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monism or dualism?

syo

Well-Known Member
is christianity monism (one god) or dualism (god and satan as opposing forces)? in my opinion, if satan has the power to create evil and go against god, then christianity is dualism. but if satan is a servant of god, then everything is from god, and so it's monism.
 

It Aint Necessarily So

Veteran Member
Premium Member
is christianity monism (one god) or dualism (god and satan as opposing forces)? in my opinion, if satan has the power to create evil and go against god, then christianity is dualism. but if satan is a servant of god, then everything is from god, and so it's monism.

Shouldn't that be monotheism and ditheism / polytheism?
 

Sha'irullah

رسول الآلهة
The religions have always struck me as dualistic although I would not give Islam the same category for various reasons I can explain later. But Satan does have a shocking amount of power in Christianity and it is actually pretty bizarre.
 

syo

Well-Known Member
The religions have always struck me as dualistic although I would not give Islam the same category for various reasons I can explain later. But Satan does have a shocking amount of power in Christianity and it is actually pretty bizarre.
it is bizarre. i view satan as a servant, nothing more, but i'm a minority christian. most give power to satan.
 

BSM1

What? Me worry?
is christianity monism (one god) or dualism (god and satan as opposing forces)? in my opinion, if satan has the power to create evil and go against god, then christianity is dualism. but if satan is a servant of god, then everything is from god, and so it's monism.

Actually the idea of Satan creating evil is a total fantasy; Isaiah 45:7 tells you exactly where evil comes from. If you can tie this into your question then Christianity should be leaning towards Monism.
 

Mindmaster

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
The religions have always struck me as dualistic although I would not give Islam the same category for various reasons I can explain later. But Satan does have a shocking amount of power in Christianity and it is actually pretty bizarre.

Christianity needs a bad guy to get you in, Islam just threatens your physical safety. In the old days when Christianity was doing the same thing it had much less interest in a Devil. Both religions basically feel it OK to kill nonbelievers, so it's just turd X2 for me. I realize, however, that many practitioners do not feel that is the message of their religion but it sort of is a sticking point for non-believers.

it is bizarre. i view satan as a servant, nothing more, but i'm a minority christian. most give power to satan.

I do not ascribe to the opinion that divine aspects exist in enmity... Because, it seems nonsensical in the first place. In the 16th and 17th century, it was really common for folk practices to venerate "the Devil" as much as the Lord, because they felt they had to have favor from them both and were feared equally. Stuff modern religions tend to gloss over, of course...
 

Sha'irullah

رسول الآلهة
Isn't monism basically pantheism, while dualism is panentheism?

Not remotely close. You can use them in this term because of their literal meaning but it is not the word for the area of study we are dealing with. Panentheism is not even relevant to either of them as it means god encompasses thing beyond the natural world which has no relation to a dualistic deity as a dualistic deity can be both dualistic and panentheistic.
 

David T

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Come on, is this forum only made up of religious fans? Western religion is art rich. Infact in western religion Protestant, and especially evangelicalism its almost zero art. Uh no art and guess what evangelicals suck go figure. Their saints are scholars and marketing personalities and a large variety of private enterprises. . omg sounds sounds sounds like America culture.

NOW On a side note, there is cool art. Check this devil out and guess what it's all very very symbolic. Blake... But Blake was an odd duck for sure. This is a very art rich culture its not totally sterile but discussing religion without art is so evangelical. Now catholics they at one time were super art. Lost it but who knows they flirt with artists at least.
reddragon.jpg
 

Samantha Rinne

Resident Genderfluid Writer/Artist
Judaism is monism. Satan is seen as an angel of God, with a sucky message. He is the "accuser" so his message is that we are guilty.

Christianity should be monism, but much of Christians are actually dualists because they don't understand that both good and evil are simply defined by our own mindstate (our "knowledge of good and evil") and not by reality.

Christianity teaches panentheism, that we are all part of the Body of Christ. But the average Christian doesn't necessarily follow along with this idea.
 
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is christianity monism (one god) or dualism (god and satan as opposing forces)? in my opinion, if satan has the power to create evil and go against god, then christianity is dualism. but if satan is a servant of god, then everything is from god, and so it's monism.
God and Satan are not ying and yang. Satan is going to the lake of fire. But is allowed to oppose people so they can be tried and tested for reward in heaven. Good always triumphs over evil. For example Loving an enemy brings good to oneself from spiritual authority and personally and mentally. Honestly that is hard to do, but it helps when we do it. It also opens the door for brighter and more productive futures.
 

freelight

Soul Pioneer
Premium Member
is christianity monism (one god) or dualism (god and satan as opposing forces)? in my opinion, if satan has the power to create evil and go against god, then christianity is dualism. but if satan is a servant of god, then everything is from god, and so it's monism.

Elements of both monism and dualism exist in most world views or systems that are within a 'pan-en-theistic' context, since in both Judaism/Christianity all comes from The One Creator, so Creation and All that IS, is essentially ONE.....there is distinction however between The Creator and all that is 'created', so a 'satan' or 'devil' in the mix poses no problem or affect to either monism or dualism. All is included in the strata! ;)

All relativity, duality, multiplicity, difference is allowed for in the realm of creation, all polarities, compliments and oppossites...the entire spectrum of difference and seperateness is allowed to 'appear' within the Omnipresence of Spirit. - in a pan-en-theistic world view......'God' is always both 'immanent' within and 'transcendent' to creation,......he indwells, permeates, pervades it in some sense, but is ever transcendent and independent from it, as all things finite appear within The infinity of The One.

I enjoy monism and non-dualism in general as a mystic student of religious studies,......but hold to a more panentheistic world view, because its more inclusive of all dimensions of reality, non-dual and dual, because both are in synergy in the totality of existence,...there is always the creative spirit or intelligence that pervades what exists, while that spirit or MIND also exists in a place transcending (and prior to) any form or appearance. The ONE that IS....pervades all, and is all :)

Anyways, just some thoughts on this,......all comes from The ONE and returns to The ONE, because there is Only that ONE! :)


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Treasure Hunter

Well-Known Member
is christianity monism (one god) or dualism (god and satan as opposing forces)? in my opinion, if satan has the power to create evil and go against god, then christianity is dualism. but if satan is a servant of god, then everything is from god, and so it's monism.
God is divided but his division serves the one. Use paradox to pull yourself out of the imagined objective realm and get back into the subjective. Everything is revealed in the end.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
is christianity monism (one god) or dualism (god and satan as opposing forces)? in my opinion, if satan has the power to create evil and go against god, then christianity is dualism. but if satan is a servant of god, then everything is from god, and so it's monism.
Is not it three or more, God, Satan, Other angels, humans?
 

ChieftheCef

Active Member
monism and dualism are about essence that created/is everything. is god and satan of the same essence?
There's a funny story (series of facts) I can't recall detailing such a thing. I believe the gnostics have something to say about it. Something like, there's a God above (what they say is actually lower case g) god, the evil one of the two, that "is the respite from" the other lower case god.

 
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