...how many times are we going to go in this loop?
 

Edit: Regarding the "shared understandings and references" that "exert...influence on the hearer's comprehension."

Well, there you go then.Would you say that the All is insensate, along the lines of electricity or gravity, and you're essentially doing engineering with metaphysics? Or does it also include the sum of all consciousness in the Universe?

I'd have to go with the sum of all consciousness. The standard reference that I recommend on the subject of metaphysics/physics is "The Holographic Universe", by Michael Talbot. It makes a lot of sense to me, even though there are holes.

Flint, I never suggested that worship was connected in any way with communication. My point was about more than your use of the word 'worship'. It's also about your use of the word 'God'. yes, God may mean gravity and the laws of physics and evolution; God might be a helium gas. But common understanding suggests that the word God, is primarily used to denote a powerful and conscious force, often with the aspect of creator.

Using the word 'atheist', is a shortcut to say I do not believe in God or any Gods. That doesn't mean I don't believe in evolution or the laws of physics, but conversation would become very cumbersome if I had to explain the terms of reference for every word I used that was in common usage.

My apologies. When you quoted my posts regarding the "communication" issue, I responded as if the actual subject the quote was being addressed.
I don't wish for your conversations to be any more or less cumbersome than you desire them to be, and I hope you understand that I don't rely on your opinion of how cumbersome my conversations should be when formulating my own personal view of the universe. Fair enough?
I do not accept, at face value, what I consider to be faulty or incomplete concepts simply because it is the view held by others. And, again::dedhorse:

This sort of thing is exactly why I try to limit my expression on the subject of religion(s) to *my* point of view. For all I know, *all* religions may be correct, given that one believes in their stringently enough.

That's why people should get their own personal Jesus, and let me get my own personal Aphrodite.

That's all I'm doing, too. Just sharing my personal thoughts. I accept that everyone has their own view on things, as do I. When I say "I do not accept, at face value, what I consider to be faulty or incomplete concepts simply because it is the view held by others" I mean I do not accept it as far as I myself am concerned. I understand that this applies only to myself, and I have no problem accepting that other people may disagree. I do enjoy discussing the subject, and attempting to get a fuller understanding of different points-of-view, which hopefully I can benefit from.

Whether I bow my head and say the "Lord's Prayer" or stand erect and say the "Pledge of Allegiance", I don't expect an answer nor am I asking for anything. :2cents:

Nice "Harvey" quote, there, Flint.

Anyone ever met a puka?

My wife calls herself Pooka.

"Pooka - from old Celtic mythology - a fairy spirit in animal form - always very large. The pooka appears here and there - now and then - to this one and that one - a benign but mischievous creature - very fond of rumpots, crackpots, and how are you, Mr. Wilson?"

I joke around and say skyside is just a fancy way of saying 'airhead' but it is really just a name for a kind of fairy.

Wikipedia says,"The Sídhe are generally described as stunningly beautiful, though they can also be terrible and hideous."

well at least part of it is true:p

I can't find any reference to puka. Only puka shells. Is it what flint said?




anyway...about worship. I don't think praying is worship. I think praying is asking for something.

I do on occassion wish for the saftey of someone I do not know. It's not by prayer I protect the saftey of myself and my family. I am grateful for things. Perhaps my feelings of graditude is worship?

good question.

Everything you ever wanted to know about Puka's (not the shells) is here: http://everything2.com/index.pl?node...&lastnode_id=0

I think it might have been Bruce who first mentioned them.

:headshake Elspode did it.