see it and pontificate on what the problems are, oh hum! another voice of wisdom.................
Or change the world with your own efforts like others have done.
Step in, step up or bottle your wisdom for the next dinner party.
Last post from me.

Good morning, before I answer your wonderful question, I have to tell you how excited I am to discover the Bible is full of math! I was looking for books about math for my great-grandson, and there are many books that use the Bible to explain math, and that makes me think of the cathedrals built with a notion of holy/scarid math. Do you know of this wonderful blending of Christianity and math?

As I see the world, what human beings have achieved is awesome! The Enlightenment happened long before me, and it seems to me obvious that we are much better off with well-educated people than the ignorance of the Dark Ages. Democracy is all about what we can do and many Christian writers give God credit for this but I give the great thinkers of history the credit for this because what we have achieved came from pagans like Pythagoras who believed creation depends on numbers.

If you close people like me out of your life that is not loving your enemy, but the path to another Dark Age, that is what created the Dark Age, closing out the pagans and all the knowledge they had gained over thousands of years in our earliest civilizations. What made those civilizations civil and moved us away from living as animals to living like human beings?

If you want a God you might study all explanations of gods and consider what Joseph Cambell had to say about the gods. He said God spoke to everyone, but people in different regions understood the word differently. I believe the path to truth is knowing more, not knowing less, and being dogmatic.

I don't like the doom and gloom of some Christians- that thinking has repeatedly gotten us misery. I like the Enlightenment and I love our human potential when we enjoy problem solving and have faith in ourselves.

 

[rbtvgo]

Excuse me was that an explanation of why you do not need to support what you said, "the bible was a book of infinite knowledge" because I am so inferior you do not need to be logical? I think the kind of thinking is behind wars and genocide and denying Native American children their religion and language.

The Bible gives us different laws for slaves and tells us that only Hebrews can not be slaves because of their special relationship with God. The Bible is also very misogynistic and I will back everything I say with quotes from the Bible.

Now do want to tell us what you think is the important knowledge of the Bible?

No, I suggest you just read it. The mundane and boring parts. Just read it. When you reach the point where you are bored with the whole thing, keep reading. Go one step further than you would with any novel or book. Like doing 20 pushups and deciding to go for 25.
Just read.

 

[mrstime]

I was going to suggest reading "Lord of the Flies" and I think that in the same circumstances, adults would behave just as the children did.

That was required reading when I was in high school, it was a horrible book I'd never read it again!

 

[Rindee]

Hmm, the biggest worry would be what to eat to survive....for those who did. The Donner Party comes to mind....omg!!

 

[rbtvgo]

Good morning, before I answer your wonderful question, I have to tell you how excited I am to discover the Bible is full of math! I was looking for books about math for my great-grandson, and there are many books that use the Bible to explain math, and that makes me think of the cathedrals built with a notion of holy/scarid math. Do you know of this wonderful blending of Christianity and math?

As I see the world, what human beings have achieved is awesome! The Enlightenment happened long before me, and it seems to me obvious that we are much better off with well-educated people than the ignorance of the Dark Ages. Democracy is all about what we can do and many Christian writers give God credit for this but I give the great thinkers of history the credit for this because what we have achieved came from pagans like Pythagoras who believed creation depends on numbers.

If you close people like me out of your life that is not loving your enemy, but the path to another Dark Age, that is what created the Dark Age, closing out the pagans and all the knowledge they had gained over thousands of years in our earliest civilizations. What made those civilizations civil and moved us away from living as animals to living like human beings?

If you want a God you might study all explanations of gods and consider what Joseph Cambell had to say about the gods. He said God spoke to everyone, but people in different regions understood the word differently. I believe the path to truth is knowing more, not knowing less, and being dogmatic.

I don't like the doom and gloom of some Christians- that thinking has repeatedly gotten us misery. I like the Enlightenment and I love our human potential when we enjoy problem solving and have faith in ourselves.

You don't need anyone, Joseph Cambell included, to explain anything to you. Read for yourself. That's the great thing about a personal relation with God. Just read.
The Bible is not full of math but math figured premonitly in what is expressed. I am a poor servant in explaining who God is and what he is doing.
I know my relationship and I know that anyone who reaches out is going to be astounded with what happens............... if you reach out.

