What do you believe in?

[masta247]

Since everyone around is mature now and had enough time to settle into some sort of belief system, and we know each other well enough to talk about this respectfully, what do you believe in?

1. Are you religious?
2. Do you believe that there is life after death? If so, how do you imagine it? If not, do you think there is any other purpose to our lives than our lifetime itself, trying not to die and making babies? Do you think that our consciousness is finite and ends with the brain's life forever?
3. Do you believe that there is intelligent life in the universe other than us, humans? Or any other life?

And why do you think what you think?

Questions 2 and 3 are interesting concepts that I still really like to think about once in a while, and as we still know too little to answer any of those fully conclusively with science, it is interesting to think about the probabilities and possible answers. To me, the more I tried to find out the answer over the years, the more I found out that pretty much anything is possible, due to how little data points we have and how limited our bodies are. They are probably the most exciting and interesting questions, that are the most difficult to answer with what we know today.

 

[k69atie]

1 - No
2 - Yes but not sure how it works but I believe there is more to life than making babies
3 - Not sure

 

[Prize Gotti]

1. No. I think religion is one of the worst things that exists in this world. It's a system used to make people behave the way they want you to behave. If any religion was true it would be the same religion, not rules that suit that culture. To God himself, he didn't exist for the thousands of years before Judaism. Before him were other Dieties, so there's no more truth to him than any of the Gods that existed before. That being said, I've always believed the very first recorded religion is the correct one. Sun Worship. Scientifically it is God. While it didn't create the universe, it created our solar system and the life in it. It created day and night, and it's gravity controls the moon which then controls the seas. Life wouldn't exist without it.

2. This is a though one for me to answer. Do I believe in Ghosts? Yes very much, I have had my own personal experiences on multiple occasions since I've lived in this house. Again I explain it with science. Our bodies create an enormous amount of electricity. Just like all electricity, it has a half life so long you can't even calculate it with a calculator (6.6x10²⁸), so even when the supply is cut, the electricity continues to live. It COULD be possible that we are able to code the electricity some how, possibly with a memory. I believe that's how they could exist. BUT that doesn't mean I believe in all ghosts. Based on my theory I don't believe in all different types of ghosts or demons, as it is partly based off what I've seen with my own eyes. I don't believe in Demons or full body apparitions.

3. I think to even consider that we are the only planet in the entire universe that has life is ridiculous. The probability of all the millions of suns and planets that exist, ours is the only one to create life? No I don't think so. And then to have thousands of species of life on this planet too? Even if you're religious, to think God was like "Right I'm done with Earth, I'll hire a Mexican and have him run the place while I'm gone, gonna taken a 2000 year vacation and fill the rest of this space with rocks and burning balls of gas." really doesn't make God look good. If he's such a great creator of life, why just fuck with one rock and not do anything else?

 

[yak pac fatal]

1. No. Religion is poison. Good ole divide and conquer.

2. I don't know if a there is a life after death but I do hope there is something. Maybe for the good people you get a perfect version of earth like when you're having a good time when you're kicking with family and friends and of coarse eternal punishment and pain for the evil people.

3. Yes.

 

[Pittsey]

1. No
2. No
3. Yes

 

[Rukas]

1. Kind of.
2. Life is probably a simulation. By probably, I mean it is mathematically probable. Simulations are run for a purpose, I think we're going through the simulation over and over until we learn what we need to and then we're released into the real world -- probably one that has mastered immortality, and thus needs a simulation to make sure the people that live forever are good people. Kind of sounds like every religious text to me.
3. At one time I would have said yes, but now Im not actually sure, but possible, probable even.

 

[k69atie]

1. No. I think religion is one of the worst things that exists in this world. It's a system used to make people behave the way they want you to behave. If any religion was true it would be the same religion, not rules that suit that culture. To God himself, he didn't exist for the thousands of years before Judaism. Before him were other Dieties, so there's no more truth to him than any of the Gods that existed before. That being said, I've always believed the very first recorded religion is the correct one. Sun Worship. Scientifically it is God. While it didn't create the universe, it created our solar system and the life in it. It created day and night, and it's gravity controls the moon which then controls the seas. Life wouldn't exist without it.

2. This is a though one for me to answer. Do I believe in Ghosts? Yes very much, I have had my own personal experiences on multiple occasions since I've lived in this house. Again I explain it with science. Our bodies create an enormous amount of electricity. Just like all electricity, it has a half life so long you can't even calculate it with a calculator (6.6x10²⁸), so even when the supply is cut, the electricity continues to live. It COULD be possible that we are able to code the electricity some how, possibly with a memory. I believe that's how they could exist. BUT that doesn't mean I believe in all ghosts. Based on my theory I don't believe in all different types of ghosts or demons, as it is partly based off what I've seen with my own eyes. I don't believe in Demons or full body apparitions.

