Although Deists don't have an official set of tenents, there are a few beliefs that most Deists agree on. Here is a list of seven unofficial basic Deist beliefs:
1. Belief in an intelligent designer of the universe.
2. Belief that the intelligent designer is outside the universe, and not part of the universe (as in pantheism).
3. Belief that after the Deity created the universe, He stepped away from it to allow it to evolve naturally based on the laws of physics which He created without any need for His further intervention.
4. Belief that the Deity does not perform miracles which defy the laws of physics, or intervene in a supernatural way in the affairs of mankind.
5. Belief that the Deity does not reveal Himself to mankind through priests or other enlightened individuals, but rather through the workings of nature.
6. Belief that the Deity imposes no pre-ordained, or divinely inspired moral code of behavior on mankind, but rather expects man to develop his own codes of conduct for living in harmony with his fellow man based on his God-given Reason.
7. Although there is no scientific evidence for an afterlife, most Deists do have a hope for an afterlife.
The above list is not intended to be a dogmatic set of rules that Deists MUST believe. In fact, Deists regularly discuss, debate and modify various aspects of the above items all the time. That's a good thing about Deism. It doesn't tell you what you MUST believe. However, if you are a Deist, then you are probably in agreement with most of the items listed above.
Feivel
Originally posted by Feivel
Although Deists don't have an official set of tenents, there are a few beliefs that most Deists agree on. Here is a list of seven unofficial basic Deist beliefs:
1. Belief in an intelligent designer of the universe.
2. Belief that the intelligent designer is outside the universe, and not part of the universe (as in pantheism).
3. Belief that after the D ...[text shortened]... u are a Deist, then you are probably in agreement with most of the items listed above.
Feivel
Are you a Deist Feivel ?
As a Pantheist I can state that we do not believe that some "higher intelligence" created the Universe and then "stepped back". Pan = all. Pantheists believe that the Universe IS GOD. Using your own Christian logic: Before the existence of the Universe there was only GOD, right. Therefore everything which exists is derived from the creative energy of GOD (good or bad or otherwise). Or would you like to say that GOD is NOT all-knowing and all-powerful since GOD created both good and evil? To assign only parts of existence to GOD says that your God must co-exist with other similar Gods.
Isn't your God the all-knowing One who creates people who he knows will be sent to hell but creates them anyway? He is all-knowing, RIGHT.
I would recommend you read up on Mithra. It is very similar to Christianity.😉😉
Originally posted by caissad4What you described is not close to Christianity, unless you
As a Pantheist I can state that we do not believe that some "higher intelligence" created the Universe and then "stepped back". Pan = all. Pantheists believe that the Universe IS GOD. Using your own Christian logic: Before the existenc ...[text shortened]... end you read up on Mithra. It is very similar to Christianity.😉😉
were refering to Mithra's work. Since God isn't the universe,
but the universe is His handy work not His being.
Kelly
Kelly,
Fascinating, so the Universe was created by God but is not of Gods creative energy. I disagree, since all matter is energy.
I did not say that what I wrote was related to Mithra. I am not of that faith.
I am a pantheist and sought only to correct errors of a previous post.
In Love there is Life
Angela
Originally posted by caissad4How does pantheism differ from atheism?
Kelly,
Fascinating, so the Universe was created by God but is not of Gods creative energy. I disagree, since all matter is energy.
I did not say that what I wrote was related to Mithra. I am not of that faith.
I am a pantheist and sought only to correct errors of a previous post.
In Love there is Life
Angela
Originally posted by FeivelA lot of your Deism beliefs have to do with the being's interaction with humans. Does that mean that Deists believe that this being created the universe to see what direction man kind took? Sorry, that's not the best way of putting it, but I can't think of a better way atm. If you don't understand the q, then let me know, and I'll think of another way of asking it.
6. Belief that the Deity imposes no pre-ordained, or divinely inspired moral code of behavior on mankind, but rather expects man to develop his own codes of conduct for living in harmony with his fellow man based on his God-given Reason.
D
Originally posted by RagnorakA lot of your Deism beliefs have to do with the being's interaction with humans.
