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Utah's Pagan Community Grows

You guys know that some of the traditions that many people, especially Christians still follow are rooted from pagan rituals, right? For instance, Christmas trees! I'd never give up on those and new years eve even if they were satanic or spaghetti monster!

Since 99% of all religions predating the spread of Christianity and Islam were pagan... Obviously.
 
Thanks for the input from a LDS member. Don't answer if it's too long/difficult, but what about the example I gave of the woman either going to be with her husband or father, once divorced? (If I'm treading, ignore me .. I'm not being anti.)

I am certainly no fountain of knowledge, doctrinally speaking, but my understanding has always been that one's salvation depends wholly upon their own merit, and that their final station would reflect that and that alone. Family is, of course, the core unit of the whole plan, but everyone will receive opportunities to found and maintain their own family, whether in this life or the next. I think a lot of the misunderstanding in this area comes from the early days of the church, when Patriarchal order was interpreted differently, and societal attitudes towards women were significantly less progressive. The doctrine hasn't changed, but how the membership sees it has. I arrive at this conclusion based on what I have heard from the church authorities in the last 3 decades or so. So, it's just my perspective.
 
That's true. But for me, the more I study quantum physics, perception, theology, science and dimensions, the more it becomes a reality to me.

hehepeepeecaca

That's the main reason I don't believe. I look at something like Quantum Physics, or any other modern science, and the possibilities they offer, and then I look at a story about some ancient man-god who wants to make sure all babies are circumcised and what have you...

The depth of theology comes from the genius of men. I love Saint Augustine, even though I don't think any of what he says is true. And what I love most about him is the fact his Bible-based philosophy is far deeper than anything in the Bible itself (and deeper than Middle Age theologians like Aquinas).

I'm fascinated with religious men of intelligence. Take Colton. He's, by all accounts, a fantastic physicist and a very reasonable and intelligent man. But every time I read of his Mormon aplogetics, I'm simply left in awe. How can someone invest so much energy to create such a sophisticated version of his pretty simplistic faith? And why? Why not accept the inferiority of religious faith and move on to better, deeper things?

The world is such an interesting place.
 
That's the main reason I don't believe. I look at something like Quantum Physics, or any other modern science, and the possibilities they offer, and then I look at a story about some ancient man-god who wants to make sure all babies are circumcised and what have you...

The depth of theology comes from the genius of men. I love Saint Augustine, even though I don't think any of what he says is true. And what I love most about him is the fact his Bible-based philosophy is far deeper than anything in the Bible itself (and deeper than Middle Age theologians like Aquinas).

I'm fascinated with religious men of intelligence. Take Colton. He's, by all accounts, a fantastic physicist and a very reasonable and intelligent man. But every time I read of his Mormon aplogetics, I'm simply left in awe. How can someone invest so much energy to create such a sophisticated version of his pretty simplistic faith? And why? Why not accept the inferiority of religious faith and move on to better, deeper things?

The world is such an interesting place.

I see it both ways, but for me the more I study quantum physics, perception, theology, science and dimensions the more it proves the possibilities to me. With that said, my faith keeps me going just as strong as well.

Have you ever read about how the new world indians couldn't see the Spanish tall ships? Very interesting. From what I remember (in the last quantum book I read) our brain processes about 200 firings per second, but we still can't process things that are new until they're introduced. It's freaking crazy to me. Also, observation, the double split, and string theory also support a bunch of weird *** **** that could very well make "bizare" religions true. That's the way I see it, at least. (I totally understand if other people don't and I'll let anyone believe what they want, even Nihalism...errr.. that stuff is depressing. haha) Take this with a grain of salt though, I'm totally convinced there are known aliens and alien technology, too.
 
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That's the main reason I don't believe. I look at something like Quantum Physics, or any other modern science, and the possibilities they offer, and then I look at a story about some ancient man-god who wants to make sure all babies are circumcised and what have you...

