Are the end times really near?

[Swift]

I don't believe in that though. And it's a commandment. There are 7 deadly sins:

Sloth, gluttony, greed, pride, hate, lust, and envy. I don't see anything about taking the lord's name in vain. And for all you know, I could be referring to our poolboy, Jesus, he's...I don't know what nationality he is. But whatever.

But by scriputure, Animals WILL NOT become smarter then humans so that's not an arrogant statement. If he's following the bible.

PS, the reason I'm doing this is just because you keep telling christans what is right and wrong, when you don't seem to know much about christianity.

 

[PS]

But by scriputure, Animals WILL NOT become smarter then humans so that's not an arrogant statement. If he's following the bible.

PS, the reason I'm doing this is just because you keep telling christans what is right and wrong, when you don't seem to know much about christianity.

But pride is a sin, and if he's following scripture then theorhetically he shouldn't be speaking like that, yet the bible preaches that, making it hypocritical- which is why it's so hard for me to believe in it. How much do you know about Satanism? Thousands of people make judgements about it, yet only about 0.1% of them actually know anything about it.

 

[Swift]

But pride is a sin, and if he's following scripture then theorhetically he shouldn't be speaking like that, yet the bible preaches that, making it hypocritical- which is why it's so hard for me to believe in it. How much do you know about Satanism? Thousands of people make judgements about it, yet only about 0.1% of them actually know anything about it.

You make no sense!

Evolution is NOT taught in the bible, hense, animals CANNOT become smarter then humans. So it's not an arrogant statement. Just an observation. Man, come on.

 

[PS]

You make no sense!

Evolution is NOT taught in the bible, hense, animals CANNOT become smarter then humans. So it's not an arrogant statement. Just an observation. Man, come on.

Evolution isn't taught in the bible, but that doesn't mean they aren't evolving! What's your definition of smart? Looking out for ones self? Surviving in its environment the best? Typically speaking, most animals are smarter than us. They don't destroy their environment. They usually only kill out of necessity. They all do things for a reason, unlike us. So who's smarter now? Thinking a human is smarter than something else is just plain arrogant, I don't care what the bible tells you. If you're so much smarter than something, go out and prove it with your lifestyle.

 

[Swift]

Evolution isn't taught in the bible, but that doesn't mean they aren't evolving! What's your definition of smart? Looking out for ones self? Surviving in its environment the best? Typically speaking, most animals are smarter than us. They don't destroy their environment. They usually only kill out of necessity. They all do things for a reason, unlike us. So who's smarter now? Thinking a human is smarter than something else is just plain arrogant, I don't care what the bible tells you. If you're so much smarter than something, go out and prove it with your lifestyle.

I'm not here to debate what is or isn't right(in this particular thread). What I'm saying is that your constantly telling christians how to be christians when you freely admit that you know little about it.

What you just said here I can flip around. If animals are so smart, why don't they have written communication? Invent things? or whatever.

Humans are smarter then animals. Now, saying that "I'm smarter then you" is an arrogant statement.

 

[PS]

I'm not here to debate what is or isn't right(in this particular thread). What I'm saying is that your constantly telling christians how to be christians when you freely admit that you know little about it.

What you just said here I can flip around. If animals are so smart, why don't they have written communication? Invent things? or whatever.

Humans are smarter then animals. Now, saying that "I'm smarter then you" is an arrogant statement.

Smarter in what sense? They have their own communication, which works just as well. They don't create wars, poverty, and famine, and they don't pollute the environment. They don't hate, or have prejudice, and they don't crave power or get greedy. Who's smarter now?

 

[Grand Prix]

Humans ARE animals, and you can't ignore the fact that chimps and Homo Sapiens have similar DNA. Of course if you want to believe that all humans are inbred from a single pair of parents formed from a rib, and that dinosaur fossils are a hoax, that's fine with me. But I believe that man is simply an animal, with no redeeming qualities over any other species other than the complexity of the human brain. Think about it, if you were to breed a child without education, that child would be the weakest organism on the planet next to plants and insects. Humans don't have claws, fangs, wings, or any other advantage over any animal of similar size, if they don't have superior intelligence. Even monkeys have fangs.

