Taoist AND Deist?

[Triumphant_Loser]

I can see that but at the same time when deism takes out all the miracles stuff it takes away that sort of watchmaker aspect and makes it more inexplicable.

That's the only thing I'm afraid of when it comes to Taoism. The philosophical practices are fine. The only thing I worry about is the pseudoscientific medicinal Mumbo-Jumbo present in Taoism.

 

[paarsurrey]

So, I am a Deist, but I have been reading the Tao Te Ching here lately and have found it to be really interesting, and has sparked my interest in the Taoist philosophy itself. So my question is, can someone be both Taoist and Deist, or does Taoism require the outright rejection of a deity? Could the concept of the Tao be considered what Western philosophy calls "God?"

Yes.

Tao is one name of the One-True-God; so a truthful Taoist is a monotheist and a believer.

Regards

 

[DreadFish]

That's the only thing I'm afraid of when it comes to Taoism. The philosophical practices are fine. The only thing I worry about is the pseudoscientific medicinal Mumbo-Jumbo present in Taoism.

Well, if it helps, none of that stuff is actually taught in the writings which Philosophical Taoism is based on. I think it's stuff that was added on as practices grew. There's no obligation to believe it or practice it, IMO.

Some of that yin-yang and related stuff is also shared by Confucianism and other Chinese traditions, so I'd say it's more of a Chinese thing. In fact, "tao" is also used in Confucianism, but I think it's in a different way. Anyone can correct me on this, though.

 

[Izdaari]

I would say I'm a philosophical Taoist and a Christian. Also a panentheist in an EO kind of way (though I'm not an EO member).