A lot of your Deism beliefs have to do with the being's interaction with humans. Does that mean that Deists believe that this being created the universe to see what direction man kind took? Sorry, that's not the best way of putting it, but I can't think of a better way atm. If you don't understand the q, then let me know, and I'll think of another way of asking it.
D
First off reread the original post and explain why you say they are my beliefs. And secondly, reread the OP again and tell me where god interacts with man.
Does that mean that Deists believe that this being created the universe to see what direction man kind took?
If that is what you get from reading the OP that is fine but nowhere does it hint that.
Feivel
Originally posted by rapalla7Do you mean that figuratively, or literally?
God is in everything ever created.
Do you mean that you can see evidence of god's handiwork in everything, or that god has actually put part of his substance into everything?
Is god contained in things like base elements? Is god in hydrogen? Is god in oxygen? Is god in my bowl of Ramen noodles when I add water and cook them in the microwave? Is god in the Ebola virus? Was god in the mind of Hitler?
If you could expand on your statement, it would be most helpful.
Originally posted by FeivelOk, well I edited my original post, which included 'from a self confessed possible Deist', but I cut that out. Obviously I should have left it in there, but it was an honest question and I wasn't expecting to be picked up on it. I think its fair to say that if you are spreading the beliefs of something, then you probably believe in those beliefs. Anyway, you either are or you aren't and that's beside the point, you obviously have enough of an interest to be able to answer a couple small qs.
A lot of your Deism beliefs have to do with the being's interaction with humans.
First off reread the original post and explain why you say they are my beliefs. And secondly, reread the OP again and tell me where god interacts with m ...[text shortened]... ading the OP that is fine but nowhere does it hint that.
Feivel[/b]
Ok, interacts was a bad word to use, I knew I'd phrased that q badly. I'll try again.
4. Belief that the Deity does not perform miracles which defy the laws of physics, or intervene in a supernatural way in the affairs of mankind.
5. Belief that the Deity does not reveal Himself to mankind through priests or other enlightened individuals, but rather through the workings of nature.
6. Belief that the Deity imposes no pre-ordained, or divinely inspired moral code of behavior on mankind, but rather expects man to develop his own codes of conduct for living in harmony with his fellow man based on his God-given Reason.
These are the 'interactions' I was getting at. Even though there is no physical interaction, there are beliefs explaining why there is no interaction with man kind.
Can u at least enlighten me as to why Deist's believe the Deity created the universe?
D
Originally posted by rwingettDo you mean that figuratively, or literally?
Do you mean that figuratively, or literally?
Do you mean that you can see evidence of god's handiwork in everything, or that god has actually put part of his substance into everything?
Is god contained in things like base elements ...[text shortened]... you could expand on your statement, it would be most helpful.
Litterally.
Do you mean that you can see evidence of god's handiwork in everything, or that god has actually put part of his substance into everything?
First of all what you and I think is reasonable evidence are two different things, and I will not argue your opinion on it. Second god is all around us in everything. Seeing the world and universe around us is to look upon the face of god.
Is god contained in things like base elements? Is god in hydrogen? Is god in oxygen? Is god in my bowl of Ramen noodles when I add water and cook them in the microwave? Is god in the Ebola virus? Was god in the mind of Hitler?
Yes.
<edit> In the case of the noodles, god would be in those ingrediants individually, not just when mixed together and cooked.
If you could expand on your statement, it would be most helpful.
Which part would you like me to expand on?
Mike
Originally posted by rapalla7The problem with this approach is that you've virtually defined god out of existence. To say that god is synonymous with the universe is basically to say nothing. If that is the case then why use the term "god" at all? Why not just call it the universe and leave it at that? Why introduce unnecessary and murky variables like god into the picture?
[b]Do you mean that figuratively, or literally?
Litterally.
Do you mean that you can see evidence of god's handiwork in everything, or that god has actually put part of his substance into everything?
First of all what you and I think is reasonable evidence are two different things, and I will not argue your opinion on it. Second god is a ...[text shortened]... ur statement, it would be most helpful.[/b]
Which part would you like me to expand on?
Mike [/b]