Sunday, June 01, 2008

Debate # 1- How many Gods are there?

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A couple of months back I published some thoughts on capital punishment. To my surprise a fairly fierce debate ensued and interestingly, many of the views brought into sharp focus our cultural and national differences.
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So I thought I’d throw another one into the pot, and just maybe this could become a regular feature to take place at the beginning of the week when writing prompts are thin on the ground.

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People of many religions visit here, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Jews and many others too. Also of course there are atheists, humanists, agnostics and pagans.

Let’s assume for the sake of this discussion that there is a higher being – a God by whatever name you wish to give it. Is God the exclusive ‘property’ of one particular religion, or are all religions effectively praying to the same God but by different means? Is it possible that only one system of faith is right and those who follow a different one are, for the want of a better expression, barking up the wrong tree? For instance, if the Sikh faith is the right road to travel, does that mean that the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Pope are destined for eternal damnation?

There are of course many folk who do not subscribe to a religion at all, yet spend their entire lives doing good whether on a global, national, local or family level. At the end of their lives will they be judged unfit to pass through the pearly gates, whilst someone else who has led a corrupt and evil life is accepted by virtue of the fact they begged forgiveness on their deathbed?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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7 comments:

  1. My goodness, Keith, you are living dangerously these days! I am a born-again Christian, fundamentalist, bible believing, and believer in the Holy Trinity.
    I do believe that people are being led astray in a lot of other religions, or non-religions and I pray that the truth is revealed, daily.
    There, I said it...I hope your happy for the fallout we're going to have to indure! lol
    Take care
    Tory

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  2. Oh what a subject to debate on Keith lol. Well in my own opinion and again I am nobody. I firmly believe that no matter if you choose to believe in god or not or of some higher being that is your chose and if you do this and you are out there doing good for others and you are a positive role model in the world you will rest in peace when it is your time. There are people who choose to be negative and lead a negative life not contributing to any good of society but just to corrupt others. Will they pass through the pearly gates? That remains up to the person and how they go about leading their life throughout the many stages they will go through. Do I believe there is only one faith of religion that we should be following no I think as long as you are happy with what your beliefs are and you are treating people with respect and as you would want to be treated then everything should be okay.

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  3. boy Keith, Are you looking for trouble? or is trouble your middle name? Never talk religion or politics with strangers or you may get more than you bargined for! ( like a bloody bloody nose mate!!) I enjoyed what Jadey wrote and very much agree with her! (how tactful (chicken) is that?? JADEY will get the punch in the nose for me!!)

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  4. I see that it is very cultural now
    Very interesting. In Holland people are proud to discuss everything although that is changing because it is getting more dangerous.
    Oh and I totally agree with Jadey

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  5. Very interesting and brave post my dear! I'll be checking back. I know what I'd tell you in a private forum.
    I think I'll leave it at that!

    Hugs Giggles

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  6. Interesting that you should post about this. I have a similar post waiting in my draft folder. Maybe your bravery will inspire me to get it out. I'll try to make this short. I was raised by people with a United Methodist background (John Wesley was one of yours I believe?) but attended a fundamentalist, King James Bible preaching (because Jesus spoke the King's English, don't you know) church AND school. At one time I considered myself a born-again Christian, but after seeing the rampant intolerance, unforgiveness, and activities completely foreign to what Jesus actually taught, I don't claim that any longer. (Sorry, Tory. Maybe it's just the American "Christians".) I've studied many other religions and I have found that most religions have the same basic social requirements - treat people like you would yourself, help the poor, don't do bad things. Jesus, Buddha, the Great Spirit. WHat kind of a loving supreme being is going to punish vast millions of people just because they got a few details wrong? I could go on, but I won't. I imagine I'll get blasted as it is. But I like what Gandhi said, "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are nothing like your Christ."

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  7. Truthfully I can say, I don't know hhow many Gods are there. Religion for me is humanity and God for me exists within each of us.

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