Jonathan H. B. Lobl

In biology, nature follows certain patterns. Animals either have fur/hair/whiskers or feathers. Never both. From this, we see that angels, with hair and feathers, are improbable. Nature does not have any known examples of combining cold blooded creatures, such as fish -- with warm blooded creatures. This makes the classic mermaid very unlikely. The classic giant is theoreticly possible, in my opinion. Having said that, possible does not translate into likely. At some point, a specimen must be produced. Or at least evidence that the creature used to exist. Where is the creature? Where are the bones? Where are the footprints? Where is the fossil? Anything? Jonathan Lobl

I thought it was because Moses was a man; and refused to ask for directions. Jonathan Lobl

On this basis; why not say that the Creation is an on-going process -- which is still happening? Jonathan Lobl

Years ago, I was at the Museum of Natural History (NYC) looking over one of their exhibits. The exhibit demonstrated how large bones of certain very real animals could be put together in such a way that they would look like the skeleton of a humanoid giant. This points to one of the problems with evidence. It is not enough to have evidence. The evidence must be correctly understood. It is possible to have very real evidence and interpret badly, ending up with a false consclusion. This is why Science is constantly self correcting. One more thing. It is very good, in my opinion, to be open minded. We just don't want to be so open minded that the brain falls out. Jonathan Lobl

When so many people are confused by the basics of evolution theory -- I am reluctant to talk about giants. Still, bring it on. Jonathan Lobl

In Christian mythology, 666 is the Mark of the Beast. Since I'm not Christian, I don't care. Jonathan Lobl A minor variant: There are three kinds of people. The ones who understand math; and the ones who don't. Jonathan Lobl

We are making this way too complicated. Religious people are often afraid of Atheists. People hate what they fear. Nice and simple. Jonathan Lobl

To my understanding, it is awareness of Unity, that makes spiritual healing, such as reiki, possible. It is Unity that is behind such events as telepathy and precognition. If manifestation works, Unity is behind that as well. While we live in physical existence, our grasp on Unity/Unified Field, will be limited. Jonathan Lobl

Hello Nestingwave: That could use a little editing. Not really a rant. A little long. I am familiar with the Bible. I can't quote chapter and verse the way I used to. I have read it. My piety has never recovered. When you say, ideomaterial, are you saying that the Universe is a thought? One of these days, I must tell you how I went from Atheism to Pantheism. Well, it's late. Good night. Jonathan Lobl

There is another interesting passage in Job. The long suffering Job is talking with his wife. He says to her -- "What? Should we accept only good from God, and not evil?" That is how I remember the passage. I'll have to look up the actual words. Psalm 139 also speaks to God's omnipresence, and God's dual nature. Jonathan Lobl

You are suggesting that it is not religion versus science -- but many religions versus science; some of which oppose each other. Jonathan Lobl

Fawzo: I enjoyed your comments on the Kingdom of God being everywhere. Good stuff. I read all of it. Nestingwave: I'm not sure of all of that, but the more I read your thoughts; the closer we seem to be. A few thoughts -- While the One is beyond Good and Evil; I believe I must make a choice for myself. I choose Good. I also prefer the company of others who choose Good. When I speak of God, or Unity, or the One -- I don't like to use pronouns. Not male and not female. I think the use of pronouns of any kind in refereance to the One instills a sense of separation. Most important, I feel no need to impose my vocabulary or beliefs on others. I have no need to turn the world into "me." Certainly, people of other outlooks don't need "saving." Separation from the One is illusory. Belief is meaningless. Non-Belife is meaningless. Anti-Belief is meaningless. It is what it is. Jonathan Lobl

Interesting..... I think we have different vocabularies with similar messages. I'm a Pantheist. God -- the Unity behind existence -- is beyond Duality. All dualities, including Good and Evil. Consequently, the One is neither Good nor Evil. I think your use of "Unified Field" is a similar thought. I suspect the trick is to live in Duality with a focus on Unity. Jonathan Lobl

Nestingwave: It is good to be open minded. It is not good to be so open minded that the brain falls out. Allowing Genesis into the schools as a science text is lousy science. This, science must resist. When religion decides that Earth is the center of everything; science will insist on looking through the telescope. These are not minor squables. Long view, religion and science are indeed on the same course. Short term, no. The Devil, as they say, hides in the details. Jonathan Lobl

I never do. Jonathan Lobl

I think it is time to look at the difference between religion and science -- yet again. Science is evidence based. When the evidence is clear that an idea is mistaken, a scientist will go with the evidence, and abandon the idea which is clearly mistaken. The scientist may do so with bad grace -- it can be painfiul to abandon error that he is attatched to -- but he will do so. Religion does not care about external evidence, or objective reality. I can't imagine any proof or external reality that would cause a Creationist to snap out of it. The Flat Earthers are still at it also. The religious mind is often like a dog with a bone. There is no taking their "belief" from them; no matter how foolish or grotesque or unsustainable. Yes, this is a broad sweeping generalization. Jonathan Lobl

When faith trumps external reality, I would expect a few emotional disorders. How does such a person cope, when things are not as they "Should" be? Jonathan Lobl

Yes. It is a strange science that says, that the Sun was created on the 4th day. And an even stranger mind that thinks that this is history. Jonathan Lobl

No. They are not the same. Evolution is based on science. The evidence continues to accumulate. Creationism, by it's various names, is religion pretending to be science. Jonathan Lobl

Between modern Cosmology and Quantum Mechanics and Particle Physics, science is getting plenty mystical. The extent to which science is uncovering the secrets of existence is just stagering to me. Perhaps God does have a sense of humor. Look at how we are finding out the secrets of the ages. Jonathan Lobl

Genesis is useful for contemplation. For instance, in the King James Version, we read -- "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." In an alternate translation, we read -- "In the beginning, God began creating the heavens and the earth." Such a minor difference in translation; and such a major change in meaning. I find it illuminating. It just isn't science. Jonathan Lobl

What a strange question. No, mind and brain are not synoymous. And Genesis is not a science text book. Jonathan Lobl

Intelligent Design is nothing but Creationism with a new face. Neither of them has anything to do with science. Jonathan Lobl

I want to find out about the alien's religion; or even if they have religion at all. Jonathan Lobl

Yes, now I follow your line of reasoning. God as the ultimate trickster. The world was created old. If Adam had cut down a thick tree, it could have rings showing it was hundreds of years old. If Adam had dug into the ground, he might have found "ancient" fosils and bones. God has indeed been clever in deceiving His creatures. This line of thought does not fill me with piety. Jonathan Lobl