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Columnist Frank Pastore weighs in on four challenges to (materialist*) atheism, as follows:
1. Origin of the universe
2. Origin of life
3. Origin of the mind
4. Origin of morality
What I found while researching "By Design or by Chance?" and "The Spiritual Brain" is not that materialists have no answers but that their answers are based mainly on promissory materialism (hey folks, we're still working on it. Give us another few centuries...), when they are not based on merely suppressing dissent or promoting foolish ideas to the popular science media.
Anyway, Pastore advises,
Since the pre-Socratics, atheists have been intellectual parasites living off the host of Western Civilization. Able to con-struct so very little of their own that is either true, good, or beautiful, they live on the borrowed capital of their believing intellectual parents. Atheists have been asserting the same basic mechanistic worldview, and with roughly the same suc-cess, for centuries. They sell For example, according to evolutionary psychologists, religion "is" and "is not" adaptive - both points of view can be maintained within evolutionary psychology quite comfortably, even though they cancel each other out and imply that the discipline, if discipline it is, is not capable of discovering basic, definite information about the origin of religion.
The "only" point of view that cannot be maintained within standard evolutionary psychology is that religion is evidence of transcendence - that is, it arose because, at one time or another, people really did contact a reality behind the universe. I am hardly surprised to learn that dying de-spiritualized religious denominations have been flirting with evolutionary psychology; it's only useful function, so far as I can see, is as a sort of humane lethal injection that puts such institutions out of their collective misery before they mislead anyone else about the nature of spiritual experience. The would-be remaining congregants would invariably be better off somewhere else anyway.
*Materialist atheists must derive everything in the universe from chance and necessity. A non-materialist atheist does not believe in a God as such, but need not derive everything in the universe from chance and necessity.
Here are some of my recent posts on
mystical experience: can language tell us what is real?
Toronto-based Canadian journalist Denyse O'Leary (www.designorchance.com) is the author of the multiple award-winning "By Design or by Chance?" (Augsburg Fortress 2004), an overview of the intelligent design controversy, and of "Faith@Science". She was named CBA Canada's Recommended Author of the Year in 2005 and is co-author, with Montreal neuroscientist Mario Beauregard, of the forthcoming "The Spiritual Brain: A neuroscientist's case for the existence of the soul" (Harper 2007).
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Australian Pagans, Witches + Paganism
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1. Call for submissions for book on polytheism From: Caroline Tully View All Topics Create New Topic
MESSAGE
1.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR BOOK ON POLYTHEISM
POSTED BY: "CAROLINE TULLY" HELIADE@BIGPOND.COM WILLOWITCH2001
Tue Mar 27, 2012 4:16 am (PDT)
"Gods are real.
And these gods are everywhere, in all aspects of
existence, all aspects of human life."
-James Hillman
Call for Submissions
Minneapolis writer is compiling an anthology of modern, polytheistic
experiences, tentatively titled Return of the Gods: The Varieties of
Polytheistic Experience.
Seeking thoughtful, original, and previously unpublished non-fiction essays
recounting first-hand encounters with Gods, ancestors, spirits, disembodied
intelligences, and sacred presences in nature.
You may hail from a Hindu tradition, an indigenous tradition, a Pagan
tradition, an African-based tradition, another tradition, or no tradition at
all.
Electronic submissions only. Please submit only final, proofread copy,
double-spaced, maximum 5,000 words. Please send your story as an MS Word
attachment to williammcgillis [at] gmail [dot] com with the subject line:
Return of the Gods. Please refrain from submitting if you are not open to
edits.
Please ensure that your story file includes your (less than 75 word) bio
along with contact details, including postal address and email address.
Compensation: All selected contributors will receive a complimentary copy
of the book upon publication.
Deadline for submissions: June 21, 2012
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Most people enjoy feeling special on their special day, their birthday. Personally, I think people over the age of ten should not be expecting birthday parties, but I digress...
Then there are the people who act like "every" day is their special day. Actually, they're just special. And when birthday time comes around, everyone had better bow low in humble gratitude that we've been graced with these special people.
