For those of you who don't follow any organized religion, what is your chosen term you use to describe your stance? And of the people you've had to explain it to, how many understood and/or agreed with you?
Just curious. I consider myself Agnostic, by the way. And I have to constantly explain it.
For those of you who don't follow any organized religion, what is your chosen term you use to describe your stance? And of the people you've had to explain it to, how many understood and/or agreed with you?
Just curious. I consider myself Agnostic, by the way. And I have to constantly explain it.
Freethinker, mainly. I don't know that I've ever had to explain that to anyone, however, in my freethinking I have compulsions. I need to let my brain imbibe in chaotic and nonsensical thought patterns on a periodic basis in order to keep a balance.
How can you know that? Do you have innate knowledge on every personality to have walked on this earth? Or we just disagree on the meaning of the word save. But mother Theresa created some associations in a few countries. She didn't only help lepers, she also helped feed, cloth and put a roof over children, helped families. The help networks she started are still working today, most of them are with volunteers. So not only did she ease the death of many sick persons she also saved people by helping children and creating networks.
How can you know that? Do you have innate knowledge on every personality to have walked on this earth? Or we just disagree on the meaning of the word save. But mother Theresa created some associations in a few countries. She didn't only help lepers, she also helped feed, cloth and put a roof over children, helped families. The help networks she started are still working today, most of them are with volunteers. So not only did she ease the death of many sick persons she also saved people by helping children and creating networks.
i am an atheist. i explain it as having no belief in God. at all. not even a hint of doubt. most understand and disagree. some think i'm just full of shit. only 2 people i've come into contact with are in agreeance with me that i know of.
Only two people? Really? Are you including those on this board?
I'm completely atheist by the way.
It doesn't matter if you're male, female, or confused; black, white, brown, red, green, yellow; gay, lesbian; redneck cop, stoned; ugly; military style, doggy style; fat, rich or poor; vegetarian or cannibal; bum, hippie, virgin; famous or drunk-you're either an asshole or you're not!
For those of you who don't follow any organized religion, what is your chosen term you use to describe your stance? And of the people you've had to explain it to, how many understood and/or agreed with you?
Just curious. I consider myself Agnostic, by the way. And I have to constantly explain it.
Indifferent.
I couldn't care less if there's a god, a bunch of gods, gods everywhere, gods and anti-gods, whatever. Not gonna influence me one bit. I don't care if there is something, or there isn't. I just think there's more important things to worry about.
Agnostics suggest that god cannot be proven. I take it one step further- I don't care whether it can be proven or not.
Everyone understands it. The difference is the atheists just nod, and say, cool. The theists try to change my mind and tell me I'll go to hell if I don't believe.
yes 2 people. really. no, im not including those on this board.
That really surprises me. At least half of my friends, probably more, consider themselves atheist and feel pretty much exactly the same as I do, and I've met lots of others who think the same way. Maybe its because I know a lot of biologists or something. . .
I was just thinking before that Australia is probably much more similar to Europe in this regard after reading Collin's comments. Now I'm not so sure.
It doesn't matter if you're male, female, or confused; black, white, brown, red, green, yellow; gay, lesbian; redneck cop, stoned; ugly; military style, doggy style; fat, rich or poor; vegetarian or cannibal; bum, hippie, virgin; famous or drunk-you're either an asshole or you're not!
I'm going to run the risk of being offensive and say that this means you need to get out more. Only two athiests in your life sounds terrible !!
That's what I was thinking. . . good thing you said it for me.
It doesn't matter if you're male, female, or confused; black, white, brown, red, green, yellow; gay, lesbian; redneck cop, stoned; ugly; military style, doggy style; fat, rich or poor; vegetarian or cannibal; bum, hippie, virgin; famous or drunk-you're either an asshole or you're not!
I'm going to run the risk of being offensive and say that this means you need to get out more. Only two athiests in your life sounds terrible !!
no. i'm not offended lucy. and no, i don't need to get out more. i get out as much as i choose to. and when i do, i don't introduce myself as cate, the atheist. i don't ask people their religious affiliation. and you're forgetting probably not for the last time, that is if you even remembered it in the first place and took me seriously, that i am misanthropic. i don't like people. so i don't interact with them on any scale above necessary. i'm certainly not going to get into theological discussions with them.
hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
For those of you who don't follow any organized religion, what is your chosen term you use to describe your stance? And of the people you've had to explain it to, how many understood and/or agreed with you?
