[Fredrik]

UFO's, sacred geometry, mystic experiences, Bible prophecy... it appears that the supernatural is a popular theme on PO.com. Maybe the sensation of an imminent catastrophe makes us look for hope, reassurance, or redemption in things beyond the naturalistic worldview. What do you know/believe/think/assume about the existence of supernatural phenomena?

Supernatural being defined as "an observable event that contradicts the laws of nature, as understood by current scientific theories and hypotheses".

[cowuvula]

Just standing here and breathing, you are contradicting the lawas of nature.
entropy is death.

[Ludi]

So you're saying life itself is supernatural?

[billg]

There are no events that contradict the laws of nature, only limited perception of the full diversity and interdimensional nature of the universe. All so-called mystical events are actually quite natural... unnatural in that they may provide humans with a rare glimpse of a more expansive consciousness field than is known by the earth-based ego.

[Opies]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', 'T')here is no such thing as the "supernatural", only limited perception of the full diversity and interdimensional nature of the universe. All so-called mystical events are actually quite natural... unnatural in that they may provide humans with a rare glimpse of a more expansive consciousness field than is known by the earth-based ego.

[Kaj]

Edit:

The problem is definately in the definition you give. Are things like 'dark matter', and 'black holes' and other fringe physics stuff 'supernatural' just because they appear to contradict newtonian/relativist explanations?
I mean, I don't know all the details, but I know science doesn't have one opinion or understaning on these issues. 'Supernatural' just seems like the wrong word to use in dealing with things we don't understand.
In a sense, this kind of language dismisses certain ideas with a perjorative label--it is no more enlightened an approach than a superstitious approach in explaining the world.

For example: without a doubt, mystical experiences do happen. I'm an atheist, but I have to conceed this point; I know too many people who have had them. The brain is still little understood so there are almost certainly natural explanations for them.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', ' ')a rare glimpse of a more expansive consciousness field

[POAlex]

Our entire existence is a miracle.

Alex

[Ludi]

If everything is a miracle, what makes any given occurrence miraculous? If everything is a miracle, how could Jesus perform miracles? Did he perform every day occurrences?

[vision-master]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', 'I')f everything is a miracle, what makes any given occurrence miraculous? If everything is a miracle, how could Jesus perform miracles? Did he perform every day occurrences?

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('vision-master', '
')Didn't he have a crystal skull..........

[POAlex]

Hi Ludi,

Maybe I should've phrased it a bit better, my apologies.

When God spoke and created us out of nothing, to us, that's simply miraculous. That would mean that our existence is a miracle.

Likewise, when Jesus raised the dead, cleansed the lepers or turned water in wine, that too is miraculous.

Alex

[vision-master]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('POAlex', 'H')i Ludi,

Maybe I should've phrased it a bit better, my apologies.

When God spoke and created us out of nothing, to us, that's simply miraculous. That would mean that our existence is a miracle.

Likewise, when Jesus raised the dead, cleansed the lepers or turned water in wine, that too is miraculous.

Alex

[lawnchair]

The only thing I do not feel is scientifically explainable is why there is something and not nothing. Thus, I call myself a deist. But, I do not believe this little corner of the decillion+ cubic light years of existence is uniquely connected to that Creator, and I have seen nothing within that creation cannot be rationally explained.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lawnchair', 'T')he only thing I do not feel is scientifically explainable is why there is something and not nothing.

[btu2012]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lawnchair', 'T')he only thing I do not feel is scientifically explainable is why there is something and not nothing.

[Opies]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lawnchair', 'T')he only thing I do not feel is scientifically explainable is why there is something and not nothing. Thus, I call myself a deist. But, I do not believe this little corner of the decillion+ cubic light years of existence is uniquely connected to that Creator, and I have seen nothing within that creation cannot be rationally explained.

[billg]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', ' ')a rare glimpse of a more expansive consciousness field

[btu2012]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ludi', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('billg', ' ')a rare glimpse of a more expansive consciousness field

[Kaj]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('lawnchair', 'T')he only thing I do not feel is scientifically explainable is why there is something and not nothing. Thus, I call myself a deist. But, I do not believe this little corner of the decillion+ cubic light years of existence is uniquely connected to that Creator, and I have seen nothing within that creation cannot be rationally explained.