I Used To Take Reports Of Moving Religious Statues Here In Ireland With A Large Pinch Of Salt...

[sandyRoe]

...but having seen this I'll need to reconsider. If an ancient Egyptian statuette can move why not a more modern Irish one?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2346758/Ancient-Egyptian-statue-started-MOVING-sparking-fears-struck-curse-Pharaohs.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

[sandyRoe]

Isn't it curious that people who might be the first in line to pooh-pooh others religions are happy to go to the zanier edges of their own scientific beliefs in order to justify their stance?

[Kromovaracun]

What exactly is 'zany' about the explanation offered? Did you even bother to read the link I posted?

'walking' statues are a very common feature in museums - and it has a known explanation, to do with the uneven base, an offset centre of gravity, a hard flat surface, and the vibrations of people walking around it during the day.

Of course, if that's too 'zany' and you'd rather believe the statue is wandering around the display case because it wants to go home, then be my guest.

[sandyRoe]

Okey-dokey. I accept I've painted myself into a corner here.

[jim360]

And "scientific beliefs" is a bit of an odd phrase too, if it comes to that.

This is certainly not a paranormal phenomenon, but is almost inevitably what usually has happened through the ages. Something happens that is perfectly normal but initially unnoticed. Then people pick up on it and instantly jump to conclusions that it has to be a ghost or some other supernatural occurrence. Instead of what is actually happening, that is entirely to be expected once you think about it. And the other thing is that people are so happy to exaggerate too.

Zany scientific beliefs indeed...

[solvitquick]

Dear sandy,
You continue to fight your corner as best you can but surely it's time to simply agree to differ with the scientific as opposed to the paranormal advocates like yourself.
Science is not a "belief" it's a "process" of explaining or discovering the behaviour of the world in which we live and are part of.
Antibiotics did not arise from simple "belief" but were established after centuries of applying a disciplined process to discover bacteria, fungi and eventually their biochemistry to provide us with the first one - penicillin.
No paranormal belief has ever helped mankind, even in morality. Paranormality cannot make a better fridge or car. It's merely an entertaining suspension of reality, like watching alien- or horror-movies or illusionists.
I disassociate myself from some of the provocative words that are creeping into this debate e.g. "idiotic" and your own "zanier".
Regards,
SIQ.

[sandyRoe]

Is the word, 'zany', not the mot juste when referring to psychokenisis? I would have thought the scientific community would give it as much credence as they do some of the miracles described in the Bible.

[solvitquick]

Dear sandy,
O.K.,"zany" not is not so extreme but just concerned that like many debates on Religion & Spirituality this might deteriorate into a "loose"-word offensive slanging match - not from you (I've followed enough of your various postings over years to respect you very highly).
I'm for the scientific and you think that's to narrow a view. Fair enough. we disagree.
But when I "adopted" the paranormalist approach using the Luis Suarez/Liverpool F.C. theory, lol, you dismissed even that by your silence. But it's as rational as your model trying to walk across the Irish Sea to Egypt (not for Christmas of course) because of it's religious beliefs.
Anyway, I've had my say and will keep following the debate without any more submissions unless I really need to answer a specific question or blatantly wrong statement.
You are a dogged fighter sandy, but why not?
Regards,
SIQ.

[sandyRoe]

Describing me as a 'dogged fighter' is putting it a bit strongly. I first came into R&S here in AB looking for I know not what. A guided meditation, perhaps, or a room for quiet prayer and reflection. Imagine my surprise to find the high ground, and here of all places, was held and stoutly defended by the unGodly. A theist, of whatever ilk, is more likely to get a clip round the ear here than he is to get a friendly word. But Matthew 5:39 helps us deal with that.

[jomifl]

Sandy getting a clip around the ear from an atheist, Khandro getting a slap from a zen master, has the world gone mad. We need a quiet room thread where people can just look at a blank page and let their tao and chakra come to equilibrium, if that is possible.

[solvitquick]

Oh dear, broken my vow of silence already! Sandy, my phrase "dogged fighter" was meant as a compliment to someone who fights for their belief against all-comers.
In my experience, R&S debates are mainly rational and respectful.
As an atheist myself, I'm not an evangelist for my belief that mankind created god(s) rather than vice-versa. But I do challenge the religionists for their evidence. I have never witnessed anyone being clipped over the ear for their belief, except we atheists.
Thanks for the Matthew quote from some philosopher in about 300 A.D.
As an informed atheist I have read the bible many times so no need for quotes from anyone. Anyway it's a compound of two different faiths - the "old" and "new" testaments are different collections of paranormal allegations and philosophies. I'm sure we agree on that!
I know very well what you mean about your hopes for R&S cos' I have used almost your exact words in second-hand book shops. To the question: "Anything you are particularly looking for?", I reply: "No but I'll know it if I see it".
Sorry about your disappointment but "if you can't take it, don't dish it out". You appear to be getting a bit grumpy because nobody accepts your views. Indeed I'm afraid your asking for posts like jomifl's which I found very funny and apt.
Temporarily disappointed in you after many years,
SIQ.

[sandyRoe]

SIQ, the tinnitus I developed after a handbagging I got following an innocent remark I made about Tomás Torquemada some time ago still intermittently rings a bell.
[i] It should be remembered that all my posts in R&S are tongue in cheek [i]

[solvitquick]

Thanks sandy, pmsl about your tinnitus/handbagging joke!
Tongue-in-cheek comment noted. Not grumpy - good man.
I must go to church Monday 3 a.m. - to steal lead off the roof.
Kind regards,
SIQ.

[naomi24]

sandyRoe, //It should be remembered that all my posts in R&S are tongue in cheek//

… and how about your posts in News?

[sandyRoe]

I'm deadly serious where anything concerning the Middle east is concerned. Other subjects in News are treated with the gravity I feel they deserve.

[naomi24]

Well, you didn't treat that particular thread which dealt with the decapitation of an aid worker by Muslim madmen with the gravity it deserved!

[sandyRoe]

Could you refresh my memory? Is there a link?

[naomi24]

You don't need a link.

[sandyRoe]

Are we witnessing here the start of an AB Star Chamber? If I don't know what the accusations are, how can I offer a defence?

[naomi24]

For the indefensible there is no defence. Your reference to Torquemada on a thread in News, which since you raised the subject, you clearly well remember, was quite possibly the most appallingly tasteless post I’ve ever seen on AB. Just setting the record straight.

Bedtime. Goodnight.

[sandyRoe]

Sweet dreams.