Just curious. I consider myself Agnostic, by the way. And I have to constantly explain it.
Pagan. And yes, it invariably requires an explanation.
Pagan. And yes, it invariably requires an explanation.
Please explain it for us then?
It doesn't matter if you're male, female, or confused; black, white, brown, red, green, yellow; gay, lesbian; redneck cop, stoned; ugly; military style, doggy style; fat, rich or poor; vegetarian or cannibal; bum, hippie, virgin; famous or drunk-you're either an asshole or you're not!
I'm actually not sure what I am anymore.. Catholic Light w/ a side of Paganism? On occasion agnostic?
It's hard to make a determination if you're not leaning strongly towards something. It sounds wishy-washy, but I'm just not sure anymore - so I guess better to question than to blindly believe...
I just recently decided to enroll my daughter into CCD (catholic classes) in the fall so she'd have the same upbringing as mine.
Part of my indecision is that I believe everyone has a right to believe in what they want, and my old school Irish/Italian church back in NY would disagree with me and say they're all heathens. Religion = frustration to me right now
For those of you who don't follow any organized religion, what is your chosen term you use to describe your stance? And of the people you've had to explain it to, how many understood and/or agreed with you?
Just curious. I consider myself Agnostic, by the way. And I have to constantly explain it.
Well, I guess it's a bit agnostic in the sense that I am open for alternatives, and really haven't settled much on anything on the subject. A touch of animism for good measure, and a certain amount of belief in the spiritual and belief in the power of belief.
I dont have a name for what I am, and I rarely tell other people about it, since I dont really have many hardwired ideas on the subject.
Peace
Dan
"YOU [humans] NEED TO BELIEVE IN THINGS THAT AREN'T TRUE. HOW ELSE CAN THEY BECOME?" - Death
"Every judgment teeters on the brink of error. To claim absolute knowledge is to become monstrous. Knowledge is an unending adventure at the edge of uncertainty." - Frank Herbert, Dune, 1965
I believe in something bigger... I use the term, 'God' due to a lack of a better description. Basically, the thing that drives the Universe and specifically the living spark that thrives in everything that possess 'Life'... from single cell microbes to plants and cats and dogs and us humans. God being Nature.
Religions usually point to God... but seem to frame Him to fit their needs. God doesn't choose one person over another... at least my God doesn't. He understands how fucked up we are right out of the box. Add a fucked up environment we create to live in... how can He choose? I believe that all religions lead to the one God... they all just seem to think that their path is the only path and the others either need to hop on their trail or die (a.k.a. 'Burn in Hell'). It's not that I don't fit religion... religion does not fit me.
I also love the teachings of Jesus... although, that whole ressurrection thing and Him being the living God... well, I still not sure. As far as I can tell... it's His publicists creating a hype around His teachings. I don't trust the man made institution of the Church. Man has a tendency to warp and distort things so they will fall in their favor.
...
So... what am I? I don't know. What label do you tag onto a guy that is just trying to make it through this life trying to find the truth? Fool? Okay... if that fits your criteria... whatever. I really don't care what I'm called. I know who I am.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
I believe in something bigger... I use the term, 'God' due to a lack of a better description. Basically, the thing that drives the Universe and specifically the living spark that thrives in everything that possess 'Life'... from single cell microbes to plants and cats and dogs and us humans. God being Nature.
Religions usually point to God... but seem to frame Him to fit their needs. God doesn't choose one person over another... at least my God doesn't. He understands how fucked up we are right out of the box. Add a fucked up environment we create to live in... how can He choose? I believe that all religions lead to the one God... they all just seem to think that their path is the only path and the others either need to hop on their trail or die (a.k.a. 'Burn in Hell'). It's not that I don't fit religion... religion does not fit me.
I also love the teachings of Jesus... although, that whole ressurrection thing and Him being the living God... well, I still not sure. As far as I can tell... it's His publicists creating a hype around His teachings. I don't trust the man made institution of the Church. Man has a tendency to warp and distort things so they will fall in their favor.
