A message from above? Dove shaped cloud forms on eve of Pope's visit

Last night, which would have been the 15th of September in Britain, happened something very special near Bristol. A former RAF photographer captured an amazing photo of which appeared to be a Dove shaped cloud.

As stated in the Daily Mail article, in the story Noah's Ark, Noah would release a Dove to search for dry land. And once the Dove found land, he came back carrying an olive branch in its beak, proof for Noah that humans could soon resume a normal life.

I'm not exactly a religious person, but I find this amazing that it happened on the eve of Pope's visit in Britain.

Is God trying to tell us something?

They say that every cloud has a silver lining.
But this particular cloud seemed to be something even more special, a message from God.
Captured by former RAF photographer John Gray, 69, from the back garden of his home in Westbury-on-Trym, near Bristol, this cloud appears to a symbol of peace - a dove.

The fluffy figure was spotted on Wednesday evening by Mr Gray, a member of the Cloud Appreciation Society, who was reminded of the Pope's visit and the Bible's story of the Dove.
The wind was even blowing in the right direction, allowing the 'bird' to fly across the night sky, with both wings extended.
Mr Gray, 69, said: "I do enjoy looking to the sky for clouds and the unusual patterns and shapes they make.
"Last night I couldn't believe it when I saw the cloud that looked just like a dove at peace - and it happened to coincide with the Pope's visit.
"I was born a Catholic but gave it up in my teens, but most of my family in Scotland are still Roman Catholics.
"When I saw it I thought that it probably signifies what the Pope needs - a bit of peace and happiness.
The Bible tells the story in which a dove was released by Noah after the great flood in order to find land.
The dove came back carrying an olive branch in its beak, proof for Noah that humans could soon resume a normal life.


Read more: www.dailymail.co.uk...

edit on 16-9-2010 by cllj7 because: Upload image

I find it amazing that this is actually in a credible newspaper.

That is pretty eerie, especially since it even has shading that looks like it's supposed to.

But I'll play the Devil's advocate (no irony intended, haha.) Our minds are programmed to see shapes and meanings in things that may not have any. That's not to say that this isn't an eerie coincidence, and maybe God is trying to say something... but I would hope if God was trying to say something, he would just say it - not post it in the clouds for people to debate about. Then again, maybe God just isn't a straightforward kinda entity, hahah...

Cool find and pic though. I want to see what other people think too!

that just looks too fake
and out of place

reply to post by hippomchippo


Please let go of your closed mindedness for one fricking minute.

I dont beleive in God as it were, but my beleif doesnt mean God doesnt actually exist, noone knows for sure.

This is a great news story, better than all the murder and hate we see on a day to day basis.

I would rather see a dove than a picture of a murderer

That is totally a dove. Looks like a pigeon to me. Of course The Christians are going to worship that water vapor soon. lol.

Its takes alot of faith to believe anything in the newspapers these days, never mind the catholic church. If through the medium of clouds god had anything to say to the world about the pope's visit, I would imagine the cloud formation would spell out..."Tell your heretics to leave those children ALONE"

Originally posted by Haydn_17
reply to post by hippomchippo

 

Please let go of your closed mindedness for one fricking minute.

I dont beleive in God as it were, but my beleif doesnt mean God doesnt actually exist, noone knows for sure.

This is a great news story, better than all the murder and hate we see on a day to day basis.

I would rather see a dove than a picture of a murderer

Closed mindedness? For thinking that a cloud that kind of looks like a Dove is a sign of God?
Should we assume lightning is too then?
I find it hilarious that a rather credible newspaper is having a report on a cloud, that is all.

reply to post by hippomchippo


Who cares??

Prove to me that, that cloud is not a sign from God?

It's an uplifting story for a lot of people, and thats whats important.

reply to post by cllj7


The dove came back carrying an olive branch in its beak, proof for Noah that humans could soon resume a normal life.


I think the only way this story could be more inspirational, would be if the "dove" poo'd on the pope...it would also add credence to the article.

What I found interesting about the article was this quote:

"When I saw it I thought that it probably signifies what the Pope needs - a bit of peace and happiness.

