General Chat

Farewell Eldrick, not always understood all your theories that have been argued about so fiercely in the past but admire your passion.
I have a simple view of life on earth, that is that we are all here for biological reasons only. We are all created in the same way but it is only the circumstances we are born in to that can change our thinking. To me the most important thing in life is to make a difference to others. We are all like flowers some are here to bloom for many seasons that bring beauty to this world and some just whither away.

Take care and hope to see you return in the not too distance future.

Jo :-)

errree are you being sent away on one of them special missions ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

Stumbling blocks? Safety valves more like it :-) Faith in something that doesn't exist and has no trace of existence is a surreal concept to me.

However, the concept of faith is interesting. When the chips are down and the man with the scythe is looming, when you are lying in the mangled wreckage of a car crash, what is it to be. A prayer to Odin or the welcome sight of a team of paramedics.

I have faith in the paramedics, because they are real :-) But I accept that some people really think Odin is real and will save them. He's as good a bet as any of the other 3,000 gods around the world.

Who would the casual observer put his money on?

BTW I think I run out at midnight :-(

Such a shame you're going then..............we could have had a nice long chat about rationality, reason, logic and all those other things which can be a stumbling block to finding faith. ;-)

You only have to look at some of the 'less advanced in knowledge' countries to see many things that can't be understood still being explained as 'miracles' or 'God's will' as it was here until science provided the real answer. I wonder what folk once made of the Northern Lights? I bet there was a god or spirit involved!

It makes more sense to me to consider things we still don't know with an open mind with a view that science will continue to provide answers as knowledge and understanding advance. Why does there have to be an explanation right now? I can see no logic that there has to be a belief if we can't see another explanation either.

God be with you Eldrick :-D

So - cant be explained = god did it?

There is no rational explanation for belief in something for which there is absolutely no evidence whatsoever

Example of something that cannot be explained rationally without having to invoke the supernatural? Struggling at this end, to be honest with you :-)

But more than willing to listen!

Hey Eldrick, my hands aren't over my ears nor my eyes for that matter. It's just really difficult to explain belief to those who are so dead set against it :-(


I don't have a problem with NASA or science or reasoning or proof or facts etc...but I do know that not everything in this world can be explained in a rational manner.


That's what makes things fun! ;-)

Its more of a circus than an election. If it wasn't so serious it would be an absolute farce. How anyone, let alone a politician hoping for election, can make his religion inspired comments about rape victims and pregnancy is way beyond my understanding. And Mitt whathisface being a bishop in one of the strangest cults ever manufactured.

Sadly, it typifies the bizarre world of American politics where religious fundamentalism and weird beliefs hold sway over rational sensible people. It's scary stuff. Thank god for NASA.

I know you're going to stay or at least return quickly ...how can you possibly resist being here to comment on the US election? :-D

The component parts - neutrons, electrons and protons were all present at the time of the big bang and very quickly - the blink of an eye in astronomical terms - formed into the familiar atoms that we recognise as apart of the building blocks of all matter. I didn't say atoms were formed at the time of the big bang - I said they were formed at the time the universe was formed. I stand by that, as does almost every scientist in the world. It's a matter of semantics. The universe formed after the big bang. So I'm not wrong. I'm totally right :-)

With regard to man destroying atoms etc, you forget to mention the influx of atoms from space debris such as asteroid and metor incursions, which is of much greater significance than the man made destruction of atoms.

We do not know the reason why the big bang happened, but we do know that it had nothing to do with a supernatural being. People may choose to believe that, but only because they either dont want to look at the evidence or are incapable of doing so. It sits comfortably with many people to ascribe supernatural influences to things they dont understand. Thats why Odin is no more unbelievable than any other belief system invented. It's all total nonsense. It's a common trait worldwide. When the going gets tough, the supernatural devotees can just say -'It's gods will' or 'Allah is all merciful and powerful' or 'Og is the creator'. Not one of them is any better or more believable than the other and they are all totally wrong. Saying 'God did it' then putting their hands over their ears is all the faithful can come up with in support of their argument. To speak in absolute terms about some deity being eternal or all powerful or omniscient without providing a reason or explanation is just a debate stopper. It's not open, unfortunately for the believers, to say 'Just because it is' any more. We have moved on as a species from blind unthinking uncritical faith. Thank God.

I too am sorry that Eldrick has gone. I should like to point out, however, that what he said about atoms being created at the start of the universe is just not true.

According to the Internet atoms were not formed until about 377,000 years after the start of the big bang

The Sun and other start started off as mostly hydrogen atoms and have been destroying them since then releasing energy and creating mostly Helium atoms. Thanks to supernovae more complex elements have been formed.

His statement about atoms on Earth being reused is basically correct and most atoms on the Earth have been around since it was formed.

On the Earth radioactive isotopes of elements gradually decay into other isotopes of other elements until the finally become stable isotopes. Also man has created and destroyed a huge number of atoms, although insignifant in terms of the size of the Earth.

I suppose "Hagar the Horrible" is your Grandad Then, :-D :-D :-D :-D

hmmm

I swear my manyxgreat-grandparents from the Orkney Islands are in my genetic memory!

might explain why I have a stone circle in the garden lol :-D

and why I have a "Helga" hat (a viking one with horns!) lolol It fits me!

:-D :-D :-D

Hmmm, on that basis I suppose 'matter' didn't have to be created either and could be eternal too.

Scozz, that would be an interesting topic. The new things being learned about genetics is fascinating.

That's a shame Scozz, that would have been an interesting topic :-D

Annx, by definition, God was not created, He is eternal. Very complicated issue and lots of points raised if you google. :-D


Cx

So now i know that I'm an atom, that explains a lot and
why i never entered into the conversations Eldrick had
on some controversial subjects because of the barbarian
in me..... :-)

Emma

I never got around to asking Eldrick for his opinion on "genetic memory"

:-D
:-D

Well its goodbye from him,

but i'm sure he'll be back
take care Eldrick, and may your God go wirh You.........and your Lab!

Bob