Why are some people so different than others when it comes to the Divine?

Question

I really can't put what I'm trying to say to words correctly, so, bear with me, people.

Basically... Okay. I'm Pagan (Eclectic). I feel that, hey, I have my own personal experience with the Divine which shapes the way I portray it in my mind's eye. I feel that it is impossible to have the exact same concept of the Divine among two people, even twins, because of different interactions.

I also feel that Atheists (yes, I capitalized the "a", I expect to be hearing from you guys for that) have an interaction with the Divine through another name, a la Science.

And I feel and respect everyone for having their own experience in their own way.

... but why can't some people just get off other people's backs when it comes to how they view the Divine? Can't they just say, "Hey, that's cool, you experience the Divine through Allah, God, G-d, Yahweh, Zues, Loki, Danu, Artemis, Aphrodite, Luna, Science, etc., and I'm glad your connection with it is strong?"

"Divine" being that which made and/or influenced the universe, our planet, and/or our lives.

Answer 1

I agree with you, we know there is the ONE SOURCE; THE ONE CREATOR....whatever name you chose to call HIM/HER. As long as you work to bring LIGHT to the world and that your actions contribute to the greater good, I don't see the problem. You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. . . .For those who do see a problem....keep in mind that religious institutions were created by man.....we can't blame the ONE DIVINE SOURCE, if His/Her followers are close minded. Good question. Blessings and Light to you.

Answer 2

Hate to be pithy, Sun Will Shine Again, but I thought you Christians thought everything was divine because God was all up in everything, the birds, bees, trees, etcetera.
People can't get off other people's backs about religion for the same reason they can't get off other people's backs about the color of their skin, what country they're from, whether they support GSR or Sandles on CSI, etcetera, etcetera. Humans are elitist by nature, but they can overcome it if they see the truth: that everybody's different and nothing they can ever do will change that.
I have my own religion and catch crap for it every day. I tell them that my gods all have to follow the god of science's rules, and they say, "oh, so you do believe in god, huh?" and don't let me explain further. I believe that the other gods have to follow the god of Science's rules, but that he also has to follow their rules, can't make new ones without permission, and depends on the goddess of writing to put them into action. I tell them that i do have a god of evil and they say, "well, that's Satan, isn't it?" and don't let me explain that no, my god of evil is not Satan, and everyone is born pure but has evil thrust upon them by humans under Evil's control. And they flip out completely when I say that there is no eternal hell, nor a specific god of good, and that you can be reincarnated in my religion (I live on the Bible Belt in the USA).
Of course, my religion also says that you can believe whatever you want as long as you don't harm anyone for it. They don't seem to grasp that concept.

Answer 3

I think we don't respect each others beliefs for several reasons. If I accept your God is the One God, I'm in trouble for believing in the wrong God. Our attitudes naturally as human beings seem to be intolerant towards anyone who does not believe as we do. Being part of a group is important. Being Right is important. It looks to me like there are not many who are secure and comfortable enough in their own faith to just agree that, yep, they disagree. What's the big deal. I agree with you about all the different things we believe is just being part of the same thing. At least that's how I understood what you said. I have some more complicated beliefs some think are strange too. It's just that they didn't grow up hearing it.

Answer 4

I think that maybe all parties aside from the sarcastic are just telling you of their own personal truth. Most people are very passionate about their truth. If someone believes in divine order and it has affected their lives, they really are going to be passionate about their experience to others so you can enjoy their freedom. If someone has no belief system in God, for whatever reason, they are going to be very passionate about their truth and would hope you take the path that has worked for them. Many people slam Christians but they are doing the same thing. They are sharing with you their truth in hopes you can experience the same glory they are experiencing.

I am a Christian and it makes me laugh when other Christians start preaching fire and brimstone to me or show their fears by criticising the behavior in everyone around them for smoking or drinking a beer. They are still taking baby steps into their faith and don't quite understand it but they are revealing to me their own truth so I take it all in stride. That is just my view of human behavior. Can't wait to read everyone else's.

Answer 5

my dear Loki
Actually, I understand you perfectly. :)
In a free-for-all world that should be how it is. But you have to also know, that
'1) many religions - given that they think they are right, will NOT respect that which they know to be not right
2) Christians in particular will say that the divine doesn't exist outside of God. that God is a separate being apart from the mystery of the human mind.
Someone who truly believes and has faith in their own God or god or being or science could never reconcile to the Divine in all of us.
I'm glad you respect everyone. Does that make them right? If everyone really truly were to have their own belief and everyone knew everyone else was also right, doesn't that make all gods null and void? We can't all be right but we can't all be wrong.
What I do agree with is that there should be no war about it. But unfortunately, (and I will rely on my own understanding of my faith for this) we live in a world that will NOT reconcile itself to a peaceful existence until the king of Peace returns.

blessings :)

Answer 6

Because Jesus said He is the ONLY way to the Father. No one comes to Father God except through Him. I realize I may get a ton of thumbs down for this answer but Jesus said He is the WAY, THE TRUTH and the LIFE. That doesn't leave any other options. And even getting this answer deleted won't change that fact. But if You seek Him with all your heart you will find HIM.

Blessings.

