Well it's around about the same idea.
In essence religion is all about saying you're more than an evolved ape waiting to be worm food.
The monotheist says "it's cos God made you to love him and observe his wishes and he judges you at the end"
where as the physicist says
"you are no more than a coalation of atoms and when you die those atoms fly across the universe."
same truth diferent routes.
The latter is way more exciting, beautiful and fun. And also more comforting (in my opinion).
Makes sense that religion stood in before science came along, but now it's here, I'm sometimes quite surprised so many people en masse still feel they need the former.
Quote: sootyj @ October 31 2011, 10:25 PM BSTOr because they believe that there's more to life than 70 +/- years and a 6 foot hole in the ground?
Always seems a bit desperate that, or egotistical; an inability to face their own limited span of existence; that there must be something else, something lovely, they couldn't just be nothing again when they die. Be nice if there was of course.
I definitely prefer the second.
I wonder if some part of who we are stays with our atoms as we whizz about the stars.
I think Brian Cox said the atoms in our right hand might be from a different star than the atoms in our left.
Flipping brilliant.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ October 31 2011, 10:37 PM BSTAlways seems a bit desperate that, or egotistical; an inability to face their own limited span of existence; that there must be something else, something lovely, they couldn't just be nothing again when they die. Be nice if there was of course.
True but if it offers comfort is it so awful?
If it makes one think beyond their own existence to devote their life to helping and being kind. Because they believe they're more than they probably are,
Quote: sootyj @ October 31 2011, 10:25 PM BSTEven physicist expound on how we are all made of star dust and return to said state at the end.
Obviously that's not the same as heaven and a continuation of your own consciousness though; it still means being nothing again, essentially.
Some would say we are nothing right now.
Quote: sootyj @ October 31 2011, 10:40 PM BSTTrue but if it offers comfort is it so awful?
Anyone can believe anything they like, if they must. It will make me judge them a little though, probably, as I can't quite comprehend how they can take it seriously. But sure, believe away if it makes you a nicer person.
Quote: sootyj @ October 31 2011, 10:41 PM BSTSome would say we are nothing right now.
I'm definitely something, I have trousers on; if I was nothing they'd fall down.
I think really religious beliefs outside of academia died out decades ago.
What's left is a hodge podge of superstition and self interest.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ October 31 2011, 10:43 PM BSTI'm definitely something, I have trousers on; if I was nothing they'd fall down.
You're a coherent mass of atoms as are your trousers.
They are merely coexisting in the same area of space time.
Like an oort cloud circling a transtellar meteorite for all time.
Quote: sootyj @ October 31 2011, 10:47 PM BSTYou're a coherent mass of atoms as are your trousers.
They are merely coexisting in the same area of space time.
I definitly chose these though, and had to turn up the legs a little.
Thing is that takes a vast effort of faith.
Faith in trousers, faith in turns ups faith in legs.
An alien life form may not percieve the diference between any of them.
Physicists can be religious too. Just thought I'd throw that in before I go off to say my prayers.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ October 31 2011, 10:49 PM BSTI definitly chose these though, and had to turn up the legs a little.
Why didn't you let your legs down a couple of inches ?
Quote: zooo @ October 31 2011, 10:38 PM BSTI think Brian Cox said the atoms in our right hand might be from a different star than the atoms in our left.
Flipping brilliant.
His left hand and his right hand are both gay.
Fact.