Which brings me to another belief: As intelligence grows in a species, their basic tools of survival weaken over generations as they become more and more unused. Crocodiles were once huge reptiles with far bigger teeth than today. It is possible that crocodiles shrunk in size because of their increased stealth capabilities. Teeth and brawn became less important. Another example: The difference in size between a T-Rex and a Lion. The niche of dominant carnivores got smaller because size was no longer an important factor. Intelligence and killing efficiency are. Other contributing factors could include the fact that the niche of herbivores also got smaller, because grass and more low lying plants appeared. A 60-foot neck like the Brachiosaurs had was no longer needed to reach food.

Meh, I'm rambling. Anyways, I've come to these beliefs by reviewing the history and relations between different species and making theories on why species change and mutate to meet different needs. This lead me to believe that perhaps an even "weaker" and more intelligent species will eventually replace humans. It's just speculation on my part. I believe that God created the first bacteria and algae, but after that life evolved on it's own, IMO. This thread is quite interesting with the variety of mixed opinions in it!

 

[PS]

Well thought out there, GP. Makes sense, and flows smoothly. Just the way I like it.

 

[Tacet_Blue]

Which brings me to another belief: As intelligence grows in a species, their basic tools of survival weaken over generations as they become more and more unused. Crocodiles were once huge reptiles with far bigger teeth than today. It is possible that crocodiles shrunk in size because of their increased stealth capabilities. Teeth and brawn became less important. Another example: The difference in size between a T-Rex and a Lion. The niche of dominant carnivores got smaller because size was no longer an important factor. Intelligence and killing efficiency are. Other contributing factors could include the fact that the niche of herbivores also got smaller, because grass and more low lying plants appeared. A 60-foot neck like the Brachiosaurs had was no longer needed to reach food.

It is thought that the abundance and size of prey dictates the size of the predator. Prehistoric sharks used to be HUGE when the warm oceans were full of large yummy fish. Crocodiles don't stop growing, they grow for their whole lives, their size is related to the amount of food they eat. When there was more food to eat, and less competition for it amongst their own species, the Crocs were massive.

If animals are so smart, why don't they have written communication? Invent things? or whatever.

You still haven't seen HHG yet
For centuries Man has always believed he was the smartest species on Earth, because He had learnt how to make fire, transformed landscapes, invented bombs, and guns.
All the dolphin does is frolic in the water all day long and eat fish...the Dolphins always thought they were the most intelligent species for exactly the same reasons
Man is actually the third most intelligent species on earth.

 

[Swift]

Smarter in what sense? They have their own communication, which works just as well. They don't create wars, poverty, and famine, and they don't pollute the environment. They don't hate, or have prejudice, and they don't crave power or get greedy. Who's smarter now?

You can't possibly be serious. They don't have prejudice? or greed? What about the whole alpha male system that exists with the vast majority of mammals? What about other animals leaving young that are sick or born with deformaties.

Anyway, what I said about it being an arrogant statement still holds true. So, I would suggest you take another standpoint.

 

[PS]

You can't possibly be serious. They don't have prejudice? or greed? What about the whole alpha male system that exists with the vast majority of mammals? What about other animals leaving young that are sick or born with deformaties.

Anyway, what I said about it being an arrogant statement still holds true. So, I would suggest you take another standpoint.

I don't have to. I'm not religious so it doesn't apply to me. Why don't YOU take another standpoint?


...and can we get on track with the debate over whether or not the world is going to end?

 

[Swift]

I don't have to. I'm not religious so it doesn't apply to me. Why don't YOU take another standpoint?


...and can we get on track with the debate over whether or not the world is going to end?

