Do you belive other gods exist?

[jmcrae]

So what if instead they designed and made a skirimidoo and it performs a purpose never before concieved?

In that case, it’s doubtful that both of them would come up with the same idea at the same time. One of them would come up with the idea, and the other would give feedback to refine the idea, but only one of them would actually be the origin of the idea.

 

[bsroufek]

In Scripture, God says “there is no other god besides me”.

St. Paul says that false gods (those other than God) are actually demons.
I believe this.

Because of these two statements, I do not believe that God “created” the other “gods”
but that the Devil did.

 

[Contarini]

In Scripture, God says “there is no other god besides me”.

St. Paul says that false gods (those other than God) are actually demons.
I believe this.

Because of these two statements, I do not believe that God “created” the other “gods”
but that the Devil did.

The Devil can’t create.

Unless you mean that they are illusions.

Edwn

 

[Contarini]

What’s the purpose of life according to the Catholic Church? I’ve never really thought about it. Is it just to be born and as a result become subject to original sin and then hopefully be saved?

The purpose of life is to reflect the glory of God and share in His eternal, joyful life.

Edwin

 

[StAleydisCalls]

As a former Pagan I wanted to weigh in on this. I still have friends involved in that scene, particularly Hermetics. What they believe is that all religions are the same thing. And it’s not so much that they believe in many gods so to speak as another view. That all gods are actually God, simply how a people in a different place and different time have had the Divine revealed to them. That these “gods” are really a aspect of the one God being revealed to that people in a way that they can understand. The God of many faces, if you will. Most Pagans I have ran into share this view. All religion to them is the same, and all are guiding you towards a personal relationship with the Divine, to act in concert with God to see His Will done in the world.

However as a Pagan I lost my connection to God and the Divine for a long time. I had a long fascination with the Craft that was life long. I ran from it as a Prostestant, but even with my strong belief and love of God, there was this strong lack, this absense, and after making the mistake of giving in and breaking my promise to God by giving in to my now ex whom I believed at the time I would marry, I began to study Paganism. But I lost that connection, I lost the incredible feeling of the Holy Spirit, and the only time I connected to any of the old dieties was when I called down the Circle in order to infuse a gemstone necklace for a friend with energy to call forward love to find him and ended up running for my life.

Something took him over, even now I can’t say what and attacked me. It ripped off the Rosary I had thrown around his neck and it wasn’t good! It was only upon connecting with the Church that I felt complete! I found God again, I am filled with the Holy Ghost again, surrounded with the wonderful Saints and with a strong connection to Our Holy Mother. So personally, after everything, there are beings, and I can’t say what they are for sure, that masquerade as gods and they can do one great harm, or they do nothing at all. And if they do nothing at all or great harm, there is no purpose in seeking them out. Rather seek out our Lord who does all things for our good and loves us.

If that makes any sense to you.

-Aleydis

 

[Philomath]

Do I believe other Gods exist in a Polytheistic or Henotheistic sense? No. Do I believe in the Christian God? No.

 

[tonyfish58]

Well, let me first say that I’m not a Christian, so by default, I’m obviously not a Catholic. I believe in one God and that there is no deity except He. I believe that there are a lot of quote-on-quote ‘gods’ in sense of idols; an idol is something that’s given more affection than God. An idol is not necessarily a statue of, let’s say, a pagan deity-- money can be an idol, for example, if you love money more than God. Some people worship money because that’s all they think about and all they desire.

I hope that’s not confusing. It’s hard to explain.

No that is not at all confusing, it is as it is, the** Truth**

Regards Tony

 

[jmcrae]

. And if they do nothing at all or great harm, there is no purpose in seeking them out. Rather seek out our Lord who does all things for our good and loves us.

If that makes any sense to you.

-Aleydis

That makes perfect sense to me. Welcome home! :extrahappy:

 

[MartinJordan]

Well, let me first say that I’m not a Christian, so by default, I’m obviously not a Catholic. I believe in one God and that there is no deity except He. I believe that there are a lot of quote-on-quote ‘gods’ in sense of idols; an idol is something that’s given more affection than God. An idol is not necessarily a statue of, let’s say, a pagan deity-- money can be an idol, for example, if you love money more than God. Some people worship money because that’s all they think about and all they desire.

I hope that’s not confusing. It’s hard to explain.

Drac, can you give some Quran verses regarding what is idolatry?

MJ

 

[tonyfish58]

Drac, can you give some Quran verses regarding what is idolatry?

MJ

MartinJordan - I suspect you know what answer would be returned for this question

Here are some, but as you know, the Koran also mentions that putting Christ as God is also idolatry. Given the Koran is definitely from God, then the verses should be considered.

[14:35] Recall that Abraham said, "My Lord, …. protect me and my children from worshiping idols.

[6:162-164] Say, “My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to GOD alone, the Lord of the universe.He has no partner. This is what I am commanded to believe, and I am the first to submit.” Say, "Shall I seek other than GOD as a lord, when He is the Lord of all things? No soul benefits except from its own works, and none bears the burden of another. Ultimately, you return to your Lord, then He informs you regarding all your disputes.

