When I was 12 or 13, I think I died in my sleep.
These days, I had a bad habit of sleeping with a blanket over my
head so that my breath could keep me warm. One night, I dreamt that
I was drowning in a swimming pool, but it was different than other
dreams because I knew it went beyond just the surreal. I knew it
was my actual body experiencing it. I couldn’t move my body
to wake myself up and I was literally suffocating. In retrospect,
it was clearly due to the lack of oxygen and an over-consumption
of carbon dioxide. But when I finally woke up, I knew beyond a doubt
that I had actually died. Since this point, nothing has been the
same. I was disconnected.
Although I’m hesitant to accept it, I am
literally not the same person. My memories of before this point
in my life are blurry at best. Sure, they’re in my head here
and there but I don’t feel attached to them like I do current
memories (if that makes any sense). I also don’t feel emotion
the same way that I “remember”. The way I feel now
is completely different.
For a long while, I was told by my parents that
I had a chemical imbalance, so they had me see several psychiatrists
for “help”. The truth of it was that I saw my parents
on a different level… from a new perspective. My personality
shifted and my parents didn’t know how to handle it, so they
forced me on all sorts of medications to try to keep me under control.
The thing is, I wasn’t a bad child by any means… I
was fairly well behaved in fact, but they noticed I was very different.
I must emphasize that it went beyond typical teenage behavior.
Also, I don’t feel a connection to my own family even though
before this, I had a very strong connection, especially with my
sister.
Anyway, I came across your article on teleportation,
and you said you’d be interested in hearing from someone
like me, so here I am. I would rather stay anonymous if possible,
but hopefully I can still be of some insight into the phenomenon.
Matt |
Absolutely fascinating. If I can think of any questions I'll let you
know.
The teleport debate is one which recurs from time to time on my forum.
We debate ourselves into a standstill and then it goes quiet for a few
months. A new eruption is due. If you fancy a debate about your condition
I can guarantee that you will get one.
Such debates belong in the Mind
and Matters forum
--
Martin Willett
http://mwillett.org/
I understand that you are atheist and everything
but when it comes to abortion and the one that made me, he states
that he knew us while we were being formed in our mother's womb.
I am 30 weeks pregnant and I have felt my baby's movement since
about 20 weeks. I saw her heartbeat at around 8 weeks. There is
no heart or muscle function without a working brain. I am also
a medical student who has been studying medicine since I was about
14 yrs old. I am the type of person that is very eager to learn
and have been doing so since I first found out about abortion.
No matter what you say, no matter how you twist it, a life is a
life no matter what. A tree is a tree despite being in the form
of a seed or if you are able to see every branch and every leaf.
When it comes to a baby, as with any living thing, it only needs
time to grow. No matter outside the womb or inside, that human
still has the right to life. I have seen videos (silent scream)
about a unborn child, I cannot remember the amount of weeks but
the baby was very small. The doctor used suction abortion and the
child was trying to get away and you could see the child pulling
away and opening its mouth as if it were screaming.
As a nation we shouldn't be allowed to kill
the most defenseless, especially in such a brutal way. Abortion
happens in many forms, from the beginning of a pregnancy all
the way up until that child is being delivered at the end of
the 9 months. One day we'll all know the truth, but we'll never
be able to take back what we have done.
My mother had an abortion and even 27 years
later she is still dealing with it. Maybe many should take that
into consideration. If the child isn't a child then why do mothers
grieve years later for wha they have done? |
Are you aware of the existence of the rest of the world? Don't assume
everybody is a member of your nation, that attitude alienates people
very quickly.
A sprouted acorn is not an oak tree. There is a tree preservation order
on the trees in my garden. If I fell a tree without permission I am in
trouble; If I chop off a seedling with a hoe I am not. There is a difference
and that difference is so obvious that nobody needs it explaining unless
they have already tied themselves up in knots as you have done.
Has a foetus ever complained about abortion? Of course not. That would
be impossible. A foetus lacks those uniquely human communication skills.
