Philosophy Discussion Forums

Dark Matter wrote: ↑June 24th, 2018, 5:44 pm Well, we all have myths that guide us.

Yes, like the myth of the snake in the parable of Adam and Eve. To some (especially many who buy literal interpretations), the snake represents Satan. But in ancient Gnostic (original Christian) symbolism, the snake is “considered the snake as the Saviour himself, who initiates humankind into consciousness and raises it up out of a primitive, nature-identified unconsciosness.” Lucifer: light-bringer.

I’m beginning to contemplate God as like the yin/yang - masculine and feminine, seemingly opposite principles that make a whole.

devans99 wrote: ↑June 19th, 2018, 5:10 pm God is coerced into being good rather than evil I argue below.

Even God cannot know if there is another greater god than him in existence somewhere. If God ever meets a greater god, the outcome is as follows:

1. Greater god is Good, our God is Evil -> Our god Punished
2. Greater god is Good, our God is Good -> Our god Rewarded
3. Greater god is Evil, our God is Good -> Our god Punished
4. Greater god is Evil, our God is Evil -> Our god Punished

For the sake of argument I'm going to grant you God exists, that he could meet another God, I'll even grant you that there are only these four possible outcomes.

Here's my problem,

devans99 wrote:The only satisfactory outcome is [2] above so God is coerced to goodness.

What do you mean "the only satisfactory outcome is [2]'? What is it that [2] satisfies and the others do not which would warrant you concluding that [2] is necessarily so?

Would impregnating the virgin wife of a poor Jew in Nazareth constitutes immorality?

Cosmogenes wrote: ↑September 21st, 2018, 1:59 pm Would impregnating the virgin wife of a poor Jew in Nazareth constitutes immorality?

Well, if you’re going to take it literally- you need to also consider an Angel first asked her permission - so it was consensual.

More important, “without a parable spake he not unto them.” So, it is likely Jesus told of his birth to teach something - not because he thought he was so cool and wanted everyone to celebrate his birthday.

Possible implied symbolic teachings of Christ’s birth:
There was no-one to give them room in the inns - to experience God requires openness.
With much labor, we are all born of water, and may be born of the spirit.
Wisdom from the East (Buddhism had been taught in the mid east for about 400 years at Jesus’s time & Jesus practically quoted Buddha.)
Motherhood is sacred - we each owe our mothers honor for pregnancy & giving birth.
“Be still & know that I AM God” - maybe virginity represents stillness & receptivity to God.
The family was relatively poor - yet could still be significant.