Have you read the post that deals the the UU Perspectices of a Theist? Look back a few posts and you will find the link, or ask me for a copy of the brochure that contains it. It is a both a statement of a personal journey of faith, and a strong statement of the value of persisting in pursuing the path of personal questing for an explaination. The author is honest and open, and her story is compelling.
What is theism? It migh be said that it means that there is a god, but only one, and a god that cares about each of us. The link shares an experience where the author experieces that connection, that unique and perhaps universal presence where the one god talks to each and every one of us, if we are open to recieve the message.
Deists and theists may be two sides of the same coin. Thomas Jefferson was famous for his deist/theist beliefs when he cut out the references in the bible of all but the references to what we might call God the Father, preferring to see god as one, not two or more. The Jefferson Bible is still available to read, if you are interested. It is much shorter than the version you may have kept on the shelf when you grew up.
Many UU's profess a belief in an infinite sort of power of the universe that they call god, which may be the same as this theist god. Sometimes it comes through as a sort of Force of Nature, or perhaps an Infinite Power. But sometimes it can be a personal, caring god that looks after each and every one of us.
Our next topic is Theism.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Thursday, February 12, 2015
What is it to be Pagan - Additional Info and Resources
Pagan: a person holding religious beliefs other than those of the main world religions.
This is one definition you can find for Pagan. In fact, it is one of many. How many can you find? What is common in their definitions, and how do they differ?
The branches of Paganism are many, and it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with as many as you can ahead of our meeting on Feb. 20. To start, here are some web resources to check out:
This is one definition you can find for Pagan. In fact, it is one of many. How many can you find? What is common in their definitions, and how do they differ?
The branches of Paganism are many, and it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with as many as you can ahead of our meeting on Feb. 20. To start, here are some web resources to check out:
Pagan Federation
with straightforward descriptions of pagan beliefs.
An academic
discussion of the basics of paganism, with historical references.
A British
perspective on Paganism.
I'd suggest using Wikipedia to look up the following terms, and at least skim the information you will find there. (There is a lot of writing on these topics, and the Wiki Editors have flagged much of it as "not being up to the Quality Standards of Wikipedia." What does that mean?)
Paganism
Polytheism
Pantheism
Animism
Idolatry
Nordic religions
Germanic Paganism
Neopaganism
Wicca
As you read through these try and pick up on a couple of key elements:
1. When did this particular religion start? What are the earliest records of it? (Hint: several started quite recently.)
2. Are any of these compatible with modern Christian beliefs?
3. When did the word "idolatry" first show up in the lexicon? What was it intended to mean? Who used it, and why? Are idols a part of paganism? If yes, what to they represent?
4. Is any pantheistic religion pagan? How about polytheistic?
5. Would a person from the ancient world who saw gods in everything around them call themselves pagan?
Were the Greeks pagan, with the gods living on Mount Olympus, and Zeus as their leader? How about the Romans, with Jupiter and his panoply of minions?
Is the phrase Pagan just a big bucket into which we can dump a lot of religions that don't fit into modern Christian thinking?
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Source Materials and Local Groups - Humanism
I was looking up some additional resource info for those who like more. Links to relevant websites are listed here. If you want access to some source materials, and like to look at the written roots of Humanism, these will provide you some great insights.
Humanist Manifestos I and II
Humanist Manifesto
III
WikiPedia Reference
to Humanism and the Humanist Manifesto
American Humanist
Association
The Humanist Society
Our local Humanist
Association chapter, in Mt. Vernon.
See you soon!
Des and Judy
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