What??? The POPE needs peace and happiness?? lol...Is he unhappy? What about the REST of the world. Heh, sorry...Did I just say that??

Originally posted by Haydn_17
reply to post by hippomchippo

 

Who cares??

Prove to me that, that cloud is not a sign from God?

It's an uplifting story for a lot of people, and thats whats important.

Prove to me it's not a sign from me telling you that you're an idiot for believing it's a sign from God.
Oh..wait..How would that work again?

You may think it's uplifting, but I just think it's a cloud of water vapor.

reply to post by hippomchippo


I never said i did beleive its a sign. Im not even religous, but im open minded.

I just want you to prove that it isnt.

Originally posted by Haydn_17
reply to post by hippomchippo

 

I never said i did beleive its a sign. Im not even religous, but im open minded.

I just want you to prove that it isnt.

And I want you to prove it's not a sign from me.
I'm open minded, just not to nonsense like this.

Originally posted by facelift
reply to post by cllj7

 

The dove came back carrying an olive branch in its beak, proof for Noah that humans could soon resume a normal life.


I think the only way this story could be more inspirational, would be if the "dove" poo'd on the pope...it would also add credence to the article.

If i had made that comment on a visiting Muslim holy man of importance, i would be called a far right racist Nazi.
Strange how things work on ATS.

reply to post by hippomchippo


A sign from you? For all i know it could be. I cant prove you havnt invented a dove making cloud machine.

Stop spinning the question and just answer me.

Prove to me it isnt a sign from God.

Originally posted by Haydn_17

Originally posted by facelift
reply to post by cllj7

 

The dove came back carrying an olive branch in its beak, proof for Noah that humans could soon resume a normal life.


I think the only way this story could be more inspirational, would be if the "dove" poo'd on the pope...it would also add credence to the article.

If i had made that comment on a visiting Muslim holy man of importance, i would be called a far right racist Nazi.
Strange how things work on ATS.

Actually, I usually see the same things on Muslim visitor threads, usually though, it's a cry of Terrorist or Terrorist supporter. Hell just visit any mosque thread on this board.
Strange how you see things on ATS.

Originally posted by Haydn_17
reply to post by hippomchippo

 

A sign from you? For all i know it could be. I cant prove you havnt invented a dove making cloud machine.

Stop spinning the question and just answer me.

Prove to me it isnt a sign from God.

I can't, you're speaking in fallacies, I was hoping you would see what I was talking about but apparantly you can't.
The burden of proof isn't on me to prove it's a sign from God, it's on those who believe it is.
Clouds form shapes ALL THE TIME, for a kind of biblicalish cloud to come the day before the popes visit is nothing but a coincidence IN MY OPINION.
I'm still wondering why you attacked me and called me close minded for stating my opinion .

Originally posted by hippomchippo
I find it amazing that this is actually in a credible newspaper.

The Daily Mail is far from credible.

Haarp, anyone?

Neat little coincidence. Sometimes it feels like there's so little "magic" in this world with all the horrors going on, that sometimes we give in to believing in fairy tales. We like to think of a world where some good, powerful being is listening to us and hearing our cries for help. We like to think that this being can communicate to us by manipulating our atmosphere and surroundings, sending silent signs to us to let us know that everything will be alright. The sky seems like the perfect place to communicate to a large number of people. Depending on what kind of world you believe in, I guess a simple coincidence can mean a lot more to some than to others.

I don't know about you guys, but every now and then it feels good to believe in something positive, even if it seems completely silly and illogical. It makes us feel good, feel less alone in this world, and gives us hope. This story may seem ridiculous compared to all the other issues going on in the world, but I guess it's a nice break from all the negativity in the news. Sometimes believing in signs, fate, or coincidences like these can be a guilty pleasure.

That makes me think of a theory. Maybe man has invented an invisible, all-powerful being because when there's no visible, physical hope left for someone who finds himself in a deadly situation, maybe hoping in something who's existence cannot be proven or disproved gives an individual that last pang of strength to keep fighting for his life. What IF there's a God looking over him? He'll take his last chance and pray for strength, or believe he's been given that strength and fights harder to survive. Just an unrefined thought.