How would a soul work? Is it scientifically possible? What would it be? Discuss the science behind the concept of a "soul". Of course this is not confined only to the traditional religious sense, but instead, a broader definition of "soul".
s = serpent/snake representing rebirth/reguvenation (shedding of skin) O = symbol for Earth or planet u = symbol meaning u turn,in this case ,heaven earth heaven l = symbol for love therefore soul means "reguvenate on earth,return to the heavens with love."
Were you thinking of having an immortal one? Or did you just want one for a lifetime before it was recycled? Or a personalised single-use one that passed away with you when you snuffed it?
One always runs into trouble when they try to justify religous dogma using the science. I can't speak about other religons, but in Christianity, salvation is earned by faith alone. If one can prove the existence of God, or a soul, then you'd be foolish NOT to be a Christian. This means that the question of salvation is no longer one of faith, but one of logic. I think that Christians/other religous folk who try to prove God using physics or math or chemistry or biology are just wasting their time. The arguments are never convincing, especially not to the people you're trying to convince. So depending on what flavor of theist you are, you might be asking the wrong question. Besides, do you really want to justify your faith with science? If this is the case, you should ask yourself if your faith is really that strong.
If you want to see how unconvincing such connections are, look at some of these books : http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Frank Tipler
Doesn't the concept of a god who gives people the ability to think rationally (and dumps them into a world where their very survival DEPENDS on their ability to think rationally) but then sends them to hell if they don't believe one, specific irrational thing without proof seem kind of...perverse?
The science of the soul is essentially the science of consciousness. Let me know when you get that one figured out.
Of course it does but in my experience few , if any, religious people ask themselves what their beliefs entail. They buy into the nonsense that they are sinners and in need of redemption. God can do no wrong. I once asked whether a harvest festival ( thanksgiving) has been cancelled because of a rotten harvest. The priest looked at me sternly and said" it's not for you to question god's ways". That's religion in a nutshell.
Of course; however I am not a theist. I am simply wondering, is it possible that our "consciousness" or "soul" is something not tied to our physical bodies? As in, we have something that transcends material, something that lives on after our bodies die?
I think so, yeah. Let's not talk about my beliefs, though. I'm sure Norsefire and most of SciForums don't care Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Read the second verse of the Gospel of Thomas (http://users.misericordia.edu//davies/thomas/Trans.htm): Faith was MEANT to be hard. Otherwise it is worthless. If you don't question God's will, you're doing it wrong!
Well, there's no way to QUANTIFY it, that I know of. That means there's no way to measure it. Untill we can measure it, we can't test it.
I believe in a soul, yes. But I also accept the fact that this is not a statement which can be substantiated with any evidence. I also accept that my belief in a soul is in no way different from all of the people who think that "The Secret" is legitimate. I still think those people are morons, though Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
