From Cornell University

Do similar laws of physics throughout the Universe imply that all life must be like life on Earth?

It's an interesting idea, but I'm afraid I have to disagree. While the laws of physics are (we assume, for lack of a better option) similar throughout the Universe, the characteristics a species develops through evolution do not spring directly from physical law. For example, imagine a planet like Earth, except that it orbits a reddish star, rather than a yellow-green one like our Sun. This solar system and our own can coexist under the same laws of physics, and yet life on the two planets would evolve to take the most advantage of the light provided by their respective suns (as in, sensitivity of vision vs. wavelength, color of plants, &c.). This is only one possible difference; you can imagine a whole range of possiblities, with the two planets differing in chemical composition, atomospheric composition, mass, eccentricity and period of orbit, &c, which would result in populations with very different characteristics.

What is more, neither do the characteristics of a species spring directly from its environment. For example, look at the vast array of creatures able to flourish in the same regions on Earth. I would argue that if two such disparate creatures as the tree frog and the parrot can evolve in the same region, that life even on two similar planets need not be very similar at all. With some imagination, one can even extend the argument to forms of life quite different from our own--that is, while carbon, oxygen, and water are very convenient for our own biological systems, they by no means exclude entire other systems that rely on other chemical reactions and molecular structures under other conditions, with which we are less familiar. The same idea can be applied to the ecological systems that govern the interactions among the various forms of life.

It's important to wonder about such things--with all of the interest in discovering extraterrestrials, we'll want to know what we've found if we run into one!

April 2003, Sara Slater

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WordWeaver, this is an international board, please do not insult other religion.

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>this is an international board, please do not insult other religion-

Madprig-
As personal spokesman of the Supreme Being on this planet the woowoo man reserves the right to insult and indeed SMITE those who disagree with him. He has made it clear here more than once that the Supreme Being considers any body of belief aside from those of His chosen Messenger, woowoo, as equal to menstrual rags.

>all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution...
>we should count it all joy when we suffer for the name of Jesus...

When group joy is determined to be low, are cult members called together for mutual flagellation sessions?
Or are self administered beatings or flailings your chosen method for joy infusion?
Are certain specific instuments of joy inducement employed in ritual fashion or can cultists excercise preference?
Is joy enhancement a public exhibition or do you retire to a designated private worship space(s)?
Does your cult practice simulated cruxifixion to bring an apportionment of true joy experience?
If yes, have you ever been fastened in some way or actaully nailed to a cross to approach a personal joy threshold?
Have you ever cruxified a cult member for real to demonstrate genuine true joy?

> any religion which promotes these things,
> without pointing to the very same love, patience, forgiveness, mercy and
> compassion which God has manifested to us, through the Sacrifice of His Son,
> Jesus Christ, is an empty, false religion.

Like it or not, this is an international board for an international project. People of many religions view the posts here. All of your posts are arrogant and condecending.

If you disagree with Buddhist philosophy, thats fine, but don't pollute our boards with your garbage.

Better yet, shove your views where the sun doesn't shine.


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So this is what goes on when I'm offline, eh?

The Dalai Lama is very much the same man as the Pope in their philosophy. Love, compassion, kindness, enlightened, and wise - Traits that I would like to have in greater abundance. But I see from your posts that only those who accept and follow the Way of Christ are accepted by you as Men Worthy of Mention.

One of the great things about Buddhism is its lack of conflict with any known religion. It does not deny God, nor Saints, nor miracles. In fact, any religion (even animism) can coexist in tandem with Buddhism without demanding or imposing any obligation upon the original theology, be it Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Shinto, Baha'i, etc..

Slamming the current reincarnation of the Buddha because he doesn't preach the Gospel doesn't serve any purpose save for provocation. I'd rather slam him for other reasons, like why tying up traffic here when he came to Central Park. That's Clinton's saving grace - He'd apologize for the gridlock when he came into town... But I digress.

WordWeaver, you are definitely a man of iron will. But, as I've said before, you may wish to seek targets other than those in this board. I think that you will find that there are many who have considered the Gospel and the Christian Way, and could use encouragement to make the transition. But I don't think that you will find much luck here, for we are equally strong willed.

And as for the "garbage" comment, I think that 1202 meant your need to preach here. He'd better not have been badmouthing, or else I'll have to take him to the fiery altar! But for what it's worth, I do not view the Christian Word as trash, and I don't think anyone else here does.

> And as for the "garbage" comment, I think that 1202 meant your need to preach
> here. He'd better not have been badmouthing, or else I'll have to take him to
> the fiery altar! But for what it's worth, I do not view the Christian Word as
> trash, and I don't think anyone else here does.

Just to clarify my garbage remark. What I meant was his my religion is right, everyone else is wrong and will burn in the flames of hell attitude.

Saying that he is right and everyone else is wrong is (to me at least) the very height of arrogance

I have absolutely no problems with most of the stuff in the bible, I just don't believe it is any more or less relevent than any other holy book. My problem is with the people who twist the bible's teachings beyond recognition, or use it to justify hate.

That said, I do consider all forms of fundamentalist religion to be the cancer of this small planet, a cancer that needs to be cut out once and for all.



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S@h Berkeley's Staff Friends Club ©

That's what I thought. Hope that's clear enough for WordWeaver.

> When are some of you folks going to get the point that this isn't just about my religion...

A Gods-eye view of woowooman bearing his burden of ass-holiness

INCOLA EGO SUM IN TERRA

The Fez festival of music brings musicians from all over the world together to perform sacred music.
The exploration and exposure of the commonality of the spirituality inherent in music of all faiths is a discovery made by all in attendance at these annual gatherings.
The event promotes discussion, both informally and through public colloquia where artists, authors and academics gather to discuss music, democracy, development and religion.
Ultimately, organizers hope to highlight the common values that link world faiths -- despite the many atrocities, large and small, that have been committed in the name of religion.
The link leads to page at NPR. Hit listen to learn about it.

Festival Promotes Peace through Sacred Music