The Universe

[naomi24]

I watched last night's Stargazing Live (BBC2), and as always when I see programmes of this sort, the content, and the photography in particular, left me awestruck. How can anyone possibly believe that all of this vast magnificence is the handiwork of a petty-minded, vindictive, narcissistic God like Yahweh, whom in one instance, the bible tells us, was incapable of defeating chariots of iron? Additionally, is something that is capable of creating such enormously beautiful and powerful splendour really so personally insecure that it needs the inhabitants of one speck of dust among all that wonder to constantly reassure it? Is it really concerned with our pathetic differences of opinion - or our sex lives for that matter? Instead of spending much of their time with closed eyes and bowed heads, or lying flat on their faces in wretched submission to nothing, perhaps it would serve humanity better if people of religion abandoned their selfish concerns for the eventual fate of their own sorry souls, and opened their eyes to look upwards - and to use their precious intellect to think about what's really there.

[ludwig]

It is awe inspiring Naomi, and you do have to wonder why the creator of all that doesn't like people eating sausages.

[naomi24]

Haaa! And sausages are another thing. Sensible as ever, Ludwig. :o)

[MarkRae]

http://theflyfishingr...ews-not-eat-pork.html

[Ankou]

the bible does ask its followers to lift their heads and look to the stars.

what they think about when they stare up is up to them innit ?

[pdust]

cba getting into a religious debate but why this naomi?

*and to use their precious intellect to think about what's really there.*

Just because people have different beliefs about how it all got there doesnt mean that religious people dont look to the sky and think about all the planets and galaxies and what have you out there...


psst i for one dont close my eyes in prayer, they are open and looking at the point where my head will be in prostration ;)

[rowanwitch]

I try to be aware of all the wonderful things around the wild flowers, trees , the sky, the wind, and allow the part of me that responds to thrill to it... its such a shame that light polution leaves us with only the brightest stars visible to the naked eye
I do not need a god there is wonder enough in what is real

[naomi24]

Pixi, you're missing the point entirely - and so is Ankou.

[mibn2cweus]

Thanks for bringing this programme to our attention Naomi. TV worth watching. Or, for those who missed it . . . Youtube worth watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xldz4EuV2U

[naomi24]

Mibs, thanks for that. Part two tonight, and the third and final part tomorrow night.

[jason.p]

Great programme. Seeing the scale and beauty of the universe it quite humbling. It just makes me want to know as much about it as I can.

[beegeebee]

My problem is, if the light is only just reaching us from 4 million light years distant, that place in all probablity no longer exists. Therefore, does the universe have a big bang and reconstitute itself every so many millenia?

[pdust]

*Pixi, you're missing the point entirely - and so is Ankou. *

so what was the point? you watching a random tv show, coming on here and mentioning it slightly to enable you to have yet another go at religion, or rather people who believe in a religion?

[seadogg]

I am happy with the physics naomi. Being out in the cold with a telescope is not condusive to metaphysics.

[mibn2cweus]

No, it's not a rerun. The YouTube video above is from the first series last year.

Episode 2 of the current series is airing . . . now.

[mibn2cweus]

Whoops . . . pasted the wrong link ~
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00mlr20

[pdust]

is that your own personal av mibs or a ab enforced one?

[naomi24]

Pixi, sorry, I would have elaborated but you said you 'cba' to get into a religious debate. My point is that anything that is capable of creating this vast and magnificent universe surely cannot possibly be as personal, as vindictive, as narcissistic, and as petty as the God of Abraham. It makes no sense. I was hoping for answers from those who tell me that this God is the creator, but none so far.

Got to go - I think the next programme is just starting.

[pdust]

naomi whatever your point is you could have just said it... what need was there to have the attitude you did towards people who do believe?

you made a pretty short opening excuse of a sentence to then launch into a long sentence of your usual how can anyone believe blahblahblah and finished off with a really long sentence slagging off anyone who believes....

I am beginning to believe you have no real interest in debating religion, it seems to me you just want somewhere to vent your hatred of it.

You say you are hoping for answers but none so far.

I for one wouldnt give you the time of day discussing religion if you have that attitude.....

[naomi24]

That was brilliant! Highly recommended to anyone who's interested in science for everyone - at its best.

Pixi, //I for one wouldnt give you the time of day discussing religion .....//

I don't doubt that. My loss I'm sure. ;o)

[pdust]

lol at half quoting.....