The depth of theology comes from the genius of men. I love Saint Augustine, even though I don't think any of what he says is true. And what I love most about him is the fact his Bible-based philosophy is far deeper than anything in the Bible itself (and deeper than Middle Age theologians like Aquinas).

I'm fascinated with religious men of intelligence. Take Colton. He's, by all accounts, a fantastic physicist and a very reasonable and intelligent man. But every time I read of his Mormon aplogetics, I'm simply left in awe. How can someone invest so much energy to create such a sophisticated version of his pretty simplistic faith? And why? Why not accept the inferiority of religious faith and move on to better, deeper things?

The world is such an interesting place.

Very well put.
 
I see it both ways, but for me the more I study quantum physics, perception, theology, science and dimensions the more it proves the possibilities to me. With that said, my faith keeps me going just as strong as well.

Have you ever read about how the new world indians couldn't see the Spanish tall ships? Very interesting. From what I remember (in the last quantum book I read) our brain processes about 200 firings per second, but we still can't process things that are new until their introduced. It's freaking crazy to me. Also, observation, the double split, and string theory also support a bunch of weird *** **** that could very well make "bizare" religions true. That's the way I see it, at least. (I totally understand if other people don't and I'll let anyone believe what they want, even Nihalism...errr.. that stuff is depressing. haha) Take this with a grain of salt though, I'm totally convinced there are known aliens and alien technology, too.

I think you misunderstand the theory of perception you're citing. Before I proceed, let me make sure we're talking about the same thing. Are you talking about this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGQmdoK_ZfY
 
I think you misunderstand the theory of perception you're citing. Before I proceed, let me make sure we're talking about the same thing. Are you talking about this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGQmdoK_ZfY


I'm not sure if that would be the same thing. I'll read up on it.
 
I think you're being too harsh on judgment. I completely disagree with the Christian concept to judge not lest ye be judged. I am perfectly fine with being judged. Self-judgment is a pretty ineffective for those seeking self-improvement. I'm almost a completely different person to the one I was 10 years ago, and that happened because my ideas were challenged by others. And I am thankful for it. I think we've become too sensitive to criticism, and opted for a more self-esteem-centric culture. I am not at all convinced that such paradigm can be counted as progress.

I agree that you need to try to understand first. But once that's accomplished, here comes the judgment! I think it is fair to say that judging a ritual as weird is within acceptable bounds of what we call tolerance. Tolerance means you accept something's existence even though you DON'T like it. It has nothing to do with forcing yourself not to disagree with anyone. Judgement gets a bad rep because of things like racism and sectarian violence. But judgment is also what gave us the modern world. Most of what have been accomplished was due to a culture of criticism. Even religion today is not what it used to be because of those who dared to challenge it.

These ideals of tolerance fetishism does nobody any good in the long run. Judgment must be exercised rationally, calmly, and moderately.

So, here you acknowledge that some judgment can have really bad consequences? Is it a magical switch, then, that gets flipped: suddenly practices of "good" judgments turn tortuous?

Nobody in their right mind would argue that all judgment is equally "bad." But, nobody thinking very deeply would sign this post as an adequate explanation of how judgment works within a population. No offense PKM.
 
So, here you acknowledge that some judgment can have really bad consequences? Is it a magical switch, then, that gets flipped: suddenly practices of "good" judgments turn tortuous?

Nobody in their right mind would argue that all judgment is equally "bad." But, nobody thinking very deeply would sign this post as an adequate explanation of how judgment works within a population. No offense PKM.

I just don't understand your logic. Of course judgment can have bad consequences. You acknowledge the obvious fact that not all judgments are made equal. But in your original post, you simply object to PKM judging their rituals weird. I don't see why that's wrong. To say they're interesting when you think it is weird is not practicing good judgment. I for one, don't think they're interesting at all. I wouldn't spend 5 minutes trying to understand why burning certain herbs in the morning is better for your spirit balance than burning it in the afternoon. To me, it's just strange. I don't care that they're doing it. I don't care why they're doing it. I don't care if the entire country turned Pagan and started burning incense all over the city. But I do think that behavior is somewhat weird. Clearly this is a lot closer to the acceptable norm than to Nazi concentration camps?
 
