Paganism

[Hockeycowboy]

Science is currently stopping the COVID plague, but many Christians deem science to be the foe of religion. Notice that the Vatican (pope) put travel restrictions around itself, not trusting that God would protect them.

Not me, I love the empirical discoveries of science.

The Bible indicates that a wise person will take action....
Proverbs 22:3

 

[Truthseeker]

Yes, everyone is an important part of God's perfect plan. God gave 10 commandments, man turned those 10 into 612 or so, Jesus reduced the number to 2 to clear things up so that everyone would be on the same page ha ha...

1. Love God with all your heart all your mind and all your soul.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.

...my 9 year old daughter came home from Catholic school a few months ago reciting the 10 commandments, I tell her that's great but Jesus cut those down to 2, she smiled and said really what are they. I told her, she thought about it, her smile went away and said that's not fair, she said if I love god with all my heart then there's nothing left for anyone else. I say only when you love god with all your heart can you love your neighbor as yourself realizing you both play an important part in god's perfect plan. I've more work to do with her ha ha, probably with you too, so don't give up on me yet!

Jesus actually said the commandments hang on those two commandments, if you read carefully. This means to me that those commandments are meant to facilitate the love of God and man or exemplify love for God and man. He didn't mean all the commandments in the Torah, though, I'm convinced. Each Prophet changes or alters the commandments of the previous Prophet. One problem with the Gospels is that it is unclear what commandments were intended in some cases.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Would you say that's right?

Generally, yes.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

It really seems Judaism has a monopoly on 'stuff you have to do day to day'

I'm just not going to find it elsewhere.

Islam.
Outside of those, not really.

 

[Aupmanyav]

One can believe in Gods without believing in the rest of superstitions. A belief in God/Gods/Goddesses does not require you to believe in astrology.
'Outside of life', one would eat, work, enjoy with family, have sex with partner, sleep, etc.
If you are not harming anyone and perhaps helping others, that is right practice.
Why are you afraid to be alone? Just do your thing.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Why would God want puppets?

The monotheist God wants puppets that is why he sends repeated messages through prophets / sons / messengers / manifestions / mahdis, and is not happy if you do not follow his instructions. You do not even have a count of how many, major or minor, messengers has he sent. He threw out Adam and Eve because they transgressed his instructions. In some religions, he will send those who do not believe in him or his representatives to eternal hell or pour burning oil on head till the brains melt.

But how does one know what the Gods want?

Absolutely simple. Check what the prophets / sons / messengers/ manifestations / mahdis say. Are they not representatives of God or Allah, though they do not have any evidence to present.

 

[Trailblazer]

Hmmm, do you choose which ones you obey?

No, I am obligated to obey all of the laws, as that is one of the Twin Duties of my religion.

“The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Day Spring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation. Whoso achieveth this duty hath attained unto all good; and whoso is deprived thereof, hath gone astray, though he be the author of every righteous deed. It behoveth every one who reacheth this most sublime station, this summit of transcendent glory, to observe every ordinance of Him Who is the Desire of the world. These twin duties are inseparable. Neither is acceptable without the other. Thus hath it been decreed by Him Who is the Source of Divine inspiration.” Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 330-331

The Twin Duties

 

[Aupmanyav]

Is the rapist or murderer also doing what God wants him to do?

What does Bahaollah say about that since Bahais do not have punishment (though Bahaollah indicated that if you refuse the ministry of a messenger or a manifestation)?

Judaism is top down, a central authority governs everything from a place of power down to the congregation.

Islam is not much behind.

 

[Aupmanyav]

In the modern world, with your description in your post, even Buddhists fall into that category.
Being pagan is only now thought to be all of this. In the ancient world worshiping any other god other than the Jewish God was considered Pagan, and it was not a derogatory term. Its just another person. Thus, if you define yourself, you could be pagan without whatever you wish to be without.

