You seem to be older in the forum. ¿I'm not breaking any rule by "derailing" my own introduction thread, right? If the answer is that I'm indeed breaking it, I would kindly make a new thread in the pertinent area of the forum if you wish to continue with this topic.
I would call them supernatural entities, though perhaps "lesser deities" could also be used.
¿Aren't we humans "Gods" by that definition? We fit all the labels, as far as my limited understanding can see. We are powerfull beings ( powerfull here is somewhat ambiguos so I guess it could mean anything that have a certain range of possible actions?), we have a certain control over nature ( and a pretty good one. We have literaly shaped many places of the "natural" world to fit our desires. Cities, and the such. We can even claim to control high amounts of energy with bombs or some machines ). We can, in an extent, controle the fortune of other people ( or at least, powerfull, rich men can control many people's life if they wish so ), and we can control many elements of existence ( and not only elements in the sense of objects. We can also control to some degree the fundamental blocks of nature ).
The only thing we don't have ( at least that both theists and atheist can agree) is a spirit, but you seem to put it not as a requirement, but more as something that is usual, but not necesary ).
Under that label, ¿isn't anyone who believes in human civilization a polytheist?
Humans can be sometimes paradoxial creatures. I won't say I don't engage in such behaviour, though I try to avoid it when I consciously detect it.
I'm not sure if I'm following you. YWHW wants all the worships to him ( though personally I worship God because it makes me happy and it just simply flow. I don't see it much as something forced but as the natural reaction of Love toward someone who is many, many, many degrees above you
), but I'm not sure the Bible says tou can't believe in other Gods, as long as you don't worship them.
Somehow reminded me of Evangelion ( lol ). We are Angels in the serie ( Lilin ) and our "power" is knowledge because we eated the Tree of Knowledge ( hey, I can have my random moments too! ).
Quote:I think it's more a matter of special pleading... what then are demons and angels, if they are not 'lesser' deities?
I would call them supernatural entities, though perhaps "lesser deities" could also be used.
Quote:Athena, Zeus, Odin, Thor... these are usually considered beings in polytheistic religions, using 'god' as a (usually) powerful being (often a spirit of some sort) believed to have some form of control over nature, the fortunes of men, or some other element of existence.
¿Aren't we humans "Gods" by that definition? We fit all the labels, as far as my limited understanding can see. We are powerfull beings ( powerfull here is somewhat ambiguos so I guess it could mean anything that have a certain range of possible actions?), we have a certain control over nature ( and a pretty good one. We have literaly shaped many places of the "natural" world to fit our desires. Cities, and the such. We can even claim to control high amounts of energy with bombs or some machines ). We can, in an extent, controle the fortune of other people ( or at least, powerfull, rich men can control many people's life if they wish so ), and we can control many elements of existence ( and not only elements in the sense of objects. We can also control to some degree the fundamental blocks of nature ).
The only thing we don't have ( at least that both theists and atheist can agree) is a spirit, but you seem to put it not as a requirement, but more as something that is usual, but not necesary ).
Under that label, ¿isn't anyone who believes in human civilization a polytheist?
Quote:I'd prefer to have my understanding of a person's beliefs at least partially influenced by their beliefsI somehow only run into problems when I attempt to understand, though... people generally don't know why they believe what they believe, and it's been a point of fascination to me for quite some time now. I'm strongly considering going to school properly to see if I might manage to become a sociologist what others refer to for some odd centuries to come. </ends random ramblings>
Humans can be sometimes paradoxial creatures. I won't say I don't engage in such behaviour, though I try to avoid it when I consciously detect it.
Quote:To clarify... I do not consider Christianity to be pantheistic in its principles, given material such as 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me' and examples such as contests between YWHW and other gods so as to demonstrate the other's inferiority. Infact, to accept all gods would seem to be absolutely against the principles suggested by the jealousy and narcissism of the central god of Christianity. But don't worry, Dazzn's taught me well: people contradict
I'm not sure if I'm following you. YWHW wants all the worships to him ( though personally I worship God because it makes me happy and it just simply flow. I don't see it much as something forced but as the natural reaction of Love toward someone who is many, many, many degrees above you
), but I'm not sure the Bible says tou can't believe in other Gods, as long as you don't worship them.Quote:I believe that most Christian worship is intended monotheistically towards the central god (the trinity, if we don't consider that a form of polytheism in itself), but that the religion itself has many gods and demigods within.
Somehow reminded me of Evangelion ( lol ). We are Angels in the serie ( Lilin ) and our "power" is knowledge because we eated the Tree of Knowledge ( hey, I can have my random moments too! ).