A foetus capable of feeling pain and moving does not exceed the powers
of expression, communication, understanding, sympathy, empathy and ability
to suffer of the animals that the majority of our species has no problem
with eating. The foetus is entitled to good veterinary care, that is
all.
There have been no fundamental new discoveries in the study of foetal
development. We have always known that foetuses are capable of movement
and expression and are sensitive. So are pigs, and far more so. There
has never been an argument that foetuses are animals and nobody has produced
any new evidence to show that they exceed the rest of the animal kingdom
in any faculty that matters. Looking vaguely human and sucking their
thumbs is something monkeys can manage just as well. Catholics have always
considered that foetuses have souls, although they have never managed
to explain what a soul is and why it needs to be grown in a human body
rather than being created directly in the stalls of the celestial choir.
I can see no good reason to grant members of our species any especially
human rights until they are in some meaningful sense people. For me that
transition happens several weeks after birth. Before that time I see
no reason to grant them an absolute right to life in their own right.
Of course killing a newborn child should be a crime by default, as should
killing a foetus (or indeed somebody else's cat), unless there is a reasonable
and lawful excuse. I see the avoidance of bringing up an unwanted child
as an acceptable excuse while that foetus is fully dependent upon the
mother and it is the mother's choice and the mother is aware of all relevant
information. Abortion is not something I am in favour of but neither
am I in favour of women being forced to continue with a pregnancy which
they feel is likely to ruin their life. Abortion clinics are like airbags,
fire escapes, lifeboats and ejector seats: nobody wants to have to use
them because nobody ever wants to be in that situation, but those situations
will keep on happening. We should do all we can to reduce the number
of such emergencies but maintain our provision for them.
I see the people who call abortion murder as hateful and unfeeling dogmatists
who knowingly inflict mental cruelty upon people who have been traumatized
by these experiences. People continue to grieve for lost unborn children
for their whole life, whether that is as a result of miscarriage, stillbirth
or abortion. Obviously an abortion is something which demands to be be
either regretted or not regretted because it is a decision that has been
made. Sane people manage to regret the falling pregnant at the wrong
time and learn to accept the abortion as a consequence of the unwanted
pregnancy rather than an act of criminal cosmic defiance. The religious
have to think that the pregnancy was God's work and therefore unquestionably
good. That is a very damaging idea, an idea responsible for more pain
than any tough decision.
--
Martin Willett
http://mwillett.org/
I can see a demon in your face martin. I know your going to
think i'm a fool and say whatever you want to say about me, but
you will find out sooner or later.Soften your subborn heart and
allow the blood of Christ to wash your filthy wickedness. |
In reference to "Marriage
and Atheism"
Being an athiest married in a Christian Church, had you already
been baptized Christian? Or did you find a loop hole in not being
at all baptized and still marrying a Christian in a Christian
Church?
I am Roman Catholic, and my boyfriend is Athiest. He would
marry in a Christian Church for my sake, and that of my family,
but is not willing to become baptized for it, nor would I ever
ask him.
If you are not baptized, which kind of Christian Church were
you married in?
Thank you for your help. Much appreciated.
Respectfully,
Hopeful Mary |
 I
was baptized and confirmed and therefore the Church of England still
class me as a member. As several of their bishops are atheists (on the
quiet of course) they don't see any problems. Don't ask, don't tell.
If your fiancé is prepared to lie and make meaningless promises
in church for the sake of appearances once what's stopping him doing
it more than once? If it's money you should find some Catholic who is
willing to offer to pay.
Another alternative is a Unitarian Universalist church,
they don't ask any questions and are quite happy to have people who are
openly atheists as members. They'll marry atheists, gays, lesbians and
possibly even pets. Just ask.
--
Martin Willett
http://mwillett.org/
 Dear
Sir,
I am vijay from India, I am in marketing field for 10 years,
My wife is workig as assistant Professor in an Engineering College.
I am involved in many social Activities such as,
# Conducting Free medical camp for villages,
# Conducting meetings to discuss About Gandhidian Thoughts,
We are doing these Activities in the name
"NATIONAL GANDHIAN UNITY AND YOUTH THOUGHTS FORUM"
I have also planned to do service to my nation and to its
forsaken and downtrodden people in the way shown by Mahatma gandhijii.
