I wanted to ask about prayer, just to be sure.

When I was diagnosed the first thing I did was to learn about doctor-assisted suicide.

Because of some very painful, early-life trauma I barely was able to find the will to continue.

I'm not sure it was me who decided to continue trying. I'm pretty sure you understand what I am saying.

I sure do.
From the moment each of us is born..it is written in our 'book', as to our lifes events..and when we will die..and only God knows that.

Amen,

... not a sparrow falls to the ground ...

I only pray to the one true lord on pasta tuesdays.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/e...jpg?1241373617

Carry on with your cult talk.

"truth" and religion are like parallel lines, in that they never, ever intersect.

so i don't really understand the point of your thread.

additionally, please explain how disagreeing with your christian belief system, and pointing out the irrationality of christianity (and all other religions) is an "attack"?

you seem to have gone through some traumatic events recently. my condolences. since you seemed to have survived, by your own efforts, as well of those medical personnel who assisted you, i would think you might wonder what the supernatural had to with any of it?

^^^ Stuck in Euclid while the world moves with Riemann.

My point in that first post was that given the fact that human life cannot be completely built on rational principles and my agreement with your that some irrationalities simply accepted by us are necessary, and your commitment to Christian religious irrationalities, what is your view of other religious irrationalities? It appears that religious irrationalities are accidents of history and ethnicity (as opposed to scientific irrationalities which reach beyond the ethnic group). Do you think Chilcutt's religion is the equal of your religion?

On Math, I'd say it's another language, just like all languages. It's more abstract, more universal, much more easily transferred between cultures, has less emotional components, but nonetheless, a symbol system we use to interact with our environment that doesn't provide any absolute truth. It begins with definitions, axioms, theorems and rules and draws out the inferences. So 6x6=37 is not false because it is in opposition to some absolute truth, but false because it fails to meet the conclusions required from the definitions and the rules.

Theology is very much like Math. It starts with a few definitions, some axioms, some theorems, and then draws out the implications of these givens. Religion begins with some experiences and tries to explain them in terms of theology. Those same experiences could also be explained in non-theological terms.

Empirical science uses observation, hypotheses and testing to try to understand the things we experience.

None of those things warrant any ultimate claim to 'Truth'. They all depend on the languages we create and the experiences we have. Our languages change and our experiences are limited by the sense organs we have and whatever modifications we can make of them. Even the most certain of our linguistic claims "I think, therefore I am" is not absolute. The "I" in that sentence is misleading. It is an "I" frozen in time and viewed only from the perspective of the one making the statement. That "I" has changed radically over time and is really a multiple, not a singular thing, because people see me differently. The Kerry you know on this board is not the same Kerry my wife knows and not the same Kerry my mother knows and not the same Kerry my daughter knows. Therefore, there isn't a single 'Kerry' that exists.

Hence Truth in the sense of some Unchangeable, Platonic, Divine Reality is not available to us. Such Truth is either a fiction of language or a reification of our experience. Neither is warranted.

I don't know how you guys do it. The no food during day time is not too extreme, but the no water! wow. I work outside with a Muslim who drinks no water even on these 100+ degree days, and he is doing manual work!
Can't/ don't question the sincerity of your belief.

Hey chilcutt I don't question the sincerity of your belief either. I'll ask you the same question that I didn't get a satisfatory answer to in the other thread. What is your understanding of the teachings of Islam, are all us nonbelievers going to hell or not? It's ok, we can take it.

I'll answer as best I can.
No personal animus in the answer, either.
Based purely on my understanding of the scriptures, I would say, that unless you change your beliefs, you are destined for Hell. That is not carved in stone, I know people who became believers quite late in life, so the door is always open. It also does not affect the respect I have for you, or the way I treat you--you are still an image-bearer of the Creator.

For a man who is so intentional with his words to continue to use irrational when the word non-rational is available, where questions about the appropriateness of the usage of your term here has been raised and its clear emotional bias...

If that's the best collegiality one can start with...

I'd enjoy the discourse but not willing to do so from there.

Thanks for the multiple paragraphs. It helps.

As Elvichito mentioned, I don't know why you're so focused on your emotional responses to words. Nothing unusual about my usage. Christian philosophers have made similar claims. Tertullian claimed he believed because it was absurd. Same with your response to my use of the word mythology. There's a whole area of inquiry called Comparative Mythology. Most colleges offer courses in mythology. Do you think that all the people who use that word are intending it as a kind of put-down. I don't get it. If you don't like the words I use, just make your argument for an alternative, drawing out the distinctions between your words and my words and move forward. It just seems weird that your telling me to use your words or you won't continue the exchange.

For personal reasons fear has been a highly distortive component of my life.

I find damnation the most terrifying, fear-inducing concept there is.

Therefore I live my Christian life and share while engaging as little fear as I can.

Kerry, you're not supposed to "get it." You are merely an antagonist to vanquish in this "discussion" through subtle insult and derision. There is no purpose to the exchange other than to control and conquer. Just my opinion. ;)

Wow. Let me shout THANK YOU! I also believe I am an image bearer of the creator, in the same way that the lowliest weed in my garden is, in the same way my animals are, in the same way the roaches in my pantry and the vultures who pick at the lion killed deer down by the creek are.