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  3. Is ET God?

Is ET God?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Lounge
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  • J Offline
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    Jon Newman
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    Every so often on the net you find a real gem. This article is from the 'Scientific American' site (oxymoron?). "Shermer's Last Law". "Any sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial intelligence is indistinguishable from God" Clickety [^] Extract: God is typically described by Western religions as omniscient and omnipotent. Because we are far from possessing these traits, how can we possibly distinguish a God who has them absolutely from an ETI who merely has them copiously relative to us? We can't. But if God were only relatively more knowing and powerful than we are, then by definition the deity would be an ETI!


    Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

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    • J Jon Newman

      Every so often on the net you find a real gem. This article is from the 'Scientific American' site (oxymoron?). "Shermer's Last Law". "Any sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial intelligence is indistinguishable from God" Clickety [^] Extract: God is typically described by Western religions as omniscient and omnipotent. Because we are far from possessing these traits, how can we possibly distinguish a God who has them absolutely from an ETI who merely has them copiously relative to us? We can't. But if God were only relatively more knowing and powerful than we are, then by definition the deity would be an ETI!


      Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

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      Jorgen Sigvardsson
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      post this in the soapboax as you would be able to feel the full force of the righteous, burning your article reference into a pile of charcoal. :) -- You copy and paste yourself into my brain. You always find your way back into my brain.

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      • J Jorgen Sigvardsson

        post this in the soapboax as you would be able to feel the full force of the righteous, burning your article reference into a pile of charcoal. :) -- You copy and paste yourself into my brain. You always find your way back into my brain.

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        73Zeppelin
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        :laugh::laugh: ...the physicist quickly links to the Sci-Am web-site... Be back in a few minutes... ...returns to CP. Okay, the classification of these 'ideas' as 'laws' implies (to me anyways) that they should be testable by experimental observation (heck, even Moore's law can be quantified). However, several advanced degrees in physics and years of experience and some careful thought leave me with absolutely NO idea whatsoever as to how such an experiment can be designed. I recall Carl Sagan's philosophy regarding the art of "baloney detection". I think my baloney detector is firing at about a zillion times a second. This is no surprise given the source of this silliness (Skeptic, not SciAm which btw used to be a half-decent periodical...what happened??!?!:sigh:) Ah well, another 'gem' for a boring Saturday afternoon... John Theal Physicist at Large Got CAD? http://www.presenter3d.com[^]

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        • J Jon Newman

          Every so often on the net you find a real gem. This article is from the 'Scientific American' site (oxymoron?). "Shermer's Last Law". "Any sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial intelligence is indistinguishable from God" Clickety [^] Extract: God is typically described by Western religions as omniscient and omnipotent. Because we are far from possessing these traits, how can we possibly distinguish a God who has them absolutely from an ETI who merely has them copiously relative to us? We can't. But if God were only relatively more knowing and powerful than we are, then by definition the deity would be an ETI!


          Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

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          Lost User
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          A very interesting article, thanks :-) Paul ;)

          Open the fridge door, scream, and everything that doesn't run into the corner is safe for eating. - Jörgen Sigvardsson

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          • J Jorgen Sigvardsson

            post this in the soapboax as you would be able to feel the full force of the righteous, burning your article reference into a pile of charcoal. :) -- You copy and paste yourself into my brain. You always find your way back into my brain.

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            J Offline
            Jon Newman
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            Maybe if it stays in the lounge people will be forced to have a sensible discussion? Anything that goes in the soapbox soon gets turned into anarchy.


            Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

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            • J Jon Newman

              Every so often on the net you find a real gem. This article is from the 'Scientific American' site (oxymoron?). "Shermer's Last Law". "Any sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial intelligence is indistinguishable from God" Clickety [^] Extract: God is typically described by Western religions as omniscient and omnipotent. Because we are far from possessing these traits, how can we possibly distinguish a God who has them absolutely from an ETI who merely has them copiously relative to us? We can't. But if God were only relatively more knowing and powerful than we are, then by definition the deity would be an ETI!


              Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

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              Michael P Butler
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              Well in the movie, the general theme would indicate the ET was Jesus, he arrives, he's persecuted, he dies, he's ressurected, he leaves but tells us he'll always be with us.... oops, you're talking factual ET's rather then the movie. Sorry ;-) Michael Look at what's happened to me-, I can't believe it myself. Suddenly I'm up on top of the world, It should've been somebody else. - The Greatest American Hero (1981)

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              • J Jon Newman

                Every so often on the net you find a real gem. This article is from the 'Scientific American' site (oxymoron?). "Shermer's Last Law". "Any sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial intelligence is indistinguishable from God" Clickety [^] Extract: God is typically described by Western religions as omniscient and omnipotent. Because we are far from possessing these traits, how can we possibly distinguish a God who has them absolutely from an ETI who merely has them copiously relative to us? We can't. But if God were only relatively more knowing and powerful than we are, then by definition the deity would be an ETI!


                Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

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                Marc Clifton
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                You know how we have "separation of church and state" (at least in the US)? Well, there should also be a "separation of church and science". What a load of faulty reasoning that article is. Just confirms why I killed my SciAm subscription 20 years ago. Marc Latest AAL Article My blog Join my forum!

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                • M Michael P Butler

                  Well in the movie, the general theme would indicate the ET was Jesus, he arrives, he's persecuted, he dies, he's ressurected, he leaves but tells us he'll always be with us.... oops, you're talking factual ET's rather then the movie. Sorry ;-) Michael Look at what's happened to me-, I can't believe it myself. Suddenly I'm up on top of the world, It should've been somebody else. - The Greatest American Hero (1981)

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                  M Offline
                  Marc Clifton
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  You know, I never realized that. :-O 5! Marc Latest AAL Article My blog Join my forum!

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                  • M Michael P Butler

                    Well in the movie, the general theme would indicate the ET was Jesus, he arrives, he's persecuted, he dies, he's ressurected, he leaves but tells us he'll always be with us.... oops, you're talking factual ET's rather then the movie. Sorry ;-) Michael Look at what's happened to me-, I can't believe it myself. Suddenly I'm up on top of the world, It should've been somebody else. - The Greatest American Hero (1981)

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                    Jon Newman
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    Clickety Look down at the list of 'parallels' between the two lives. :)


                    Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

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                    • M Marc Clifton

                      You know how we have "separation of church and state" (at least in the US)? Well, there should also be a "separation of church and science". What a load of faulty reasoning that article is. Just confirms why I killed my SciAm subscription 20 years ago. Marc Latest AAL Article My blog Join my forum!

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                      Jon Newman
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      Thats so hypocritical I'm not even going to argue with that here. :)


                      Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

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                      • J Jon Newman

                        Every so often on the net you find a real gem. This article is from the 'Scientific American' site (oxymoron?). "Shermer's Last Law". "Any sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial intelligence is indistinguishable from God" Clickety [^] Extract: God is typically described by Western religions as omniscient and omnipotent. Because we are far from possessing these traits, how can we possibly distinguish a God who has them absolutely from an ETI who merely has them copiously relative to us? We can't. But if God were only relatively more knowing and powerful than we are, then by definition the deity would be an ETI!


                        Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

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                        Bruce Duncan
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        Jonny Newman wrote: "Any sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial intelligence is indistinguishable from God" This sounds an awful lot like this quote "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke

                        Searching the web without Google is like straining sewage with your teeth.
                        Userfriendly, 2003/06/07

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                        • B Bruce Duncan

                          Jonny Newman wrote: "Any sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial intelligence is indistinguishable from God" This sounds an awful lot like this quote "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke

                          Searching the web without Google is like straining sewage with your teeth.
                          Userfriendly, 2003/06/07

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                          Colin Angus Mackay
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          Bruce Duncan wrote: Arthur C. Clarke Ah Hah!!! I knew I'd heard it somewhere before! --Colin Mackay--

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                          • J Jon Newman

                            Every so often on the net you find a real gem. This article is from the 'Scientific American' site (oxymoron?). "Shermer's Last Law". "Any sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial intelligence is indistinguishable from God" Clickety [^] Extract: God is typically described by Western religions as omniscient and omnipotent. Because we are far from possessing these traits, how can we possibly distinguish a God who has them absolutely from an ETI who merely has them copiously relative to us? We can't. But if God were only relatively more knowing and powerful than we are, then by definition the deity would be an ETI!


