Deism discussion (rejecting, Deists, beliefs, church, dogma)

[Rex]

They don't think that the bible or any holy books are holy either but rather a guide of some sort.

[Green Gaia]

True. Most deists would say that of what are called, "Holy Books" do contain truth and understanding about life and how one should live in harmony with the world around them and it is important to read and understand these books for that reason, but reject the idea that these books come from "God" or that only one contains the only truth.

[The Voice of Reason]

I am starting this thread to give us an opportunity to examine Deism - the belief in God that is not based on revealed faith, but rather on rational thought. We have a member (DrM) that is a Deist, and hopefully he can share his thoughts on this.

I sincerely look forward to these discussions.

Thanks
TVOR

[Green Gaia]

Don't freak out, TVOR I just combined an old thread with the one you just started.

[The Voice of Reason]

Thanks Maize - that "popping" sound you just heard would be me pulling my head out of my butt.

Thanks,
TVOR

[Green Gaia]

No problem, I've been hoping for a good discussion on Deism for a while.

[Davidium]

Way cool!

I am happy to jump into this conversation.... I just posted a longer post on Deism. Now, I am more of a "Modern Deist" than a "classical Deist"....

Deism, being a Religion/Philosophy that is based not upon Dogma but upon human reason, is by necessity different for each and every individual. In order to be based upon an individuals reason, that individual must be free to go where Reason takes him...

Now, instead of re=writing a long post on Deism... I think I would rather post a service I gave on Deism earlier this year.

Deism: Past, Present, and Future

or, on my site

http://dynamicdeism.org/library/deis...tandfuture.htm

Deism is, at its core, a belief arrived at through Reason that a Higher Perspective does exist. Some come to this conclusion through Intelligent Design, some through Universal Purpose. There are those that beleive that God is the Universe, and we are a part of Him. As we use Reason to come to our belief in God, then so we should also use Reason in deciding upon all the beliefs in our lives....

I think the Tenets of the United Deist Church say it best...

Tenets of the United Deist Church

I freely believe in God as being discovered through nature and reason, rejecting revealed religion and its authority over humanity. I believe that all humans are equal. Further, as God has not shown favor for one people over another and has given us all that we need, that we should follow God's example and give to others as we can."

Reason and Respect in all you say and do,

David Pyle

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by Davidium

Deism, being a Religion/Philosophy that is based not upon Dogma but upon human reason, is by necessity different for each and every individual.

Why would something that is based on "human reason" [sic!] be "by necessity different for each and every individual"?

[Faust]

When I refer to myself as atheist, I do so because I do not believe in a God or gods. Anthropomorphic or not. However because I believe that all things are interconnected I also fit in the category of UU and Deist ect...
I'm not very concerned about titles, but I also have a bit of the ol Tao in me, but that is technically a philosophy.
I am however very interested in getting at the meat of things and have studied the Abrahamic religions on my own for some time now. I believe there are very many titles to express this attitude, but in the end, we who search out our own answers rather than accepting someone-elses, are all roughly of the same timbre.