Many college students from various colleges are also interested
to doing with me to do this wonderful servies.
As we are in need of funds for further activies, we like your
contributin towards this and join with us to do this wonderful
service..
Yours faithfully,
P.vijay
cell: 097909 26259
Emil: vijay79_lancer@yahoo.co.in |
I am not a nationalist, an Indian, a Hindu or a believer in the
myth of Gandhi. I think he was a manipulative little shit with
a disastrous plan for the people of India.
I am also not rich. Sorry you fucked up with this one just about as
big as it is possible to do.
I hope this messages causes you to lose heart and give up your obscene
scheme to beg money from those parts of the world which are being productive
so you can help keep your part of the world in perpetual quaint poverty,
ignorance and fecund squalor.
It is possible however that you are merely a conman, in which case I
do apologize for impugning your honour and the integrity of your motivation.
--
Martin Willett
http://mwillett.org/
Hi Martin, I'd like to request permission to
reprint:
"Belief without proof is a virtue for the
religious. To the scientist belief without evidence is gross
professional misconduct."
from http://www.mwillett.org/atheism/manmade1.htm
I'd like to put this in a novel I'm working
on that has strong atheist/freethought themes.
Thanks.
Paul Gehrman |
Sure. Will there be any kind of attribution? If not I'll just have to
make sure I at least publish your email to get it acknowledged that way.
I have quoted or paraphrased myself on that one once or twice but I'm
fairly confident that it is original. I think I first wrote that phrase
in 1999:
http://groups.google.com/group/talk.atheism
--
Martin Willett
http://mwillett.org/
Hi, I am Kerry Wilson. I write in tongues. I
received the speaking in tongues gift 18 years ago. Within 5 years
I found myself writing in tongues. I took it to a gal at a university
who looked middle eastern to see if she recognized the language.
She said it looked like very sloppy ancient aramaic. She didn't
know I wrote it, or under what circumstances it was written. I
still write it. I write from rt to left when writing. Do you think
it is aramaic or just a heavenly script that only the father in
Heaven can translate? I'll send it to you if you like. I have looked
for answers for years, but have found no one else who writes in
tongues or even believes me. Thanks for your time. Kerry |
Just for a few moments imagine that you were a religious lunatic who
wanted to persuade people that your beliefs were true by the use of tricks.
How would you simulate "writing in tongues"? It's as easy as
copying some script that you have seen. How would you do it if you were
trying to hide the deception from yourself?
A real god would have all the time in the world to learn how to write
in any language he cared to use. I would begin to take this seriously
if you could write in any language nominated, under carefully controlled
conditions and the writing turned out to be understandable and meaningful.
Showing it to somebody whose only academic qualification seems to be
fitting your idea of looking Middle Eastern does not qualify
as using the scientific method.
If you would like to send me some fresh writing please feel free.
--
Martin Willett
http://mwillett.org/
I must ask you--How do you believe the Earth was created? The
Big Bang Theory? Do you really believe there is enough evidence
that a big explosion perfectly created the entire universe and
life on Earth? An explosion that came from nothing? You rely and
base your "belief" on not believing anything on scientists
who claim they have found proof that God didn't create the universe.
You just take their word for it. Have you physically sat side by
side with these "experts" and did everything they've
done to see if it is actually plausible? These are the same scientists
who change there theories all the time with so-called "new
evidence." Scientists who tell us that studies show a certain
food is good for us, then later tell us it's bad for us. I'm sure
you have watched alot of TV shows about the absence of God during
the creation of the Earth. What if those same scientists instead
were supporting the belief that God did in fact create this universe?
Would you believe them then? Probably not because you only want
to believe in those scientists and "experts" who support
your very same non-belief.
On the subject of The Atheist barber story, I think most Christians
already know that simply telling the story to an atheist isn't
going to change his/her views. Perhaps maybe make them think
a little bit and ask questions, but not convince an atheist.
Christians don't soley base their faith on this story. It's an
uplifting story to help reassure them of their faith.
