Selling You Snake Short

[Nuzum1978]

Science is all theory, but most theory is highly supported with experimental data, that's different.
Belief in souls is something I BELIEVE in. It is an untestable hypothesis at the moment, not a theory. It has no evidence backing it up, it is purely an opinion.

This may be the most open minded and honest thing I've ever heard from anyone with a spiritual slant.

[DarkSean]

In my eyes, you're just as offensive as the OP because you're trying to force your beliefs on anyone who disagrees with you.

That goes to anyone who's continuing to state that animals do or do not have souls as if it were fact!
Also, if you knew much of anything about science at all, you would know that nothing is ever proven in science. You'll never hear a true scientist say they have 'proven' something. Everything is made of hypotheses, which can then form theories with large amounts of supporting evidence.

You can't prove that, and I can't prove that we have a soul. No one can even make a theory out of either. BOTH are opinions, but learn to respect others' opinions if you want yours to be respected at all.

I stated how I feel about it, my opinion. I didn't say you have to agree with it.

Also if you find posts like this offensive, you are far to oversensitive.

[Quiet Tempest]

In my eyes, you're just as offensive as the OP because you're trying to force your beliefs on anyone who disagrees with you.

That goes to anyone who's continuing to state that animals do or do not have souls as if it were fact!
Also, if you knew much of anything about science at all, you would know that nothing is ever proven in science. You'll never hear a true scientist say they have 'proven' something. Everything is made of hypotheses, which can then form theories with large amounts of supporting evidence.

You can't prove that, and I can't prove that we have a soul. No one can even make a theory out of either. BOTH are opinions, but learn to respect others' opinions if you want yours to be respected at all.

I don't think they meant their post to be taken in a matter-of-fact sense. They stated their opinion. Hence the "I believe" portion of the post.

My understanding of death basically falls in line with what DarkSean said. I do not believe in an afterlife and I believe that when our bodies die, there is simply blackness/emptiness much like I imagine it must have been before I was conceived. There have been many studies held regarding near death experiences to explain the participants' experiences. There was a study earlier this month that suggested that the lights and feelings of euphoria involved in a near death experience may be a result of heightened levels of CO2 and potassium in the body. I'm inclined to more readily accept such rational explanations than just blindly accept the notion of souls, an afterlife, gods, angels, demons, Good, Evil, etc.

[mr. s]

It is interesting that many people who do not "believe", to put it loosely, assume that all those that DO believe have not made an educated decision about it. It is often thought that "believers" are basing their lives on a whim, tradition, or an inability to accept death or other unknowns. Although these reasons may be the root of some peoples belief, I like to think that those who believe do not have an average IQ lower than the unbelievers, nor vice-versa. It is interesting that the deepest thinkers and smartest individuals, scientists, philosophers, etc, etc, do not necessarily sit on one side of the fence nor the other.

Has anybody else found this to be the case?

[xdeus]

It is interesting that the deepest thinkers and smartest individuals, scientists, philosophers, etc, etc, do not necessarily sit on one side of the fence nor the other.

Has anybody else found this to be the case?

From what I've seen, most people devoted to science are either atheists or agnostic. Here's a link that confirms what I've seen, only 7% of scientists in the poll believe in a god.

[musicalKeyes]

As a Christian, I think that science just helps to explain belief. Probably controversial, but there is a lot of "evidence" that backs up any theory you can think of, and through my reading of the topic I've yet to find anything that convinces me otherwise. If there was evidence, it wouldn't be called faith. That being said, I'm regularly disgusted by the actions of some of my fellow "Christians." God is supposed to be about love, not hate. That also being said, I would never try to force my beliefs on someone else. It only leads to arguments and hate and harsh words, and that is not what my religion is supposed to be about.

To assume, however, that I did not make an educated choice is rude and ignorant. It isn't just religious people that can be close-minded. There are good and bad people in every group, whether by color or creed, and it important not to judge the whole based on a few.

[mr. s]

From what I've seen, most people devoted to science are either atheists or agnostic. Here's a link that confirms what I've seen, only 7% of scientists in the poll believe in a god.

Interesting study. It raises several questions.

Who was behind the study? What were the motives?
How do those numbers compare internationally?
What is the understanding of agnostic? (I've always thought of it as not subscribing to a God which is described by any religion, which would put the % of believers closer to 30%, which I will admit is fairly higher than I had thought).
Is this the common trend of the population? (I often think that if people were honest with themselves, this number would be very regular).
What is the prevailing attitude of scientists between non/believers? Is there pressure to separate oneself from religion to establish greater credibility perhaps?
Finally, a big question is asked, are non-believers more attracted to science or is science making them non-believers?

Thank you for the link.
I feel like I should not pursue this topic however, as I don't think this is really the place to be doing so.

Edit: Haha, I just realized what your name is, xdeus. Looks like your opinion is clear, and quite passionate.

[WingedWolfPsion]

I'll also point out that it's unnecessary to believe in 'god' in order to believe in life after death or the soul.

The main point is that it doesn't matter--it's irrelevant to the primary point. The soul has nothing to do with emotional capability, that's purely biological.

So, god, religion, whatever--doesn't matter. Snakes have emotions because their brains have active emotional centers.

[Mike Schultz]

Ball pythons are rocks that eat rats

[xdeus]

Thank you for the link.
I feel like I should not pursue this topic however, as I don't think this is really the place to be doing so.

Edit: Haha, I just realized what your name is, xdeus. Looks like your opinion is clear, and quite passionate.

You bring up some interesting questions, but you're right as far as this not being the place to discuss this topic. If you'd like to pursue this discussion with others we have a hidden forum called the Quarantine Room where we place all of the controversial threads. If you don't have access to it, please send a message to an Admin and they will hook you up.

Oh, and kudos for seeing the connection with my user name. I think you were probably the first, or at least the first one to mention it. It was actually more of a joke then any kind of statement. I'm really not very passionate about it or at least vocal about my opinions. I've found that these types of discussions can get very heated, but rarely have any affect one way or another.