3. I think to even consider that we are the only planet in the entire universe that has life is ridiculous. The probability of all the millions of suns and planets that exist, ours is the only one to create life? No I don't think so. And then to have thousands of species of life on this planet too? Even if you're religious, to think God was like "Right I'm done with Earth, I'll hire a Mexican and have him run the place while I'm gone, gonna taken a 2000 year vacation and fill the rest of this space with rocks and burning balls of gas." really doesn't make God look good. If he's such a great creator of life, why just fuck with one rock and not do anything else?

I totally agree with this

 

[Jokerman]

I don't think there's more to life than making babies, so that's what I do 24/7. Make babies...in the baby factory. I'm manager there. Just like in the movie Storks.

1. But, no, not religious. All religions were made up by people.

2. We just don’t know. I don’t see why there would be consciousness after death. Most people are barely conscious while alive. But consciousness is still a mystery, so I think we can only leave the possibility open at this point.

3. I’d be very surprised if there weren’t some form of life somewhere else if not almost everywhere. It seems to me like the raison d'être or “purpose” of suns and planets is to produce life. So the question would be, who’s purpose? Who set it in motion and why? Or would a Who even apply and perhaps it’s all beyond our minds to understand? But because we don’t know, there’s absolutely no reason to create a story about it with all these rules to follow in life that we call religions. No reason to come up with a Creator concept and call it God and make up things about how we need to act to please it and get favor, just so the ones who do the making up can control others. The world is an amazing place, full of more beauty than most people bother to see, and in the complexity of that beauty, I believe, is meaning. That’s the only thing I need believe without more information. And I don't need to worship that meaning, pray to that meaning, or call that meaning God. I just have to be aware of it. (And make babies for God. They're a delicacy for Him.)

 

[masta247]

Thanks for the responses. The "life in the universe" used to be a no-brainer to me, but recently I became fully open to the possibility that it doesn't have to be true. Even if the universe was unlimited, it does not mean that there has to be something past the closest bunch of galaxies - might be just empty space.

Additionally, we have no data points for life outside of Earth, which we might or might not ever get. It is as well possible that the odds of life popping up are so low that billions of years are like nothing in the grand scheme of things, and we were first, or at least fairly old, or at the very least lucky to evolve the way we did. Which is not a given, as we are the only species even on earth, amongst thousands of varieties of microorganisms and other animals, that developed any technology.
It is possible that life far away exists but was never developing any technology, but the slightly scary part is that we did not even find non-intelligent life outside of earth, as the data points we do have point to the fact that the intelligent one is extremely rare within life itself. Or the odds are so low, that it only happened on earth, by complete, extremely unlikely accident.
Or that we designed the world for ourselves and it is not real:

2. Life is probably a simulation. By probably, I mean it is mathematically probable. Simulations are run for a purpose, I think we're going through the simulation over and over until we learn what we need to and then we're released into the real world -- probably one that has mastered immortality, and thus needs a simulation to make sure the people that live forever are good people. Kind of sounds like every religious text to me.

I like that theory. In general, I find all 'simulation' theories very interesting, since I think it's very probable that we actually do live in a simulation. Or we are controlled by brains in a vat experiencing virtual reality. Maybe we designed this world for ourselves, but our memories of the external "us" are not connected, so we can fully experience our lives here. Who knows, but it's a very interesting and probable concept that we can't test until we die. It sucks when dying is like a lottery - we either find out the truth (or another "layer" of our existence) or we don't, at which point we won't even be aware that we didn't.

 

[k69atie]

The only reason I don't believe in aliens is purely cos everyone who says they have encountered them are complete loons usually

 

[Rukas]

Thanks for the responses. The "life in the universe" used to be a no-brainer to me, but recently I became fully open to the possibility that it doesn't have to be true. Even if the universe was unlimited, it does not mean that there has to be something past the closest bunch of galaxies - might be just empty space.

Additionally, we have no data points for life outside of Earth, which we might or might not ever get. It is as well possible that the odds of life popping up are so low that billions of years are like nothing in the grand scheme of things, and we were first, or at least fairly old, or at the very least lucky to evolve the way we did. Which is not a given, as we are the only species even on earth, amongst thousands of varieties of microorganisms and other animals, that developed any technology.
It is possible that life far away exists but was never developing any technology, but the slightly scary part is that we did not even find non-intelligent life outside of earth, as the data points we do have point to the fact that the intelligent one is extremely rare within life itself. Or the odds are so low, that it only happened on earth, by complete, extremely unlikely accident.
Or that we designed the world for ourselves and it is not real:



I like that theory. In general, I find all 'simulation' theories very interesting, since I think it's very probable that we actually do live in a simulation. Or we are controlled by brains in a vat experiencing virtual reality. Maybe we designed this world for ourselves, but our memories of the external "us" are not connected, so we can fully experience our lives here. Who knows, but it's a very interesting and probable concept that we can't test until we die. It sucks when dying is like a lottery - we either find out the truth (or another "layer" of our existence) or we don't, at which point we won't even be aware that we didn't.

I tell you when. I was in a k hole for two days in the hospital. I had some weird experiences we could talk about one day.

 

[_carmi]

Since everyone around is mature now and had enough time to settle into some sort of belief system, and we know each other well enough to talk about this respectfully, what do you believe in?

