Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Denshuu · 10-13-2002, 11:13 AM

This has been bothering me for some time, for two reasons mainly.

As much as I try to avoid talking about the Trinity concept (as it isn't even a main aspect of 'orthodox' Christianity - at least before Constantine), would the three members of the Trinity all be considered gods if all three of them were the immortal creators of the universe?

And second, since the Bible doesn't necessarily state that Yaweh is the only god that exists (hopefully, I'll be able to find the scriptures that state the opposite - Plus there's the use of the plural 'Elohim' in c1 of Genesis), could that be considered a recognition of more than one god and make Christianity a polytheistic religion? Or does the fact that only one of the Elohim is given actual attention make it a monotheistic religion, since all of the other gods are ignored?

I hope you guys have some answers. And I hope I posted this on the right board...

K · 10-13-2002, 12:50 PM

Denshun:

If you asked me, I'd say that Satan would definitely end up in the gods category. The way I understand it, God want's all of his children to be with Him forever. Satan somehow has the power to make sure only a small percentage do. Which god is more powerful? I've yet to hear a convincing argument demonstrating why Satan isn't a god.

Also, angels and demons (for those who believe in them) certainly should rank at least as demi-gods.

Sheep in the big city · 10-13-2002, 02:01 PM

Well, I think God put it best when he observed:
"Thou shalt not have any other gods before me"
instead of
"Thou shalt not have any other gods"
or
"There are no fucking other gods you ass"

As for the trinity I wouldn't really count it as 3 gods. And calling christianity polytheistic because of the trinity will only make christians say 'see the atheist, he's just being silly again - no point in taking his arguments serious'

Vorkosigan · 10-13-2002, 02:19 PM

Clearly belongs in Misc Religion. We had a thread on this a while back

<a href="http://iidb.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=6&t=000355&p=" target="_blank">Christian polytheistic?</a>

Vorkosigan

Peter Kirby · 10-13-2002, 02:43 PM

I will keep it here. The original post did mention the Bible, after all. We can discuss whether parts of the Bible teach polytheism, whether parts of the Bible teach monotheism, whether ancient Jews were monotheists, whether early Christians were monotheists, and how Jews and Christians were influenced by other religions concerning the nature and number of God/gods. So there is plenty of relevance to BC&A.

best,
Peter Kirby

Bobby · 10-15-2002, 06:06 PM

This is a very good question, Denshuu. Many Christians don't understand the trinity very well. I know the answer to your question though. Christianity is a monotheism religion. There is only one GOD. He is seperated into 3 parts, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God the Father sits on His throne in Heaven above. God the Son sits on the Fathers right hand. God the Holy Spirit is in Christians on the earth today. I know that it doesn't make very much sense, but these three, the trinity, are all one God. I think that you would get a better answer if you went to one of the christian chatrooms. I know that they know a lot more about God than I do. They will clear this question up for you, if I haven't really helped which I hope that I have.

K · 10-15-2002, 06:43 PM

Quote:

God the Father sits on His throne in Heaven above. God the Son sits on the Fathers right hand.

So this one God of yours has at least two asses.

But seriously, if all three are one god. Who was sustaining all of creation when God was dead for three (actually two) days?

Bobby · 10-15-2002, 07:20 PM

GOD the FATHER was, K. And that thing about the 3 as-es wasn't funny either!

K · 10-16-2002, 06:33 AM

Bobby,

If God the Father can be living while God the Son can be dead, THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT GODS! If God the Father can sit in one throne while God the Son can sit in another, THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT GODS! Why do you insist that they are only one god if they are distinct entities? The only reason I can think of is because you don't want to lose that precious monotheist title. This doesn't even deal with the fact that Satan appears to have all of the attributes of a god. Is he somehow part of the Trinity?

By the way, just how many asses does this single god have anyway. You've already claimed that He sits in at least two thrones at the same time.

Ronin · 10-19-2002, 02:05 AM

Quote:

God the Son sits on the Fathers right hand.

