Do you believe in Reincarnation?

[Undertoad]

Tril I think you should feel differently about this discussion.

People have generally attacked me for my belief system. It never bothers me! I want to hear their very best reasons for why my beliefs are wrong. If I can't justify my beliefs after hearing theirs, I have no other recourse but to change what I believe. I have done so, many times.

When I state my beliefs as clearly as possible, I am trying to help. When I dismiss things it's because I have examined them over and over and found them, personally, to be silly nonsense.

I believe in a lot of silly nonsense myself. We all do!

Generally, the way we have determined what is true and real is putting ideas through the scientific method. If something is observable and reproducible I find that makes a very strong case for believing in it. If not, I find that makes a very strong case for dismissing it.

But that's just my opinion, and I could be wrong.

[Trilby]

Being a liberal arts major and being terrified of mathematics of any and all kinds, YET WORKING in a scientific field where intuition meant nothing and empirical evidence was everything taught me that empirical evidence, the scientific method, is not infallible, does NOT tell the whole picture. I could look at machines that told me my patient was just fine, all vitals good, but something else would nag at me about him/her and I would not believe the science in front of me and I was usually RIGHT. My patient was a human, not a series of vital signs, family info, accident info, reports, etc. When I was diagnosed with stage III cancer I KNEW I wouldn't die. Women with lesser cancers and a whole lot more going for them did die. If Dana says I shrink the universe by saying it's this or that than you do, too; by saying it's got to be science or it's nothing. I believe there are other forces at work----forces that science doesn't dream of.

I'm sorry if i'm taking this all too personally. I'm wracked. I'm wrecked. There are many reasons for this, yes, Autumn is one, but there are others.

And to tell you the honest to godd truth, I feel very alone and sad today. Alone. I usually like 'alone' and am never lonely but now I am. Very lonely. And being maudlin, I suppose, doesn't help or endear me to anyone. i come here for solace too much. I need to engage with RL people because I am afraid I am too ingrown.
so. all apologies. I cannot compete with you or Dana when it comes to articulating arguments. Your both smarter; let's face that fact. I've no wish to impose my beliefs on anyone. Or argue them. Or, actually, do anything.

[DanaC]

I could look at machines that told me my patient was just fine, all vitals good, but something else would nag at me about him/her and I would not believe the science in front of me and I was usually RIGHT.

Not blindly trusting machines is not the same thing as mistrusting 'science'.

Science doesn't pretend to know all the answers or to be infalllible.

And stop with 'you're smarter than me' bollocks. Because it is bollocks. The fact that someone disagrees with something you've said doesn't mean that you haven't said it in an articulate and well written way.

*slaps tril upside the head*

[infinite monkey]

Thanks.

[Sundae]

I had Death Fear today.
Partly from reading this thread. Partly because I heard about a couple of 45-47 who were splitting up. "Oh well" I thought, "I suppose they have time to find someone else." OMG - they're practically my age and I wrote them off as relationship OAPs!

I'm still closer to 40 than 50 but I see no way out of my current situation. I don't want a relationship, or children. I just want to be well and have friends. And money enough to enjoy both. But the clock is ticking. I fear leaving life unhappy, unfulfilled, a failure.

Shit.

[Trilby]

Originally Posted by Sundae

I had Death Fear today.
I'm still closer to 40 than 50 but I see no way out of my current situation. I don't want a relationship, or children. I just want to be well and have friends. And money enough to enjoy both. But the clock is ticking. I fear leaving life unhappy, unfulfilled, a failure.

Shit.

Yeah, I'll be 49 on friday (the unexistable 29th) so, yeah, starting fiftieth year (my dad, bless his bitter, chewed up heart taught me that; you don't TURN 49, you BEGIN your fiftieth year, so basically, I'll be 50) I fear the same things. When I was young, life was fun, I wanted to go to the concert, the party, the whatever. I wanted things. I wanted a love to last me. I want a human cuddle; esp. when I am sick or sick at heart. Life chose to give me too much then snatch it away again, leaving me like a stick in a desert. I have loved but I don't think I will again. My sons certainly don't need me----I haven't seen Danny since Christmas and for about five min. then. Taylor is gone, he plans on staying in Columbus and besides, his father raised him, not me. I've no connections. Even in AA I feel an outsider.

no meds for about a week due to no money (see the baby shower fiasco for that) I won't budget, I won't get off my arse and do something good for someone. I am tired, old and want to sleep. Not so very lovely; not so very deep.

[DanaC]

Originally Posted by Trilby

Not so very lovely; not so very deep.

You are both of those things.

[glatt]

Spring is just around the corner. Really it is. Hang on.

[Undertoad]

Tril I would absolutely believe in your ability to see things the machines don't.

[Trilby]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Tril I would absolutely believe in your ability to see things the machines don't.

thanks.

[DanaC]

basically.

[footfootfoot]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

So you're uncomfortable with the possibility all your dead friends and relatives are watching you masturbate.

Originally Posted by DanaC

basically.

How would you feel if I watched?

[Big Sarge]

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

How would you feel if I watched?

shoot she is on the other side of the world. you can watch me anytime you want. you have to admit i have a great set of boobs

[Trilby]

D'ya know? There are more suicides in Spring than any other time.

weird, huh?

[Nirvana]

I think someone needs a spanking, 50 whacks