I don't know why else to say. He is real, he is there. You just have to call out??

 

[Paco Dennis]

"If you have the faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain move over there and it will." paraphrase.

 

[Mr. Ed]

How are we different ? Besides the DNA factor, history and circumstances that makes me, me and you, you, there is no difference​

 

[Paco Dennis]

We have different tastes, like in music and food. Yea!

 

[Vida May]

You don't need anyone, Joseph Cambell included, to explain anything to you. Read for yourself. That's the great thing about a personal relation with God. Just read.
The Bible is not full of math but math figured premonitly in what is expressed. I am a poor servant in explaining who God is and what he is doing.
I know my relationship and I know that anyone who reaches out is going to be astounded with what happens............... if you reach out.

I don't know why else to say. He is real, he is there. You just have to call out??

You mean it isn't obvious I read a lot including the Bible?

Amazing, I admit I was wrong about the Bible lacking math, and you want to argue I was right? Why are you doing that? Several books explain the math in the Bible and the construction of cathedrals built with sacred math, and you tell me all I have to do is read? Awe, which one of us isn't reading? Sacred math comes before the writing of the Bible and may I suggest people knew more than what was put in the Bible. There is no way one book can cover all knowledge, and the editors of what goes into the Bible had a purpose and that purpose was very limited.

The way faith works it doesn't matter which god or goddess is worshipped because faith works the same for all notions of gods and goddesses. I totally believe your faith works for you and all the other Christians but so does faith in any god work like placebo medicine works. And I would not argue with you if these beliefs were not problematic and the believers didn't try to force their belief on everyone else. Some very harmful things are happening right now and we need the truth about what causes things to go wrong so we can make better decisions.

 

[Vida May]

"If you have the faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain move over there and it will." paraphrase.

Do you want to prove that? How is that statement justified?

 

[Paco Dennis]

Do you want to prove that? How is that statement justified?

No , it can not be proved, it can only be believed. Many different sects test the strength of their faith. Poisonous snake handlers will dance with rattle snakes to prove their faith. If you get bit and die, you didn't have enough faith.

In the Bible, particularly in Matthew 17:20, Jesus teaches that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. A mustard seed is incredibly tiny, measuring only about 1-2 millimeters in size. Yet, despite its smallness, it has the potential to grow into a large and powerful plant.

This analogy highlights the idea that faith doesn’t need to be grand or overwhelming to have a significant impact. Even a tiny amount of faith, placed in the all-powerful God, can lead to remarkable results. Jesus emphasizes that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we can:

• Command mountains to move, symbolizing the removal of obstacles and challenges in our lives
• Achieve seemingly impossible tasks, as God works through us to accomplish His will

This concept encourages believers to trust God with even the smallest amount of faith, knowing that He is capable of doing immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). By placing our faith in Him, we can experience miraculous transformations and overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Key Takeaways​

• Faith doesn’t need to be large or elaborate to be effective
• Even a small amount of faith, like a mustard seed, can have a profound impact when placed in God
• Trusting God with our smallest faith can lead to remarkable results and the removal of obstacles in our lives

Brave search

 

[Vida May]

No , it can not be proved, it can only be believed. Many different sects test the strength of their faith. Poisonous snake handlers will dance with rattle snakes to prove their faith. If you get bit and die, you didn't have enough faith.

In the Bible, particularly in Matthew 17:20, Jesus teaches that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. A mustard seed is incredibly tiny, measuring only about 1-2 millimeters in size. Yet, despite its smallness, it has the potential to grow into a large and powerful plant.

This analogy highlights the idea that faith doesn’t need to be grand or overwhelming to have a significant impact. Even a tiny amount of faith, placed in the all-powerful God, can lead to remarkable results. Jesus emphasizes that if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we can:

• Command mountains to move, symbolizing the removal of obstacles and challenges in our lives
• Achieve seemingly impossible tasks, as God works through us to accomplish His will

This concept encourages believers to trust God with even the smallest amount of faith, knowing that He is capable of doing immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). By placing our faith in Him, we can experience miraculous transformations and overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Key Takeaways​

• Faith doesn’t need to be large or elaborate to be effective
• Even a small amount of faith, like a mustard seed, can have a profound impact when placed in God
• Trusting God with our smallest faith can lead to remarkable results and the removal of obstacles in our lives

Brave search

Okay, we are not going to move mountains by just thinking about it, but somehow it is good to believe we can? I think that thinking makes people feel like terrible failures when they cannot do the things the Bible tells them they can do. I have been there and done that. I gave it up when I thought maybe I was passed by Satan. We can not believe in one without believing in the other and believing in Satan and demons can be very harmful. Needing proof that we are good enough for God, can be very harmful as you explained.

