Religion and Ethics Forum

Ultimately, you are free to choose reasons to believe that God exists, or you are free to choose reasons to believe why God does not exist.  There are a multitude of reasons for both sides - the choice is your to make.  But your freedom to make that choice may give you a clue as to which reasons are valid. 

Could you choose not to believe?

OK, that is just a belief, then, it is not a conclusion from evidence.

You may think we are free to choose what to believe and what to understand and what desires to have.  However this claim makes no sense.  I cannot just choose to understand something that I don't understand, nor can I just choose to want something that I don't want.  Such things are beyond our conscious control. We are all products of the influences which shape us.

Ultimately, you are free to choose reasons to believe that God exists, or you are free to choose reasons to believe why God does not exist.  There are a multitude of reasons for both sides - the choice is your to make.  But your freedom to make that choice may give you a clue as to which reasons are valid. 

Was Francis really a liberal - sure he talked the talk, but what major modernising or liberal shifts in policy did he get adopted by the RCC?

The RC church has its foundation firmly rooted in the divine revelations of Christ as discerned in the New Testament scriptures.  Any modernising or liberal shifts cannot take us away from Christ's teachings.

Hi everyone,

https://www.ndtv.com/science/is-gravity-the-code-new-theory-suggests-the-universe-is-a-giant-quantum-computer-8288118#pfrom=home-ndtv_lateststories

***********

A groundbreaking study proposes that gravity might be a product of computational processes within the universe, hinting that the cosmos could be operating like a giant quantum computer. Physicist Melvin Vopson from the University of Portsmouth suggests that gravity could be a by-product of the universe's attempt to organize information and matter in space and time.

This new theory raises intriguing questions about the nature of reality and whether we are living in a simulated environment. If proven true, it could revolutionize our understanding of the universe and its underlying mechanisms.

Dr Melvin Vopson suggests that gravity might actually be caused by how information about matter is organised in the universe. Using the second law of information dynamics, he indicates that matter and objects in space may be being pulled together because the universe is trying to keep information tidy and compressed.

Dr Vopson said: "My findings in this study fit with the thought that the universe might work like a giant computer, or our reality is a simulated construct. Just like computers try to save space and run more efficiently, the universe might be doing the same. It's a new way to think about gravity - not just as a pull, but as something that happens when the universe is trying to stay organised."

***********

Cheers

Sriram

Obvious conclusions from a non believer.

Patronising comment from a believer.

The truth is that God's will and love for mankind does not change - what does cause change is the increasing drift away from faith and trust in God's love which is replaced by human pride in presuming that we have no need for God as we head towards self centred goals and lose sight of the true meaning of life.

Regardless of whether you consider god's will to be unchanging, the reality is that RCC doctrinal interpretation and practise can and does change (even if the pace of change is glacial).

So the point is whether Francis, who is portrayed as a liberal and a moderniser, actually enacted any meaningful modernisation and liberalisation within the RCC during his 12 years as pope. My view would be 'no' - lots of warm words about not judging gays etc but actually no meaningful change whatsoever.