tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post7090509615868939492..comments2024-03-17T03:42:21.277-05:00Comments on LEARNING CURVE ON THE ECLIPTIC: Atheism Alive & Well in Oklahoma & Prayer or Mind PowerTwilighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-11327603595245129002013-05-26T23:57:09.447-05:002013-05-26T23:57:09.447-05:00Anonymous ~ Thanks for the link - I'm glad to...Anonymous ~ Thanks for the link - I'm glad to know that idea <b>has</b> been considered and tested. It doesn't seem too much of a stretch to me to think that mind power and such an application of it could be there - just waiting for realisation. Twilighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-47335698683286851742013-05-26T22:36:23.642-05:002013-05-26T22:36:23.642-05:00Actually, there IS a scientific study where group ...Actually, there IS a scientific study where group meditation resulted in a substantial and statistically significant decrease in crime: http://www.brainwaving.com/2009/11/19/the-effects-of-group-meditation-on-crime/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-41296245024922698412013-05-25T08:39:58.022-05:002013-05-25T08:39:58.022-05:00LB ~ That's interesting. Our genes must carry ...LB ~ That's interesting. Our genes must carry messages which, even after being suppressed for a generation or two make themselves felt again, in some way or other, eventually.<br />Twilighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-79675324831606377142013-05-24T14:08:45.375-05:002013-05-24T14:08:45.375-05:00Actually, as a kid I rebelled against church too. ...Actually, as a kid I rebelled against church too. My parents (most likely thanks to my mother's influence) forced me to attend services and I ran away in protest over their hypocrisy. It's been the story of my life ever since. <br /><br />What I didn't mention in my comment is how shocked I was to discover during genealogy research how my dad came from a long line of Baptist preachers! My dad was somewhat knowledgeable about family history going back three or four generations, yet he left that one detail out. Seems like my paternal grandfather and possibly his father rejected that way of life, probably for reasons similar to yours and that of many others.<br /><br />I share your hope that the young mother who admitted publicly to being an atheist doesn't suffer any prejudice because of it. You never know what will set people off.LBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-62364423181827855632013-05-24T13:04:41.418-05:002013-05-24T13:04:41.418-05:00LB ~ Yes - it all went terribly wrong somewhere al...LB ~ Yes - it all went terribly wrong somewhere along the way.<br />Spanish Inquisition being just one example of what can happen to an originally beautiful set of teachings when humans bent on power and control get their hands upon them.<br />Twilighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-16640288411090633312013-05-24T13:00:08.353-05:002013-05-24T13:00:08.353-05:00LB ~ I admire your attitude, and that of your fath...LB ~ I admire your attitude, and that of your father too - and hope, for the lady's sake who spoke with Wolf Blitzer, that there are many of similar mind to yours in Moore. I'd hate to read that she'd been victimised for her words.<br /><br />I went in the other direction to you, LB - began as a churchgoer (Church of England), Sunday School teacher, Church Youth Club secretary.....and became disillusioned, once by our vicar's attitude, then later, gradually by a variety of events.<br />I still revere the teachings of Jesus Christ, but see him as being a teacher only - of similar ilk to MLK. Twilighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-73446056214128247962013-05-24T12:48:08.468-05:002013-05-24T12:48:08.468-05:00Thought it worth adding how I'm more spiritual...Thought it worth adding how I'm more spiritual than religious. My husband and I watched the movie "Goya's Ghost" last night, about the Spanish Inquisition. Parts of the movie made me physically ill and I couldn't help but wonder (as I often wonder) how it is religious followers throughout history have so corrupted the teachings of Jesus.LBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-3682753075539644172013-05-24T12:30:00.868-05:002013-05-24T12:30:00.868-05:00Hi Twilight - I watched that exchange on TV and th...Hi Twilight - I watched that exchange on TV and thought they both handled it very gracefully. I was relieved it didn't seem to take away from their connection or the inclusive intention behind the responses on both sides. I didn't get the feeling anyone was offended. <br /><br />I volunteer in an environment with people who have *very* different beliefs than I do and where people are far more likely to use the word Earth in the same way that I might use the word Lord. I'm outnumbered but that's ok.:) I figure they have just as much right to their beliefs (or non-beliefs) as I do mine and to speak spontaneously and freely about them.<br /><br />My father and his folks were from Oklahoma and none of them were at all religious, nor were they 'believers', far as I can tell. Though I never tried to convert him (I never try to convert *anyone*), at one point when I was older, my dad tried to discourage my own growing faith, thinking it would threaten our relationship - which it didn't. I understood his feelings but don't think he understood how *inclusive* my faith was or the role he played in shaping it. My dad placed a high value on intelligence and critical thinking, yet he was also very progressive and concerned about social justice, so we learned by example to value principle over dogma.LBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-55735772971872057952013-05-24T11:00:52.647-05:002013-05-24T11:00:52.647-05:00Anonymous ~ He's almost as good at PR as our P...Anonymous ~ He's almost as good at PR as our President! <br /><br />Redemption is being heavily discounted get yours now - limited period only!<br />;-)<br />Twilighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14138621610593773784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16659850.post-25310094549747571492013-05-24T09:54:31.687-05:002013-05-24T09:54:31.687-05:00You will be relieved, I'm sure, to know that: ...You will be relieved, I'm sure, to know that: "Pope Francis rocked some religious and atheist minds today when he declared that everyone was redeemed through Jesus, including atheists", but only if you're a good atheist.<br /><br />(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/22/pope-francis-good-atheists_n_3320757.html)<br /><br />I prefer Pope Francis limit his pseudo-omnipotence to his devotees.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com