However, faith is very powerful as placebos are powerful. It does not matter which god a person is worshipping, faith works the same for all.

Srinivasa Ramanujan Aiyangar

[a] (22 December 1887 – 26 April 1920) was an Indian mathematician. Often regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians of all time, though he had almost no formal training in pure mathematics, he made substantial contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions, including solutions to mathematical problems then considered unsolvable. Srinivasa Ramanujan - Wikipedia

Ramanujan could do that because he believed a goddess gave him that power. He also believed it was forbidden to eat meat and that belief led to his premature death.

It is as we think it is.

 

[Paco Dennis]

There was a lady on the Senior Forum for quite awhile who had direct communications with angels. She had a diary where she would post what the angels told her. She faced a lot of doubters, skeptics, and religious people who thought she was a false teacher. She had been around the block and could handle the flack. She was amazing at being so consistant with what the angels said. I don't think I could call what she had "faith". This was real to her, and because of that she had a strong message.

"Gaer" was her handle. She has passed on now. She had left the forum, and someone had heard from somewhere she had died. For me it didn't matter at all "where" she was inspired to write her words. For me they were wonderful, promising, uplifting, and very inspiring words.

 

[Tazx's_better_half]

Suppose we were all on airline going somewhere, maybe west. we crash and the closes land is an uninhabited island. How long would it take before all the differences disappeared and we all worked together ???? This is one thing that sticks in the mind of people who served their country. There was a monument in their lives when all that matter was the person next to them. They never forget that.
So how are we different? and how are we the same?
rbtvgo

There have been several shows that portray a very realistic scenario of what may, and most possibly would happen in such a scenario: Lost, Alive (based on a true story) and I believe they reveal the true and hard realities of how we would behave.

Now, I am not a soldier, and or have I been in any similar situations, so I am not sure what would happen, but based on stories from my husband who served and his military friends -a plane crash and a war battle scenario would play out very differently.

One would like to believe they would all be Jack's - level headed, honest, and work together in order to survive. But, just as in the show "Lost" people start out good, but once the realty of the situation and the stress kicks in your survival instincts kick in - and you may do things you did not know you were capable of- maybe some good and you unharness strength you never thought you had- or bad and your dark side takes over and it's one man against another. I am going with the latter.

You see, I often contemplate with my husband "are people inherently good or bad?" we both have different opinions (mine keeps evolving...I will get to that) and I would say mostly good and that people are doing their best to do the right thing and get by in life- that's when my darn philosophical husband says "but what if the right thing is wrong?!" And gets me thinking...then, hello Covid and he is right.

So then I had to rethink my whole opinion of "are people mostly good vs bad?" and now, since C19, I see just how awful people can be! If this pandemic was a plane crash it would be a nightmare!

Let me explain, in some countries people had to give up their constitutional rights in order to keep their jobs and participate in society. We had people wishing death to others who were questioning the rules and the vax and even so harshly banishing them from their homes, families, and society.

Thankfully, where we were people were level headed and we never experienced the craziness of some other countries (would hope to be on that plane), but in my opinion people still did wrong trying to do right, like wear a mask, and not only themselves, but mask their tiny kids in order to obey- disgusting! I don't want to go on and turn this into a covid rant, but it certainly was a good analogy.

To sum this up - everyone has their own morals, and you don't really know how you react till you experience it. But again, COVID exposed just how 'moral' people really are.

 

[Vida May]

There was a lady on the Senior Forum for quite awhile who had direct communications with angels. She had a diary where she would post what the angels told her. She faced a lot of doubters, skeptics, and religious people who thought she was a false teacher. She had been around the block and could handle the flack. She was amazing at being so consistant with what the angels said. I don't think I could call what she had "faith". This was real to her, and because of that she had a strong message.