                            Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

                            B Offline
                            B Offline
                            brianwelsch
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            But if God were only relatively more knowing and powerful than we are, then by definition the deity would be an ETI! By definition God is an ETI regardless of relative knowledge.:~ If God is our Creator, then it would be quite difficult for God to have been from this Earth, and so would have to be an ETI. Jonny Newman wrote: "Any sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial intelligence is indistinguishable from God" Brilliant :rolleyes: BW CP Member Homepages


                            I want to rock your gypsy soul Just like way back in the days of old Then magnificently we will float into the mystic

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                            • B Bruce Duncan

                              Jonny Newman wrote: "Any sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial intelligence is indistinguishable from God" This sounds an awful lot like this quote "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke

                              Searching the web without Google is like straining sewage with your teeth.
                              Userfriendly, 2003/06/07

                              J Offline
                              J Offline
                              Jon Newman
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              Its in the first paragraph of the article :)


                              Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

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                              • J Jon Newman

                                Every so often on the net you find a real gem. This article is from the 'Scientific American' site (oxymoron?). "Shermer's Last Law". "Any sufficiently advanced extraterrestrial intelligence is indistinguishable from God" Clickety [^] Extract: God is typically described by Western religions as omniscient and omnipotent. Because we are far from possessing these traits, how can we possibly distinguish a God who has them absolutely from an ETI who merely has them copiously relative to us? We can't. But if God were only relatively more knowing and powerful than we are, then by definition the deity would be an ETI!


                                Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

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                                nssone
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                You've obviously never seen the movie or series Stargate, in which aliens are the models for almost every popular ancient diety, including some Asian dieties. It's a very good series and is well written with the exception of a few episode here and there. I used to think if the stories of Jesus happened the way they did, then he would have to have been a human/alien hybrid project.


                                Who am I? Currently: A Programming Student trying to survive school with plan to go on to Univeristy of Advancing Technology to study game design. Main career interest include: Multimedia and game programming. Working on an outside project: A game for the GamePark32 (GP32) portable gaming console. My website: www.GP32US.com

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                                • J Jon Newman

                                  Its in the first paragraph of the article :)


                                  Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

                                  B Offline
                                  B Offline
                                  Bruce Duncan
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  Doh! Busted! I didn't actually read the article... :-O

                                  Searching the web without Google is like straining sewage with your teeth.
                                  Userfriendly, 2003/06/07

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                                  • N nssone

                                    You've obviously never seen the movie or series Stargate, in which aliens are the models for almost every popular ancient diety, including some Asian dieties. It's a very good series and is well written with the exception of a few episode here and there. I used to think if the stories of Jesus happened the way they did, then he would have to have been a human/alien hybrid project.


                                    Who am I? Currently: A Programming Student trying to survive school with plan to go on to Univeristy of Advancing Technology to study game design. Main career interest include: Multimedia and game programming. Working on an outside project: A game for the GamePark32 (GP32) portable gaming console. My website: www.GP32US.com

                                    J Offline
                                    J Offline
                                    Jon Newman
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    I've actually seen Stargate the movie at least 10 times, and watched every single episode of SG1. I also made a post here a few months back about how they used some C# code in a season 7 episode. So ;P


                                    Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

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                                    • M Michael P Butler

                                      Well in the movie, the general theme would indicate the ET was Jesus, he arrives, he's persecuted, he dies, he's ressurected, he leaves but tells us he'll always be with us.... oops, you're talking factual ET's rather then the movie. Sorry ;-) Michael Look at what's happened to me-, I can't believe it myself. Suddenly I'm up on top of the world, It should've been somebody else. - The Greatest American Hero (1981)

                                      L Offline
                                      L Offline
                                      Lost User
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      Michael P Butler wrote: Well in the movie, the general theme would indicate the ET was Jesus, he arrives, he's persecuted, he dies, he's ressurected, he leaves but tells us he'll always be with us.... If he didn't shave off his beard for the movie he would be indistinguishable from all those pictures hanging around churches. Michael Martin Australia "I suspect I will be impressed though, I am easy." - Paul Watson 21/09/2003

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                                      • J Jon Newman

                                        I've actually seen Stargate the movie at least 10 times, and watched every single episode of SG1. I also made a post here a few months back about how they used some C# code in a season 7 episode. So ;P


                                        Jonathan 'nonny' Newman blog.nonny.com [^]

                                        N Offline
                                        N Offline
                                        nssone
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        Well, if you were such a fan of it, then I would've thought you'd mention something about it with a thread like this.


                                        Who am I? Currently: A Programming Student trying to survive school with plan to go on to Univeristy of Advancing Technology to study game design. Main career interest include: Multimedia and game programming. Working on an outside project: A game for the GamePark32 (GP32) portable gaming console. My website: www.GP32US.com

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