Again, I know you're not religious at all. So stop trying to tell christians what is and isn't correct when you have no convictions of your own. It's that simple.

 

[PS]

Again, I know you're not religious at all. So stop trying to tell christians what is and isn't correct when you have no convictions of your own. It's that simple.

I'm not, and I won't. I'll make a couple jokes about it still, but I'll do less of them. Most of that stuff I say about Christianity/Catholocism/Episcopalianism is said in satire, so don't take it too seriously.

 

[Grand Prix]

It is thought that the abundance and size of prey dictates the size of the predator. Prehistoric sharks used to be HUGE when the warm oceans were full of large yummy fish. Crocodiles don't stop growing, they grow for their whole lives, their size is related to the amount of food they eat. When there was more food to eat, and less competition for it amongst their own species, the Crocs were massive.

Right, those are valid points as well. 👍 Of course I was only using an example. Increased intelligence might have occurred as well because there is less food now. Crocs today are probably more efficient at eating and killing. I'd think that most carnivores that rely on stealth (tigers, lions, crocs) were forced to use their current methods because there is less food. Stealth is needed to be able to catch anything for themselves; they can't afford to let their prey escape.

@PS: Thanks.

 

[Dave A]

The first and last ones are the only ones that can possibly exist – the middle two are absolutely impossible, and defy the very definition of infinity. Infinity, by definition, is beginningless and endless.

Actually, I believe infinity, something with no beginning and no end is meerely beyond our comprehension. Just because we can't grasp how it would work doesn't mean that it's automatically out of the question. What I believe is that in the bible theres a long list of the times of the end of this system of things, thoes include many signs which will have been seen before, but not all at the same time or on a world scale and included wars, famine, children being disobedient ect, it's a long list. It's only since the 20th century that all the things mentioned on the list have dramatically increased in occurence and have become common place. I think were coming to the end of a world run by human governments, and Jesus will rule. His kingdom is already established in heaven in 1914 believe it or not, which is also the year the bible said Satan would be cast down from heaven ad would rove about like a roaring lion, it was a date found in the prophesy containing the weeks of years. Back to my original point, I believe God is eternal and the something physical or consciouse with no beginning or end is meerely beyone what we can comprehend at this point in time.

 

[Nasadus]

Time ending? Nope,don't think that will happen any time soon. Give it another infinite years.

Now Man is a different story. I'd say in about 8-10 years we will start nuking eachother. Opinion conflicts,what are you gonna do.

 

[Touring Mars]

Time ending? Nope,don't think that will happen any time soon.

Sir, you are wrong... my watch just broke

 

[Don Luigi]

I don't believe there are end times. The world is not predictable. Many factors can change. Just my 2 cents 👍

i would be so gutted if the end was near - have no idea what to do 👎

 

[Joey D]

PS why joke about someone's religion. To many people that's a big thing in life. I for one don't believe in any kind of religion, I believe in science (weird science but still science). But that doesn't mean I can't see someone who has a religious belief as right. There are things that science can't explain that only a supernatural God could explain.

Anyways....time for all purposes could be thought of as a circle, there isn't start or a finish. That is the simplist way I can tell you.

 

[smellysocks12]

If humans are more intelligent than animals and will always be smarter than animals, then what about people with the down syndrome? Not to be disrespectful towards handicapped people, but with some of the bad cases of the down syndrome those people can't even take care of themselves and have no idea of what to do in most situations. Yet a chimpansee would.... the way I look at it that chimpansee would be more intelligent.

 

[Swift]

If humans are more intelligent than animals and will always be smarter than animals, then what about people with the down syndrome? Not to be disrespectful towards handicapped people, but with some of the bad cases of the down syndrome those people can't even take care of themselves and have no idea of what to do in most situations. Yet a chimpansee would.... the way I look at it that chimpansee would be more intelligent.

That's kinda dumb man. there are chimps born with mental challenges as well. So, that statement is fundamentally flawed.

