Proof there is, or is not a spirit?

[Guest man]

So there is definitely a human spirit, and all one need do to prove it is try to explain naturalistically how they can read this post that I typed, comprehend it, and then respond to it. They will fall short severely.

So are you saying that because one can read and understand what is written, that that is proof of the existance of a spirit?

[Joshua-777]

I do not think it is impossible that the "mechanical" process of neural networks can yield something as complex and magical-seeming as the mind

In that case, it's like we're programed, mechanical process, with no spirit, so what ever I say your machanical mind though it may yield something as complex and magical seeming, it is really just programed reflex based on the thought experience? if so, how come events would trigger emotions, or apreciation for beauty such as your visit to vermont? and how come interaction is possible, and affection is a craving? Well, if this is true, than us debating this matter, wouldn't be logic, It would be a highly advanced programed mechanical process that seemingly magical. If what I said makes no sence, I'm just tired, sorry

Just because something is unprovable does not mean it doesn't exist. Remember our free will argument? You can't really prove free will yet we are both pretty sure it exists. I can't prove thought is purely "mechanical", but that doesn't mean it isn't, it only means it hasn't or can't be proven. (This is possible, because science generally proves things by isolating them. But if the mind is a sum of parts then isolating these parts should destroy the mind, thus making it unobservable. ...Just thinking out loud.)

ahhh entrophy of the mind! So this is a neutral comment.

Do you think our consciousness is part of the spirit? Or all of the spirit? How can consciousness outlive its body, when we know the mind is clearly tied to the brain?

Actualy I think it's consciousness, personality is the soul, emotions ya, thats spirit, Ya see the soul and spirit, I believe are 2 different things, that act together to make who we are, I'm going to have to start a topic, flesh vs. the spirit.

[Joshua-777]

Few questions,

where does intuition come from? ya know we get feelings if someone is watching us, or if somthing bad is going to happen, we get cirtain feelings off people, where does that come from?

Have you ever felt there was somthing more, somthing deeper than we understand, somthing more than random chance, or natural process that makes us who we are?

What defines us?

[cjrose]

I do not think it is impossible that the "mechanical" process of neural networks can yield something as complex and magical-seeming as the mind

In that case, it's like we're programed, mechanical process, with no spirit, so what ever I say your machanical mind though it may yield something as complex and magical seeming, it is really just programed reflex based on the thought experience? if so, how come events would trigger emotions, or apreciation for beauty such as your visit to vermont? and how come interaction is possible, and affection is a craving? Well, if this is true, than us debating this matter, wouldn't be logic, It would be a highly advanced programed mechanical process that seemingly magical. If what I said makes no sence, I'm just tired, sorry

Just because something is unprovable does not mean it doesn't exist. Remember our free will argument? You can't really prove free will yet we are both pretty sure it exists. I can't prove thought is purely "mechanical", but that doesn't mean it isn't, it only means it hasn't or can't be proven. (This is possible, because science generally proves things by isolating them. But if the mind is a sum of parts then isolating these parts should destroy the mind, thus making it unobservable. ...Just thinking out loud.)

ahhh entrophy of the mind! So this is a neutral comment.

Do you think our consciousness is part of the spirit? Or all of the spirit? How can consciousness outlive its body, when we know the mind is clearly tied to the brain?

Actualy I think it's consciousness, personality is the soul, emotions ya, thats spirit, Ya see the soul and spirit, I believe are 2 different things, that act together to make who we are, I'm going to have to start a topic, flesh vs. the spirit.

I think that was another topic already covered

[Joshua-777]

I think that was another topic already covered

it was? I missed it?

[systemstrike_7]

Do you think our consciousness is part of the spirit? Or all of the spirit? How can consciousness outlive its body, when we know the mind is clearly tied to the brain?

[Joshua-777]

Ah, yes. Well, we can actually explain most emotions as chemical reactions in the brain. For instance, my twin brother has a serotonin disorder that manifests itself in chronic depression. In other words, a single chemical in his brain profoundly affects his everyday emotional state. (Amazingly I don't have the same problem.) Just because emotions are chemical reactions doesn't mean they aren't meaningful; I mean, we still feel them, they even control our lives to some extent. But yeah, it is pretty incredible the range and variety and power of the emotions we have.

