Everyone on this forum is on a voyage of self discovery. Requirements include introspection, humility and openness to consider the experience of those we have gathered with.
Yes. Gabriel just doesn't understand that.
Everyone on this forum is on a voyage of self discovery. Requirements include introspection, humility and openness to consider the experience of those we have gathered with.
I agree and that really would be a ridiculous claim. I'm beginning to think everybody on the forum should be required to take a series of courses on comparative mythology! ......... Of course, I am only joking on the courses ... I make a general rule not to expect too much from an Internet Forum. If I did, I would be constantly let down by some of the frequent portrayals of Christianity I come across
And add to that some practical courses such as (select one or more) :My goodness, that is a relief - I am trying to think what other courses might be necessary if we went down that path:
Physics, up to at least non-relativistic quantum mechanics.
Statistical interpretation of data
World mythology and comparative religion
Neurology
Computer science
The chemistry and mode of action of the entheogens
Cosmology
Normal and abnormal psychology (Irreducible Mind, etc)
Plus about 50 other courses that Sciborg-S-Patel and LoneShaman would suggest!
Then there would be the membership examinations..................
David
I hardly ever post on comments although I listen intently to all the podcasts. I have a real wish to believe there is more than just this life as I lost my dear wife to Pancreatic cancer 4 years ago. Howard sounded very genuine but I always feel sceptical when people say they have spoken to Jesus. Why does he not have some insights learnt from Jesus that could convince us that his experience was truly real and transformative. I am a doubting Thomas but I do believe in the saying that extraordinary claims need extraordinary evidence.
Funny thing is, I've always seen this as an advantage (though it may not appear so from reading many of the posts on this forum and elsewhere). My argument is, if you come from a scientific background, you should be skilled in reasoning things out for yourself. (I'm using "you" in the general sense here, not meaning any specific person). This gives a person the ability to figure things out for themselves, rather than depending upon experts to do it for them. For example, when I had various experiences of apparent telepathy, I asked myself, "am I fooling myself", "am I just deluded" and many questions of that type. But having a strong scientific background, I felt confident of my own ability to make my own judgements on these matters. Still, I'm rambling a bit now, feel free to ignore or take with a pinch of salt what I write.Coming from a scientific background and agnostic / materialistic worldview it is such a leap to believe this.
Thanks Typoz and Dmitch for your posts, I have been open to personal spiritual experience but have not been fortunate enough to have one and I did listen to Julie Beishel's episode and have since done some further research on her work and also Dr Gary Schwartz's work. I have also been to a medium myself and she was able to tell me the name of my wife and what she died from within a few minutes without any fishing around. However how can we be sure that this is not some form of mental telepathy rather than real contact with a departed soul. Coming from a scientific background and agnostic / materialistic worldview it is such a leap to believe this. It is so easy to remain skeptical. However Alex's podcasts have brought me a lot of comfort and opened my eyes to the possibility we do not cease at death, I am just not sure - yet.
Plus about 50 other courses that Sciborg-S-Patel and LoneShaman would suggest!
David
I hardly ever post on comments although I listen intently to all the podcasts. I have a real wish to believe there is more than just this life as I lost my dear wife to Pancreatic cancer 4 years ago. Howard sounded very genuine but I always feel sceptical when people say they have spoken to Jesus. Why does he not have some insights learnt from Jesus that could convince us that his experience was truly real and transformative. I am a doubting Thomas but I do believe in the saying that extraordinary claims need extraordinary evidence.
Funny thing is, I've always seen this as an advantage (though it may not appear so from reading many of the posts on this forum and elsewhere). My argument is, if you come from a scientific background, you should be skilled in reasoning things out for yourself. (I'm using "you" in the general sense here, not meaning any specific person). This gives a person the ability to figure things out for themselves, rather than depending upon experts to do it for them. For example, when I had various experiences of apparent telepathy, I asked myself, "am I fooling myself", "am I just deluded" and many questions of that type. But having a strong scientific background, I felt confident of my own ability to make my own judgements on these matters. Still, I'm rambling a bit now, feel free to ignore or take with a pinch of salt what I write.
People can be genuine and simply wrong can't they? I find it difficult to reach a conclusion just based on the word of others. A good friend of mine who I consider to be truthful, rational and sensible has experienced the most amazing phenomena, which if I had shared them would be conclusive proof of survival for me. Nevertheless despite this, although I do not doubt their experiences, I cannot conclude we survive based on their testimony (though I would say for me it is proved on the balance of probabilities).
I'm the opposite. I believe everything everyone tells me, because what the hell difference does it make? .
That's the nugget for me Doug, although there's nothing to scientifically connect telepathy with deceased persons. It does require that consciousness has to be something more for telepathy to occur. On a philosophical level, telepathy implies another dimension to time-space, since they do not impose a barrier. Telepathy also presupposes a psychic factor exists in nature and implies a fundamental union between minds. Its not a far stretch from telepathy to consciousness existing outside the body.
I suggest you may want to go back to your medium (they sound like the real deal) and ask her a question that you do not know the answer. You may request your wife to tell you something about herself or a relative, that you can check out later.
I've never been to a medium, maybe someone here can make other suggestions.
Hi Doug - I don't think you quoted me there - I think it is DMitch's comment. I dunno how my name got attached to that.I wish I could go back to her but sadly she has since died. At the time I was convinced but the passage of time leads to doubts. I agree that some bit of information that I would not know But could confirm later would be a clincher. Regrettably at the time I did not think to ask such a thing.
sorry about that, you are rightHi Doug - I don't think you quoted me there - I think it is DMitch's comment. I dunno how my name got attached to that.
It's not often I hear that.sorry about that, you are right
I'm inclined to ignore this comment but... Could you please explain to me what that line of skeptical questioning and an ability for reason has to do with having a scientific background, in contrast to say, a background in philosophy or a background in dishwasher repair? How does one need to be trained for something that's an innate tendency of any human over six years old?