[extropy-chat] Re: Re: John Wright Finds God

[BillK]

On Wed, 15 Dec 2004 13:06:25 -0800, Samantha Atkins wrote:
> Obviously such a definition of nature is not what those who speak of
> the "supernatural" have in mind.  So it pays to ask.
> 

The big problem with admitting 'supernatural' into the system is that
it doesn't know when to stop. If you open one door to let in the power
of god or a spirit driving you to do something, then because the only
evidence is your testimony, everyman and his dog can also testify to
'supernatural' events. And because the only evidence is their
testimony, their 'supernatural' events have equal validity. See
Occult, paranormal, psychics, etc. Humans have a great imagination and
can conjure up gods and demons without end.

Look up 'Supernatural' and start with - 
not existing in nature or subject to explanation according to natural
laws, not physical or material. e.g. supernatural forces or
occurrences or beings.

Now see where that leads:

existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
  e.g. nonnatural, otherworldly, preternatural, transcendental.

departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to
transcend the laws of nature, existing or extending beyond the
physical world
  e.g. transmundane

without material form or substance
  e.g. metaphysical

departing from what is usual or normal especially so as to appear to
transcend the laws of nature, being or having the character of a
miracle
  e.g. miraculous, marvellous

not explainable by scientific methods or on the basis of normal
experience, esp. in the mental or psychic realm.
  e.g. paranormal

attributed to an invisible agent (as a ghost or spirit)
  e.g. spiritual, spectral, ghostly, phantasmal, ghostlike, apparitional

suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
  e.g. uncanny, unearthly, weird, eldritch

possessing or believed to possess magic power
  e.g. talismanic

possessing or using or characteristic of  supernatural powers
  e.g. magic, magical, sorcerous, witching, wizard, wizardly

being or having the character of witchcraft
  e.g. witchlike

suggestive of an elf in strangeness and otherworldliness
  e.g. fey, elfin

used in the art of conjuring up the dead
  e.g. necromantic

Where will it all end?

BillK