The Passion of Christ

by **-HaVoC-** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 1:22 pm

Originally posted by C. Murgatroyd
Umm, no. He didn't directly work on the bomb. His theories were employed in the development of the bomb - yes, but so were the theories of Newton. So is that to say that Newton also invented the atomic bomb?

J. Robert Oppenheimer was the man directly behind the bomb - he and a team of scientists - a team which did not include Albert Einstein. I don't really understand where the misconception that he was somehow directly involved in the development of the bomb began. There was a point in which Oppenheimer wrote him a letter for advice - and Einstein's reply was somewhere along the lines that his conscious would never allow him to assist on such a project and that his goal was to further the advancement of atomic energy as beneficial rather than destructive to mankind.

Have you ever studied quantum theory, or physics on an advanced level? You can certainly understand what he was talking about - the fabric of existance is so complex and mysterious that one could easily begin to suspect that there is some sentient being that is behind it all. What would be even more amazing is if it somehow created itself.

We could go on and on debating how existance came to be, whether or not there is in fact some infinite intelligence somewhere behind it all - but isn't it enough to just simply appreciate and admire the beauty of it all?

I wish most could just appreciate the beauty of it all, but they feel the need to define it and put a stamp on it. I mean if we can't define it or understand it then it remains an unknown, and ignorance creates fear. The fact remains we simply don't know and that scares the hell out of people.

What I find utterly repulsive is the arrogance of organized religous folks to believe they have discovered the one true answer, and that the rest of us will pay with our souls for ignoring their insight.

Hey if ya latched onto something that makes you feel happy that's wonderfull. I would just appreciate it if my soul could be spared the burdon of their specualtion.

by **Murgatroyd** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 1:49 pm

Originally posted by -HaVoC-
I wish most could just appreciate the beauty of it all, but they feel the need to define it and put a stamp on it. I mean if we can't define it or understand it then it remains an unknown, and ignorance creates fear. The fact remains we simply don't know and that scares the hell out of people.

What I find utterly repulsive is the arrogance of organized religous folks to believe they have discovered the one true answer, and that the rest of us will pay with our souls for ignoring their insight.

Hey if ya latched onto something that makes you feel happy that's wonderfull. I would just appreciate it if my soul could be spared the burdon of their specualtion.

I couldn't agree with you more.

I'm comfortable with the fact that we don't know - and I find that fact more enlightening than anything. But some people are frightened of that - and more so, scared of death. I've worked for years to come to terms with the fact that one day I may very well cease to exist, and I've become content with that fact - I think that will indulge me into the epitome of laziness - nonexistance!

I don't like people imposing their beliefs on me (or others) - or threatening me with some horrendeous fate should I dare to defy their doctrine. That's not to say that I don't want to hear about other people's beliefs - anything from which I can attain wisdom or knowledge I am more than willing to hear.

It's all about peaceful coexistance - if you look at the fabrics of the major religions, that's the basis. Rules to peacefully coexist with your neighbors. I think when governments, religions, or whoever begin micromanaging people's lives that it becomes a problem.

by **Colonel Ingus** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 2:40 pm

HaVoC I couldn't agree with you more.

by **SavageParrot** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 3:00 pm

Originally posted by C. Murgatroyd

It's all about peaceful coexistance - if you look at the fabrics of the major religions, that's the basis. Rules to peacefully coexist with your neighbors. I think when governments, religions, or whoever begin micromanaging people's lives that it becomes a problem.

Yep I don't know why they have to get so worked up about minor differences when their common ground is so much greater, glad to see some people here make sense (Personal opinion, as I'm sure you all feel you make sense). :beer:

by **Major SONAR** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 3:08 pm

by Havoc:

I wish most could just appreciate the beauty of it all, but they feel the need to define it and put a stamp on it. I mean if we can't define it or understand it then it remains an unknown, and ignorance creates fear. The fact remains we simply don't know and that scares the hell out of people.

