When is a belief system a Mental Disorder?

Believing something does not exist because it is not mentioned in the Bible is just as silly as not believing you have a gallbladder because it is not mentioned in the bible.
If you disect yours out to produce the evidence I will gladly write a post script in my KJV bible of it's existance. **edit bad diction.This message has been edited by 1.61803, 02-15-2006 01:18 PM

---

"One is punished most for ones virtues" Fredrick Neitzche

Another one is the people who believed that the Hal Bop comet was a ship "comming to take them away..ho ho..he hee."
Or how about the folks who believe that Xemu incinarated extra-terrestrials in volcanos on Earth Millions of years ago and they're released spirits inhabit us and cause all our mental anguish...or the one where some angels landed on Earth on some dudes farm and presented him with some golden plates that contained addendums to the KJV bible..or how bout the one where a virgin was visted by angels and gave birth to God. Or the one where if you cease attachments and desire, you cease suffering, and if you cease enough you can cease to exist and cease being reborn...or how about.......insert your religion here. *edit typo.This message has been edited by 1.61803, 02-15-2006 02:06 PM

---

"One is punished most for ones virtues" Fredrick Neitzche

Hi Faith,
The whole point I think is that if one were to look at all the other religions one would conclude they seem silly. All save they're own. Which is the one an only truth because if any other was then that would make they'res false.Can one turn that same scrutinous eye on they're own beliefs?
Not to do so is
acting in bad faith. **silly pun I know.**

Agreed. I now will commence on jumping on the idiots who believe that germs cause bad breath...lol

Didn't he tell Abraham to kill his son..? Or am I wrong about that one.

Hello Holmes.
I was always under the impression that human mate selection was best explained by biology,psycology,and human behavioral traits that have been observed in our species. (Universal attractions do exist such as symmetry chosen over asymmetry. I cant quote the study but will dig it up if pressed. )But It is also cultural to some extent and learned. In short there is in my opinion no difinitive way to scientifically prove what the mechanisms are or how humans are motivated to choose a mate. I think it is simple sexual urges based on a multitude of factors, nature and nurture and good ol fashion hornyness. Your thoughts?

Hi Chioptera,
I believe the symmetry in mate selection has to do with the innate sense that the prospective partner is genetically sound. And perhaps less likely to express congenital deformities that would make for a less viable offspring. And is not just a human trait. Studies using finches showed that a male with asymmetrical color bands on his legs got fewer mates than did the same male with symmetrical color bands. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but most often the beholder is often guided by his gonads.

Hi Holmesy,
If birds and other creatures prefer mates that are symmetrical, and humans prefer symmetrical mates then it would seem that there is a connection between offspring viability and symmetry. 'Last I heard birds do not take in art at local museums nordo they sit around and discuss they're preferences between Jackson Pollock over Frank Frazzetta. My point being that some people prefer abstract art over realism. So in my opinion art is a poor analogy from the get go. I am a Post modern abstract fan myself.
The human animal is driven by many things and one of them is a subconcious preference for clues that tell us "I am a breeder". I possess good genes. I am disease free. I am strong. I am availiable. I will make a good father, or mother. Breed with me and you will have strong healthy babies.Many congenital diseases show up as defects such as cleft pallette, mongoloidism. Missing limbs...fingers..
Most mating behavior is visual cues ..looking at the body, the hands, the shine of the hair, straight white teeth, the clear eyes all indicating health.
No one wants a mate that is unkept, malnutritioned and possibly has diseases.So symmetry is just one of the cues humans and other animals instictivley follow in mate selection. And if you do not agree thats fine. It just makes perfect logical sense to me. *edit typosThis message has been edited by 1.61803, 03-08-2006 10:45 AM

Ok...then how about Picasso?
My point was that some people find asymmetry in art beautiful and therefore art was a bad analogy. And I agree with you that to come out and say as scientific fact choosing a mate is based on symmetry is bad science. But I wouldnt fault a person for thinking that it is one of the subconcious cues in human mate selection . But as you said, visual isn't the only thing, there is also evidence to suggest that pheremones may also play a part in mate selection in humans. I for one do not like stinky woman even if Nepolian did plead for Josephine not to bathe the week before his leave.

Hi Ramoss,
I find it amusing that Fredick Neitzche wrote that Humans are neurotic apes.

Holmes...are you going to keep baiting me into off topic stuff?
You know better. I think the admins need to give you a time out. lol. My Point exactley about Carlos Picasso btw. Some find that asymetrical potraits of woman beautiful, but when was the last time you had sex with a painting?

Hi Ramoss,
I think F. Neitzche's point was that humans seem to be the only creatures who sit around with exisitential angst. My dog could give two shits about why he is here and what the meaning of life is. I believe the Garden of Eden story is an example of primival man going from a simple daily existance to some further awareness about the WHY of everything. The tree of knowlege of good and evil being the difference between not having any distinction from the behaviors we have; to human beings establishing the concept of morality. "they saw they're nakedness and were ashamed." Although I can not read a ape or monkey's mind and know for certain if they are worrying about whether or not there is a reason de entre' , I personally get the impression they are perhaps more concerned about picking they're ass and finding some leaves to munch on.

---

"One is punished most for ones virtues" Fredrick Neitzche

Pablo, of course. Thanks I pulled Carlos out of left field.I am in no way able to remark on your comments since I am somewhat ignorant in the study of Picasso. I did get to view some of his work at a exhibit at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.