JERUSALEM - The Jewish people are marking the 60th anniversary of their national rebirth, the founding of Israel, today with the usual military flyovers, flag buntings, and televised reminiscences of aging pioneers.
But another form of celebration is planned, and its sponsors believe IT SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT THE NATIONAL CHARACTER: a three-day conference of some of the best minds from around the world on some of the biggest challenges facing humankind - AND ESPECIALLY THE JEWS - in the coming decades.Special character.
GIVEN THE GUEST LIST, THE TOPICS ARE NATURALLY BIG AND AMBITIOUS, including the shift in global power from West to East (and south), nuclear proliferation, and climate change. But much of the focus will also be on topics closer to home such as Islamic extremism, the rise of Iran, and sovereignty in Jerusalem.
In fact, what are billed as GLOBAL CHALLENGES - TERRORISM, IRAN - SEEM TO BE SOMEHOW ESPECIALLY JEWISH AND ISRAELI ONES. The organizers say this is not coincidental or unusual and point as an example to Hitler, who posed an enormous threat to the world but focused particularly on the Jews.Special challenges.
"CATACLYSMS ALWAYS SEEM TO AFFECT JEWS FIRST," remarked Stuart E. Eizenstat, a senior official in the Clinton and Carter administrations who wrote an essay that forms a basis for the conference. "Go back to the Black Plague. It was not a Jewish issue, but it had particular impact on Jews because they were blamed for it."Special victims.
MISSING FROM THE CONFERENCE WILL BE ANY SERIOUS ARAB REPRESENTATION. Political and intellectual leaders from Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestinian areas have been invited, but none has confirmed partly because simultaneously the Arab world will be marking Israel's 60th anniversary as a catastrophe known as "Nakba Day," which will involve their own conferences and demonstrations. The organizers in Jerusalem are still hoping a few will come.Arabs: Not Special. Plus, they're busy talking about that (air quotes) Nakba thing.
PERES SAID THE IDEA FOR HIM WAS TO BRING THOUGHTFUL JEWS AND NON-JEWS TOGETHER IN THE PERHAPS IDLE HOPE OF "MAKING THE JEWS MORE WORLDLY AND MAKING THE WORLD MORE JEWISH."Special. Making others special is admittedly an idle pursuit, but at least they can better recognize and appreciate those who "are" special.
ONE SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT OF RECENT YEARS THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED IS THE SHIFT IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ISRAEL AND DIASPORA JEWRY. FOR DECADES, ISRAEL WAS THE NEEDY CHILD DEPENDING ON CONTRIBUTIONS AND SUPPORT FROM ABROAD AS IT STRUGGLED TO SURVIVE. Special needs.
TODAY, ISRAEL'S JEWISH POPULATION OF 5.5 MILLION IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST, JUST AHEAD OF THAT OF THE UNITED STATES, WHICH IS SLOWLY DECLINING THROUGH LOW BIRTH RATE AND INTERMARRIAGE. ISRAEL HAS BECOME THE CENTER OF JEWISH LIFE AND IS INCREASINGLY BEING ASKED TO ACT LIKE THE OLDER BROTHER TO JEWISH COMMUNITIES ELSEWHERE. Special responsibilities.
Must we all acknowledge that Israel and the Jewish people are more special than any other country or people? What if we don't? Does the refusal to believe this make somebody (air quotes) anti-semitic?
Whatever. I do not believe that Israel or the Jewish people are any more special than anybody else. I take people as I find them, and I resent the "expectation" that I believe elitist nonsense. And by the way, I resent it from wherever and whenever it comes: from people with money, from people with power, from people with influence, from fashionistas to celebrities...whatever. Israel and Jewish people are hardly the only group that takes group pride a little too far. It's a hyped-up world we're living in. Far too many people believe their own hype.
It doesn't matter how nice your house is, what your religion, what car you drive, how much money you make, what your job title is, how plush your office, how great your wardrobe, how tragic your back-story. It doesn't matter. What matters is how you treat people. That's all that matters.
