Bede Griffith and the divine feminine

[openmind77]

And how is that not “many gods”? More than two is many and you have three “main” gods which implies that there are still more gods who are lesser gods.

This is true, there are many more Gods (and Goddesses).

The lesser Gods were created by the main three Gods. But the one who incarnates is the second of the Main Three.

 

[SteveVH]

We may be going off topic here, But just to let you know, I do believe in everything that Jesus himself has to say and claims to be.

Then you simply cannot remain Hindu. The two are not compatible in any way.

For instance, one cannot be resurrected to eternal life and simultaneously reincarnate, only to die again. We could go on from there. How can you say you believe “everything that Jesus himself has to say and claims to be” when these contradictions exist?

 

[christofirst]

I don’t understand.

You don’t want me tell you what I believe? You are saying it is uncharitable to say what I believe on this forum?

CjforJesus will have an opinion, but I for one am not offended by your posts. This is the Non-Catholic sub-forum, after all. If all we wanted was Catholic views, why even have such a sub-forum? It seems to me that you are being very clear in expressing your own beliefs. You show clearly that you are a Hindu in your identification, so no one should be led astray. Actually, I have often agreed with many of the things you have posted here on CAF, more than the opinions of some of my fellow Catholics, and I can discern those things where we disagree without feeling threatened, but that’s just me.

 

[openmind77]

We may be going off topic here, But just to let you know, I do believe in everything that Jesus himself has to say and claims to be.

What exactly did Jesus himself say that contradicts what I believe? I did not say Jesus will reincarnate (although he will return).

PS:Apologies to everyone for being somewhat off topic

 

[SteveVH]

What exactly did Jesus himself say that contradicts what I believe? I did not say Jesus will reincarnate (although he will return).

PS:Apologies to everyone for being somewhat off topic

I am speaking of you and me. We can either be resurrected to eternal life or we can reincarnate but we can’t do both. How do you reconcile this?

And this may be off topic, but not by much. This is why one does not incorporate Hinduism into Christianity, which is very much part of the topic.

 

[cjforJesus]

What exactly did Jesus himself say that contradicts what I believe? I did not say Jesus will reincarnate (although he will return).

PS:Apologies to everyone for being somewhat off topic

Yes you did say that your god will incarnate any time society needs him. You called your god vishnu and claimed Jesus is just his reincarnation which happens over and over.jesus was just one of his many names.

If you truly believe in Jesus and what He said then you know you have no life in you. Follow Him and you will have eternal life. You are in my thoughts and prayers always. I think you are desperately seeking the truth and that is why God lead you here.

 

[openmind77]

I am speaking of you and me. We can either be resurrected to eternal life or we can reincarnate but we can’t do both. How do you reconcile this?

OK, now I understand what you mean.

Actually I think Jesus just said you will have eternal life - which I believe you eventually will after many reincarnations.

Jesus does not specifically talk about resurrection being an alternative to reincarnation (he does say he will raise you on the last day, but that will not happen that soon and does not in my opinion contradict belief in reincarnation).

I would rather not discuss reincarnation here, please start a new thread if you would like to

 

[cjforJesus]

This is true, there are many more Gods (and Goddesses).

The lesser Gods were created by the main three Gods. But the one who incarnates is the second of the Main Three.

Yes and it is true that you worship young female children as the reincarnation of a goddess.When these children reach puberty and menarche then they are somehow no longer goddesses but once again female humans, I have no idea how that concept can be reconciled with Christianity.

These little girls supposedly embody the divine feminine and are worshipped as goddesses.

 

[SteveVH]

I would rather not discuss reincarnation here, please start a new thread if you would like to

Agreed, however I have no desire to start a thread on reincarnation. I was only curious as to how a Hindu can embrace the resurrection and reincarnation simultaneously.

Thanks.

 

[openmind77]

Yes and it is true that you worship young female children as the reincarnation of a goddess.When these children reach puberty and menarche then they are somehow no longer goddesses but once again female humans, I have no idea how that concept can be reconciled with Christianity.

These little girls supposedly embody the divine feminine and are worshipped as goddesses.

Not really true. Some communities may have such a tradition (I think there is one very well known one in Nepal - but only one such girl is chosen to play the part of the goddess).

But Goddesses do play a very important part in Hindu religious lives. The Goddess is the one who gives birth to everything and provides for us (and on occasion even defends us).