The fact is alot of atheists, no matter how much evidence is
thrown at them, will still never believe in God...simply because
they do not want to believe there is a higher power that has
more control than they do. People want to believe that they have
total control and control their own life and destiny. You really
believe after all this time that if God sent you an email it
would change your mind?
Would you rather have God force everyone to love and believe
in him? Would you want someone to love you because they choose
to or because they are forced to? God gives us free will. We
can choose to believe or not believe in him. Those who don't
believe in him will go to hell. They choose to not have anything
to do with him so God gives them what they want. Why would someone
who denies Christ want to spend eternity with him?
And there is pain and suffering in the world because we have
sinned. We choose to do the things we do, whether they are moral
or immoral. The reason this world is so ugly is because of sin....murder,
theft, drugs, pornography, addictions, hate, rage, etc. What
good is having a life if you can't make your own decisions. Christians
are to try and not participate in these acts, to love one another
and help others find Christ and pull them away from a life of
ugly sin. And go to God and other Christians when they are feeling
weak and feel like sin is trying to pull them back in. Do you
want God to give you a "sign?" Well that very sign
could be as little as simply someone who decides to talk to you
about Christ. You choose to deny those signs. And I'm sure you
and many other people have encountered so-called "christians" who
are hypocrites and only judge and damn others to hell with fear
and anger. But you can't just look at those certain people and
decide that all Christians are the same way. If those people
choose to act that way then you should take it up with those
individuals. Do you dislike all sports and sport athletes because
certain choose to cheat and use steroids to enhance their performance?
Christians are taught to share the gospel in a positive way.
Galatians 6:
1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome
by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help
that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall
into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other’s
burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 3 If you think
you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself.
You are not that important.
4 Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will
get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t
need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible
for our own conduct.
So don't believe that all Christians are hypocrites, because
there are certain atheists who can be hypocrites just as well.
I hear several non-believers say "everything happens for
a reason." And I ask, how can someone say that if they believe
there isn't a higher power governing them. If they believe they
control their own lives and everything is based on chance then
how could everything happen for a reason without someone higher
being in control of that reasoning.
There are many different religions that have come and gone
throughout the ages. How many people do you know that still worship
Greek Gods or Thor, Venus, Ganesh. But the main belief behind
Christianity has not changed since Christ walked this Earth.
What is written in the Bible has not changed. What other books
have been around that long? There are certain religions who choose
to either take away or add to the Bible certain beliefs and commandments
that they "choose" to follow...but the Bible itself
has not changed. The main idea behind Christianity is the belief
that Christ is the Son of God and he died on the cross for our
sins, and the only way to heaven is through Him. And we are given
the Bible to help live our lives as Christ-like as possible.
Those who choose to believe and follow only certain commandments
to please their own wants and needs is that persons decision.
So don't judge all Christians as those individuals
Please write back if you have any comments |
First point, why do you have to ask? Why don't you let God tell you,
or are you not on speaking terms?
I don't believe the Earth was created, I believe it formed. If you think
the Big Bang explains "the creation of the Earth" you really
need to do a lot more research. Try searching for answers that don't
come from people who are pushing religion or mocking science. Your level
of ignorance is encyclopaedic. Start with encyclopaedias rather than
sermons or tracts. Find out about the beliefs you mock, I read the Bible,
at least you could read a mere ten thousand or so words of science unfiltered
by religion.
There is pain and suffering in this world because there is not a god
to ensure that there isn't. Can you really imagine a world in which nothing
bad could ever happen? How would that operate? Think about it. Seriously
think it through. Ask yourself how a world could exist without the possibility
of anything bad happening. Do you actually know how to think? Are you
too frightened to think freely in case you upset God? It is no more possible
to have a universe that cannot contain evil than it is to have a universe
that cannot contain beige. A universe without evil would have to be made
and run by a magical being who took special care to ensure that nothing
evil occurred. Evil exists as an adjective, not a noun.