This must be where the priests find their loophole.

<a href="http://www.msnbc.com/news/822427.asp" target="_blank">http://www.msnbc.com/news/822427.asp</a>

I digress ~

10-13-2002, 11:13 AM	#1
Denshuu Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 164	Is Christianity and monotheistic or polytheistic religion? This has been bothering me for some time, for two reasons mainly. As much as I try to avoid talking about the Trinity concept (as it isn't even a main aspect of 'orthodox' Christianity - at least before Constantine), would the three members of the Trinity all be considered gods if all three of them were the immortal creators of the universe? And second, since the Bible doesn't necessarily state that Yaweh is the only god that exists (hopefully, I'll be able to find the scriptures that state the opposite - Plus there's the use of the plural 'Elohim' in c1 of Genesis), could that be considered a recognition of more than one god and make Christianity a polytheistic religion? Or does the fact that only one of the Elohim is given actual attention make it a monotheistic religion, since all of the other gods are ignored? I hope you guys have some answers. And I hope I posted this on the right board...

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10-13-2002, 12:50 PM	#2
K Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,485	Denshun: If you asked me, I'd say that Satan would definitely end up in the gods category. The way I understand it, God want's all of his children to be with Him forever. Satan somehow has the power to make sure only a small percentage do. Which god is more powerful? I've yet to hear a convincing argument demonstrating why Satan isn't a god. Also, angels and demons (for those who believe in them) certainly should rank at least as demi-gods.

10-13-2002, 02:01 PM	#3
Sheep in the big city Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: CA Posts: 217	Well, I think God put it best when he observed: "Thou shalt not have any other gods before me" instead of "Thou shalt not have any other gods" or "There are no fucking other gods you ass" As for the trinity I wouldn't really count it as 3 gods. And calling christianity polytheistic because of the trinity will only make christians say 'see the atheist, he's just being silly again - no point in taking his arguments serious'

10-13-2002, 02:19 PM	#4
Vorkosigan Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Barrayar Posts: 11,866	Clearly belongs in Misc Religion. We had a thread on this a while back <a href="http://iidb.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=6&t=000355&p=" target="_blank">Christian polytheistic?</a> Vorkosigan

10-13-2002, 02:43 PM	#5
Peter Kirby Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: the reliquary of Ockham's razor Posts: 4,035	I will keep it here. The original post did mention the Bible, after all. We can discuss whether parts of the Bible teach polytheism, whether parts of the Bible teach monotheism, whether ancient Jews were monotheists, whether early Christians were monotheists, and how Jews and Christians were influenced by other religions concerning the nature and number of God/gods. So there is plenty of relevance to BC&A. best, Peter Kirby

10-15-2002, 06:06 PM	#6
Bobby Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: ME Posts: 12	This is a very good question, Denshuu. Many Christians don't understand the trinity very well. I know the answer to your question though. Christianity is a monotheism religion. There is only one GOD. He is seperated into 3 parts, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God the Father sits on His throne in Heaven above. God the Son sits on the Fathers right hand. God the Holy Spirit is in Christians on the earth today. I know that it doesn't make very much sense, but these three, the trinity, are all one God. I think that you would get a better answer if you went to one of the christian chatrooms. I know that they know a lot more about God than I do. They will clear this question up for you, if I haven't really helped which I hope that I have.

10-15-2002, 07:20 PM	#8
Bobby Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: ME Posts: 12	GOD the FATHER was, K. And that thing about the 3 as-es wasn't funny either!

10-16-2002, 06:33 AM	#9
K Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,485	Bobby, If God the Father can be living while God the Son can be dead, THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT GODS! If God the Father can sit in one throne while God the Son can sit in another, THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT GODS! Why do you insist that they are only one god if they are distinct entities? The only reason I can think of is because you don't want to lose that precious monotheist title. This doesn't even deal with the fact that Satan appears to have all of the attributes of a god. Is he somehow part of the Trinity? By the way, just how many asses does this single god have anyway. You've already claimed that He sits in at least two thrones at the same time.

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