I leave you with a story from Jesus, whom I adore.
NOW A MAN CAME UP TO JESUS AND ASKED, "TEACHER, WHAT GOOD THING MUST I DO TO GET ETERNAL LIFE? WHY DO YOU ASK ME ABOUT WHAT IS GOOD?" JESUS REPLIED. "THERE IS ONLY ONE WHO IS GOOD. IF YOU WANT TO ENTER LIFE, OBEY THE COMMANDMENTS. WHICH ONES?" THE MAN INQUIRED. JESUS REPLIED, " 'DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT GIVE FALSE TESTIMONY, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,' AND 'LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?" Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. BUT MANY WHO ARE FIRST WILL BE LAST, AND MANY WHO ARE LAST WILL BE FIRST. Matthew 19:16-30
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After a nine year struggle, a victory for justice and witches of all kinds.
Bush Administration Agrees To Approve Wiccan Pentacle For Veteran Memorials
Monday, April 23, 2007
"Settlement In Americans United Lawsuit Comes After Discovery Of A Pattern Of Bias Against Minority Faith"
The Bush administration has conceded that Wiccans are entitled to have the pentacle, the symbol of their faith, inscribed on government-issued memorial markers for deceased veterans, Americans United for Separation of Church and State announced today.
The settlement agreement, filed today with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, brings to a successful conclusion a lawsuit Americans United brought against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in November.
The litigation charged that denying a pentacle to deceased Wiccan service personnel, while granting religious symbols to those of other traditions, violated the U.S. Constitution.
"This settlement has forced the Bush Administration into acknowledging that there are no second class religions in America, including among our nation's veterans," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director. "It is a proud day for religious freedom in the United States."
" at link above".
Hat-tip to Witchvox for article.
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Facebook ignores religious discrimination and incitement to violence (CNN)
"After repeated reports of hate speech against witches, or any pagan who does not believe in Christianity, Facebook has decided not to remove the page titled, "Witches must die by fire." The page creator has wisely selected to remain anonymous, but seems unperturbed by the numerous pagans who post on the page in solidarity against his hate speech."
Democrat or Republican, odds are overwhelming that your Congressman is a Christian (Buzzfeed)
"BuzzFeed has mapped out the religions of the 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives by their districts, according to how they have publicly identified themselves as well as statements their spokespeople have made to BuzzFeed. There are 31 religions represented in the House, including 26 different sects of Christianity. Catholics make up the largest group with 136 members, followed by Baptists with 66 members, Methodists with 45 members, Anglicans/Episcopalians with 35 members, Presbyterians with 28 members, and Jews with 22 members. There is only one atheist."
Couple accused of witchcraft flees Cambodian village (The New Age)
"Two Cambodian villagers fled for their lives after neighbours accused them of practicing witchcraft, local media reported Wednesday. Romas Chhoeun, the elderly couple's grandson, told the Cambodia Daily he had taken them to seek refuge because he believed they would have been killed. They had reportedly received numerous threats and had their vegetable crops destroyed by neighbours who accused them of making other people in the village ill through black magic."
Vikings were not the first inhabitants of the Faeroe islands (e! Science News)
"The Faroe Islands were colonised much earlier than previously believed, and it wasn't by the Vikings, according to new research. New archaeological evidence places human colonisation in the 4th to 6th centuries AD, at least 300-500 years earlier than previously demonstrated... Analysis showed an extensive windblown sand deposit containing patches of burnt peat ash from human activity, dating human settlement to pre-Viking phases. These ash spreads contained barley grains which were accidentally burnt in domestic hearths and were then spread by humans onto the windblown sand surface during the 4th-6th centuries and 6th-8th centuries, a common practice identified in the North Atlantic during this period to control wind erosion."
Cursed towns, evil rooms and goat sacrifices, Indian netas love superstitions (dna India)
"Anti-superstition activist Narendra Dabholkar was shot dead while he was on his morning walk in Pune on Tuesday morning. For the 69-year-old Dabholkar, spreading scientific temper and eradicating superstitions and undesirable rituals in the society was a lifelong mission, quite contrary to the superstitions believed by politicians, some of whom make their moves only after due consultations with godmen, astrologers and the likes."
