In Reply to: Yes, I've thought of that posted by Acheick on February 23, 2006 at 15:42:34:
Acheick, I think it's wonderful that you are comfortable and secure in your beliefs. But I do think you're reading too much into my comments.
If we ever met before, you'd know that I'm not the type of guy who gets his "happy moments" from getting a rise out of people or trying to "move them". That's just not my style.
I do, however, hold nothing sacred. I believe everything can and should be scrutinized, questioned, and even lampooned--including myself, naturally. That said, there are many things I admire and respect (your right of religious choice, Acheick, falls under that category) but none so that they are immune to being picked apart.
If it's any comfort, I would glady, if occasion called for it, take the side of a Christian against atheism. You see, I don't hold atheism or evolution sacred either. (Speaking of which ... the 'Big Bang' theory has practically nothing to do with the theory of evolution. Since you seem secure in your religion, that might be a fun topic for you to research sometime.)
You see, I believe that if one cannot be humourous or critical of any and every facet of their life--be it religion, career, love, friends, etc.--that one has not found a proper balance and security in that facet.
You brought up the subject of life after death. While I have studied this phenomenon thoroughly, and am quite familar with both sides of the argument, I have never experienced an NDE myself. I did, however, have an interesting experience when I had my wisdom teeth pulled last year.
I was given an anesthetic which left me fully conscious (walking, talking and all) and yet when it wore off 2 hours later I remembered absolutely nothing.
So this got me thinking: If the part of the human brain which stores memory can be completely controlled by chemicals, it would indicate that the process of "remembering" is entirely a biological function. My spirit (I use this term for your benefit) was obviously still around and interacting with the world around it and yet my spirit doesn't know what happened while I was "under".
Now see if you can follow my line of reasoning with this: If the brain's memory storage function is entirely biological and is not dependant on the spirit, then how is it possible that a person who's spirit has supposedly left their body still rememebers what happened to it?
In closing you asked "Do you [happily challenge] Buddhists, Jews, Muslims"? You'd better believe it. I have had healthy and enjoyable debates with my Jewish friends over several Shabbos dinners. I have no Buddhist or Muslim friends yet, but if/when I do, you can be sure I'll give them a run for their money.
Believe it or not, I've actually learned more about religions that way, than by merely studying their text books.
Cheers,
--Stephan