Boss,
et al,
Interesting enough.
The only way to objectively evaluate the existence of something spiritual, is to examine spiritual evidence.
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Interesting, in that it is spiritual, not material.
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What is "spiritual evidence?"
How do I recognize "spiritual evidence?"
Spiritual evidence is that which is produced by spiritual nature, and is recognized by those who accept the possibility of spiritual nature. For instance, we have to accept that 70,000 years of human behavior concerning this attribute of spiritual connection, is not the product of wild imaginations or delusions, but that these people are legitimately making a connection to something outside of our material world. If that were not the case, and it was all in our heads, the attribute would have waned over the years, especially with the advent of modern science. We find, the behavior is persistent and constant, across our entire existence as a species, regardless of how many unknowns we answer with science. If it were all a figment of imagination and delusion, the attribute would have been beaten out of man, through thousands of years of persecution and death. If man invented spirituality to cope with death, we'd see evidence of other similar upper primates, fabricating imaginary placebos and security blankets, so they could cope as well.
Most definitely, but you have to first acknowledge it exists. Does physical science interact with the material world? Of course it does, but this is of absolutely no use to someone who rejects physical science. You can't scientifically explain to me how rain happens, if I reject science and scientific explanations. You can try... you can talk about science until you're blue in the face, it gets you nowhere until I decide to believe in scientific evidence. If I reject science and call it nonsense and delusion, I will never be able to comprehend the scientific explanations of how rain happens. The same thing is happening with regard to this question about human spirituality. Until you can acknowledge the existence of spiritual nature, you can't possibly evaluate the spiritual evidence or make an informed decision.
What kind of nonsensical question is this? In the OP, I covered the definition of "existence" and I explained very clearly, if you do not believe in spiritual nature, you can not conceive spiritual existence, the term is an oxymoron to you. To "exist" can only mean in a material physical sense, because that is all you acknowledge. I have not argued that God is a material or physical entity, so this is of little use in answering the question.
Humans have a unique and defining attribute, human spiritual behavior. We've had this for all our existence, as best we can tell from archaeology. It is intrinsically hardwired into us as a species, and nothing has changed it through the years. We've adopted all sorts of "religious" beliefs around it, so it's obvious the connection is real and compelling. Those religions have changed and been altered over time, proving the attribute is strong and evokes passion. This goes so much deeper than casual examination of specific religions and religious incarnations of god, it's a fundamental aspect to our species of life. Darwin would even agree with this, it can't be logically denied.
Anything is certainly possible. Christians believe Jesus was a physical manifestation of God. I am not here to argue theology or theological concepts of god. I have no proof to support the Christian incarnation or any other specific incarnation of god. Evaluating whether a supreme spiritual force exists (or is present) in our universe, does not mean that I have to specifically define the attributes of that force, unless my argument is for that specific incarnation, which it's not. I have only argued human spirituality, and I have avoided debate regarding the aspects of what that spirituality inspires, regarding organized religions.
While human religion is certainly evidence that some spiritual nature is being connected to by humans, I believe much of it is predicated on man's misunderstanding of God. We are mortal human beings with no concept of God, and left with our connection to spirituality and our vivid imaginations, we have created all sorts of "religions" to attempt rationalizing this force that we most certainly are connecting to. Humans often do this, it's called "human nature" ...we ascribe human attributes to things, in order to appreciate them or in some cases, relate to them. People do this with their pets all the time, they treat them as if they are humans, and if you've ever watched the Dog Whisperer, you know that dogs are not humans, they think and behave differently. Still... millions of people prefer to relate to their pets as if they were human, with the same human emotions and way of thinking. We imagine "extraterrestrial life" as being some form similar to our own, except weirder. Our imaginations are often limited by our perceptions as humans living in a material physical world, where our 5 senses govern our perceptions of reality as we know it.
So to answer your question as best as a human can, yes... it's possible for a spiritual entity to manifest physically. Whether it has ever happened or not, is a matter of debate regarding theology and philosophy. This does not need to be confirmed or supported in order to prove existence of spiritual nature. If spiritual nature had a detectable, testable and measurable physical presence of existence, it would be "physical nature" and not spiritual nature. So there is a built-in logical dichotomy here, do you see it?
So it all boils down to whether or not you accept spiritual evidence and believe in spiritual nature. If you do not, then the question of god's existence can surely never be proven to you. However, if you can open your mind to the possibility of spiritual nature, and willingly accept the spiritual evidence, you will find it is overwhelming and undeniable. Which explains why the non-believers absolutely refuse to allow spiritual evidence.
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Does this exclude the impact of a VMAT2 Gene the predisposes the belief in a "spiritual existence?"
Most Respectfully,
R
I think it is fascinating what science discovers, but my philosophy toward science has always been, that science exists as a tool of exploration, not a concluder of questions, but a perpetual asker of questions. Science NEVER draws conclusion, it states probability and prediction, based on testable physical evidence and observation. MAN draws conclusions.
It doesn't surprise me if humans are genetically predisposed to spirituality, in fact, it makes perfect sense that god would have created us this way. Humans aren't born Atheists. Ask ANY Atheist, if they have been one since birth, and most will admit they haven't been. Our natural human inclination is to be spiritually aware, it's what makes us human beings.
