Jonathan H. B. Lobl

It makes more sense than -- I want your gold/water/etc. A musician looking for novelty music, also makes sense.

I keep myself supplied with various muscle rubs. The main ingredient is menthol. They help me with my arthritis. Now and then, I explore other things, to see if they work even better. A few months ago, I found something in my pharmacy that looked promising. It was on the same shelf, with the muscle rubs that worked. I was getting ready to buy it -- then I looked over the small print. Really small print. It was a struggle. The product was homeopathic. That was a true -- What the Frack? -- moment. This crap does not belong next to real medications. I don't shop for placebos. Read the small print. In addition, when things work, there is usually a rational explanation, as to how they work. I recently asked a nurse/nutritionist why fish oil was a better choice for me, than flaxseed oil. She checked. Because the fish oil is much higher in Omega 3 fatty acid. Fish oil and Vitamin D3 have been tested extensively. They work.

I understand that you're joking. Still -- the point of social distancing, is to "flatten the curve". To slow the virus spread, so that the medical system is not over whelmed. You're point is taken. Some people have the ability to improve the world, just by leaving. We have all seen it happen in miniature. We're at a party. Nobody is having fun. One irritating person leaves. Suddenly, it's a good party.

What do the Christian Scriptures have to say about washing our hands? In the time of Covid 19, this is important. Alas, Jesus discourages the practice. It's rather a shame. Even raccoons are smart enough to clean their food and their paws. The following is courtesy of BibleGateway.Com Mark 7 New International Version (NIV) That Which Defiles 7 The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.[a]) 5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” 6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’[b] 8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” 9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe[c] your own traditions! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’[d] and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’[e] 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.” 14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” [16] [f]

Just so. Alas, the virus can't tell the difference between a true believer -- and an Atheist. These people endanger us all.

I'm not confused. As I said, my board certified Arthritis specialist, has me on Cinnamon, Ginger, Vitamin D3 and fish oil. I also find that Chamomile tea, mixed with Peppermint tea, has deep relaxing properties. A lot of herbal teas have real medical properties. When the stuff works, it stops being alternative.

Speculation aside, there is pragmatism. If ET wanted us dead, there are plenty of ways to achieve this, from space. They would have no need to introduce themselves. Neither would they need our resources. If they can come here, they can get all the water -- or what ever else they need -- without taking ours. If they come here at all -- and talk to us -- we can presume that they are friendly. I'm still thinking missionaries. That part is pure speculation.

In fairness, Christians are not the only groups ignoring safety. There are Jewish groups, still conducting weddings, with hundreds in attendance. They have much in common. Starting with a courageous disregard for reality. Also in fairness, the majority of religious groups have shut down, for the sake of the greater good. We don't want to tar the moderates, with the same brush as the fanatics.

I think we agree. Is there a problem?

Yes. It is.

They understand themselves as soldiers, engaged in spiritual warfare. If we don't understand this, we miss the point of being a Fundamentalist. They are soldiers, and it is war. Ephesians 6 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV) 6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. 9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: 22 whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. Written from Rome unto the Ephesians by Tychicus.

Modern day Fundamentalists have no difficulty with their non-belief: Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Spiritualists, Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Pagans, etc. etc. -- and of course -- Judaism of all varieties. It's Fundamentalists vs. everyone and everything that's not part of their world. I don't concern myself with their thinking.

It's a good opening question. I would rather begin with -- "Hello.".

The original topic was resisting Homeopathic. Of course, Homeopathic isn't scientific. That's a given. Since then, we have drifted into natural healing. Practical uses of vitamins, herbs, fish oil and such.

I'm going to split a few hairs with you. The sacredness of life or consciousness is a value. Post death existence is a belief. As to my own beliefs: I don't know that there is post death existence. I don't know that there is no post death existence.

Basic recognition is not anthropomorphism. Hunger, fear, pain -- these things are easy to recognize. Other emotion is more subtle. There is anthropomorphism. There is blindness.

Over the years, I have spent a lot of time in the company of cats. Cat mind is not Human mind. It is different. They have had much to teach me. Love, resentment, jealousy, forgiveness, desire, fear..... The full range of emotion. Not everything that we consider Human, is really unique to us. There are differences. There is sameness. Wisdom is knowing which is which.

My original intention failed. I was wondering if any Earth religions were truly culturally -- even species -- neutral. I was thinking in terms of the Gorilla Project. Evidently, nobody had such a discussion with Koko. I suggested the conversation with ET, as a way of bringing that out. Well, that failed miserably.

Most of the time, Natural is good. Poison Ivy is all natural. I wouldn't make tea with it.

The Protestant theologian, C. S. Lewis, wrote a few science fiction stories, to illustrate his theology. He said that non-human aliens would not share in Original Sin, since they would not be descended from Adam and Eve. He further speculated that aliens on a distant world, might not be in a fallen state. Also, that the vast distances between stars, could be God's quarantine. In Childhood's End, by Arthur C. Clarke -- Earth's visiting aliens gave Humanity a gift. A way to view the past and verify historic events. Only Buddhism survived. All other Earth religion perished. Of course, the Twilight Zone, under Rod Serling, made it's own contribution. "TO SERVE MAN" Nothing to do with religion, but impossible to ignore.

You could be right. I'm only speculating. Unless ET comes here -- or Humanity goes there -- it's likely to stay speculation.

You're in a mood. Think how life has changed in the last 500 years. In the past 100 years. The future is beyond our imaginations. Only, that it will be different. It is for the future to find such answers.

We can find examples of everything, in Earth history. The Jehovah's Witnesses knocking on my door Medical missionaries to Korea Rice missionaries to China The Jesuit invasion of Japan The Nichiren Shoshu Buddhist monks spreading Dharma The Mormons Mahikari It could be anything. Or, maybe they don't exist. So nothing.

For now, it's all speculation. ET might not exist at all. If ET does exist -- possibly the differences would preclude even basic understanding. Then again -- on Earth -- First contact was frequently missionaries. Intelligence does not mean tech. Elephants and dolphins have wonderful, complex brains. They have no tech.

Dog looks around. "They feed me and pet me and love me. They must be gods." Cat looks around. "They feed me and pet me and love me. I must be a god."