quote:Originally posted by Katy: Is it measurable? So you are saying it is just something we take on faith?
Astonishingly quickly, we get into epistemological issues. I have ordered a copy of Jacques Maritain's book on this subject. While I was at it, I ordered Jim's book on post-sanjuanist developments in contemplative prayer. And then I added Phil's book on kundalini to the order just because I've been interested in it for a while. In six months' time, I should be equipped to continue this discussion LOL.
Posts: 134 | From: Canada | Registered: May 2008
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posted
Katy, spirits aren't measurable so there's no way to scientifically evaluate its presence. If one believes, however, that the human soul is the source of life for an embryo, then the fact that it is alive means it has a soul. It certainly is a human life -- what else could it be?
The author of the article you link to asks some deep, pointed questions, but seems to not take into account that God creates outside of space and time. A soul's incarnation, then, is the development in space and time of what God already sees and knows in eternity. This is a theistic perspective and could not be used in secular discussion, but I do not see how Christians could view things otherwise. We are known and loved by God from all eternity. That it is necessary for us to begin our earthly sojourn as a zygote, then embryo, then fetus, then infant does not change what God has created, nor how we are viewed by God as persons who are loved. It's just how things have to unfold in a space-time world where we develop our spirituality in the context of embodiment.
-------------------- "The Light shines on in darkness . . ." - John 1: 3 - Posts: 7539 | From: Wichita, KS | Registered: Aug 2001
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I was thinking that , since like at death, the departing of the spirit IS measureable,(at least that's what I read somewhere.) the entering of the spirit could be too.
Also I think there needs to be better understanding of the differene between soul and spirit. Animals have souls, but not spirits. Also as I think we all know the brain isn't the soul, nor the mind.
Oh well, I think I've gotten into this over my head. lol
posted
You're maybe thinking of a doctor Duncan MacDougall, who in the early 1900s tried to measure the weight of a departing soul and came up with the answer 21 grams. His theory was popularized in a movie title:
quote:Originally posted by Katy: Also I think there needs to be better understanding of the differene between soul and spirit. Animals have souls, but not spirits. Also as I think we all know the brain isn't the soul, nor the mind.
Oh well, I think I've gotten into this over my head. lol
Katy
I wasn't sure if you were meaning Spirit or spirit, neither of which has mass that can be measured.
The human soul is spiritual and in that sense differs from animal souls. Thomas Aquinas held that we also possess animal souls, but these are incorporated into and informed by the spiritual soul. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, is of God, and is communicated to us through our union with the ascended Christ.
posted
Oh my, looks interesting. Since I am into holistic health.. wholeness.. and relationship between body, mind (soul) and spirit (well o.k., or soul) I'll be glad to learn some new things.
However, I did an extensive study on body/soul/spirit years ago, and concluded that we are body, soul (consisting of the will, intellect and emotions) and spirit.. When we are baptized, God's Spirit comes to dwell in our spirit.
Well, I guess this is getting off topic, so I'll quit here.
posted
Read this story and see what you think. I mean . . . why not? Same exact consequence as the abortion would have had, right? So what's the difference?
-------------------- "The Light shines on in darkness . . ." - John 1: 3 - Posts: 7539 | From: Wichita, KS | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
Yes, what horror! And you are right, what's the difference: kill the baby on the inside of mother's body or kill the baby on the outside? God help these people...
Posts: 352 | Registered: Dec 2005
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I have ordered a copy of Jacques Maritain's book on this subject. While I was at it, I ordered Jim's book on post-sanjuanist developments in contemplative prayer. And then I added Phil's book on kundalini to the order just because I've been interested in it for a while. In six months' time, I should be equipped to continue this discussion LOL.
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