...
So... what am I? I don't know. What label do you tag onto a guy that is just trying to make it through this life trying to find the truth? Fool? Okay... if that fits your criteria... whatever. I really don't care what I'm called. I know who I am.
It's why I find it easiest to say I'm agnostic. I believe in something, but I won't put myself into any manmade pigeonhole and say the rest of peoples' beliefs are "the wrong ones" and mine is the only right one.
no. i'm not offended lucy. and no, i don't need to get out more. i get out as much as i choose to. and when i do, i don't introduce myself as cate, the atheist. i don't ask people their religious affiliation. and you're forgetting probably not for the last time, that is if you even remembered it in the first place and took me seriously, that i am misanthropic. i don't like people. so i don't interact with them on any scale above necessary. i'm certainly not going to get into theological discussions with them.
Ididn't know you were a misanthrope. I don't recall you saying that, but I have a shite memory as well.
I know you don't neeed to get out more, it was just something to say. I would actually think that you have more than two athiests in yout life anyway. Most average Aussies say they are agnostic when put on teh spot, but really they are arthiest, cos they don't think about God any day of the week, they just live their lives without religion etc, they just find it too confronting to say "my name is xyz, I am an athiest"
Ididn't know you were a misanthrope. I don't recall you saying that, but I have a shite memory as well.
I know you don't neeed to get out more, it was just something to say. I would actually think that you have more than two athiests in yout life anyway. Most average Aussies say they are agnostic when put on teh spot, but really they are arthiest, cos they don't think about God any day of the week, they just live their lives without religion etc, they just find it too confronting to say "my name is xyz, I am an athiest"
I must not be a thrope either !!
LOL !!
oh no ive come across plenty of people who are hedging their bets. they dont want to know if it's bunkem and they dont know how to question it. so they ignore is all and hope there's something more. they christian their children, get married in the church and attend church only on high holy days.
hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
pa·gan /ˈpeɪgən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pey-guhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks.
2. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.
3. an irreligious or hedonistic person.
–adjective
4. pertaining to the worship or worshipers of any religion that is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim.
5. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pagans.
6. irreligious or hedonistic.
pol·y·the·ism /ˈpɒliθiˌɪzəm, ˌpɒliˈθiɪzəm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pol-ee-thee-iz-uhm, pol-ee-thee-iz-uhm] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
the doctrine of or belief in more than one god or in many gods.
Dionysus is my favoured God:
Di·o·ny·sus /ˌdaɪəˈnaɪsəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[dahy-uh-nahy-suhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun Classical Mythology.
the god of fertility, wine, and drama; Bacchus.
Di·o·ny·sus (dī'ə-nī'səs, -nē'-) Pronunciation Key
n. Greek & Roman Mythology
The god of wine and of an orgiastic religion celebrating the power and fertility of nature. Also called Bacchus.
Gnos·ti·cism (nŏs'tĭ-sĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key
n. The doctrines of certain pre-Christian pagan, Jewish, and early Christian sects that valued the revealed knowledge of God and of the origin and end of the human race as a means to attain redemption for the spiritual element in humans and that distinguished the Demiurge from the unknowable Divine Being.
noun
a religious orientation advocating gnosis as the way to release a person's spiritual element; considered heresy by Christian churches
'The Gospel of Thomas is mystical and emphasizes a direct and unmediated experience of the Divine through becoming a Christ. In Thomas v.108, Jesus said, "Whoever drinks from my mouth will become as I am; I myself shall become that person, and the hidden things will be revealed to him." Furthermore, salvation is personal and found through spiritual (psychological) introspection. In Thomas v.70, Jesus says, "If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you. If you do not bring it forth, what you do not have within you will kill you." As such, this form of salvation is idiosyncratic and without literal explanation unless read from a psychological perspective related to Self vs. ego. In Thomas v.3, Jesus says,
...the Kingdom of God is within you...
In the other four gospels, Jesus is frequently called upon to explain the meanings of parables or the correct procedure for prayer. In Thomas v.6, his disciples asked him, "Do you want us to fast? How should we pray? Should we give to charity? What diet should we observe?" Jesus dismissess the relevance of the questions with his reply, "Don't lie, and don't do what you hate, because all things are disclosed before heaven. After all, there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and there is nothing covered up that will remain concealed;" correlating a state of unconflicted awareness with the external experience of the Real.