I believe the Christian Holy Spirit is the one who becomes the Mother or the Goddess (and apparently Fr. Griffith believed so too).

 

[cjforJesus]

Not really true. Some communities may have such a tradition (I think there is one very well known one in Nepal - but only one such girl is chosen to play the part of the goddess).

But Goddesses do play a very important part in Hindu religious lives. The Goddess is the one who gives birth to everything and provides for us (and on occasion even defends us).

I believe the Christian Holy Spirit is the one who becomes the Mother or the Goddess (and apparently Fr. Griffith believed so too).

I hope you convert from your pagan views and embrace Jesus because Kali will lead you away.I try to respect your views but they are just too pagan and backward.

 

[cjforJesus]

Not really true. Some communities may have such a tradition (I think there is one very well known one in Nepal - but only one such girl is chosen to play the part of the goddess).

But Goddesses do play a very important part in Hindu religious lives. The Goddess is the one who gives birth to everything and provides for us (and on occasion even defends us).

I believe the Christian Holy Spirit is the one who becomes the Mother or the Goddess (and apparently Fr. Griffith believed so too).

The Christian Holy Spirit is not a goddess lol.You have VERY faulty understanding of what we believe. God has various attributes and mercy and tenderness are just a few. I suppose you could call that feminine but as I stated before God is neither male nor female

In our theology the Church is our mother and we also consider Mary,the mother of Jesus to be our mother. I realize you have no concept of Mary though except maybe as a goddess…

 

[openmind77]

The Christian Holy Spirit is not a goddess lol.You have VERY faulty understanding of what we believe. God has various attributes and mercy and tenderness are just a few. I suppose you could call that feminine but as I stated before God is neither male nor female

In our theology the Church is our mother and we also consider Mary,the mother of Jesus to be our mother. I realize you have no concept of Mary though except maybe as a goddess…

Of course you don’t believe that the Holy Spirit is a Goddess.

I said that Fr. Griffith seems to be believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Feminine part of God. (and I agree)

 

[cjforJesus]

I appreciate this conversation though now I realize the VAST differences between Catholicism and Hinduism which no amount of inter religious dialogue could ever reconcile.

 

[openmind77]

I appreciate this conversation though now I realize the VAST differences between Catholicism and Hinduism which no amount of inter religious dialogue could ever reconcile.

Great! I am glad you are no longer offended (hopefully).

 

[SteveVH]

Of course you don’t believe that the Holy Spirit is a Goddess.

I said that Fr. Griffith seems to be believe that the Holy Spirit is the Divine Feminine part of God. (and I agree)

God does not have parts. He is ONE. He created females so there can be no doubt that God himself knows more about being feminine than any woman on earth does. As I have said repeatedly, this is nothing new. The Church has always recognized the feminine attributes of God but they are not particular or unique to the Holy Spirit.

 

[openmind77]

God does not have parts. He is ONE. He created females so there can be no doubt that God himself knows more about being feminine than any woman on earth does. As I have said repeatedly, this is nothing new. The Church has always recognized the feminine attributes of God but they are not particular or unique to the Holy Spirit.

In that case, I guess Father Griffith is not being heretical at all in talking about the divine feminine side of God.

 

[cjforJesus]

Great! I am glad you are no longer offended (hopefully).

Oh yes,I am still offended that you blasphemed God but you are really not aware of it so it cannot be called a mortal sin

As far as Fr Griffiths goes he was studying Hindu philosophy long before he became Catholic.
He used the ashrams as a platform to express his views,Interesting though was that while he was trying to integrate hindu beliefs into Catholicism he had a female counterpart who was actually living the Catholic faith in humility and charity.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

The inter religious dialogue that someone here is attempting now is only adding to the rift and causing me to realize how different Christians and Hindus really are.I would rather see similarities but when I am told that my Lord and Savior is just some random god that decided to come and help humanity over and over and over again that is totally offensive.It is no different than Theosophy. I do not wish to seek dialogue with a Theosophist either .I know what they think about Jesus too that he was just an ascended master.

I don’t think someone else telling you what they think about your belief is inter religious dialogue. Rather, each telling the other of their own belief. Then perhaps, similarities, can be found, but certainly not always. Non-Christians may have incorrect beliefs about our faith. It is our job to at least let them know how their belief differs from our own.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

I appreciate this conversation though now I realize the VAST differences between Catholicism and Hinduism which no amount of inter religious dialogue could ever reconcile.

I don’t think reconciliation is the point.