As a race, humans are and will continue to be smarter then animals.

 

[Grand Prix]

That's kinda dumb man. there are chimps born with mental challenges as well. So, that statement is fundamentally flawed.

As a race, humans are and will continue to be smarter then animals.

*sighs*

"Animals" are evolving to survive against us as we speak. Raccoons eat our trash. Predators learn to only attack when we are unarmed of thundersticks. Bears are adapting to the suburban climate. Fish are beginning to escape our nets. In some cases animals are becoming weaker because of our dominance on the world, but in a way that makes them more, survivable. The only way for man to stop this from happening by killing everything, but by killing everything man eats and depends on, man kills himself. Of course I figure that man will lose dominance after about 20,000 years, that's a long way yet. In our lifetimes man will remain supreme. But like everything before us, the trilobites, the dinosaurs, the saber-toothed cats, we will become extinct, whether it's on Earth or some other planet.

 

[Touring Mars]

Uh-oh... we're getting hella close to the old creation/evolution thread here people

@ BlazinXtreme - I agree about the point that you shouldn't question people's faith or beliefs - it's a fruitless exercise at the very least - but on the point:

There are things that science can't explain that only a supernatural God could explain.

..that's not true.... if you can't explain something, because it seems it is 'impossible' to know, then what is the merit in saying that a supernatural being must have been at work? - the fact that we can't understand or don't know something yet shouldn't mean we need to fall back on the old chesnut of 'only the existence of God can explain it'.... What evidence is there that a supernatural process has taken place?

Our understanding of the world around us is like that old joke, why do you always find something in the last place you look? Of course, the simple answer is that once you find the thing, you stop looking.... just as in questions of science that were once unanswered (and sometimes considered unanswerable) which can now be explained by science, and hence are no longer believed to be the result of 'divine intervention'... once you have a rational explanation for something, the old 'irrational' belief gets booted out. (once you find the answer, you stop looking) So, more accuratley, the sentence "There are things that science can't explain that only a supernatural God could explain." should probably be "There are things that science can't explain yet, things that can't be explained by belief in supernatural beings either."

 

[Famine]

*sighs*

"Animals" are evolving to survive against us as we speak. Raccoons eat our trash. Predators learn to only attack when we are unarmed of thundersticks. Bears are adapting to the suburban climate. Fish are beginning to escape our nets. In some cases animals are becoming weaker because of our dominance on the world, but in a way that makes them more, survivable. The only way for man to stop this from happening by killing everything, but by killing everything man eats and depends on, man kills himself. Of course I figure that man will lose dominance after about 20,000 years, that's a long way yet. In our lifetimes man will remain supreme. But like everything before us, the trilobites, the dinosaurs, the saber-toothed cats, we will become extinct, whether it's on Earth or some other planet.

The difference is that mankind is highly adaptable. No other animal - or plant - in the history of Earth has been as adaptable as humans. We can survive - and thrive - in any environment. Including underwater and space - by virtue of our technology we can create self-contained environments for these harshest of climate.

Mankind has not stopped evolving - regardless of what anyone may think. Evolution depends upon selection, natural AND artificial. We will not be extincted by other Terran animals or environmental issues - we will only be extincted by ourselves or evil aliens bent on galactic domination (might happen). Or the end of the universe, either's good.

We don't have to kill all of anything to prevent it becoming smarter than us. Cows will never evolve past humans (or indeed much further), because we keep them, farm them and artificially select them for our needs. The only evolving they'll do is in a direction that keeps humanity happy - we may even get to a point where beef cows and leather cows are different species because we artificially select them differently for different requirements. Think of turkeys - they cannot breed by themselves. Because of human intervention to artifically select high meat-yielding birds, they are physically unable to copulate, so require more human intervention to breed at all.

