One God or many gods

[Bharat Jhunjhunwala]

Let me clarify, since I think I can pinpoint where our misunderstanding occurred. After examining this closely, I think this is a case where we both are right.

Witchcraft is forbidden, because some people believe in it and attempt to use it, and I can fully understand you pointing to this and saying "See, it does exist." But its claims are false. Casting a spell accomplishes absolutely nothing. The only thing an amulet does is make you feel good. In this respect, a working Witchcraft does not exist, which is what I was pointing out.

In the identical way, the prohibitions against idolatry and other gods are there because people BELIEVE in these false gods and worship them. So yes, the PRACTICE of idolatry exists, which I believe is your point. But their belief does not mean that these gods actually exist, nor does the prohibition of idolatry mean that these false gods exist, which is the point I was trying to make.

Consider this a case of "we are both right" and kind of were talking past each other at first.

Thank you. Agree.

 

[Bear Wild]

I'm sorry, but I'm just completely unsympathetic to people who think they have the authority to redefine words.

By the way, this has nothing to do with Wicca per se. If you are Wiccan, knock yourself out. I a

I am not wiccan my friend. I have chosen a druid path. Wicca has been an active growing religion since the witch laws were repealed in the 1950's in England. Words are not static; they too change and evolve with changing times. But do not worry I do not expect to change your mind but thanks for listening. They have had to overcome prejudice from the Christians ever since so you attitude will not dissuade them from their path.

 

[CorrectiveLens]

It would seem so, but it is only an assumption.
Many people assume that plants do not have consciousness, but we know they are alive.

I believe that one of the characteristics of life is to reproduce. Plants are not inanimate objects. They react to sunlight and sound, but do not have a soul. They are totally controlled by natural factors and don't really make decisions.

 

[IndigoChild5559]

I believe that one of the characteristics of life is to reproduce. Plants are not inanimate objects.

Yes, I think everyone agrees on this.

They react to sunlight and sound, but do not have a soul.

That's a lot more debatable.

They are totally controlled by natural factors and don't really make decisions.

How do you know this?

And what makes you think humans actually have free will? Perhaps our "choices" aren't choices at all.

 

[muhammad_isa]

They react to sunlight and sound, but do not have a soul..

As 'soul' is not a physical concept, I find it hard to see how anybody could know that.
You assume that trees, for example, don't have a soul ..
It seems to me, that it is more likely that living matter has soul than concrete.

 

[Bharat Jhunjhunwala]

I like panpsychism. The vedas say matter was father spirit and spirit was father of matter. There is a two way exchange. God is the name of our Collective Consciousness. We are God.

 

[CorrectiveLens]

Not even worth answering.

Because you can't.

 

[CorrectiveLens]

I like panpsychism. The vedas say matter was father spirit and spirit was father of matter. There is a two way exchange. God is the name of our Collective Consciousness. We are God.

Maybe there are different degrees of consciousness in live objects with humans being the highest because of their ability to transcend the natural. It is because we have a God consciousness that makes us special to God. God is a living being and the intelligent designer of our universe. He communicates with people throughout history through His written word which is the Bible. Unfortunately, some truths have been misrepresented in the translation from Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English, but understanding of truth comes through the Holy Spirit which only a select few receive. Everything is explained in the Bible.

 

[mikkel_the_dane]

Maybe there are different degrees of consciousness in live objects with humans being the highest because of their ability to transcend the natural. It is because we have a God consciousness that makes us special to God. God is a living being and the intelligent designer of our universe. He communicates with people throughout history through His written word which is the Bible. Unfortunately, some truths have been misrepresented in the translation from Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English, but understanding of truth comes through the Holy Spirit which only a select few receive. Everything is explained in the Bible.

Yeah, I have a different faith in a different God.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Because you can't.

Of course not. You're comparing a living, carbon based life-form to an inanimate object. Not even remotely similar.

An absurd comparison at best.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Maybe there are different degrees of consciousness in live objects with humans being the highest because of their ability to transcend the natural.

How does a human "transcend the natural?"

He communicates with people throughout history through His written word which is the Bible.

God wrote the Bible?

...understanding of truth comes through the Holy Spirit which only a select few receive.

Why only a select few? Does God play favorites?

 

[blü 2]

To people on RF who believe in many gods, why do you believe that and not in only one god?

To people on RF who believe in one god, why do you believe that and not in many gods?

Of course, if your god is triune, you've actually got three gods, no matter how they like to phrase it.

 

[Evangelicalhumanist]

Because you can't.

Yes, actually, I can. BUT YOU CAN'T HEAR IT.

What are we at, 27 gazillion posts on evolution, and those who don't wanna know still don't know -- how's that for a surprise?

 

[Bharat Jhunjhunwala]

Maybe there are different degrees of consciousness in live objects with humans being the highest because of their ability to transcend the natural. It is because we have a God consciousness that makes us special to God. God is a living being and the intelligent designer of our universe. He communicates with people throughout history through His written word which is the Bible. Unfortunately, some truths have been misrepresented in the translation from Hebrew to Greek to Latin to English, but understanding of truth comes through the Holy Spirit which only a select few receive. Everything is explained in the Bible.

I personally don’t believe that God is an intelligent designer. I understand that all human beings, animals and even inanimate objects have different level of consciousness as you have yourself agreed. The collective consciousness of all these living and inanimate things is God. So, God is us and God is evolving and different people able to tap into different parts of this collective consciousness of God. The conflict arise because different people are tapping into the different part of consciousness which are often against each other.

 

[paarsurrey]

One God or many gods

There is and can be only One/G-d by default, neither none nor many, one must say, please, right?

Regards

 

[Quintessence]

@paarsurrey - sure, if you're a monotheist. For the rest of us, there are other theological approaches.

 

[SalixIncendium]

One God or many gods

There is and can be only One/G-d by default, neither none nor many, one must say, please, right?

Regards

Right for you, but not necessarily right for everyone else.

 

[The Hammer]

One God or many gods

There is and can be only One/G-d by default, neither none nor many, one must say, please, right?

Regards

While I respect your position, this is not mine.

 

[paarsurrey]

One God or many gods
paarsurrey said:
There is and can be only One/G-d by default, neither none nor many, one must say, please, right?

While I respect your position, this is not mine.

And what is one's reasonable argument, please, right?

Regards

 

[Ben Dhyan]

One God or many gods

There is and can be only One/G-d by default, neither none nor many, one must say, please, right?

Regards

Yes, there is only one omnipresent God, but there exists within, or part of, this one God, a hierarchy of higher beings, some religions refer to them as gods, some minor deities, some archangels and angels, etc., please right?