Jobar

Hi rainbow! Good to see you back here posting.

I think you should look for some of Watts' books; he wrote a lot, and his style is water clear. I've been a fan of his since 1975; I believe I've read everything he ever wrote in book form. (And the fact that he was a heavy duty partyer endears him to me all the more.) You should also read Robert Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land , if you haven't already.

There have been various Christian sects, and heretics in more common sects, that either stated openly or to the elect that "Thou art God". Look up Meister Eckhart sometime; he was a 14th-century Catholic priest whose sermons were plainly pantheistic. (It got him executed; hung, I believe. )

Also you might look at the Gospel of Thomas, one of the non-canonical gospels, which includes ideas believed to be imported from Buddhism. "Cleave a piece of wood, and you will find me there."

Sadly, AFAIK there are no major Christian denominations which include this idea as a major doctrine. I'd be interested in attending one that did.

Amos

Actually Jobar, it is written all over the Catholic Church but it sure is not preached that way. I agree, in fact, the local priest would call you a heretic (pantheist first).

One example is the painting of the ceiling of the Sistine chapel where the main picture is painted inside the human skull with Adam outside of it. Of course, this in itself does not say that but if you have this concept in your own mind you can see it all over.

rainbow walking

...that's what I love about this forum. I come here and learn something new almost everytime. You guys are my teachers. I've been reading Popper and just started Sagan, (un-fortunately I forgot to bring it home with me but I'm returning on the 3rd. I'll be sure and look for some works by Watts as I find these concepts intriguing.

I initially started this thread because of my suspicion that the current omnimax god concept evolved from a lesser mortal god syndrome that seemed to permeate many of the ancient cultures, the human worship of humans that may or may not have been deserved. Reading Popper helped reinforce this suspicion on a psychological level because gods aren't suppose to make mistakes yet humans absolutely must in order to grow, learn and progress. I can see an omnimax god emerging from the deep-seated desire to be perfect and the shame and trajedy that often accompanies mistakes and errors of thinking.

Jobar, how are you and the family? Sorry to see you move your moderation from this forum but glad you are still around. I fear I may have gotten off to a poor start with our newest moderator Diana. I just remembered that she's the one who pulled my chain by pretending to be a fundie a few months back. I'm going to have to keep an eye on that one, she's very clever but I like her.

I'm going to cut her some slack because she hasn't had time to learn the nuances of her regulars (or, in my case, irregulars), around here. Although I don't always get out of the gate clearly when I get my bearings I generally bring things into focus consistant to this forums specs, so she needn't worry too much about padlocking my thoughts and shipping them off to another planet.

Unraveling christianity is revealing so many other non-orthodox christian influences I'm almost certain its going to lead to the inevitable conclusion that man invented god in his own wishful image of error-free perfection.

Good to be back even if it's only for a short time.

diana

rw,

You have the slack-cutting backwards.

Any future posts that "don't get out of the gate clearly" will also be moved.

If you have any further comments you'd like to make about how you think things should work around here, take it through the proper channels.

d