If religion feels restricting instead of liberating, you’re doing it wrong.
I guess depends on the religion. I was raised Catholic. Even as a small kid, I deeply resented being forced to waste my time every Sunday going to mass. Depending on the religion there may be some dietary restrictions which may be health suboptimal, to which I say f that ish. Or you have to wear this or that - f that ish. All depends on which religion. Animal sacrifices, bodily modifications, sexual restrictions whatnot. It really depends.
But look, some think being religious is a choice. For me it is not. I cannot “choose” to believe or not. Either something convinces me or not, I can’t say I “choose” to believe 2+2=5. Same way it’s not up to my “choice” to believe in god - this is not something where volition has a role. It’s not under my controle. Some apparently can “choose” to believe - like saying “I believe I can fly” and then confidently jump off a tall building. I don’t know how to do that. But that’s why we all have different abilities.
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I see what you’re saying. For me, one thing that convinces me is the simulation theory. Many people believe that we are running in a giant futuristic simulation run by a hyper-advanced AI like the Matrix (e.g. Elon Musk, Sam Altman and Neil DeGrasse Tyson). In some ways, that makes sense to me as being plausible. It’s not hard for me to take the small step of replacing the word AI with God to reconcile it with religion. It’s not a perfect parallel, but it’s not a far leap.
Religion should enhance and not detract from your life.
As for wasting time at church, let’s change the venue to the gym. If I spent an hour every week and showed up at the gym but secretly resented it and didn’t work out (pray) and just doomscrolled in a corner, I’d probably think it was a waste of time too. It might make more sense to me to figure out how to work out the right way.
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Right. It’s what convinces you. I don’t buy the simulation idea, but I can see why it would work for others. I don’t come by my beliefs easily - hey, it’s not for no reason that I got my PhD in philosophy - you can be sure I’ve looked at religious arguments very closely (though that was not my primary focus - I did analytical philosophy). This doesn’t mean I don’t play probabilities with incomplete information. Rapamycin is such a case - I have no proof that rapa is good for me, yet I look at the balance of evidence and pick a side. I look at MNM/NAD and pick against. I might be wrong, but it has nothing to do with “choosing” faith.
And yes, I resent gym time (which is one reason I have a home gym), and exercise time in general. I do it because looking at the evidence I know I must put in the exercise time. I look at the evidence and see no reason to spend one second in church - except in Europe and Asia where houses of worship and temples are works of art. But I do exercise. If I was convinced it would buy me “eternal life”, I’d spend time in church just as I spend it at the gym - minimum I can get away with and combining it with other stuff (listening to podcasts etc.) to lessen the sense of outrage and resentment.
Yes, we’re all built differently, and I just happen to lack the religious gene - perhaps to my loss (prayer and longevity etc.).
There’s a funny scene in Clockwork Orange, where Malcolm McDowell lets his imagination roam during religion time - he fantasizes about being alive and witness to Jesus bearing the cross and imagines himself being… one of the Roman soldiers whipping Jesus, lol! I confess, as a kid, simmering in hatred forcibly trapped in the church, that would be my imagination too. I have no issue with people believing in whatever they wish, I only object to being forced to participate. It works for someone - great, more power to them, just please leave me out of it! As an adult, I was happily able to make that decision for myself.
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I can see someone like Siim Land living a very very long life. No one else does as much as he does for longevity for such a young age.
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I feel like he doesn’t know what he’s doing or talking about sometimes and Siims results is more of a combination of being young, good genes, and training to be athletic.
He highlighted a case about someone who had a high VO2 Max in their 80’s, but neglected to mention they had a pacemaker iirc, for example.
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Modern medicine can be considered a miracle. It’s up to the individual to accept god’s gift or not.
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if you want to participate, deathlist.net and Derby Dead Pool - Death happens. Why not make it interesting?
[they’ve lasted for decades, which is impressive given their high turnover]. Both are UK-based.
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Still baffles me that these rich people are dying of “preventable” diseases.
If Scott Adams had paid $10 for a yearly PSA test, there’s a pretty good chance he’d still be here.
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These days there are many more tests and MRI that can find treatable PC, so every man should take advantage. Same for colorectal cancer, get a baseline colonoscopy early enough (CRC is increasing in the young), and then be diligent in holding onto a schedule of regular re-tests. I get a teeth cleaning with my periodontist every three months not simply for perio health, but because they carefully look for any sign of oral cancer. Yearly dermatological exams. Obvious stuff. And I’m not even as good at preventative stuff as I should be (no whole body MRI or Galleri tests). Still, just doing the minimum would go a long way. A small investment in time and effort with outsize insurance benefits.
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And in a hot climate, take water with you, just in case.
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Religions are man made constructs to control the masses.
There is no “god” and when man creates life following nothing but scientific principles, that will finally put a nail in that coffin. It’s happening and it’s not going to stop.
When that finally happens are we then “gods” ?
And yes, I’ve read the bible cover to cover 3 times back when I was a “believer” 45 years ago and taught “religion”.
I’ve often thought of starting my own church, a great way to become wealthy and not pay taxes 
And that’s not to say I don’t believe in the “spiritual” side of humanity and all that entails, as humans can obviously be spiritual and moral without believing in any man made god. As well as evil and depraved without believing in “satan”
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Reminds me of my friend’s father, who had his 96th birthday this last December-a daily cigar and Scotch (sometimes two), for as long as I can remember. No noticeable mental decline, no supplements, can still walk briskly. Can’t fathom it.
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She was probably best known as the mother in Home Alone. Died at a young age of 71 after “a brief illness”. Not really speculated as to what it was.
Still, 71 is awfully young for a wealthy celebrity IMO.
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Moira in Shitts Creek was one of Catherine O’Hara’s best roles.
First time in Emmy history 1 show took all 4 of the acting categories in the comedy / half hour drama category.
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This one hurt. Her work in Schitt’s Creek was truly legendary. My second favorite all time show.
I did hear she had an unusual condition called dextrocardia where some of her organs were on the opposite side. I don’t know if this had anything to do with her death.
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I don’t know why the families of many celebrities or the celebrities themselves refuse to disclose the cause of their demise.
I did notice that, comparing earlier photos of Ms O’Hara with recent ones, her face seems rather elongated, like her facial bones kept growing.
Or is that just my imagination?
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I haven’t looked, but faces often look larger when filler is used to create stronger jaw bones etc… for better structure or to take up more space to help with laxity.
That show was hilarious. She was so good in that
I think we should all take a moment of silence in her honor and FOLD IN THE CHEESE
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