What is your belief in regards to God?

[Gambit]

Right. That self animates an untold number of finite forms, each trapped in the illusion of their own finite experience.

Are there many souls, or only just one?

 

[George-ananda]

Are there many souls, or only just one?

Many souls

There are many reincarnating temporary souls.

 

[Gambit]

Many souls

There are many reincarnating temporary souls.

Aren't the many reincarnating temporary souls purely illusory because there is only one, real soul?

 

[George-ananda]

Aren't the many reincarnating temporary souls purely illusory because there is only one, real soul?

Yes, but they are only illusory to the Self-Realized.

 

[Gambit]

Yes, but they are only illusory to the Self-Realized.

But how many "self-realized" souls are there? One or many?

 

[Sees]

I ticked the box for theistic though "all of the above" was tempting

I often use panendeistic polytheist to try to be most accurate with a minimalist label.

 

[George-ananda]

But how many "self-realized" souls are there?

Generally, after Self-Realization soul bodies are dropped, and the illusory individuality is dropped and Moksha/Nirvana/Brahman state is experienced . Self-Realized souls are rare and may retain their soul bodies for the purpose of aiding and teaching those on the lower planes.

 

[Gambit]

Generally, after Self-Realization soul bodies are dropped, and the illusory individuality is dropped and Moksha/Nirvana/Brahman state is experienced . Self-Realized souls are rare and may retain their soul bodies for the purpose of aiding and teaching those on the lower planes.

But it seems to me that you believe that there is more than one "self-realized" soul. If there is only one self, then only one self is experiencing maya and only one self is experiencing moksha. How is it that the same self is dreaming and awake at the same time?

 

[vaguelyhumanoid]

God, in the classical Abrahamic sense? No.

Gods, i.e. countless powerful and worthy spirits embodying various aspects of existence? Yes, tho I don't claim certainty.

 

[Laika]

Voted "Other". I belong more to the God-Building Tradition of Marxism (trying to find humanist substitutes for religious beliefs and rituals) than to 'Atheism' anymore.

 

[Gambit]

Voted "Other". I belong more to the God-Building Tradition of Marxism (trying to find humanist substitutes for religious beliefs and rituals) than to 'Atheism' anymore.

Liberation theology?

 

[Laika]

Liberation theology?

It's much earlier, as there was a period of "God-building" in the 1920s (and to a much lesser extent in the 60's) in the USSR. there was a debate amongst the Bolsheviks in the 1900s and 1910s along the same lines, but the "militant atheist/materialist" position of Lenin won out. I think Liberation Theology would constitute a form of God-building if it's explicitly Marxist. (i.e. using Christianity as an ideological weapon to advance the cause of Soviet Socialism or something similar). it's not something I know very well.

 

[Thief]

rogue theologian....
yeah I believe in God.
I do so because of science.

 

[George-ananda]

But it seems to me that you believe that there is more than one "self-realized" soul. If there is only one self, then only one self is experiencing maya and only one self is experiencing moksha. How is it that the same self is dreaming and awake at the same time?

All Self-Realized souls (remember that is a rare thing, where a soul is maintained for aiding and teaching) are experiencing the same Source. In Hinduism they are called Avatars (Divine incarnations). In Hinduism many call the Avatars 'God'. But again this is an exceptional thing. An Avatar I believe in, says it is wrong to think that the Avatars are different just because the forms they animate look different.

 

[Gambit]

All Self-Realized souls (remember that is a rare thing, where a soul is maintained for aiding and teaching) are experiencing the same Source. In Hinduism they are called Avatars (Divine incarnations). In Hinduism many call the Avatars 'God'. But again this is an exceptional thing. An Avatar I believe in, says it is wrong to think that the Avatars are different just because the forms they animate look different.

You're still not addressing the question I asked previously. So, let me slightly rephrase it: How is it possible that Atman-Brahman ("God") is simultaneously ignorant of its true self and aware of its true self?

 

[prometheus11]

I believe in a few of the Greek and Norse gods to keep my faith activated and useful for when I need it for more important purposes.

Because there is no evidence concerning the mystery of existence, I don't believe in a universe creating God because it would be nothing more than preposterous, prideful, presumption.

 

[prometheus11]

You're still not addressing the question I asked previously. So, let me slightly rephrase it: How is it possible that Atman-Brahman ("God") is simultaneously ignorant of its true self and aware of its true self?

Why not?

Plenty of Christians assert that cause is always necessary in order to state that it isn't when it comes to God?

Or like God expecting Adam and Eve to know disobedience was wrong before they ate the fruit to even have a concept of right and wrong.

When talking about gods, logic sorta flies out the window, wouldn't you say?

 

[Gambit]

I think Liberation Theology would constitute a form of God-building if it's explicitly Marxist. (i.e. using Christianity as an ideological weapon to advance the cause of Soviet Socialism or something similar). it's not something I know very well.

One could argue that the early Christians practiced a form of communism.

"And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." - Acts 2:44-45

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

What is your scientific and/or rational explanation for why there is something rather than nothing?

What could the assumption of a god (or gods) possibly do to help answer that question?

BTW: is your god "something" or "nothing"?

 

[Eileen]

Theist would be the closest of your choices however I am a strict ethical monotheist. Not only do I believe in God, I believe

God is a singular, unique, One. Why do I believe this? It makes perfect logical sense. to me.