Answer 7

There is only one God that is suppose to be worshiped. He is the creator of all things and 2000 years ago he sent His son for a sacrifice so that we could be forgiven of our sins through Jesus Christ. He is our mediator to God. Before Christ was sacrificed people dealt directly with God. I can not judge you or no one else for what they believe in; I am not the judge. I do know that there shall be no other God's to be worshiped other than the true God and He is the one that saves and give us eternal life. Believing that Jesus Christ is the son of God and He died on the cross and arose again is the only true God we are to worship. But you can worship most anything you like, but to have salvation we have to be reborn through the son of God; Jesus Christ.

Answer 8

politics is the downfall of religion or the divine. the mind of mankind (humankind) is treacherous and discriminating against what isn't like himself. humans like to monopolize organizations and control people. that's why i opt to remain in the shadows at times. i never let on i am a natural magus. they can't handle it even though the law of this country says they have too. what difference does what i believe have to do with others? if they ask in non deceit i will open. if you have something that is real and someone else doesn't they can't mentally see or get it then you see persecution... sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Answer 9

MODERN-DAY witchcraft is hard to define. This is because those who practice it vary so greatly. They recognize no central authority or doctrine or holy book to unify belief. They also differ in tradition, organization, ritual, and opinion as to what gods to honor. Remarks one writer: "The occult world offers to the individual a 'free marketplace' of ideas." Says another: "Most Neo-Pagans disagree on almost everything."

For many, the contradictions are not a problem. One guidebook for aspiring witches states: "When you're challenged with seemingly contradictory information, examine this information and make a decision as to which to follow. Listen to your intuition. In other words, feel free to pick and choose among the published rituals and ritual textbooks to decide what feels right."

For those who recognize the nature of truth, such contradictions are a problem. Truth is fact, that which is real. Things are not true simply because a person feels or hopes or believes that they are true. For example, at one time doctors believed that they could cure pneumonia by cutting a live chicken in two and laying the pieces on the patient's chest. Doubtless, many patients sincerely believed that this treatment would cure them. Their beliefs and hopes, however, were not in harmony with fact—such a procedure does not cure pneumonia. People do not create truth; they reach out to comprehend it.

The Bible claims to contain the truth about spiritual matters. Jesus Christ, when on earth, said to his Father in prayer: "Your word is truth." (John 17:17) The apostle Paul wrote: "All Scripture is inspired of God." (2 Timothy 3:16) Many who practice witchcraft do not agree. Instead, they look for inspiration and guidance in myth, ancient religions, and even science fiction. Is it not reasonable, though, at least to consider what the Bible says? After all, it is almost universally recognized as a holy book. It is also one of the oldest religious texts that has survived. The Bible was written over a period of 1,600 years, yet it is consistent throughout in its teachings. A basic question in the quest for spiritual understanding is this, Who inhabit the spirit realm? While most modern witches are followers of a nature-oriented, polytheistic faith, some worship a great mother-goddess, viewed in a triple role of maiden, mother, and crone, representing the basic stages of life. Her lover is a god with horns. Other witches worship a god and goddess together. One writer says: "The Goddess and God are seen as a manifestation of the feminine and masculine forces of nature. Each [having] unique characteristics that when combined result in the harmonious creation of life." Another authority writes: "One of the most pivotal choices in Witchcraft is your choice of the deities (Gods/Goddesses) you will work with. . . . The Craft gives you the freedom to pick and subsequently honor your own forms of the Divine."

The Bible supports none of these ideas. Jesus Christ devoted his entire ministry to teaching others about Jehovah, "the only true God." (John 17:3) The Bible states: "Jehovah is great and very much to be praised, and he is to be feared more than all other gods. For all the gods of the peoples are valueless gods."—1 Chronicles 16:25, 26.

What about the Devil? Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines witchcraft as "communication with the devil." It would be hard to find a witch today who would agree with this definition, for many do not accept even the existence of Satan the Devil. One young woman, described in The Irish Times as a "high-ranking witch and leader of one of Ireland's most significant covens," reasons this way: "Belief in the Devil implies acceptance of Christianity . . . [The Devil] cannot inhabit a universe where there is no God."

The Bible confirms the existence of the Devil and charges him with much of the suffering and turmoil on earth. (Revelation 12:12) Jesus not only taught that the Devil exists but also showed that it is possible unwittingly to do the will of the Devil. For example, self-righteous religious leaders of the first century asserted that they were, in a way, sons of God and believed that they were doing the will of God. Jesus, who could discern what was in their hearts, knew differently. He told them forthright: "You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father." (John 8:44) Further, the Bible book of Revelation states that the Devil "is misleading the entire inhabited earth."—Revelation 12:9.

Many are drawn to witchcraft today because it seems to be a harmless, benign, nature religion. In some communities it has become accepted. It is not feared. Rather, it has often become trivialized. In a climate where religious tolerance leads many to embrace even the bizarre, witchcraft has gained considerable respectability.Indeed, the world of religions has become a marketplace from which people are free to choose one that fits their needs, much as one would buy a pair of shoes. In contrast, Jesus spoke of only two choices. He said: "Go in through the narrow gate; because broad and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are the ones going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it." (Matthew 7:13, 14)

Naturally, we are free to choose which path to take. But since our eternal welfare is at stake, that choice is vitally important. To achieve spiritual enlightenment, we must pursue the way of truth—the way that is found only in God's Word, the Bible.

Answer 10

One can only dare to dream.

Brightest Blessings,

BFQ