In contrast to the Gospel of John, where Jesus is likened to a feudal (albeit divine and beloved) Lord, the Thomas gospel portrays Jesus as more the ubiquitous vehicle of mystical inspiration and enlightenment. In Thomas v. 77 where Jesus said,
I am the light that shines over all things. I am everywhere. From me all came forth, and to me all return.
Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift a stone, and you will find me there,
In most other respects, the Thomas gospel offers terse yet familiar if not identical accounts of the sayings of Jesus as seen in the synoptic gospels.'
wow, i've never seen someone knock mother theresa before... she brought comfort to the sick and dying people that nobody else wanted to touch. she helped them die with dignity and helped some survive and get back on their feet. she worked in the worst slums in the world, period. she tried to ease the poverty of the most poor, diseased, downtrodden people in the world. i cannot believe someone's actually acting like that's no big deal. i'd like to see get the fuck off this board and try helping some people like that, instead of spewing your masturbatory rhetoric here and acting like you're doing the world a whole bunch of good by "bringing the truth" to the 50 people that actually read the pearl jam message board political forum.
pa·gan /ˈpeɪgən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pey-guhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks.
2. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.
3. an irreligious or hedonistic person.
–adjective
4. pertaining to the worship or worshipers of any religion that is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim.
5. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pagans.
6. irreligious or hedonistic.
pol·y·the·ism /ˈpɒliθiˌɪzəm, ˌpɒliˈθiɪzəm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pol-ee-thee-iz-uhm, pol-ee-thee-iz-uhm] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
the doctrine of or belief in more than one god or in many gods.
Dionysus is my favoured God:
Di·o·ny·sus /ˌdaɪəˈnaɪsəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[dahy-uh-nahy-suhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun Classical Mythology.
the god of fertility, wine, and drama; Bacchus.
Di·o·ny·sus (dī'ə-nī'səs, -nē'-) Pronunciation Key
n. Greek & Roman Mythology
The god of wine and of an orgiastic religion celebrating the power and fertility of nature. Also called Bacchus.
Gnos·ti·cism (nŏs'tĭ-sĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key
n. The doctrines of certain pre-Christian pagan, Jewish, and early Christian sects that valued the revealed knowledge of God and of the origin and end of the human race as a means to attain redemption for the spiritual element in humans and that distinguished the Demiurge from the unknowable Divine Being.
noun
a religious orientation advocating gnosis as the way to release a person's spiritual element; considered heresy by Christian churches
'The Gospel of Thomas is mystical and emphasizes a direct and unmediated experience of the Divine through becoming a Christ. In Thomas v.108, Jesus said, "Whoever drinks from my mouth will become as I am; I myself shall become that person, and the hidden things will be revealed to him." Furthermore, salvation is personal and found through spiritual (psychological) introspection. In Thomas v.70, Jesus says, "If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you. If you do not bring it forth, what you do not have within you will kill you." As such, this form of salvation is idiosyncratic and without literal explanation unless read from a psychological perspective related to Self vs. ego. In Thomas v.3, Jesus says,
...the Kingdom of God is within you...
In the other four gospels, Jesus is frequently called upon to explain the meanings of parables or the correct procedure for prayer. In Thomas v.6, his disciples asked him, "Do you want us to fast? How should we pray? Should we give to charity? What diet should we observe?" Jesus dismissess the relevance of the questions with his reply, "Don't lie, and don't do what you hate, because all things are disclosed before heaven. After all, there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and there is nothing covered up that will remain concealed;" correlating a state of unconflicted awareness with the external experience of the Real.
In contrast to the Gospel of John, where Jesus is likened to a feudal (albeit divine and beloved) Lord, the Thomas gospel portrays Jesus as more the ubiquitous vehicle of mystical inspiration and enlightenment. In Thomas v. 77 where Jesus said,
I am the light that shines over all things. I am everywhere. From me all came forth, and to me all return.
Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift a stone, and you will find me there,
In most other respects, the Thomas gospel offers terse yet familiar if not identical accounts of the sayings of Jesus as seen in the synoptic gospels.'
Comments
Agnostics, though necessary, are the worst.
all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
Freethinker, mainly. I don't know that I've ever had to explain that to anyone, however, in my freethinking I have compulsions. I need to let my brain imbibe in chaotic and nonsensical thought patterns on a periodic basis in order to keep a balance.
all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
How can you know that? Do you have innate knowledge on every personality to have walked on this earth? Or we just disagree on the meaning of the word save. But mother Theresa created some associations in a few countries. She didn't only help lepers, she also helped feed, cloth and put a roof over children, helped families. The help networks she started are still working today, most of them are with volunteers. So not only did she ease the death of many sick persons she also saved people by helping children and creating networks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q1m-8npkJ4
If you have the time, watch this.
naděje umírá poslední
Only two people? Really? Are you including those on this board?
I'm completely atheist by the way.
-C Addison
I couldn't care less if there's a god, a bunch of gods, gods everywhere, gods and anti-gods, whatever. Not gonna influence me one bit. I don't care if there is something, or there isn't. I just think there's more important things to worry about.
Agnostics suggest that god cannot be proven. I take it one step further- I don't care whether it can be proven or not.
Everyone understands it. The difference is the atheists just nod, and say, cool. The theists try to change my mind and tell me I'll go to hell if I don't believe.
I just shrug, and say I don't care.
yes 2 people. really. no, im not including those on this board.
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
That really surprises me. At least half of my friends, probably more, consider themselves atheist and feel pretty much exactly the same as I do, and I've met lots of others who think the same way. Maybe its because I know a lot of biologists or something. . .
I was just thinking before that Australia is probably much more similar to Europe in this regard after reading Collin's comments. Now I'm not so sure.
-C Addison
I'm going to run the risk of being offensive and say that this means you need to get out more. Only two athiests in your life sounds terrible !!
That's what I was thinking. . . good thing you said it for me.
-C Addison
no. i'm not offended lucy. and no, i don't need to get out more. i get out as much as i choose to. and when i do, i don't introduce myself as cate, the atheist. i don't ask people their religious affiliation. and you're forgetting probably not for the last time, that is if you even remembered it in the first place and took me seriously, that i am misanthropic. i don't like people. so i don't interact with them on any scale above necessary. i'm certainly not going to get into theological discussions with them.
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
Pagan. And yes, it invariably requires an explanation.
Please explain it for us then?
-C Addison
It's hard to make a determination if you're not leaning strongly towards something. It sounds wishy-washy, but I'm just not sure anymore - so I guess better to question than to blindly believe...
I just recently decided to enroll my daughter into CCD (catholic classes) in the fall so she'd have the same upbringing as mine.
Part of my indecision is that I believe everyone has a right to believe in what they want, and my old school Irish/Italian church back in NY would disagree with me and say they're all heathens. Religion = frustration to me right now
This is my kind of love...
♥♥♥
I dont have a name for what I am, and I rarely tell other people about it, since I dont really have many hardwired ideas on the subject.
Peace
Dan
"Every judgment teeters on the brink of error. To claim absolute knowledge is to become monstrous. Knowledge is an unending adventure at the edge of uncertainty." - Frank Herbert, Dune, 1965
Religions usually point to God... but seem to frame Him to fit their needs. God doesn't choose one person over another... at least my God doesn't. He understands how fucked up we are right out of the box. Add a fucked up environment we create to live in... how can He choose? I believe that all religions lead to the one God... they all just seem to think that their path is the only path and the others either need to hop on their trail or die (a.k.a. 'Burn in Hell'). It's not that I don't fit religion... religion does not fit me.
I also love the teachings of Jesus... although, that whole ressurrection thing and Him being the living God... well, I still not sure. As far as I can tell... it's His publicists creating a hype around His teachings. I don't trust the man made institution of the Church. Man has a tendency to warp and distort things so they will fall in their favor.
...
So... what am I? I don't know. What label do you tag onto a guy that is just trying to make it through this life trying to find the truth? Fool? Okay... if that fits your criteria... whatever. I really don't care what I'm called. I know who I am.
Hail, Hail!!!
