SO LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT. This server thing understood a command I never gave and now it is refusing to fulfill it or something to that effect. Wait a second! Run that one by me again. Who is this blankety-blank server that he, she or it can refuse commands? If this was my kid acting in this manner you can be sure privileges would be taken away.
Truth be told I love all of this technology we now have. It’s so hard to believe something called a cell phone is now a computer you can hold in your hand with no wires connected to it. Incredible! While I still don’t understand the terminology I am proud of myself in that I no longer think HTML is Hotmail or that Java is coffee. Not to mention that Jquery is not a new line of trendy clothes nor is J2ee a new shoe size. Yes, I have come a long way in just a few years.
Science! Science with its discoveries of new planets that may have life on them (no I am not referring to the Oval Office) to new advances in medical science it is all so exciting and positive. Scientists are some of our brightest minds. Given all the research they do on a host of topics I reckon they can figure out anything including how the earth was formed along with how they think life began.
IT/Tech people are also some of the brightest minds you can find. There isn’t a program they can’t develop. “Bugs” present only minimal problems as do most anything that has to do with computers. The work they do is truly remarkable. When it comes to people or relationships they get a little uneasy since you can’t push buttons to make everything work the way it should.
Now here’s the problem that I have as well as others have with the above which is to say they have no use for religion. Religion to them is just a bunch of nonsense that was taught to you by your parents who were taught by their parents ions ago. There is nothing to support anything that religion teaches.
Things like sanctity of life (sorry Planned Parenthood) in addition to all the positive values especially the ones the three major religions teach you is outdated, irrelevant or just plain good fiction story writing. It simply is not true or have any basis for truth in it. Could they then explain where the concept of honoring your parents, not stealing or killing, etc. came from?
I am not ashamed to admit that I am a firm believer in religion (aka religious person) in addition to living life as my faith commands me to do. In other words, I BELIEVE IN G-D! It is G-d that gave people the impetus to explore beyond what is seen. Where else could we have developed all that we have developed if it were not from the will of G-d.
Little doubt exists in my mind that male to female intimacy which is how life is created is not foreign to the scientific or tech community as they are both respectively known as. Yet how there was one man and one woman who were created and formed by G-d were taught how to create more life?
The theory that man came from apes is the one that scientists and evolutionists hold to the most. When it comes to answering the question as to where apes came from they struggle to come up with anything that even remotely sounds plausible.
Our world is becoming increasingly violent. Our world is developing in ways none of us thought was possible. Our world needs something that gives us a foundation to build on. Our world needs a system of values (for my tech friends we can also use the word codes) that gets passed on from generation to generation.
No, I am not a religious fanatic who goes around trying to convert or force people to believe as I along with other religious people do. If anything there is every encouragement to think independently. Many religious philosophers/commentators while never waivering nor deviating from the core practices/beliefs of their faiths had independent interpretations of various laws or passages.
We recognize, respect in addition to appreciating what the hard work of these professionals have given us. It is quite unfortunate that significant numbers of people in this genre neither respect nor recognize (or perhaps choose not to recognize) that above all it is our creator who makes what they do possible.
As far as that sever that won’t fulfill my command I think I am going to have to speak to his parents so they can correct this inappropriate behavior. Wait, I forgot there are no parents to speak to. So how is it that this thing acts as it so desires despite what it was programmed to do? Let’s just attribute this to a higher being who controls everything.
And so the gap widens… If you know how to use language you know how to use the ‘weapon.’ more powerful than all the dollars in paper.
Yes some questions are best left unanswered – this does not mean ignored. I do not think this topic should be defined, but I agree that one has to believe in something or else they will fall for everything.
To build on this from literature contained in one of those key sources mentioned which you probably have more knowledge in than I do:
Obedience is better than sacrifice, but how dare a creation decide on behalf of their (not the) Creator what it is for ‘someone else.’ They’re usurping the authority of the Creator’s energy by creating them and using the power of G-d, with the weapon of language to manipulate and control free will by trying to spread their message throughout the world under and ‘selling it’ as being an agent of G-d, 1 MAN and creating disciples – and so the legacy of manipulation lives, well outlives a man’s sojourn on this planet.
As one leading religious record states: “Man was created in G-d’s image. Not likeness.”
What scares a lot of anti-science people is the question: “am I real or machine to the purpose?” DNA is code, machine programing is code – it can be traced to a writer.
Ancient history suggests the first written records are in Hieroglyphics, than Aramaic supposedly. I think this is incorrect if you understand symbolism or creation or the law of covenants. The first symbolism was evidence of patterns that we today create. Like a face — similarities between a supposed inferior life form such as a prime mate, an ape, or humanoid versus using the power in language — do we relate with the symbol of a monkey? Relative to our *DNA* Science says 98%, but what’s the value of 1%? Does my great parent’s and I differ by DNA? Maybe by 1%, them and that monkey – 97%? So then – 100% is relative not a limit… Creation did not mention ape, but it did mention: beast, fish, bird and Man in G-d’s image – then – out of man woman and therein the power of creation.
