All three wars are of course intertwined. Many Republicans don't want more Ukraine support, exacerbating their civil war. The conflicts in and around Israel could well bring order to Congress, which in the House will mean bipartisan cooperation.
About that Middle East conflict:
- The numbers are in flux, with deaths rising past 1000 and hostages in the scores.
Then again, there is little being said about two Afghanistan earthquakes this weekend, killing more than 2000.- While there seems to be no immediate terroristic threat at this time to the continental USA, we are most definitely involved, and Congress will need to quickly add funding for Israel.
The Navy's newest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, with a task force of 5,000 personnel, has been deployed to this area. Carrier cost $17.5 billion.- The grave danger is expansion to other parts of the region.
- However, this might not happen because it is more and more appearing that the attack occurred because the Hamas was worried about the the possible Mideast peace accord, beginning with an impending deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
There is a definite split in the region because Iran financially supports the Hamas, and this serious incursion more solidly places Saudi Arabia with the West.- Israel has a population just below 10 million. About the number in Michigan. Thus, when all the casualties are counted, the per capita casualties could be up to several times what happened to the U.S. on 9/11/2001.
- If petroleum prices significantly jump, recession could occur next year.
I've long wondered why so many people believed in an afterlife when there is no evidence and little rationality.
- One overwhelming reason, of course, is religion, which tends to promise something after death. Faith controls their life, and belief is sincere, if not illogical.
One thing especially confuses me.- The USA is the most advanced country ever, and our educational system is reasonably sound.
- Yet, more us believe in God and Heaven than most other countries, and a lot more than our allies in Europe and the Orient. While these percentages are declining, we still linger around 80% belief.
- So maybe there must be an afterlife.
- Global surveys tend to settle afterlife belief around 30%.
- Highest in countries like Indonesia (93%), Turkey (91%) and Brazil (84%).
- Low countries include China (14%) and Russia (10%). But government influence has a lot to do with these figures.
- Our allies like France/Sweden/Belgium/UK are in the thirties, and so is Japan at 33%.
- Remember now, the USA is around 80%.
- 23% of the world are like me. You simply cease to exist. South Korea is at 40%, Spain (40%) and Japan (35%). Said Steven Hawking:
I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail. There is no heaven or afterlife for broken down computers. That is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark.
If pure Hawking logic does not work, here are reasons why many do believe in an afterlife.
- The injustices of life. From King Solomon (Ecclesiastes 4:1-3).
I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed – and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors – and they have no comforter. And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
- A place in the heart. Read King Solomon again in Ecclesiastes 3:11. Go to your Bible.
Beauty and balance. That is, if there is nothing beyond death, the pattern of nature is stunningly incomplete.- Near-death experiences. There are so many experiences, like bright lights, angelic guides and the like, that surely, there must be more after death.
Universal beliefs. People from the beginning of time believed that the human soul survives death.- An eternal God. Clearly written by a Christian, but this has to do with the Bible.
- Old Testament predictions. Daniel (12:1-3) spoke of the afterlife. A lot more in this book.
- Quotes of Christ. Again, the Bible. Remember, these are folklore tidbits that were amalgamated into the Bible.
- The resurrection of Christ. Need I say more.
Practical effects. Belief in life after death is a source of personal security, optimism and spiritual betterment (1 John 3.2). This is, actually, a benefit of religion. There is psychological value in keeping your happier. I am destined for a gloomy death that will last forever.
Well, what does Wikipedia say?
- Purported existence. Hmmm....
- Belief in an afterlife is in contrast to the belief in oblivion after death.
Comes down to belief in a soul, which can be said to be made up of mind, will and emotions.- According to the Bible, the soul is the combination of the physical body and the life-giving spirit of God that makes up a human being. At death the soul is laid to rest, until Jesus returns to take His children to Heaven.
- There are 4200 religions, and most of them have some kind of afterlife. Feel free to read this.
- The major religions all believe in some sort of afterlife, for we are created immortal.
What does science say?
- If it's really nothing but atoms and known forces, there is clearly no way for the soul to survive death
- Believing in life after death, to put it mildly, requires physics beyond the Standard Model.
If science cannot even find Dark Matter and Dark Energy, how can there be any credibility about the afterlife.- Here is one view.
- Georges Lemaitre, a practicing Catholic priest, is responsible for The Big Bang Theory. He wrote this paper in 1931. Astronomists of those days thought this was laughable.
Typhoon Koinu weakened, but then today increased back up to 85 MPH. The eye will miss Hong Kong and Macau, but then roll right over Hainan, then on to Viet Nam.
Tropical Storm Bolaven is strengthening in the West Pacific, and will tomorrow gain typhoon strength and roll over the Marianas. Shows potential for becoming a super typhoon, but will not threaten any population base.
Lidia became a hurricane today, and will crash into Mexico on Tuesday.
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