So sopdetly and I were talking tonight, and we had a great conversation about religion, faith, and what we think it's about that I couldn't resist sharing. All hail Douglas Adams, by the way.

io_aenaria: okay, I love this quote of Entil's:
io_aenaria: I accept that I am on a journey, but I also believe that the journey is the point of the exercise. Has anyone really found an answer that cannot be contradicted by another point of view?

damnyellowcap: i KNOW.
damnyellowcap: this is why he's my hero.
damnyellowcap: hehehe

io_aenaria: that's exactly it. It's not the end result, but what happens on your way to discovering it.

damnyellowcap: I am a student of Entilism! XD

io_aenaria: Personally, I don't think i'm ever going to reach that end result, you know? but I will forever be journeying and learning and learning about myself, and that's what matters more than anything else....HEE! :D

damnyellowcap: in a way... i kinda don't want to reach the end, you know?

io_aenaria: exactly. although, really, how can you reach the end in an ever-evolving and ever changing world?

damnyellowcap: and who's to say that the end is in a place where humanity can achieve it? if string theory and higher physics is right, then there could be 10 dimensions, and as humans we just can't transcend the 3rd

io_aenaria: and even if we break through into the fourth, fifth, sixth, beyond...who knows what we'll discover...even when we have the answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything, we never figured out the question, so do we really have all of the answers? No, we still have to keep exploring and keep learning. That's the point of life, to grow, to better oneself (I think, if I remember correctly, some eastern religions liked this idea too)--and to keep learning.

damnyellowcap: yup, that seems to be the basic principle of reincarnation, going through many many lives, until one can achieve nirvana. I like Hinduism's macro-reincarnation, where in the whole universe will eventually die and be reborn *g*

io_aenaria: I think Hitchhiker's nailed that last one too ;-)
io_aenaria: Which quote was it....aw, it should be at the bottom of that last e-mail I sent you. ;-) I am a full believer in reincarnation. Maybe it's the perpetual student in me, I dunno, but it just makes sense

damnyellowcap: i think the whole 42 being the answer but what was the question is one of the greatest philosophical things in the world :D

io_aenaria: isn't it? :D Adams knew what he was talking about. You need both parts to really answer everything, but it;s inevitable we're never going to get it (ineffible, maybe *g*). And if we do..."There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for, and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened."

damnyellowcap: lovely

io_aenaria: you know, I'm glad we can agree on that. :D It's not about the answer, it's about the journey, and you need to take the right path for yourself to get there. Woot. ;-)

damnyellowcap: so very much

io_aenaria: yay for us!