I just don't understand your logic. Of course judgment can have bad consequences. You acknowledge the obvious fact that not all judgments are made equal. But in your original post, you simply object to PKM judging their rituals weird. I don't see why that's wrong. To say they're interesting when you think it is weird is not practicing good judgment. I for one, don't think they're interesting at all. I wouldn't spend 5 minutes trying to understand why burning certain herbs in the morning is better for your spirit balance than burning it in the afternoon. To me, it's just strange. I don't care that they're doing it. I don't care why they're doing it. I don't care if the entire country turned Pagan and started burning incense all over the city. But I do think that behavior is somewhat weird. Clearly this is a lot closer to the acceptable norm than to Nazi concentration camps?

who gets to decide beforehand whether a judgement is "good" or "bad"? Maybe thinking about them in these terms is the problem? What forces are at play when somebody chooses?

That's not all I objected to from PKM.

The second half of your thread just unravels into nihilism... and not the cute kind either. Your only way of determining "good" from "bad" judgment is ex post facto. That's pretty limited.
 
So, here you acknowledge that some judgment can have really bad consequences? Is it a magical switch, then, that gets flipped: suddenly practices of "good" judgments turn tortuous?

Nobody in their right mind would argue that all judgment is equally "bad." But, nobody thinking very deeply would sign this post as an adequate explanation of how judgment works within a population. No offense PKM.

Assuming you're just trolling me. (assuming since I said I was only speaking about a few individuals and was definitely subscribing that to any group.
 
who gets to decide beforehand whether a judgement is "good" or "bad"? Maybe thinking about them in these terms is the problem? What forces are at play when somebody chooses?

That's not all I objected to from PKM.

The second half of your thread just unravels into nihilism... and not the cute kind either. Your only way of determining "good" from "bad" judgment is ex post facto. That's pretty limited.

In my belief system, God does. Which is why I would worry for someone as I described.
If God exists, as I believe, and He instructed against such atcivity, then my reason for worry (for them) is founded.
If God does not exist, then my entire reason for worry is baseless.

So, I'm unsure how one can be proven either correct or incorrect.
 
who gets to decide beforehand whether a judgement is "good" or "bad"? Maybe thinking about them in these terms is the problem? What forces are at play when somebody chooses?

That's not all I objected to from PKM.

The second half of your thread just unravels into nihilism... and not the cute kind either. Your only way of determining "good" from "bad" judgment is ex post facto. That's pretty limited.

And how do YOU? Is this some slippery slope argument? Or is it like when conservatives insist on abstinence only sex-ed because sex can lead to STDs or pregnancies? I have explained myself plainly. You have not. Throwing words like nihilism to dismiss an opinion you don't like does nothing to your argument. You either make a claim that can be positively debated, or you leave it be.
 
So, I'm unsure how one can be proven either correct or incorrect.

from the point of view of conversation, this sucks, doesn't it? You came in correct (according to your standards), and you leave correct (with those standards)
 
And how do YOU? Is this some slippery slope argument? Or is it like when conservatives insist on abstinence only sex-ed because sex can lead to STDs or pregnancies? I have explained myself plainly. You have not. Throwing words like nihilism to dismiss an opinion you don't like does nothing to your argument. You either make a claim that can be positively debated, or you leave it be.

There is a positive argument underneath what I'm saying (and, there are plenty of reasons to obfuscate and leave).

Roughly, my argument is that thinking about the function and consequences of judgment according to ex post facto dualisms of "good" and "bad" is both (a) boring and (b) inadequate. This is pretty clear in how you depotentialize any possible positive knowledge that is made within pagan communities.
 
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