ruveyn1

Just a small point.  In existence argument,  he who asserts the existence of X,  has the burden to produce evidence for X.  
 
He who disbelieves the existence of X or is not convinced of the existence of X  is in the clear.  No one is required to believe anything if there is no evidence to support the "anything"  in question.  Skepticism of the mild,  careful variety is always permitted, until evidence indicates otherwise.
 
ruveyn1

I am pushing 80 and I have had to change many of my views and assumptions during my life,  hundreds and perhaps thousands.  My views and beliefs are governed largely by the facts I learn and by the consequences of my heretofore held views and beliefs.   Time and the Facts are stern teachers.

Just a small point.  In existence argument,  he who asserts the existence of X,  has the burden to produce evidence for X.  
 
He who disbelieves the existence of X or is not convinced of the existence of X  is in the clear.  No one is required to believe anything if there is no evidence to support the "anything"  in question.  Skepticism of the mild,  careful variety is always permitted, until evidence indicates otherwise.
 
ruveyn1

Jews were doing these things (during the Babylonian diaspora)  500 years before there were any Christians.  Perhaps that is why Jews are better "Christians" than are the Christians Christian.  It is amazing how one becomes moderated and enlightened by having the living shit kicked out of one. Pain is a great teacher.  Christianity became sane after the Enlightenment. Well almost sane.
 
ruveyn1

Most likely because they are metabolized and broken down quickly. They are partly assimilated and partly excreted.  Substances like Mercury are not metabolized and they are not excreted efficiently either.
 
ruveyn

The irony is so many of the Lefties were brought up Jewish.

I can testify to the efficacy of the -ethical content of Judaism-, as I not only was brought up Jewish, but still am Jewish right down to my toenails. I just do not need the theological baggage any more. The ethics and the resistance to dogmatic thinking is what is important to me. Jews generally do not have to park their brains at the curb to be Jewish. Even some of those of Orthodox persuasion still know how to ask pointed questions.

What other religion teaches one to ask "Mah nishtanoh...." (Why is this different from that?) ? Not too many.

And we learn not to worship idols, not only stone, wood, metal, and plaster idols, but idols of the intellect. The disease of the ultra liberal types is their imaginations are paralyzed by the political and moral idols they have not only construct, but -worship-. If there is a G-D, then that G-D is the rock bottom reality of the cosmos, not our wishful longings and daydreams. When Moses asked G-D what His name was, the reply was: Existence. I am That which is. Sound familiar?

ruveyn1

The American Jesus wants you to be rich, but first you have to buy the guy's book on how to be rich without even raising a sweat.

ruveyn1

Replication is one of the things living beings do.

ruveyn1