I'm from England. We still have communion like Americans do, the body and the blood of Christ, wine and cracker, but the first holy communion is a big ceremony, a mass and a party afterwards, the girls dress in little wedding dresses and taras and the boys wear cute suits, i had mine when i was 8. i can't believe that Americans don't do it, it sounds like something people would rave about over there.

Sorta sounds like a bar mitzvah.

Catholic Americans do, as far as I'm aware no other sects have first communion.

Are there many Catholics in america? Most people i know are roman catholic

it depends which part of america you live in. In New England it is really common.

No, i mean the first holy communion. It's a ceremony where you take communion for the first time usually around the age of 8, and they wear suits and white dresses, big party and what-not?

Hmm, I'm not sure. Some churches here refer to eating the biscuit and drinking the wine as communion. I would assume they do what you are talking about.
Do they do it where you are from?

I'm from England. We still have communion like Americans do, the body and the blood of Christ, wine and cracker, but the first holy communion is a big ceremony, a mass and a party afterwards, the girls dress in little wedding dresses and taras and the boys wear cute suits, i had mine when i was 8. i can't believe that Americans don't do it, it sounds like something people would rave about over there.

Sorta sounds like a bar mitzvah.

Catholic Americans do, as far as I'm aware no other sects have first communion.

Are there many Catholics in america? Most people i know are roman catholic

it depends which part of america you live in. In New England it is really common.

Oh, yea, sorry. I had to re-read your previous comment to understand what you meant. I guess yes, everyone has a standard of perfection, but it only varies depending on how the individual perceives God. But those who agree on what God's standards would most likely agree on what is perfect, given what I've already explained.

Fair enough, but consider this, and Marinepenguin this is for you as well: Knowing the potential of that kind of being, can you afford to be wrong?

I wouldn't mind; I've been wrong before.
I don't necessarily believe in an Abrahamic God, though I do believe that it is possible for our existence to have been influenced by greater beings. Nevertheless, I won't let fear of a greater being's wrath influence what I believe in. If ever I do cross paths with such a being, all I would have to say is "thanks for the push".

Ahh, but you see. That is where it gets interesting. That would depend on the beings nature. Is it forgiving and understanding? Malevolent and much like a Dictator? Indifferent to the world it has created? These are things that we could not possibly know.

Exactly, and the fact that we don't know is the precise reason to take the safe bet and worship it. I would rather worship it and then be told worship is not necessary, than not worship it and then be punished.

I can see your logic behind that. Many of my friends have asked me why I don't just do that instead of being inherently neutral when it comes to a deity.

You see, I don't do so well with being forced upon me. I do what comes naturally, and I despise people that want to change who I am, how I think, what I do, and the like. Now if there was a rule that said worship me or be punished, that would be extremely self-centered, and oppressive, I'd rather just take whatever punishment is dealt, eternal or not, instead of falsely praising something.

Well that is your right. I won't try to convert you or change your lifestyle. But I hope you choose differently come the day of your judgment.

It's not that I'm a morally bad person, I make my mistakes, but I try to do good in the world I've been put into. And have fun along the way. If when I die I find out that there is a deity, and that I come face to face with Him while he judges me, I will admit I was in the wrong for not worshiping him the way I should have, apologize, and accept any punishment he deems neccessary.

But, let me ask you a question in the form of another hypothetical. You're in a supermarket and you see a small child, would you be more impressed that he was there with his father and being well behaved, or that he had wandered off from the father and remained well behaved?

If his behavior is not changing either way, then why include it in the analogy? You may as well just ask whether I'd rather see a child with his father or a child by himself. In which case I'd say he should be with his father. Besides, behavior is irrelevant anyway since God doesn't judge us on character or deeds.

Just the second part?

Ya, that what it sounds like.

Oh, yea, sorry. I had to re-read your previous comment to understand what you meant. I guess yes, everyone has a standard of perfection, but it only varies depending on how the individual perceives God. But those who agree on what God's standards would most likely agree on what is perfect, given what I've already explained.

I'm saying the perfection is a quality invented by humans that is equal to the objective standard of what is good. For Christians and other theists, God is that objective standards, so whatever God is, that is what's perfect according to those who believe in Him.

So yes to second part!

Just the second part?

Ya, that what it sounds like.

Oh, yea, sorry. I had to re-read your previous comment to understand what you meant. I guess yes, everyone has a standard of perfection, but it only varies depending on how the individual perceives God. But those who agree on what God's standards would most likely agree on what is perfect, given what I've already explained.

Read my response to the comment below this one.

Your argument is invalid

Clearly, that is a very hairy/classy human.

Sentient?
At what point is a creature sentient?

From my Pantheist pov, I think that all forms of energy/matter have some level of sentience. Greater level of awareness of self and surroundings = more sentience imo.

Thank you, didn't know source, I found it from a thread on /b/.

I love you.

every bit of information about coding is well appreciated. have my thumb