[31:13] Recall that Luqmaan said to his son, as he enlightened him, “O my son, do not set up any idols beside GOD; idolatry is a gross injustice.”

[4:48] GOD does not forgive idolatry, but He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who sets up idols beside GOD, has forged a horrendous offense.

[4:116] GOD does not forgive idol worship (if maintained until death), and He forgives lesser offenses for whomever He wills. Anyone who idolizes any idol beside GOD has strayed far astray.

[39:65] It has been revealed to you, and to those before you that if you ever commit idol worship, all your works will be nullified, and you will be with the losers.

[21:51-53] Before that, we granted Abraham his guidance and understanding, for we were fully aware of him. He said to his father and his people, “What are these statues to which you are devoting yourselves?” They said, “We found our parents worshiping them.”

[7:194] The idols you invoke besides GOD are creatures like you. Go ahead and call upon them; let them respond to you, if you are right.

Quoted from - submission.info/perspectives/monotheism/idolworship.html

Regards Tony

 

[MartinJordan]

MartinJordan - I suspect you know what answer would be returned for this question

I’ll wait till I get a response from a focused Muslim like Drac. Thank you.

MJ

 

[tonyfish58]

I’ll wait till I get a response from a focused Muslim like Drac. Thank you.

MJ

But MJ - I am focused, I am Focused as a Muslim, I am Focused as a Christian, I am Focused as a Baha’i

Lets us be Lovers, be Lovers, be Lovers, Lovers of the Light no Matter where it shines

Regards Tony

 

[Randy_Carson]

But MJ - I am focused, I am Focused as a Muslim, I am Focused as a Christian, I am Focused as a Baha’i

Lets us be Lovers, be Lovers, be Lovers, Lovers of the Light no Matter where it shines

Regards Tony

Most Christians would say that you are not a very focused Christian because you reject some Christian doctrines.

Most Muslims would say that you are not a very focused Muslim because you reject some Muslim doctrines.

So, how is your focusing helping you be a better Christian or Muslim?

Isn’t your syncretism coupled with a superiority complex which causes you to look with pity upon those of us who are not similarly enlightened?

 

[Lokadottir]

As a former Pagan I wanted to weigh in on this. I still have friends involved in that scene, particularly Hermetics. What they believe is that all religions are the same thing. And it’s not so much that they believe in many gods so to speak as another view. That all gods are actually God, simply how a people in a different place and different time have had the Divine revealed to them.

Well first of all and most importantly. You simply CAN NOT make blanket statements regarding pagans. I’m a hard polytheist. I stay in my pantheon and it is what works for me. I don’t believe all gods are one God and I am a pagan. Saying this is similar to saying all monotheists believe that Jesus was the son of God. Jews might disagree a little bit.

However as a Pagan I lost my connection to God and the Divine for a long time. I had a long fascination with the Craft that was life long. I ran from it as a Prostestant, but even with my strong belief and love of God, there was this strong lack, this absense, and after making the mistake of giving in and breaking my promise to God by giving in to my now ex whom I believed at the time I would marry, I began to study Paganism. But I lost that connection, I lost the incredible feeling of the Holy Spirit, and the only time I connected to any of the old dieties was when I called down the Circle in order to infuse a gemstone necklace for a friend with energy to call forward love to find him and ended up running for my life.

I very very rarely received the grace I needed in Christianity. I need only say the names of my Gods to feel them. I have no issue that it didn’t work for you but I’d like to note that the lack of presence I felt as a Catholic was not grounds to leave the Church. But if it is the reason Pagans leave Christians treat it as undeniable proof of Paganism being an invalid path.
Also I’m lost by the last sentence in this paragraph. I realize this is probably connected to the part of the next paragraph I edited out but this is getting very long.

And if they do nothing at all or great harm, there is no purpose in seeking them out. Rather seek out our Lord who does all things for our good and loves us.

If that makes any sense to you.

-Aleydis

My Gods have done much good for me and many of them I feel love me or are my friends.

 

[StAleydisCalls]

I respect your beliefs and I appreciate you taking the time to come and speak. I have a very bad tendency of putting my foot in my mouth. I was trying to say, that in my case, the Pagan path I walked turned out to not be right for me. I lost my connection to the divine that I needed so much, that had saved me out of despair and darkness through the years of physcial and sexual abuse I suffered for a decade in my childhood. God was the only thing I had, the only thing that gave me strength, the only One who made me feel loved, valued, who cried with me and kept me alive when I should have died.

I walked the Pagan path with a Pantheistic view. I was mentioning the Circles that I travled in, not wishing to blanket a statement for all pagans and if it came out that way I apologize. I was saying that I found that path to be false and wrong for me. And those I interacted with did not fill me with the love, the power, and the joy that Christ and His Church has. IN going back to Christianity, Catholicism in particular, I have found the meaning I had lost. My faith is complete. And the more I study and learn, the stronger becomes my faith and the deeper my connection to Jesus, to Our Lady, and the Saints who show me a way of life that is filled with in the midst of sorrows.

