Deism - A Way To Progress (rituals, Deists, tradition, beliefs)

[DrM]

DISCLAIMER: First, my purpose for Deistic threads is to acquaint people with a variation on religion which goes back centuries. If you believe in God, you are already a Deist. Some Deists choose to remain in their present system of beliefs with a new dimension added to their faith. Deism should add reason to your belief. If your present beliefs aren't reasonable, then maybe this is a place for you. There are many people who, for whatever reason, have problems believing many of the stories in the bible, have problems with dogma and rituals yet have a sincere belief in God. In the following, I use reason and logic to explain more about Deism which to some may be brutally honest..
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Revealed religions can be deadly and anti-progressive. They hold people and society back with foolish superstition and ridiculous dogmas. Deism, on the other hand, offers people a way to free themselves from these negatives and replace them with a firm reliance on their God-given reason.

There are millions of people around the world who are bound by the shackles of pretended revelations. When they blow somebody up, or demolish someone's home, or vote for a political/religious charlatan who gives tax dollars and troops that can only reinforce the cycle of ignorance and violence, they sincerely believe they are doing God's will. The majority of this misconception is grounded in the Bible, for the Jews wrote the Old Testament out of which sprang both Christianity and Islam.

By making people aware of Deism I hope I am doing much to break this seemingly unending cycle of death and destruction. When someone honestly looks at Deism, based on many people I've spoken to and emails I've received, they're relieved and happy. They no longer feel guilty for their doubts about the claims made by their revealed religion. They no longer have to fight their God-given reason in order to believe the nonsense pushed on them by their religious leaders and their traditional family religion. They are truly free at last!

It's obvious that when someone takes Deism into their heart and mind, they will no longer be a victim of "revelations," revelations that tell them such unreasonable things as God wants them to kill their children, or it's ok for them to drink poison and to be bitten by poisonous snakes, etc. Deism drives the individual on to such progress that these foolish ideas, commands, and claims will never again be taken seriously by the new Deist.

The next logical step is for Deism to help society itself progress. When enough individuals become Deists, society will be transformed. This will not only end the careers of the faith-healers, it will, to a very large extent, be the end of the politicians. Because a population of majority Deists won't accept the lies and half-truths of the political careerists, the politicians will be replaced by leaders. Instead of accepting things on faith, the people will want, and demand, real answers.

By working together we will bring Deism to the people, it will become a household word in America and throughout the world! Already Deism has grown 717% from 1990 - 2000 in the US! As Thomas Paine wrote, "We have it in our power, to begin the world anew . . ."

[Jayhawker Soule]

Congratulations! You managed to write 6 paragraphs regarding Deism without (a) defining it, (b) justifying it, or (c) explaining what it has do do with "Biblical Debates" - not bad!

OK - a couple of questions then:

1. Why should one choose deism over philosophical naturalism or agnosticism?
2. Is deism a teleological world view?
3. What (if anything) distinguishes the deist from the proponenta of [i]'Intelligent Design'?

[Green Gaia]

Moving thread to... somewhere other than Biblical debates

[true blood]

DrM, Do you believe in the resurrection?

[Sunstone]

Originally Posted by DrM

The next logical step is for Deism to help society itself progress. When enough individuals become Deists, society will be transformed. This will not only end the careers of the faith-healers, it will, to a very large extent, be the end of the politicians. Because a population of majority Deists won't accept the lies and half-truths of the political careerists, the politicians will be replaced by leaders. Instead of accepting things on faith, the people will want, and demand, real answers.

While I think deism is a great idea, I doubt it's likely to eliminate political careerists.

[DrM]

Originally Posted by Deut. 32.8

Congratulations! You managed to write 6 paragraphs regarding Deism without (a) defining it, (b) justifying it, or (c) explaining what it has do do with "Biblical Debates" - not bad!

OK - a couple of questions then:

1. Why should one choose deism over philosophical naturalism or agnosticism?
2. Is deism a teleological world view?
3. What (if anything) distinguishes the deist from the proponenta of [i]'Intelligent Design'?

With your opening statement I doubt whether any answer I could offer you would be satisfactory; not unlike the responses you have received from other members of this board. I have noticed that you have few, if any threads originated by you. (I didn't find any but then I didn't look too long.) However, what I noticed most about your rsponses to other's posts are a. argumentative in nature, b. demeaning to many and, c. you have the notion that you have been endowed with more intellect than most; which usually results in a narcissistic personality. These kinds of traits do not tend to intimidate me but I understand your intent which is to simply argue and point out what you believe to be other's shortcomings. I will keep my words to you brief in an attempt to avoid your kind of responses.

Anyway thanks for your warm welcome to me on this religious forum. You should be on the forum's welcoming committee!

1. One shouldn't. One should believe what they want to believe.
2. No.
3. Deism is more closely a proponent of progressive revelationism.

[DrM]

Originally Posted by true blood

DrM, Do you believe in the resurrection?

I cannot say for sure. According to the events recorded following the resurrection, something happened, this we can be sure of. The feeling and event was so shattering to His disciples that they changed the course of history and all of them died a horrible death as a result of their belief in what they were witness to. Whatever it was, it was remarkable.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by DrM

... all of them died a horrible death as a result of their belief in what they were witness to.

That is doubly inaccuate. There is no evidence, for example, that witnessing a resurrection had anything whatsoever to do with his reported martyrdom. Nor is there any tradition, much less evidence, of the martyrdom of John o Matthew.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by DrM

Deism is more closely a proponent of progressive revelationism.

What is progressive revelationism?

[DrM]

Congratulations! You managed to write 6 paragraphs regarding Deism without (a) defining it, (b) justifying it, or (c) explaining what it has do do with "Biblical Debates" - not bad!

I find your responses are quite biting. I am fairly sure that any answer I would offer would be more fodder for argument than debate. For example,

That is doubly inaccuate. There is no evidence, for example, that witnessing a resurrection had anything whatsoever to do with his reported martyrdom. Nor is there any tradition, much less evidence, of the martyrdom of John o Matthew.

This is my opinion based on my knowledge and study of the scriptures. This is a summation of what I believe to be accurate. The sacrifices and deaths of the disciples were so striking that apparently something happened to them in their life following the resseruction that they were willing to give up their lives. However, you insist there is no evidence. You win!

Progressive revelationism is God's unfolding knowledge of his creation down through the ages. The further we progress, the more we learn about God.