It's why I find it easiest to say I'm agnostic. I believe in something, but I won't put myself into any manmade pigeonhole and say the rest of peoples' beliefs are "the wrong ones" and mine is the only right one.
Ididn't know you were a misanthrope. I don't recall you saying that, but I have a shite memory as well.
I know you don't neeed to get out more, it was just something to say. I would actually think that you have more than two athiests in yout life anyway. Most average Aussies say they are agnostic when put on teh spot, but really they are arthiest, cos they don't think about God any day of the week, they just live their lives without religion etc, they just find it too confronting to say "my name is xyz, I am an athiest"
I must not be a thrope either !!
LOL !!
oh no ive come across plenty of people who are hedging their bets. they dont want to know if it's bunkem and they dont know how to question it. so they ignore is all and hope there's something more. they christian their children, get married in the church and attend church only on high holy days.
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
Well I feel drawn to paganism and to Gnosticism:
pa·gan /ˈpeɪgən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pey-guhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1. one of a people or community observing a polytheistic religion, as the ancient Romans and Greeks.
2. a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Muslim.
3. an irreligious or hedonistic person.
–adjective
4. pertaining to the worship or worshipers of any religion that is neither Christian, Jewish, nor Muslim.
5. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of pagans.
6. irreligious or hedonistic.
pol·y·the·ism /ˈpɒliθiˌɪzəm, ˌpɒliˈθiɪzəm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[pol-ee-thee-iz-uhm, pol-ee-thee-iz-uhm] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
the doctrine of or belief in more than one god or in many gods.
Dionysus is my favoured God:
Di·o·ny·sus /ˌdaɪəˈnaɪsəs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[dahy-uh-nahy-suhs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun Classical Mythology.
the god of fertility, wine, and drama; Bacchus.
Di·o·ny·sus (dī'ə-nī'səs, -nē'-) Pronunciation Key
n. Greek & Roman Mythology
The god of wine and of an orgiastic religion celebrating the power and fertility of nature. Also called Bacchus.
Gnos·ti·cism (nŏs'tĭ-sĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key
n. The doctrines of certain pre-Christian pagan, Jewish, and early Christian sects that valued the revealed knowledge of God and of the origin and end of the human race as a means to attain redemption for the spiritual element in humans and that distinguished the Demiurge from the unknowable Divine Being.
noun
a religious orientation advocating gnosis as the way to release a person's spiritual element; considered heresy by Christian churches
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosticism
'The Gospel of Thomas is mystical and emphasizes a direct and unmediated experience of the Divine through becoming a Christ. In Thomas v.108, Jesus said, "Whoever drinks from my mouth will become as I am; I myself shall become that person, and the hidden things will be revealed to him." Furthermore, salvation is personal and found through spiritual (psychological) introspection. In Thomas v.70, Jesus says, "If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you. If you do not bring it forth, what you do not have within you will kill you." As such, this form of salvation is idiosyncratic and without literal explanation unless read from a psychological perspective related to Self vs. ego. In Thomas v.3, Jesus says,
...the Kingdom of God is within you...
In the other four gospels, Jesus is frequently called upon to explain the meanings of parables or the correct procedure for prayer. In Thomas v.6, his disciples asked him, "Do you want us to fast? How should we pray? Should we give to charity? What diet should we observe?" Jesus dismissess the relevance of the questions with his reply, "Don't lie, and don't do what you hate, because all things are disclosed before heaven. After all, there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and there is nothing covered up that will remain concealed;" correlating a state of unconflicted awareness with the external experience of the Real.
In contrast to the Gospel of John, where Jesus is likened to a feudal (albeit divine and beloved) Lord, the Thomas gospel portrays Jesus as more the ubiquitous vehicle of mystical inspiration and enlightenment. In Thomas v. 77 where Jesus said,
I am the light that shines over all things. I am everywhere. From me all came forth, and to me all return.
Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift a stone, and you will find me there,
In most other respects, the Thomas gospel offers terse yet familiar if not identical accounts of the sayings of Jesus as seen in the synoptic gospels.'
agreed!
-Greg Dulli
helpful. glad somebody listed this.
-Greg Dulli
I'd discuss further but i can't hear you over my music. Sorry.