That is exactly why some people turn to religion (i.e. God), because they are afraid of dying and it gives them peace to believe there is something greater than themselves.

What I find utterly repulsive is the arrogance of organized religous folks to believe they have discovered the one true answer, and that the rest of us will pay with our souls for ignoring their insight.

There are people out there like that, then on the other hand there are people who truly believe they have found something wonderful and they want to share it with others.

Hey if ya latched onto something that makes you feel happy that's wonderfull. I would just appreciate it if my soul could be spared the burdon of their specualtion.

It's a free country and I feel you have the right to believe whatever you want (or not to believe). That's what makes this country great! I know what you're saying about people pushing their religious beliefs... why can't we just all get along??

by **PudriK** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 4:28 pm

For a moment, I thought this thread was dead...

Religion is a funny thing, in that it brings out the best and worst of humanity. Most religions have at their root common values to which we all should aspire. But as religions are institutionalized, beaurocratized, and mythologized, it creates rifts that have been used to justify some of the most horrendous actions in history. And while sometimes the use of religion for nefarious purposes has been conscious, much evil has been performed by people who truly believed they were doing the "Lord's work."

This applies equally to secular beliefs as well... right now our soldiers are killing terrorists because they believe that what they are doing is right (at the least, because it is right to do their duty). Whether their actions are good or not is another topic, entirely... (please, let's just leave it at that for now.)

On a different point you made, you might be interested in the parallels that have been drawn between Quantum Mechanics and eastern religions, such as Taoism and Buddhism. Several books have been written on this subject, but I don't feel like getting into it here.

I agree with all of you, we should be able to appreciate the world without having to ascribe unprovable assertions to it. But we should always seek greater understanding of our world. (After all, without an understanding of electronics, we wouldn't be having this discussion, or playing BF! We'd have to run around a field yelling "bang!")

Personally I find it much less valuable to be concerned with the mythology of religion than incorporating their various teachings. Christianity teaches (if not always practices) universal love and forgiveness. These are values which I have found to be very valuable in my life, and which I think benefit society. It always amazes me that the devout are often the most intolerant, unforgiving, let-God-sort-em-out type of people.

The modern challenge to society is to learn how to incorporate the common values of religion while tolerating differing mythologies--especially the conflict between secular and religious values. The French idea of enforcing tolerance through mono-culturalism is not the answer--it's more like persecution of religion by a "secular religion." Instead, what is required is that religions drop their emphasis on social values, and focus on communal (members) and personal values.

by **flapjack** » Thu Mar 04, 2004 7:24 pm

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Christianity teaches (if not always practices) universal love and forgiveness. These are values which I have found to be very valuable in my life, and which I think benefit society.

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Instead, what is required is that religions drop their emphasis on social values, and focus on communal (members) and personal values.
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Interesting...

by **PudriK** » Fri Mar 05, 2004 1:03 am

Ah the dangers of using the same word. What I mean is... religious institutions need to emphasize having their members and communities practice the values they preach, and not force government to pass laws based on their morality. Not as a law, but as a value, I think love and forgiveness are good ideas to follow.

Of course, it isn't really that simple, since laws must be based on some common agreement of morality, which will always be as source of animated dialog. But in the same way that I get tired of religious individuals telling me how to live, I get tired of religious institutions telling society how to live.

by **Slaughter** » Sun Mar 07, 2004 12:29 am

I saw it tonight 3/6/04.......I agree with the first post awesome, movie, a good betrayal of jesus dying for our sins, period. Look for it to be release again for oscar time!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mel Gibson my hero

by **SavageParrot** » Sun Mar 07, 2004 5:26 am

Originally posted by Slaughter

Mel Gibson my hero

You need help, I think there mucht be a cream for that.

by **Slaughter** » Sun Mar 07, 2004 12:39 pm

there is NICE!!!!!!!!!!

The Passion of Christ

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