Is faith a reliable path to knowledge?

Discussion in 'Comparative Religion' started by James R, Jul 23, 2015.

  1. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

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    Those funny pope hats cost a fortune and they don't want to look silly wearing a tin foil hat

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  3. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    Remind me ; what is the title of this thread? Knowledge of what? I am contributing the usually unknown fact that cathedral glass panes contain gold dust.
    Even as they did not know how or why it worked. I explained it and provided a link to "knowledge" associated with the windows in houses of religious faith.
    But if you want to continue in a discussion of spiritual knowledge, be my guest.

    I doubt if you have any knowledge to share in that area. No one else seems to have.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2017
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  5. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    Good point, after all popes need mental protection, just in case the little green aliens want to corrupt the pope's mind and muddle his thoughts, with destructive mental wavelenths of "the Force". Can't be careful enough in these delicate matters...

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  7. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

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    I do have a idea the hat hides a subwoofer and popie has Madonna on while he thinks

    I wonder if she really is a virgin and

    could I get her pregnant with my spirit?

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  8. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    Had any spiritual erotic dreams lately?
     
  9. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

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    Certainly none about Madonna Mary

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  10. Jan Ardena OM!!! Valued Senior Member

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    "Is faith a reliable path to knowledge? "
    The emphasis from James, and the theme of a lot of thinking atheists, is that faith in God, is somehow different from faith that isn't.

    My point is that faith is faith no matter the subject matter.

    Obviously. But what does that have to do with "spiritual displays, or the thread?

    Same as above.

    I'm only interested in your "spiritual displays" claim. I gave some definitions on what is regarded as spiritual, so I can detect whether or not you're on to something.

    I can only assume you have knowledge/information of what is spiritual knowledge, why you would make such a claim (spiritual displays).

    Jan.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2017
  11. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    Yes, context.
    Objectively yes,but there are several types of faith and bases for using that phrase. There has to be context.
    Ahhhhh, that where the spiritual context comes in. Impressive scenes inspire awe and submission, either individually or as a group.
    IMO, spiritual submission is achieved by grandiose display. This can even be found in the mating displays of male contenders in the natural world.
    OK, answering in my terms, the MNS is the library of internal (spiritual) knowledge and cognition of the external world, physically from true observation, but also from apparently true, but false observation , and often from imagination. The trick is to discover which is true.
    That's how optical illusions work, they are designed to fool the cognitive area of the brain and even as we know the illusion is a 2d construct, the mind can imagine a 3D black hole.
    Note that it required motion to create that illusion. Did you try the spinning lady?
    Your mind can make her spin both ways, are we making her spin one way or the other or is she able to do it when we are spiritually receptive?

    I identify these subjective thoughts as individually spiritual. Of course there is the group spirituality of a panicking, stampeding crowd, when some one yells, "fire in the house", or the group extasy when the home team scores a goal.

    Belief has several interpretations and can only be used when the context in which it is used is clear I have thousands of beliefs and when of them agree with the people I meet, I feel a spiritual harlony. Spiritual harmony = Empathy (MNS)
     
  12. Jan Ardena OM!!! Valued Senior Member

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    Can you explain some of these "several types" of faith.

    That violates the definition of "spiritual".
    I would go as far as to say that is the complete opposite of "spiritual", based on definitions.

    That is the fundamental difference between theist and atheist.

    Not sure what is meant by MNS.

    I assume that "the trick is to discover which is true" is neutral, meaning that it is unaffected by the mind which accepts the potentially false observation as true, despite whether the truth is verified or not.

    My questions are, do you use the mind to correct the mind, or can you override the mind, and set it straight, so to speak?
    If the latter, can you explain what takes place?

    Yes. I only see her move clockwise, no matter how long. I stare at it.

    That's why we have such appossing views.

    The thing is, you don't accept my view, but I accept yours.

    That make 's sense from your perspective.

    Jan.
     
  13. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    It is different. Since no effect of god has ever been shown to happen, there is no faith required to disbelieve in the god premise. It's just philosophical naturalism.

    Also, you are probably continuing to hold a false definition of atheism as the belief there is no god. It really means one who doesn't believe in god.
     
  14. Jan Ardena OM!!! Valued Senior Member

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    In philosophy, naturalism is the "idea or belief that only natural (as opposed to supernatural or spiritual) laws and forces operate in the world."

    This is the basis of your belief.

    So it has nothing to do with existence?
    Or is (non) existence merely the reason why you don't believe in God?

    Regarding the definition of atheist, from my perspective, it means "without God".
    As you no doubt probably know by now.

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    Jan.
     
  15. spidergoat pubic diorama Valued Senior Member

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    Yeah, but nothing has yet contradicted it.
    Correct.
    No, god may exist and be hiding.
    Again, you like to harp on this because you assume there is a god to be with, rather than what it really means which is without a belief in god.
     
  16. Jan Ardena OM!!! Valued Senior Member

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    There's nothing to contradict, it is a belief, based on God does not exist as far as you're aware.

    What does it have to do with then?

    Translation: God does noes not exist as far as you're aware.

    You assume there isn't, despite your attempts at being rational.

    Jan.
     
  17. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    1. Take your pick.
    Really, that's why we have we have all the pomp and circumstance in churches?
    No, you are wrong. Spiritual ceremonies are designed to inspire awe and submission to the Ultimate Authority. Just as in nature. Males display their most grand and impressive postures, to impress a potential mate (or convert).
    Mirror Neural System. It is the part of the brain that generates cognition and beliefs. Look it up.
     
    Last edited: May 20, 2017
  18. Jan Ardena OM!!! Valued Senior Member

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    Write4U,

    Did you notice it said 'Definition of faith', then it went on to explain the different situations where one may have faith. Not that they were different types of faith.

    There is pomp and circumstance in non church situations as well. It doesn't mean it is a spiritual gesture. Unless, you believe that splashing out is a spiritual display.
    But it doesn't match.

    Jan.
     
  19. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    hmmmm, here is your question,
    Which I answered by showing different types of faith, with examples.

    What is "splashing out" and what is its purpose?
    Something like showing off to impress others?
    Don't bother, I looked it up, so I can have faith that I get a correct answer.

    And what does "splashing out" has to do with Pomp and Circumstance? Are you talking about babtising?

    I never claimed that pomp and circumstances are exclusive to religions. I merely noted that religious ceremonies use ritual pomp and circumstance. God needs to be properly honored so that the faithful realize the importance of the ceremony, no?

     
    Last edited: May 20, 2017
  20. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    So, you want to discuss non-evidence based faith as a reliable path to *knowledge*?
    Good luck with that.
     
  21. Write4U Valued Senior Member

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    That is actually a profound question from a genetic standpoint.
    If Jesus was an offspring of a spirit, Jesus would have to be a female clone of Mary.

    The Silvery Salamander mates with a male salamander, but is unable to receive the male sperm and all offspring of the Silvery Salamander are female and except for genetic damage, they are all exact clones of the mother. An interesting species.
     
  22. Michael 345 New year. PRESENT is 72 years oldl Valued Senior Member

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    Thank you

    I had not considered the genetic implications of spirit + ova

    I did not know that

    Thanks again

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  23. Jan Ardena OM!!! Valued Senior Member

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    No. You showed different types of scenarios and circumstances where faith can be exercised.


    splash out (sth) UK. — to spend a lot of money on buying things, especially things that are pleasant to have but that you do not need: They splashed out £3,000 on a holiday
    .

    So given the definition of spiritual, why do you regard it as a spiritual display?
    It's a simple question really.

    Jan.
     

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