Latin is the most descriptive language – and the etymology of Greek symbolism. Often in English the meaning is lost depending on the interpretation…
The question, if yours and another’s G-d is the same, Language was the same, a G-d broke the tower of babble which broke communication transparency and provided opportunity to interpret and judge morality but never know for sure… The intention contradicts the ideology of I AM.
The scare is symbolism. There’s a thought of certain writings in well known writings rumored to be missing… What about those added? During the Catholic rebellion/movement/development Roman symbolism was integrated with the Creator and G-d deity… Romans had more than 1 G-d, Torah and the ‘new’ Testament speak of ‘other’ G-d’s. “I Am,” Does not mean Alpha and Omega because eternity would not exist by using the symbol of Omega…
If we look at the first writing in the old, referenced to the latest addition:
1 The word in the Beginning – Creator
2 The power of the Creator materialized from word to G-d
3 G-d used his Power to speak creation and man.
4 G-d gave his power to man by dominion in the innocence of creation –
pure (independent free will and ability to learn)
5 And from day 7 of G-d’s creation, it was said to be good.
So then if one tries to redefine or be better, the question arises:
“Whose stronghold do I smash? Am I smashing myself by manipulating or am I following a purpose by using the power of G-d to influence smashing the immoral g-ds created that are contrary to mine…?”
Who is my Creator, my alpha point 1?
And so the gap widens… Economics had a Father in literature, Adam Smith.
He symbolized it, as a social science. Defined it as a problem by unlimited
wants with limited resources varying. And then went on to provide the measure as competition with yourself and collaboration with your resources GOVERNED by an “invisible hand.”
My take on this is not all that complicated – seeing religion as the sole dominion of good and right is the danger of falling for everything, or assuming you are entitled royalty. This is not an expression of belief, but an act of following.
Jared, You continue to impress me with your intelligence along with your superb written communications skills. I am not quite sure I understand your comments but enthusiastically welcome them. In the grand scheme of things do you ascribe do any religion or religious beliefs? Your beliefs are your own and NOBODY has the right to tell you that your beliefs are wrong. As usual I only ask questions to keep the dialogue moving.
Thank you for your kind words Joel. I put forward a few contrasts earlier, I know first-hand how complicated we can make it.
To answer your question, I would not say I ascribe to any religion. In Today’s society religion is the accepted measure for everything when most people barely understand what it is they profess to believe in.
Looking at the past, history was formed by wars and the men who fought in them. Somehow religion was used as a tool of propaganda and a reason to justify taking life during these periods. In the grand scheme of things, always with a political agenda.
I have to admit while this is a topic of interest for me, I am far from an expert. However from the few I am familiar with I think the Law of Moses is an excellent guide to a lifestyle. Of course not all 613 laws are applicable to everyone, and neither is there a sure meaning behind all – but overall the preservation of life, the emphasis on fellowship, community, and family – there is much to learn from this.
Ironically the story of Moses, and Noah for that matter has Babylonian roots as well.
Jared, Much of religion is hard to understand which is why we are required to study and learn as much as we can about our laws, etc. so we can have a clearer understanding of the how’s and why’s of what we do. Not everything makes perfect sense so we accept that which we cannot understand and accept that G-d has a reason behind them. In the three major religions killing another human except for self-defense is not allowed. You have a good understanding of religion as you illustrate in the last sentence of your next to last paragraph in your response. You admit not to ascribing to any religion (nothing wrong with that) but which (if any) of religions principles or practices do you follow or most make sense to you. Thank you as always for your brilliant commentary.
I completely agree with you Joel. Most certainly nothing always makes perfect sense, there’s always an opportunity to learn.
While the three major religions may forbid taking another life… There’s certain casts in one that believe there’s a set apart war where you’ll be rewarded for participating, another has an idea of a great war – one to end the world as we know it with the promise of paradise or eternal punishment. The concept of war has an uncanny ability to be adopted as a cause to promote. I guess having a side to fight for gives one a sense of belonging.
Finally the one I agree with – an eye for an eye. Not to say that’s cast in stone but with an intentional act to cause harm, there should be an appropriate consequence. If I could change a law in my environment it would be reinstating the ultimate penalty for rapists, pedophiles, and crimes against humanity.
Thank you for being open to my choice when it comes to religion. To clarify I am definitely not an atheist. I believe I have a Creator. Despite the arguments, concepts in dispute and the accusation of Law being a curse of bondage, I would rather choose this than a misconception of freedom which does not accepts immorality. Like we established and you referenced in your article I believe one should have a code to live by – I think the Commandments are a solid foundation (don’t murder…) and the Laws which teach ideas like the tithing to the widow, orphan, and fatherless etc… is a good code to live by.
Jared,
Believe or not some of your beliefs qualify you as a religious person. To be religious it does not mean you always attend a s ervice, but you ascribe to a higher moral code of behavior that in conjunction with caring about others and trying to help others are major components. You also understand and to a point agree with some of the laws. As far as being open to your choices when it come to religion that is one of our laws in that we do not try convert people or pass judgement if their beliefs do not coincide with ours. Of course there are some murdering, violent cultures who need to have their whole worlds turned around.