Is it possible to entertain mysticism without believing in god?
2006-07-11 05:07:01 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Mysticism is based upon taking a mystical view of God and all that represents. It is not about religion, but can be contained in religion as part of its training and/or practices.
2006-07-11 05:24:01 · answer #1 · answered by jmmevolve 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Well it depends. mysticism is religious shamanism. it's actually a shaman of a certain religion. Christian mystics use a verse in the New Testament. I don't remember the Book chapter or verse but Jesus said if we admit all sin to all people. give up family and friends and all possession we can be granted the power that Jesus passed on the the apostles. Christian Mystics are trying for that power. I read a large article on it once.
2006-07-11 12:16:57 · answer #2 · answered by God's Servant 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think of mysticism is a type of religion. And not all religions believe in a god-like Deity. Mysticism usually referes to religions such as Hinduism.
2006-07-11 12:17:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is not a straightforward answer!
Different Christians have different points of view just as different people hold to different theories of how the world began. Here is an outline of the different ideas held by Christians. I hope this answers your question.
Many people, including most Christians would accept the ‘Big Bang’ theory of creation. Evidence from scientific research proves that life forms evolved over many years and that creation could not have happened in six days as recorded in Genesis. However, this does not mean that God can be explained away and some Christians see God as being behind the ‘Big Bang’.
In 1996, the Roman Catholic Church officially recognised that scientific theories of evolution were correct.
Most Christians neither ignore the scientific reasoning behind the creation of the universe, nor do they dismiss it as untrue. Science tries to explain how things happen, while religion is more concerned to explain why things are as they are.
Christians are not necessarily opposed to scientific theories and many scientists are Christians. In their stories and theories of creation, science and religion are looking at different questions. They are approaching the subject from different angles.
The writers of Genesis did not think as scientists. In Old Testament times, people were used to expressing their ideas in stories. Such stories are called myths. A myth is not a fairy story, but an account that has symbolic meaning. These stories try to answer the ultimate religious questions that people ask. Such questions are about peoples’ deepest beliefs about life and usually begin with ‘why’. E.g. why is the world as it is? Why are people here? Why do we suffer? What is the purpose of life? Etc. All religions have myths or stories that have symbolic meaning, including Creation myths.
The account of Creation in Genesis was intended as an explanation of the relationship between God and His creation. It is not to be interpreted literally or taken as a scientific debate, but seen as a poem or story with a message in its meaning. Genesis emphasises, in the story of Adam and Eve that God created human beings, but allowed them free will in how they responded to him and the rest of creation. People are free to make up their own minds to accept or reject God.
Some Christians do reject scientific reasoning behind the creation of the universe and hold the belief that the Bible is literally true. In their view science must be wrong and they would probably dismiss scientific reasoning as misguided or untrue.
Christians differ in their views about science and creation!!!!
Some Christians believe that creation happened exactly as it is described in Genesis. They believe that the Bible is literally true. This can cause problems because it appears that Genesis has two different versions of the Creation Story.
Other Christians do not think that the Creation stories are true in every detail, but contain the truth in their message. These Christians accept scientific theories and interpret the stories in Genesis as poems or myths about Creation and God’s relationship to human beings, animals and the universe. They express the basic beliefs that God is behind all that exists, that he intended the world to be ordered and a good place in which to live. The creation stories tell of God’s power and remind Christians that he wanted people to enjoy creation and use it wisely.
2006-07-11 12:15:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure you can believe anything you want
2006-07-11 12:10:04 · answer #5 · answered by hell_in_a_handbasket 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know
2006-07-11 12:11:08 · answer #6 · answered by Linda 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