Are you Christ-like? Do you approve of the sacrificing of animals to
God but disapprove of making a profit? Are you celibate? Have you collected
together a bunch of people to follow you? Do you approve of slavery and
the second class status of women? Have you made yourself a nuisance with
the civil authorities? Have you told thousands of people that the traditional
religion they have been following is misguided and they should pay more
attention to what you say than what is written in Scripture? Do you get
crippled beggars following you trying to touch the hem of your garment?
Have you suggested to anybody that if they get the urge to chop off their
penis they should go right ahead? Do you consort with whores and outcasts?
Do you even have long hair and a beard and walk around in sandals? Can
you name one way in which you are like Christ, just one?
Have you any idea who Ganesh is?
If people are told to venerate a book or be considered evil and be socially
outcast in what way does the survival of that book count as passing the
test of time?
I haven't seen any evidence for God. Have you got some?
Can you give an account of heaven that would make me want to go there
even for an afternoon?
What is wrong with changing your mind when new evidence comes along?
Should scientists just stick to the old explanations and pretend the
new evidence isn't conclusive? That is the way of religion. What good
has religion ever done for the world? How many diseases have been abolished
by prayer compared to those banished by science? How many priests have
gone to the Moon? How many bishops have explained the structure of atoms
or provided mankind with new forms of energy, new materials or new techniques
to communicate?
Do you think you're on a mission from God to save me? Have you any idea
how many people have given up before you?
Give me answers not quotes. I've read the Bible, I know what it says
and I'm not impressed.
--
Martin Willett
http://mwillett.org/
YES, I certainly can imagine a world where there is no pain
and suffering...and that place is Heaven. Earth began that way
until Adam and Eve first sinned. Overcoming any pain and suffering
is what makes us stronger, it tests our faith and makes us closer
to God if we continue to turn to him even when the worst of the
worst happens. And if you must ask, I am celibate and plan on waiting
until I'm married. And no I don't disapprove of making a profit
because there is nothing wrong with money unless you make it first
priority and place it before God. Anything can separate you from
God if you let it control you and you make it more important. Attempting
to be Christ-like is not about looking like him. We are told to
follow the laws that man has governed unless they go against what
is written in the Bible. If it became illegal to pray or read the
Bible or even be a Christian then I would certainly go against
those laws. I have been on trips to help out people in need and
feed the homeless. I began sponsoring a little girl in Indonesia.
I've seen little children in 3rd world countries who have absolutely
nothing still praise God and give thanks to him. Children who have
such a strong, undeniable faith that I sometimes wish I could be
more like them. That's how I know God is present. I do talk to
my friends about Christ. I do it in a settling way where we can
have a civil conversation without insulting one another. I ask
them if they would like to come to my church. If they refuse than
I don't hound them and condemn them and tell them they are evil
sinners who are going to hell. Because I know that If I am going
to bring someone to Christ than that won't be the way. I am not
saying science is bad. And if a friends church does have some modern
practice or beliefs then I will ask them why they believe in it.
I'll ask them why it doesn't say it in the Bible. If someone believes
in Purgatory then I'll call them out and tell them there isn't
a single shred of evidence in the Bible that Purgatory exists.
There are ways to call out people without insulting them and turning
them against you.
I believe that God gives everyone certain talents and abilities
to use for good. Those who find cures for diseases and advances
in medicine I think God gave them those abilities to find those
cures. And how can you be so sure that none of the scientists
who have made these discoveries or have gone into space did have
a faith in Christ?
I've seen instances where a non-believer, who has had alot
of troubles on his mind, go to a christian retreat because a
friend invited him; and hear one speaker preach a message to
where it seems like the speaker is preaching directly to him.
And finally open his eyes to God and dedicate his life to Christ
that very same day. And see a stadium full of 20,000 grown men
crying and hugging because they can feel the power of Christ.
That's how I know Christ is present.
And you're absolutely right, I'm not that familiar with Ganesh.
And I'm sure I can find alot of other people who aren't that
familiar with him either. But I'm not sure I can think of anyone
who has never heard of Jesus...even in other countries.
