Praising Gods = Spiritual Masturbation

[The Neo Nerd]

If we look at prayer from a chaos magick point of view it can be seen that praying is simply a means by which ones inflicts their will on the universe.

However if we look at prayers meant to praise ones chose deities there is no intent there.

If we follow the chaos magick theory that gods are made by humans, then the only purpose behind praising ones chose deity is to make ones self feel good.

Ergo "Spiritual Masturbation"

Any thoughts, comments, death threats?

-Q

 

[The Neo Nerd]

Or perhaps emotional masturbation.

 

[blackout]

It is.

But are you condemning masterbation?

 

[The Neo Nerd]

It is.

But are you condemning masterbation?

Come UV you know me better than that.

I'm not condemning anything in this thread.

Mine is only one viewpoint amongst many. Who am i to condemn anybody for their viewpoints (no matter how silly and ignorant i MAY think they are)

-Q

 

[blackout]

Oh sweetheart....

I was KIDDING!

 

[The Neo Nerd]

Oh sweetheart....

I was KIDDING!

I know.

 

[Erebus]

Or perhaps emotional masturbation.

This is more my view of it. Magic initiates change, prayer provides comfort IMO, both are useful in their own way.

 

[brbubba]

Biggest pet peeve ever... when people say, "It's so wonderful to see the hand of God at work." That's obviously redundant since the hand of God is in everything. Hence spiritual masturbation.

Many Christians, not to single them out, seem to insist on vocalizing their worship which did always seem pointless to me. If you believe in an omnipotent all powerful God who created you then your very existence should be praise to it. Your very thoughts, your essence should and are enough to satisfy that requirement.

 

[Antibush5]

Could human sacrafice be considered to be some kind of spiritual orgy then?

 

[The Neo Nerd]

Could human sacrafice be considered to be some kind of spiritual orgy then?

I just wrote a paper on the sociological causes of suicide from a durkheimian perspective.

Wanna hear about it?

-Q

 

[Antibush5]

I just wrote a paper on the sociological causes of suicide from a durkheimian perspective.

Wanna hear about it?

-Q

Oh yes please.

 

[The Neo Nerd]

Oh yes please.

Well i'm not telling you.

I never want to have to think about it again.

Actually i will tell you if you are really interested. There's an interesting part in there about the differing suicides rates between catholics and protestants.

-Q

 

[brbubba]

Well i'm not telling you.

I never want to have to think about it again.

Actually i will tell you if you are really interested. There's an interesting part in there about the differing suicides rates between catholics and protestants.

-Q

I read the wiki on him and saw that thing about the suicide rates study. I'd be curious to see christian rates versus the general public or christians versus atheists.

 

[Antibush5]

Well i'm not telling you.

I never want to have to think about it again.

Actually i will tell you if you are really interested. There's an interesting part in there about the differing suicides rates between catholics and protestants.

-Q

I really want to know now!

 

[chinu]

Praising Gods = Spiritual Masturbation

Right.


_/\_
Chinu

 

[Tom Terrific]

If we look at prayer from a chaos magick point of view it can be seen that praying is simply a means by which ones inflicts their will on the universe.

However if we look at prayers meant to praise ones chose deities there is no intent there.

If we follow the chaos magick theory that gods are made by humans, then the only purpose behind praising ones chose deity is to make ones self feel good.

Ergo "Spiritual Masturbation"

Any thoughts, comments, death threats?

-Q

Or perhaps emotional masturbation.

In my experience, praise is a method of invocation. The whole point of religion is union with the divine, and sex is a more-than-appropriate mythic symbol of this union. But it isn't the sort of circular, self-referential, empty catharsis that I think you're suggesting; rather, it's an ecstatic experience born of union with something transcendently awesome. When we praise, we are focusing ourselves upon the divine, however we conceive it to be. This focus invites it to communion, to which it responds because it loves us.

People sometimes remark how boring the Christian metaphors for heaven are, e.g. standing in an eternal choir or harp section singing praises to their god. I don't think such criticisms understand praise at all. I think our ultimate destination might be characterized as an eternal orgasmic union. Won't the Christians be surprised? ;-)

 

[The Sum of Awe]

I think masturbation would be an awesome movement in religion


It wouldn't matter though, I already practice it.

 

[blackout]

If we look at prayer from a chaos magick point of view it can be seen that praying is simply a means by which ones inflicts their will on the universe.

However if we look at prayers meant to praise ones chose deities there is no intent there.

If we follow the chaos magick theory that gods are made by humans, then the only purpose behind praising ones chose deity is to make ones self feel good.

Ergo "Spiritual Masturbation"

Any thoughts, comments, death threats?

-Q

Perhaps the "practitioner/praiser" intends to make their deity feel good. :flirt:

 

[Nisou Kitsune]

In my experience, praise is a method of invocation. The whole point of religion is union with the divine, and sex is a more-than-appropriate mythic symbol of this union. But it isn't the sort of circular, self-referential, empty catharsis that I think you're suggesting; rather, it's an ecstatic experience born of union with something transcendently awesome. When we praise, we are focusing ourselves upon the divine, however we conceive it to be. This focus invites it to communion, to which it responds because it loves us.

People sometimes remark how boring the Christian metaphors for heaven are, e.g. standing in an eternal choir or harp section singing praises to their god. I don't think such criticisms understand praise at all. I think our ultimate destination might be characterized as an eternal orgasmic union. Won't the Christians be surprised? ;-)

I dont praise my Gods, because I believe They have better things to do than to listen to me exclaim Their names and such. I honor Them, I speak with Them, I try to have a personal relationship with Them, I do as I am asked, and I am there if They need me. Its more of a friendship type relationship than anything. I can do most of my life without Their help, and when I DO need Their help, I find that it is more forthcoming.

Also, I would HATE to have an eternal orgasmic union. It gets.. blah after a while. I enjoy the feelings I have, and I dont think I would want to be assimilated into Them, at least not right now. I guess I am still at that stage of the "soul recycle".

 

[Father Heathen]

God is humanity's collective ego crying out to be stroked.