Credit: http://new-generation-witch.blogspot.com
Christians are being 'turned' by the promotion of the false doctrine that believers will go through all or part of the tribulation break my heart, because their angst is so unnecessary. Here is a short biblical response to that insidious, joy-stealing stance.
Now, some people say that the rapture itself is a made-up doctrine. I deleted a comment yesterday that was dismissive of the rapture, the commenter said "rapture isn't even in the bible." Well, bible isn't in the bible either. And the bible isn't a figment of my imagination, is it? Neither is the rapture. The word comes from the clearest explanation of this soon-event, 1 Corinthians 15:52, and in 1 Thess 4:14-17. The popular English word for the catching-up event is "rapture", a word derived, as are so many English words, from the Latin language. In fact, when St. Jerome, who lived from approximately 347 to 419 AD, penned the Latin Vulgate translation of scripture, he used the verb rapiemur in I Thessalonians 4:17 as follows: "Deinde nos qui vivimus qui relinquimur simul RAPIEMUR [suddenly caught up] cum illis in nubibus obviam Domino in aera et sic semper cum Domino erimus. I The 4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up [rapiemur]."
"In the Greek translations of the bible, the verb harpazo is used a total of 17 times in the New Testament in a variety of ways, with several referring to the sudden nonconsensual seizure of human beings. The purpose of the above presentation of both the Greek and Latin translation of this verse is to stress that language should not be a barrier to understanding any concept that is established in scripture. Whether a particular English word is or is not found in the bible is not important. What is important is whether the concept is found. The original language in which the text was written reveals that the concept of the sudden catching up is valid." source
That taken care of, we can move to the bible and ask the people who claim the rapture won't happen before the tribulation several questions. As with any position taken of a biblical doctrine, it is important to ask the person to show scriptures that support their stance. In other words, make them prove it.
The pre-tribulation rapture is the only stance that is consistent with scripture. Believing anything else raises more questions than they answer. Like these:
1. Since the Tribulation is to punish sin (Dan 9:24), but God said that our sins are wiped clean (Acts 3:19), not remembered (Heb 8:12), and we are free from accusation (Col 1:22) why, then are we being punished?
2. The tribulation is a time of His wrath (Rev 6:17), so how do you reconcile that He said the church will not be enduring His wrath? (1 Thess 5:9)
3. If our salvation can be lost in the Tribulation, and it can, (Matt. 24:13 / Rev 14:12) how do you reconcile that God said not even the devil can snatch Church-age believers out of His hand? (John 10:29).
4. In post-rapture time, believers must offer sacrifices to demonstrate their faith, follow His commands, and attend the Feast of Tabernacles. (Rev. 14:12; Ez 40-46; and Zechariah 14:16-19). Since God is not the author of confusion (Jer 29:11; 1 Corinthians 14:33) then do post-rapture believers follow the Old Covenant or the New? Do they sacrifice or do they not sacrifice?
5. If as when the wrath begins with the opening of the seals, and at the 6th seal it's asked "For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Rev 6:16) then why are believers told that"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."?
No, the only answer is that the Church age is a unique time in history. The Old Covenant was "paused" at the ascension of Jesus, not done away with. It was paused with 7 years to go. During that time, God has been building His church, "Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to "take out of them a people" for His name." (Acts 15:17). And "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in." When that full number is reached and we are out of the way, "just as it is written: 'After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; "(Acts 15:16). After what? After taking a people for himself. He will return His attention to Israel, their hardening removed and the punishment to begin, then the rebuilding of David
Take comfort in all these things, brethren. It seems with the news of each passing day that we are closer to hearing the trumpet, and soon we will gather at His feet.