Very good answer, I find it interesting that chemicals can change our whole perspective, also form addictions, There are so much to emotions, like stress breaking down the imune system, I think it's awesome how our bodys are made, I do think that the Spirit secrets emotions, and fills us, What I don't understand though is how our heart reacts to the emotions, like when you feel somthing in your heart, or when you feel somthing in your mind, either way it's just interesting, I believe that some of our emotions go against our best interest, Like pride can lead quickly to anger, Which I'm working on, I think everyone is. I find the emotional value very important to maintain at healthy state, I do feel that spiritual bondages can lead to unexplained emotional problems, Like I've known a few skitzo's; and talked to some, and some I can believe it's somthing that's wrong in the brain, some I do believe is demonic opression. What I find about emotions is that the bible lays out what emotions are healthy for us, cause emotions do affect functions of the body.

Well, I think intuition is just a kind of instinctual sense, but unlike instinct, which is innate, intuition is shaped by our personal experiences. Intuition can be honed and shaped with time.

I do feel it's shaped by our personal experiences, but I do feel that it goes deeper, us as humans have a natural sence, Like if something is wrong, and you call them not knowing, but you feel somthing is wrong, situations like that actualy happen alot to me, I feel that some come from our spirit, based on our personal experiences, and depth in spirit. And some come directly from God.

Intuition can also be affected by the subconscious. Our bodies often sense things our minds are not immediately or superficially aware of.

Very very true, Like when you have dreams that end up comming true, I think our spirit sences thigns that our minds arn't superficially aware of. I don't feel that it is the body, I think it fits more with the spirit.

I think the mind is deeper than we can ever understand. I think the body is too.

I agree, we are a complex creation.

What defines us?

That's a big question.

Very big, what defines us, some say intellect, Some say our personality, some say our endurence, some say faith, some say will, character.

Now there are many things that define us, This is something I was searching for before I knew the Lord, and learning more after I found the Lord, My life is hidden with Christ, And I'm finding my true self in him, who he created me to be.

I feel that there is a link that conects us, Our soul. I'd say that reactions of the mind, and in the complex depth of the mind there is a soul, it ties who we are, together with the spirit, Honestly not sure too much the difference between our soul and spirit, But thinking about it, it's 2 systems that work together. lol

[cjrose]

Few questions,

where does intuition come from? ya know we get feelings if someone is watching us, or if somthing bad is going to happen, we get cirtain feelings off people, where does that come from?

Have you ever felt there was somthing more, somthing deeper than we understand, somthing more than random chance, or natural process that makes us who we are?

What defines us?

Intuition of all levels is a gift of God. Some are more aware of things than others but it is similiar to instinct which we are all born with but intuition is a gift God gives us as protection which I believe is the Holy Spirit.

Just a thought.

[Joshua-777]

Few questions,

where does intuition come from? ya know we get feelings if someone is watching us, or if somthing bad is going to happen, we get cirtain feelings off people, where does that come from?

Have you ever felt there was somthing more, somthing deeper than we understand, somthing more than random chance, or natural process that makes us who we are?

What defines us?

Intuition of all levels is a gift of God. Some are more aware of things than others but it is similiar to instinct which we are all born with but intuition is a gift God gives us as protection which I believe is the Holy Spirit.

Just a thought.

Amen

[Live4Eternity]

The spiritual side which I desired to know, turned into the side that I wish I never knew

This is good, really good. You've heard it said, "You don't know what you have 'til it's gone."

Well, I would like to reform that phrase into, "You don't know what you're missing 'till you've had it!"

This is so true. It's easy to say that we are nothing more than flesh and bone; products of a cause that has no aparent purpose. It's easy for someone to remain in rejection to a purposeful cause upon creation. I know this isn't a creation topic, but it sort of leads to it; the creation of man.

If in fact we are just flesh and bone and none other than that, we're completely and utterly doomed for destination of nothingness. Take a look around you. In every heart and mind of every person on the face of the earth, there lies within them some sort of emotion, will, conscience, things they enjoy, things they dislike, the 5 senses; purpose. This could be impossible if we were merely nothing more than just flesh and bone. The reason: all these things are abstract and we are physical in our natural existance. If one says, "but outside of nature...", right off the bat you're stepping into more than flesh and bone, into the abstract; the unseen.

Even if you don't believe in God and His redemptive purposses, by logic, you would have to ahere to the presence of a human spirit if you believe that we in any way experience anything outside of the physical world: desires, likes, emotion, ect. A rock in itself cannot do anything or feel anything, but a rock with a spirit dwelling within it can move, breathe, and experience. Now, we know rocks aren't going to come alive and start walking around with some sort of purpose, that's what God made us for.

In ourselves is human spirit, dead to The Spirit and alive to the world. But... when you recieve the Spirit of God, you become dead to the world, and alive in Spirit! haha

To assume that there's nothing present within us other than matter, is a silly, illogical conclution. However, I know people believe this, so please don't think I'm here to condemn, I have just tasted of the Heavenly Glory! Yay!

God bless!