"Gaer" was her handle. She has passed on now. She had left the forum, and someone had heard from somewhere she had died. For me it didn't matter at all "where" she was inspired to write her words. For me they were wonderful, promising, uplifting, and very inspiring words.

I appreciate your words. My mind is not totally made up about anything, except faith helps a lot.

I am preparing for death. My time might be a long time off but people around me are dying so I need to respond helpfully. If the person is a Christian I do not oppose that belief as long as the person does not push the religion on me.

Personally, I have been preparing to sit at the big table in the sky long ago. I desire intellectual matters much for than family matters and it would be so embarrassing to be dining with the big names in philosophy and history and be totally ignorant! So I have been cramming information into my head as fast as possible.

If reincarnation is a possibility, I will be well prepared for that. I have notions of previous incarnations and have decided being senile is about preparing for a new life. It wouldn't be a new life if we were overly aware of a previous life. But impressions of a previous incarnation have strongly affected what I think this time around.

Edgar Cayce was a very interesting person with the ability to speak with those who crossed over. He gave people ways to cure their health problems. This is well documented.

I do not have a problem with a person speaking with angels. Zoroastrianism also has demons and angels. Notions of spirits or angels are not exclusive to the God of Abraham religions.

I used to think I had the powers of a medium and I did not like that and asked for it to stop. John Edward is a very impressive medium and there are others.

 

[Vida May]

but mask their tiny kids in order to obey- disgusting!

Wow Would you have surgery with a medical staff that refused to wear masks? Medical staff who could not protect themselves with masks and gowns were not happy people during the first stage of COVID.

I am appalled by our ignorance. I have a 1939 grade school text called "Health Stories- Book One" This was a tough time. People were dying as happens during a pandemic and children were taught how to protect themselves and others from the spread of disease when we did not have medicines to protect people. They were taught the importance of wearing masks.

How did we go from an informed and cooperative public to what we have today?

​

 

[Tazx]

Wow Would you have surgery with a medical staff that refused to wear masks? Medical staff who could not protect themselves with masks and gowns were not happy people during the first stage of COVID.

I am appalled by our ignorance. I have a 1939 grade school text called "Health Stories- Book One" This was a tough time. People were dying as happens during a pandemic and children were taught how to protect themselves and others from the spread of disease when we did not have medicines to protect people. They were taught the importance of wearing masks.

How did we go from an informed and cooperative public to what we have today?

​

First surgical masks are a completely different concept than the mask they told you to wear for covid. What does your magical book say about doctors and masks. Look it up in current health care books. Masks are for the doctor-as he is looking down into a gaping hole in your body as he is performing surgery-to not drop spit from his mouth as he talks and when he asks the surgical nurse for instruments.

It does nothing to stop parasites, bacteria and fungi that are in the air. Look it up. Fauci admitted under oath to congress that. Also, as a vet I took NBC training many many times. Many times clearly and plainly told if something as simple as anthrax or ricin get released no cloth mask or material will protect you. The particles are too small and will pass right through. The only thing that would protect us is a self contained unit with filters and a military grade gas mask. But particles 100 times smaller will get stuck? Yeah right!

You may have a 1939 book, but we are in 2024 now, and the current updated medical books do not say mask prevent airborne infections. Also look up any military testing of masks online and see the results. Even OSHA came out right in the beginning and said masks are useless. You do know the carpenters, drywallers and many areas of construction use masks that seal on the face and have filters attached. Large particles like drywall dust, woodcutting dust go right through, but a particle on the micro/nano scale or smaller won't?

As well informed and cooperative means very different things to you obviously. To you it means listen to the box on tv, and give up your constitutional rights for nothing cause some politician asked you too.

For others it means, research to find out the truth, which is never what the politicians say, then decide if you want to go along and give up your rights or not.

 

[Paco Dennis]

How did we go from an informed and cooperative public to what we have today?

Here is an idea, and it also involves "How are we different.". Wealth inequality. We now have the ultra wealthy controlling everything that the masses do. What we see, hear, touch, eat, and rest. We are now products of the vast propaganda aparatus. Soon, as of this January, we will see the beginnings of a new form of organizing our society. We will not be encouraged to cooperate, except for making payments. Otherwise it is dog eat dog out there and be sure to keep the anger and division going. They don't want to see friendships, organizations for good, or cooperation. It is bad for business. It's the emotions that keep us buying and needing.