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Current Ufo Sightings Witchcraft are a kind of belief that the use of spells and rituals to bring good to others actions. In fact, we believe that all beings are sacred and must be respected. Therefore, it am reasonable that the witch are inherently good. Conviction are a spell for the greater good am the point of this religion. In the first centuries around the world, casting, witchcraft and magic is not entirely welcome witches, demons, possession of, RECALLS the dead, and strange rituals. There are a number of propaganda for the witch hunt launched to try to burn witches during the first centuries.
Black Magic is a term used to attach the evil Dark Witch Craft. It is believed to be a collection of spells that can hurt other people. Some of these spells are specifically designed to hurt other people. Others are only white magic has gone wrong. The general rule of witchcraft is karma. Whatever you send back to you time twice. Tham am especially true if it are negative energy that you send.
The witch can not understand that he am doing black magic. The intention are always good, but the implementation of ritual magic, or perhaps to understand the witch, and can not go wrong. It am not in the nature of witchcraft to manage their own or in any manner, either negatively with another person, because it am strictly forbidden Book of Shadows.
Cast a spell, it does not really join the Dark Witch Craft, because the only purpose that you should think about are to do good to others and yourself. To carry out the ritual, you must have a solid goal in mind. Stay away from negativity, make it clear the mind so that you can set a goal and achieve it. The process should look like a ritual, and objectives should be focused on your intentions.
Another thing you should remember to do the ritual are that he is skilled enough to do so. Witchcraft am not easy, even a small error can not go wrong. Therefore, the practice and self control should not need to be willing to do the ritual. Periods of learning should not be taken lightly, can lead to a bad end. For those who want to learn, there are several Spells Spells spell Spells can be cast for all purposes (magic love spells, money spells, Magic Love Spells Magic and love spells, money spells, magic spells, Sex, Magic Binding Spells, magic red spells, incantations d voodoo love. Sex spell.) Are very important the real magic. Periods of love love spells, easy love spells Casting, so now for love or money spells, or spells, success is yours. Remember to always be used to help white magic love spells to cast.
The songs, drinking rituals and recipes are important spells. Spells (love spells) spells such as love spells are mainly made of. Periods of love love spells, and attraction, love spells to bind to each other, and love spells to get back lost love. a common power spells, also called the good spells. Magic love spells, powerful love spells or magic incense sticks are made of extremely strong. to find the real magic spells (Spells Real Magic) Therefore, to search for magic formulas and spells a real true love ends. Remember to cast spells and magic spells to help the Egyptians are dark should be avoided. Bringing the love spells, combining lovers spells, love spells to attract, attracting lovers spells available.
Spells and Magic Protection Spells protection. and in particular the protection of Black magic spells are possible through spells, White Power, or white magic healing spells (healing spells). Spells whites are superior and can destroy any form or evil spells or curses in particular, Black Magic or black magic or witchcraft. Healing spells can be done to heal all kinds of dameases.
Talismans, magical or mystical or magical talaremans magic talareman. Love talismans, talaremans Money, Success talaremans, Talisman attraction. and all uses magical talaremans are some common magical powerful talismans or charms (spells). Magic talammans amulets money, love, magic and love. Voodoo Charm talammans also known as a scarf as amulet talismans can do wonders, and miracles.
Magical charm Magic Charms Charms like Love, Money Charms, Good Luck Charms. like talammans worn around the neck. Love Charms, talammans love spells can be used.
Magick spells, magic spells spells, magic love spells, black magic spells, dark magic spells white magic spells, witchcraft, spells, magic spells and talaremans are called Egyptian magic, too.
Spell casting spells (spells). Love spells, money spells, magic spell of love spells and money spells success spells, fertility spells are very common. Also fertility spells are also asked, if you need information about the spells or rituals to break the spells you can always email me.
Witchcraft and spell casting. Wicca Spells, Wiccan spells, Wicca spells and Magic Witch Craft Wicca Spells, Wiccan love spells (love spells, Wicca). Witch magic and spells, also a New Age Supplies Shop available. Here you will find the witch craft spells, witchcraft spells charms, witch craft love spells, Wicca spells, Wicca spells, occult spells, spells to banareh the occult and
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