Pagans & atheists are fond of demanding scientific and historical "proof" of the existence of God,but they always focus on Judeo-Christianity. Let's apply it fairly. Since the 1970's there have several attempts to revive the ancient Germanic religion and apparently there are people who take all that stuff seriously. So...where is there any historical evidence that this Odin chap ever existed? Or that Loki? Or any of them?And what scientific proof - let's not forget about that! Where do all our Logical Men of Science go when hipster religions churn up from somewhere? Me,I'm willing to skip the "scientific proof" routine and just settle for historical evidence. So...is there any? So far as I know there is no evidence these entities ever existed at all,what to speak of calling them gods when they disintegrate at the first sign of emerging Christianity,only to re-emerge 2000 years later as minor artifacts of pop culture,mostly California-style I gather. Proof? Evidence? Anything at all?
2007-04-13 13:42:13 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thor existed. Marvel Comic books are my proof.
2007-04-13 13:46:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Pagans don't need or want scientific proof of god, atheists do, but we have our own Divinities..... It's just that we are generally more open to the idea that maybe there are no gods at all, it's just an openmindedness thing I think, a respect for other's beliefs perhaps...
As far as scientific proof goes, there's no more or less scientific proof of my Divinity, than there is of Odin, or Thor, or Zeus (either way I spell it I feel dyslexic, sorry if it's backwards...), or Ra, or the Abrahamic God, and for those of you that are so insistent that that is not the same as Allah, I'll throw Allah in there too, just for good measure, feel free to add any that you want. It doesn't hurt me any if none of them exist, I live my life in a manner that makes me happy that causes as little damage to those around me as I am capable of.
As for them disintegrating, it's hard to hold onto your culture and religion when you've got people invading your lands and killing you for not worshiping the same way they do. Look at history and what happened with the spread of christianity. Convert sinners and heathens at any price, burn their books and erase as much of their culture as we can. (For further insights into destruction of cultures, please read "Ishmael" by Daniel Quinn.)
Anywho, I hope I wasn't too rambly...
2007-04-13 13:55:34 · answer #2 · answered by gimmenamenow 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Relgion is faith period. I am Pagan and believe in these Germanic deities as well as many others. I don't know of any scientific or historic proof for them. I would be interested in knowing some if there were some but it wouldn't change my faith in them.
Also, I want to correct you on something and I hope you will not find this rude as I don't intend it so. You stated that these Gods "disintegrate at the first sign of emerging Christianity, only to reemerge 2000 years later as minor artifacts of pop culture." I have to say that this would be offensive if I felt you knew the facts but I understand that most don't and I don't expect you to especially since you were kind enough to ask.
These deities did not disintegrate at the emerging Christianity. Their believers had to go into hiding to avoid the witch trials in order to carry their tradition. If you look at fairy tales of the time and area you can see parable-like stories that can relate to the deities as the people were trying to preserve their beliefs and cultures in the best way they knew how. Dying wouldn't have kept the beliefs going. We would have lost all that culture and history. Also, the Catholic church delt with these deities and you might be able to look up some history from that perspective. Ever heard of St. Brigit? She was originally Goddess Brigit and she had sway over much land and many people. Maybe you could look into that as well.
Furthermore, Paganism is not pop culture. The reason that it is reemerging is that the Anti-witchcraft laws in England were only retracted around 50 years ago. This was a marking point that it was okay to talk about the ancient religions again and this is when many Pagans "came out of the broom closet" so to speak. This is why devotion to these ancient deities seemed to reemerge but in fact devotion was going on all along but in secret as was necessary for the religion's survival. I hope I was clear and that you understood that I didn't mean any disrespect. I just wanted to clarify things for you since you obviously wanted to know, since you asked.
2007-04-13 14:16:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anachronist 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
There is no scientific proof of the basic tenets of any religion, as religion deals with something not accessible to science. Some pagans apparently come to believe in these deities, while others are atheists who wish to use them as focal points for their own spiritual development.
Some leading Christian thinkers believe we are entering a New Age or Neopagan era. The basic ideas of society are shifting away from Christianity.
2007-04-13 13:51:24 · answer #4 · answered by Otto D 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Greetings. I was raised as a New Testament fundamental Christian. As a teen I studied Martial Arts and Buddhism. In my 40's (I'm 45) I studied Wicca and other alternative religions. I have come to the conclusion that I am a Christian. However, the open minded willingness to see God through others perspective, has caused me to have a closer connection to the God of my understanding. For me, God is not something I can prove to anyone. I see the evidence in my own life. That's all I need to live in peace with others, and myself. Curiosity is a gift, whether it be science, religion or otherwise. Growth comes through experience.
Experience through action. We are all scientist when we choose to act on our curiosity. The God of my understanding tells me to seek the truth, and I WILL find it. I am grateful for science. However, it is not the answer to everything. Some things you just have to experience yourself, regardless of what science claims.
2007-04-13 14:06:57 · answer #5 · answered by simple l 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Billions of people do not believe in Odin so it's not as applicable. It's easy to disprove Thor as humans know what causes thunder and lightning.
Aren't these Gods part of Norse mythology?
2007-04-13 13:49:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, however Pagan gods can easily be seen as natural forces. Some of us stick to that, other allow them to be free entities.
Where we differ from the Christians is that we don't parade around ignoring science, and when it cmes against us, we accept the science. Christians deny science if it offends them, and cite it as an example of God's existence.
I have never debated the deities I worship existence, because I know I cannot prove it. I know my beleifs are illogical, and admit it freely.
And really, what is your fascination with Asatru? Do you really wanna convert, but are afraid of it? Who knows, it may remove a stick lodged firmly in your body.
Oh, open your e-mail. Or are you afraid? I think you might be.
2007-04-13 13:51:22 · answer #7 · answered by Squishy Khrysorrhapis 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
How, precisely would God depart actual evidence in the international? a brilliant rock with "i'm God, and that i'm genuine! I swear!" inscribed on it? The earth IS the actual evidence. Jesus' miracles, as defined in the Bible, would have left no actual evidence. They have been greater often than not healing miracles. the human beings He healed are lifeless now. God taking on the television stations and broadcasting a rational message? Are you intense? The Bible... God... there's a distinction. Get your arguments quickly. merely because of the fact God does not answer each prayer does no longer propose he's not listening. "MOMMY! i desire candy!" Mommy hears it, even though it does no longer propose the toddler's getting the candy. as quickly as back, atrocities at the instant are not evidence against the life of God, even against the life of the Christian God. Ever study the Bible? numerous atrocities there. convey on the various, many greater.
2016-10-02 23:00:14 · answer #8 · answered by fryback 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Way to paint all Pagans with the same brush. I for one don't give a crap about any "proof" that the Abrahamic God exists. Anymore than I give a crap about any proof that my Gods exist. No there's no proof that the Norse exist, but I worship them anyway. And I'm not going to give someone grief for worshipping the Abrahamic God. Please don't lump all of us in as being anti-Christian, because we are not.
And yes I do take "that stuff" seriously, and I would appreciate you not calling my path a "hipster" religion. I don't use derogatory terms to refer to any of the Judeo-Christian religions.
2007-04-13 14:29:07 · answer #9 · answered by Abriel 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Odin promised to get rid of the Frost Giants, I don't see any Frost Giants do you?
2015-03-06 04:52:32 · answer #10 · answered by King 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