I am sure there are differences in people because of the wealth disparity.

 

[Teacher Terry]

Well, there would have been some, who had more sticks in their lean-to than all the other passengers. And part of human DNA is being cantankerous and complaining. That said, I think we are in an era of equality. Gay rights women's rights, Black rights, Latino rights, etc, etc. Racism is no longer fashionable. And globalization is eating away at divisions. A pic of a living room could be from a home in the US, UK, Germany, Columbia, or OZ.
Yet, part of human DNA is being cantankerous and complaining.

Unfortunately racism and misogyny has now become back in fashion. It was hidden not gone and now the current political climate has made it fashionable again. Ugh!!

 

[rbtvgo]

There have been several shows that portray a very realistic scenario of what may, and most possibly would happen in such a scenario: Lost, Alive (based on a true story) and I believe they reveal the true and hard realities of how we would behave.

Now, I am not a soldier, and or have I been in any similar situations, so I am not sure what would happen, but based on stories from my husband who served and his military friends -a plane crash and a war battle scenario would play out very differently.

One would like to believe they would all be Jack's - level headed, honest, and work together in order to survive. But, just as in the show "Lost" people start out good, but once the realty of the situation and the stress kicks in your survival instincts kick in - and you may do things you did not know you were capable of- maybe some good and you unharness strength you never thought you had- or bad and your dark side takes over and it's one man against another. I am going with the latter.

You see, I often contemplate with my husband "are people inherently good or bad?" we both have different opinions (mine keeps evolving...I will get to that) and I would say mostly good and that people are doing their best to do the right thing and get by in life- that's when my darn philosophical husband says "but what if the right thing is wrong?!" And gets me thinking...then, hello Covid and he is right.

So then I had to rethink my whole opinion of "are people mostly good vs bad?" and now, since C19, I see just how awful people can be! If this pandemic was a plane crash it would be a nightmare!

Let me explain, in some countries people had to give up their constitutional rights in order to keep their jobs and participate in society. We had people wishing death to others who were questioning the rules and the vax and even so harshly banishing them from their homes, families, and society.

Thankfully, where we were people were level headed and we never experienced the craziness of some other countries (would hope to be on that plane), but in my opinion people still did wrong trying to do right, like wear a mask, and not only themselves, but mask their tiny kids in order to obey- disgusting! I don't want to go on and turn this into a covid rant, but it certainly was a good analogy.

To sum this up - everyone has their own morals, and you don't really know how you react till you experience it. But again, COVID exposed just how 'moral' people really are.

I really am touched by your response. You are right about most of what you say,
People are both Good and Bad. They can be gracious and then self centered depending on their situation.
David, in the Bible, was such an example. Good and then extremely bad. He wanted Bathsheba so he put her Husband, Uriah, in a position where the likely outcome was that he would be killed. Which he was.
Now it gets really crazy. The lineage of Jesus comes thru David and Bathsheba
Although David suffers the consequence of his sins, God still says he is a man after Gods own Heart. ?????????????????
This can make a person crazy unless you look at God.
Therein lays the basis of understanding both good and bad in us, Gods creation is both as proved by David.. But those who believe in God are tasked with proving that belief by doing what is right. God has no patience for fools. So either do what I command you to do or go your way.
David realized he had sinned primarily against God and he prostrated himself before God with the full realization of where he had failed, (He had sinned against God).
Hence Gods response that David is a man after Gods Own Heart.
There is no perfection here. We are both good and bad. What path do we follow when we are confronted by adversity. Do we grab and scratch for our own welfare or do we sacrifice to provide for those who need help. If you truely believe that God will take care of you then you share and look out for others.
This can go much deeper but I will stop.
Your post was heart felt. I thank you.
bob

 

[rbtvgo]

Excuse me was that an explanation of why you do not need to support what you said, "the bible was a book of infinite knowledge" because I am so inferior you do not need to be logical? I think the kind of thinking is behind wars and genocide and denying Native American children their religion and language.

The Bible gives us different laws for slaves and tells us that only Hebrews can not be slaves because of their special relationship with God. The Bible is also very misogynistic and I will back everything I say with quotes from the Bible.

Now do want to tell us what you think is the important knowledge of the Bible?

yeah.............................................................read it from cover to cover