1. Are you religious?
2. Do you believe that there is life after death? If so, how do you imagine it? If not, do you think there is any other purpose to our lives than our lifetime itself, trying not to die and making babies? Do you think that our consciousness is finite and ends with the brain's life forever?
3. Do you believe that there is intelligent life in the universe other than us, humans? Or any other life?

1- Not per se. I feel like there is some kind of higher power out there but nothing like the current religions state. But pssst don’t tell the priest who’s marrying me lol

2- I’m not sure I believe in the soul or in spirits therefore how can there be life after death?

3- Why not? The universe is infinite. It would be odd to think we are the only intelligent life in all of it.

 

[Flipmo]

1. Are you religious? Nope
2. Do you believe that there is life after death? If so, how do you imagine it? If not, do you think there is any other purpose to our lives than our lifetime itself, trying not to die and making babies? Do you think that our consciousness is finite and ends with the brain's life forever? Nope
3. Do you believe that there is intelligent life in the universe other than us, humans? Or any other life? Yes, logically speaking, seeing how big and vast the universe is there should be other life forms out there. If we're the only ones - that's when I'll reconsider 1. and 2. and possibly poop my pants.

 

[Ristol]

I'm not gonna answer the questions directly but I'm a Christian. Actually I guess that does answer the questions. The anti-religion sentiment on this board has always been strong, but I dig it. Live your truth or whatever. I'm not sensitive about my faith. I'm always willing to discuss it with atheists or whatever.

 

[k69atie]

I'm not gonna answer the questions directly but I'm a Christian. Actually I guess that does answer the questions. The anti-religion sentiment on this board has always been strong, but I dig it. Live your truth or whatever. I'm not sensitive about my faith. I'm always willing to discuss it with atheists or whatever.

I have no issues with people who have faith in a way I'm kind of jealous if that makes sense

 

[Tha_Wood]

1. Are you religious? No but I'm also not sold on science.
2. Do you believe that there is life after death? If so, how do you imagine it? If not, do you think there is any other purpose to our lives than our lifetime itself, trying not to die and making babies? Do you think that our consciousness is finite and ends with the brain's life forever? I don't think so. I think generally there is no purpose to life, which is kinda depressing and I don't really know what to do with that. It'd be nice if there was something after life because it can be a real motherfucker and I'm only 28.
3. Do you believe that there is intelligent life in the universe other than us, humans? Or any other life? it seems like there would have to be doesn't it? Like the odds that it's just this one planet of fuck ups out of the infinite possibilities seems to high.

 

[keco52]

1. I have faith in a higher power but I don’t follow any authoritative religions.

2. I believe in a lot of things that would probably make people here roll their eyes but I’m okay with that.

3. Eh

 

[ARon]

I've always said I believe in science, or moreso human understanding. I just believe in what we know and am open to pretty much any and every other possibility because it could be. Obviously I lean towards or away from certain things that I think make more sense so I do have my own beliefs but they hardly if ever fall in line with most religions. And people can think whatever they want, no one is more right than someone else when it comes to this stuff. I do not like people who judge others based off of these beliefs

I think our matter does whatever after death so I don't see how our mind or concious self can stay intact and continue on after the body dies. I hope I can continue on being able to think and being aware forever but I don't see how it's a possibility.

Obviously have to bring up fermi's paradox. Numbers say there should probably be other life out there, numbers also say they don't have to necessarily exist now. I bet we'll eventually find some alien life in our own solar system but it won't be considered intelligent. If for whatever reason we can continue on long enough and keep up our technological advances in order to find intelligent life or even traces of it I'll be surprised. Thinking about the scale of time makes me want to cry, then I think about something that could exist that doesn't even have to worry about time and I realize believing or not believing in something like this is pointless until we know, which we probably never will. But it's still nice to imagine and have hope, which is where religious people find solace...and then the circle of life song plays

 

[Tha_Wood]

I've always said I believe in science, or moreso human understanding. I just believe in what we know and am open to pretty much any and every other possibility because it could be. Obviously I lean towards or away from certain things that I think make more sense so I do have my own beliefs but they hardly if ever fall in line with most religions. And people can think whatever they want, no one is more right than someone else when it comes to this stuff. I do not like people who judge others based off of these beliefs

I think our matter does whatever after death so I don't see how our mind or concious self can stay intact and continue on after the body dies. I hope I can continue on being able to think and being aware forever but I don't see how it's a possibility.

Obviously have to bring up fermi's paradox. Numbers say there should probably be other life out there, numbers also say they don't have to necessarily exist now. I bet we'll eventually find some alien life in our own solar system but it won't be considered intelligent. If for whatever reason we can continue on long enough and keep up our technological advances in order to find intelligent life or even traces of it I'll be surprised. Thinking about the scale of time makes me want to cry, then I think about something that could exist that doesn't even have to worry about time and I realize believing or not believing in something like this is pointless until we know, which we probably never will. But it's still nice to imagine and have hope, which is where religious people find solace...and then the circle of life song plays

Mac from its always sunny taught me that science is a liar.... sometimes.