Theism Pantheism Atheism, page 1
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reply posted on 22-9-2009 @ 05:35 PM by rogerstigers
reply to post by the illuminator



I dunno, my faith works out well for me and is based on the world around me and my experiences both internally and externally. As you might imagine, I am not a Christian... I can best be described as a pantheist.

Your explaination of a constant, self-existing god does nothing really to address the point. Saying God is self-existing with no creator is no differant than saying the universe has always existed in one form or another.

Current M-Theory actually does a pretty decent job of explaining the creation of multiple universes through collision of membranes within the 11th dimension. It does not yet attempt to explain how the dimensions cames to exist, but that can be forgiven just as much as ya'll can be excused for saying god is eternal.


reply posted on 22-9-2009 @ 06:00 PM by serenesupreme
reply to post by the illuminator



Where is this "space" that god exist and who created it?

And if you say God is self-existing couldn't it be argued that the universe is self-created?


reply posted on 22-9-2009 @ 06:03 PM by Avenginggecko
reply to post by the illuminator



As a christian i feel that in my view we have a lot of evidence for our religion which requires a lot less faith than any other religion or faith. (including Atheism)


I'm going to have to stop you there and tell you that Christianity requires just as much blind faith as any of the other religions. There is zero proof of any deity so it's just as likely that there are 30 billion gods in the universe as there is one omipotent/omniscient creator.

And no, not everything that's created has a creator or a "first cause". Quantum mechanics has shown that particles can be created in the vacuum of space without having a cause, exist, and then poof back in to non existence.

Besides, if it's impossible for the universe to exist without a creator, then why is it impossible for a creator to exist without another creator? Because the Bible says so?

The only valid option with any evidence is option 2. Option 1 is, sadly, all hope. Trust me, I hope there's something to God(s), but until the evidence is apparent, I have to rely on more than flawed logic and blind faith.



reply posted on 22-9-2009 @ 06:15 PM by rogerstigers
reply to post by the illuminator



There is nothing about the universe that screams that it is all there is. It is perfectly plausible that the universe exists in a much larger omniverse and was created through processes which exist in the larger system.

Reverse infinity discussions are always great. Because it's like asking what is the biggest number. You can always ask, yeah, but what made that? Same goes for theological discussions.


reply posted on 22-9-2009 @ 06:21 PM by octotom
reply to post by TheOneElectric



Christianity is supposed to be under a mix of Pantheism and Theism, but no one really respects that or teaches that anymore....

That doesn't make sense. Christianity stemmed from Judaism.

Judaism's big "claim to fame" is it's monotheistic, personal God:

Deuteronomy 6.4:
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the LORD is one.


Throughout the Old Testament, God didn't take kindly to when something other than him was receiving worship. A medal ox receiving worship would've been a-okay if God was pantheistic.

The Hebrew God is separate from creation, as he created everything! Therefore pantheism is eliminated. How could something be God if it was created?

Christianity inherited this God. Christians view God as completely separate, and unique, from creation.

If, as you say, Christianity truly has pantheism somewhere in it, it's just being ignored, how do explain this? Romans 1.21-23:
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.


If Christians had viewed things in a pantheistic way, why would Paul rail against those that worshiped animals, which by the definition of pantheism would have God in them. Not to mention that Christians, for the most part, are expecting one to come that will set himself up as God and receive worship. Things don't end too well for that fellow.


reply posted on 22-9-2009 @ 06:28 PM by rogerstigers
reply to post by the illuminator



With all due respect Iluminator, you ask for evidence for someone elses beliefs, but you have none to offer yourself. I think we can all agree that the things that happened before our world wadscreated are quite hard to "prove". Much of it is taken on faith, even many cosmologists would probably admit that they take a bit of a leap of faith when they work some of their math. Many would even admit to just guessing.


OCTOMOM! Hey there! Long time no see! How are ya!?


reply posted on 22-9-2009 @ 06:34 PM by octotom
reply to post by rogerstigers



I think we can all agree that the things that happened before our world wadscreated are quite hard to "prove". Much of it is taken on faith...

At least to me, it's refreshing to see someone that, correct me if I'm wrong, isn't a theist acknowledge something like this!

OCTOMOM! Hey there! Long time no see! How are ya!?

I'm well. Thanks for asking! Yourself?


reply posted on 22-9-2009 @ 06:39 PM by octotom
reply to post by serenesupreme



I also never understand why people try to equate atheism to a religion.

It's due to how many define what a religion is. And it has nothing to do with a set of dogmatic beliefs or a sacred text. Many view anything as a religion if it answers the three "biggest" questions man has:

1. Where did we come from?
2. Why are we here?
3. Where are we going?

Atheism can answer these three questions in one way shape matter or form, albeit not in a typical religious way with heaven, angels, and things of that sort, so people view it as a religion.

Whether or not you agree with the thought process is up to you, but that is why many equate atheism to a religion.

[edit on 9/22/2009 by octotom]


reply posted on 22-9-2009 @ 06:42 PM by rogerstigers
reply to post by octotom



I am pretty much a pantheist. I believe in a universal force, but not an ordered religion or dogma. My purpose here is to learn and explore this life and when I die in this body, take what I have learned back with me wherever I go next. I view this life as temporary and transient and human knowledge as a whole rather limited and childlike in scope. That'll be enough details for now.

And I am well. Surviving the transition from Fall to Winter. Three weeks ago, it was 100 F and today it was 67 F and nothing but rain in between..lol
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