The only imminent risk to humans is the planet-killer. We're overdue for one, but even then, with 6.25 billion people wandering about our civilisations may end, but WE won't. We're also capable of defending ourselves from such a threat - even if only partially, to ameliorate the "impact" (excuse the pun) it would have - the first species to manage that.

20,000 years is pessimistic at best.

 

[Swift]

The difference is that mankind is highly adaptable. No other animal - or plant - in the history of Earth has been as adaptable as humans. We can survive - and thrive - in any environment. Including underwater and space - by virtue of our technology we can create self-contained environments for these harshest of climate.

Mankind has not stopped evolving - regardless of what anyone may think. Evolution depends upon selection, natural AND artificial. We will not be extincted by other Terran animals or environmental issues - we will only be extincted by ourselves or evil aliens bent on galactic domination (might happen). Or the end of the universe, either's good.

We don't have to kill all of anything to prevent it becoming smarter than us. Cows will never evolve past humans (or indeed much further), because we keep them, farm them and artificially select them for our needs. The only evolving they'll do is in a direction that keeps humanity happy - we may even get to a point where beef cows and leather cows are different species because we artificially select them differently for different requirements. Think of turkeys - they cannot breed by themselves. Because of human intervention to artifically select high meat-yielding birds, they are physically unable to copulate, so require more human intervention to breed at all.

Thanks Famine, that's what I should've said...

 

[Grand Prix]

Oh, so we're not going to become extinct then? Then hurry up on clone technology dammit, I want to live forever! 👍

 

[Famine]

There's a chance of it, for sure - but we're the only species in the history of our planet which can direct evolution in other species as we see fit. We aren't affected by "survival of the fittest" against other species, because we're ALWAYS the dominant species in any environment. Okay, so one dude isn't going to live long against a polar bear, but evolution affects the species, not the individual - 10 dudes with high-velocity rifles and bear traps will take that polar bear down. Can you say the same for 10 penguins (you'd have to import them, but hey)? 10 marmosets? 10 lions would kill the bear, but freeze to death 24 hours later...

Humanity's extinction won't be through Darwinism, that's for sure (though I suppose a meteorite in the face IS natural selection - it was good enough to pick the dinosaurs off the planet. But yet again, we are the first species which could prevent our own demise inthis fashion).

 

[Grand Prix]

10 sea lions could kill a polar bear. About the penquins, well it's possible that they could be carried by an African swallow. It could grip them by the husk! But then, African swallows are non-migrationary.

Joking aside, I can understand what you're saying. I'm sure we could all move to Anarctica if we had to, but the African children couldn't afford it. Boo-hoo.

 

[Danoff]

Humanity's extinction won't be through Darwinism, that's for sure (though I suppose a meteorite in the face IS natural selection - it was good enough to pick the dinosaurs off the planet. But yet again, we are the first species which could prevent our own demise inthis fashion).

Humanity's evolution won't be through Darwinism either - since nobody is being prevented from reporducing these days.

 

[Famine]

Darwinism takes artificial selection into account.

If everyone survives then - without wishing to sound harsh and Nazi - humanity is physically weaker as a whole. That's still evolution, though it may not be forwards by any logical definition. Then again, Professor Stephen Hawking survives to this day and, even with his phenomenal physical handicap, we'd be a much weaker species without him. Okay, so most people can only understand one in three words he says, and he's subject to interference from minicabs, but his works in physics have advanced us inside his lifetime.

In fact, humanity has been evolving in this direction for aeons. We're considerably physically weaker than some of our immediate ancestors - Cro-Magnon man would tear us several new ones. But we've been getting smarter throughout - picking up language, creating writing, making tools, learning from the writings and making better tools until we're at the point that one relatively flimsy Marine could take down 3-4000 Cro-Magnons with just a couple of clips.

So we're perpetually getting physically weaker and yet smarter. This means that the next step in human evolution is, logically:

Homo sapiens nerdentis - the geek shall inherit the Earth!

*runs off to learn Klingonee*