Buddhists cannot be termed as pagans because they do not believe in existence of God. Sure, Hinduism is a pagan religion, with its thousands of Gods and Goddesses and it is mostly not monotheistic. You hardly know about Eastern religions and are making comments on them. As for superstitions, even Muslims have them. Mohammad was afflicted by black magic and did not know for six months if he had sex or not. Does not Quran or Mohammad talk about Jinns.

Reject any teaching or practice that propagates greed, hatred, or delusion as leading to long-term harm. Accept teachings and practices that propagates a lack of greed, hatred, or delusion as leading to long-term benefit. (Borrowed from the Kalama Sutta.)

Kesamutti Sutta, a gem of advice. What about God / Allah and his prophets / sons / messengers / manifestations / Mahdis?
Kesamutti Sutta - Wikipedia

 

[Aupmanyav]

These astrological ideas are for the most part sheer superstitions.

These are superstitions, but God, soul, prophets / messengers / Manifestations / Mahdis are not superstitions even if there s no proof of their existence or mission. - Also do not ever question the authority of Abdul Baha and my guidance - Shoghi.

No, I am obligated to obey all of the laws, as that is one of the Twin Duties of my religion.
“The first duty prescribed by God for His servants is the recognition of Him Who is the Day Spring of His Revelation and the Fountain of His laws, Who representeth the Godhead in both the Kingdom of His Cause and the world of creation."

Yeah just accept God AND ME (because is someone does not accept God, he would not believe ME TOO). End of the Bahai duties. All the rest is for show.

 

[Trailblazer]

What does Bahaollah say about that since Bahais do not have punishment (though Bahaollah indicated that if you refuse the ministry of a messenger or a manifestation)?

Baha'is do have punishment for crimes like rape and murder in Baha'u'llah's Book of Laws.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Baha'is do have punishment for crimes like rape and murder in Baha'u'llah's Book of Laws.

What is that, Trailblazer. Kindly let us know.

 

[Trailblazer]

What is that, Trailblazer. Kindly let us know.

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas is Bahá'u'lláh's book of laws, written in Arabic around 1873 while He was still imprisoned within the city of 'Akká. It is considered the Most Holy Book of the Baha’i Faith. As I recall, it was translated into English in 1982.

 

[Aupmanyav]

You could have given me a rough idea. You do not do that but instead direct me to a thousand pages of taketh, giveth, thinketh, doeth, which I am loath to do. Even the paragraphs that you copy and post are difficult to decipher. Shoghi was translating it in his divine English rather than common readable English.

 

[Rival]

We’ve spoken about Exodus 7 before....you said that Pharaoh’s magic priests just used “sleight of hand” techniques.

I don't recall saying this. I believe it was not a sleight of hand. I always thought something more was involved. The Torah forbids witchcraft and necromancy so I assume these things are possible, just not that they should be done or are necessarily the way Pagans think they are.

 

[Rival]

Are there Metaphysical supply stores where you are? That is the best place to meet other Pagans, in the US. Or with the App Meetup. Just beware, we're an odd lot.

There may be some.

 

[firedragon]

Buddhists cannot be termed as pagans because they do not believe in existence of God. Sure, Hinduism is a pagan religion, with its thousands of Gods and Goddesses and it is mostly not monotheistic. You hardly know about Eastern religions and are making comments on them. As for superstitions, even Muslims have them. Mohammad was afflicted by black magic and did not know for six months if he had sex or not. Does not Quran or Mohammad talk about Jinns.Kesamutti Sutta, a gem of advice. What about God / Allah and his prophets / sons / messengers / manifestations / Mahdis?
Kesamutti Sutta - Wikipedia

Apparently this is not a debate thread or something.

 

[Aupmanyav]

It is not but the misinformation had to be corrected.

 

[Rival]

Why are you afraid to be alone? Just do your thing.

I'm not afraid to be alone, I just want a religion that can be my whole life and requires me to actually do stuff, otherwise it's basically just a philosophy with some prayer thrown in

 

[Aupmanyav]

My whole religion is to just live decently and die when the time comes. No prayers. I have completed nearly the whole of my living.