As I write this I realize this is not true for everyone. And it is not my place to tell you what is right and wrong for you. Your relationship with the Divine is yours, just as mine is mine. It will not stop me praying for you, as I pray for all my friends to find their peace, to be good to one another, to find their place in the world and their purpose, and for when it comes to our last day, we all can look back and say we lived life to the full and are ready to go into the Beyond.

-Aleydis

 

[tonyfish58]

Most Christians would say that you are not a very focused Christian because you reject some Christian doctrines.

Most Muslims would say that you are not a very focused Muslim because you reject some Muslim doctrines.

So, how is your focusing helping you be a better Christian or Muslim?

Isn’t your syncretism coupled with a superiority complex which causes you to look with pity upon those of us who are not similarly enlightened?

My friend, the Pity is for me, Pity that I am unable to grasp the wonderful revelations from God.

There is no “superiority complex” as I am nothing in this Universe.

It is a love I share, as you do with your Faith.

If my life depended upon it, Would I reject Christ, No. Would I reject Muhammad, No - How focused would you have me be?

Regards Tony

 

[Lokadottir]

I respect your beliefs and I appreciate you taking the time to come and speak. I have a very bad tendency of putting my foot in my mouth. I was trying to say, that in my case, the Pagan path I walked turned out to not be right for me. I lost my connection to the divine that I needed so much, that had saved me out of despair and darkness through the years of physcial and sexual abuse I suffered for a decade in my childhood. God was the only thing I had, the only thing that gave me strength, the only One who made me feel loved, valued, who cried with me and kept me alive when I should have died.

I walked the Pagan path with a Pantheistic view. I was mentioning the Circles that I travled in, not wishing to blanket a statement for all pagans and if it came out that way I apologize. I was saying that I found that path to be false and wrong for me. And those I interacted with did not fill me with the love, the power, and the joy that Christ and His Church has. IN going back to Christianity, Catholicism in particular, I have found the meaning I had lost. My faith is complete. And the more I study and learn, the stronger becomes my faith and the deeper my connection to Jesus, to Our Lady, and the Saints who show me a way of life that is filled with in the midst of sorrows.

As I write this I realize this is not true for everyone. And it is not my place to tell you what is right and wrong for you. Your relationship with the Divine is yours, just as mine is mine. It will not stop me praying for you, as I pray for all my friends to find their peace, to be good to one another, to find their place in the world and their purpose, and for when it comes to our last day, we all can look back and say we lived life to the full and are ready to go into the Beyond.

-Aleydis

:hug3: :flowers:
Thank you so much for clarifying! I’m glad you found your path!

 

[believerdoc]

The First Commandment says that we should have no other gods before/besides God.

So do we as Catholics or even if you are not Catholic do you believe that other gods exist or not?

I believe that this commandment refers to man made gods such as the desire for money, fame, position, power, and even other people and not to other supernatural entities. It is saying the God must be first and foremost in our lives and we are never to allow anything to become more important to us than God.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I believe that this commandment refers to man made gods such as the desire for money, fame, position, power, and even other people and not to other supernatural entities. It is saying the God must be first and foremost in our lives and we are never to allow anything to become more important to us than God.

yes. That has been established.

 

[StAleydisCalls]

That makes perfect sense to me. Welcome home! :extrahappy:

It’s wonderful to be home!! I am currently seeking out in my local town a Church near by that I feel the Lord is calling me to. I want to be a part of a parish where I can serve as well as join. I have so many things I could do! As a woman with autism who has severed in the local advocacy movement for High Fuctioning Adults on the Spectrum as well as working with the Independent Living Centers to promote awareness and community togetherness I am an activist at heart. One of my proudest moments was helping as the former Advocacy Specialist arranging a day where all the church leaders gathered talking about solving the issues facing the people on the Spectrum who have faced horrible discrimination while wanting to celebrate the Lord and be apart of the worship due to our “behaviors” and others not knowing how to handle them.

I would love to join and help the parish be able to handle such moments. A chance to offer my gifts being around my fellows and sharing them with others so we can be one happy family and us wonderful, theological nerds can still answer our questions (not sarcastic at all, they just come out in the wrong tone as we have troubles with tone of voice, see, that’s where I could come in ) I just never felt so happy, encouraged, and free. I’m a little crazy, but even younger I use to find other young people on the street and bring them in during our wonderful lawn concerts and calls to worship. How greater the beauty of the worship and the Eucharist, I am inspired with the awe of it every time I see it. I am blessed by EWTN but pray for me to find a place I can begin fulling converting, where I can learn, and be able to serve.

I love you all, may the Holy Trinity, Our Beautiful Lady, the Archangels and the Saints Keep You! As a warning in all my sigs as I learn more about the Saints I will place on here the Saint I am reading on today

-Today’s Saint: Bl. Teresa of Calcutta I thank you to show us what it means to be Christlike on this Earth. Because of your example a new fire has sprung inside me to go about the work of serving my fellows on the Spectrum, not for my own reasons no matter how much I love them, but do it for the glory of God, who sees all their tears and all the closed doors in their faces, their loss of hope. Let them see that God has not forsaken them, and will act through me, through allies in the People First Movement, to get them the services they desperately need.

-Aleydis