You are sold on a belief that science gives you, but when they
realize they were wrong and tell you something different than
you go with their newly discovered belief. So if a scientist,
who originally believed the the Earth was created without God,
was to convert to Chrisitianity then why wouldn't you believe
him then?
And what does following Christ teach? Obviously the 10 commandments...but
also, be kind to others, don't judge others or place yourself
above anyone else, be quick to forgive and slow to condemn, don't
be greedy and instead give to others, don't be jealous and envious
of what others have, give to the poor, help others if they are
struggling down the wrong path. ...yeah that sounds really horrible
doesn't it? If everyone followed Christ and tried to live by
his word then YES I believe this would be a much better world
...and when you live this way, people can see a light shine
in you, people are able to see Christ through you and want to
know more about Christ so they can shine to others |
I didn't ask whether you could imagine a world without suffering, and
heaven doesn't count as a world, I asked could you imagine how such a
world could exist without a magical being stopping the evil from happening.
That's a very different question. Merely saying something afterwards
that refers to some of the words in the question does not count as answering
the question.
If you see a million people go down to a sacred river does that prove
their gods are more real than yours? Your 20,000 people in a stadium
is bit small when compared to the demonstrations of the reality of other
gods that the world provides us with. Other gods and beliefs get people
to dedicate their whole lives, withstand pain, cut themselves with swords,
beat themselves, blow themselves up or burn themselves to death. What
do those demonstrations actually demonstrate? Human gullibility and willpower.
Nothing more. We know people are gullible, we know people can do amazing
and hideous things when they set their minds to it. None of that proves
anything about what they claim to believe, only that they are human.
We knew that.
Who wrote the Bible and who decided it was good? Where in the Bible
does it say that the Bible is your only source of what is true? Where
in the Bible does it say a committee of bishops of the Church of Rome
can decide what is the Bible and what isn't and then weld the back cover
on it for all time? Doesn't the Bible describe idolatry as a sin? Isn't
the worshipping of the Bible (obligatory capital letter and all) a sin?
http://wsu.edu/~brians/errors/alot.html
Imagining that somebody goes to a Christian retreat without the intention
of being converted is the same as imagining a person goes to an orgy
for the free mouth wash.
I do not follow scientists. I follow science. Science has never become
Christian. Faith is antithetical to science. Anybody who is a scientist
who maintains a faith is doing it wrong, and doing it harm.
“When the missionaries came to Africa they
had the Bible
and we had the land. They said 'Let us pray.'
We closed our eyes. When we opened them
we had the Bible and they had the land.”
Desmond Tutu
Do you really think that what poor people really want most from Americans
is what makes them smug?
--
Martin Willett
http://mwillett.org/
To all atheists please note this well known phrase:
"I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and
die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't,
and die to find out there is".
Question: Do you not have any fear to die?
Vera |
I don't want to die because I like living and I suspect dying may be
painful. However I have no fears about being dead as it is impossible
to be dead. To be is to be alive. There is no way to be without being
alive.
Death is inevitable, it will come, my life will end at some time and
there will be no more experiences for me.
There is only this life, I do not intend to live it in fear. That would
be wasting it.
--
Martin Willett
http://mwillett.org/
Hello,
Hope you're really well.
I'm a freelance health writer who's been commissioned by Psychologies
magazine to write an article on Tree Healing. Will you be able
to help, answer some questions and provide a suitable case study
who has a wonderful story of how tree healing has helped them
(ideally someone who's aged between 20 and 50 and who's willing
to have a photograph published in the magazine)? I'll also need
to speak to someone who can explain its benefits from a scientific
basis.
I'm a big fan of trees, so delighted to be able to write this
article. It will be completely positive about this form of healing.
Many thanks for your help. Let me know if you'd like more details
or if I can help you in any way.
Kind regards,
David.
David Hurst, Health Writer.
Tel: 07711-746218 (UK). |
I think you might have me confused with a nutter. I am a person who
likes trees, I have some in my garden. I am not a nutter. If I need healing
I go to a doctor, or sometimes an off licence. Not a tree.
You may quote me.
--
Martin Willett
http://mwillett.org/ |
|
