Post by Intaier on May 14, 2015 18:26:53 GMT -6
I reblogged the following quote on my facebook:
“Monotheism – particularly as viewed from the perspective of those who follow pluralistic traditions – often appears as a kind of arrogance, not as a type of true spirituality.That there is only One True God, and all other Gods, are false, sounds like a statement of arrogant intolerance, not an experience of higher consciousness.
Monotheistic groups seem to claim ownership over God, as if the Divine were a kind of property, proclaiming to the world that only their God is the true God – and all other Gods should not be tolerated and probably eliminated. […]
Monotheists often create agendas to convert or conquer the entire world to a single belief, which becomes their main activity and effort in life that they promote with a religious zeal that can become fanatic and blind. […]
The One God of monotheism may be defined as infinite and eternal but he seems to act in a way that is partial and limited, favoring his chosen people, community or believers over all others, though these are also human beings. […]
The One God of monotheism may be regarded as formless or as an impersonal truth, but his actions appear mixed with ordinary emotions like anger and envy. His fiats, condemnations, heaven and hell seem more like human excesses than Divine virtues. It is clear, if we look deeply, that monotheistic formulations of Divinity are often colored by the ego of the people and groups who have made them.”
Source: — The Arrogance of Monotheism – A Hindu View
www.hinduhumanrights.info/the-arrogance-of-monotheism-a-hindu-view/
and it caused an interesting debate... (first on my FB wall, then it went to the web) -- you may see some of the followed responses on Galina Krasskova's blog :
“Polytheism, true polytheism as practiced by the ancient peoples of our planet, is the belief in many gods…not one god called by many names, not “God” under many guises…but many distinct deities, each with their own physical and spiritual manifestations and spheres of influence.” –Ptahmassu Nofra-Uu’a.
-- more in the comments, and notes from Galina herself
krasskova.wordpress.com/2015/05/14/qotd/
I asked her in the comments, if the proper and mutually beneficial discussion between polytheists and monotheists is still possible...
and I also want to hear your opinions, too...
(copying here my original question)
So, I believe that proper and respectful interfaith dialogue with monotheists, not “arrogant” ones, is possible.
Is it needed? I guess yes? In the world where religion “by default” suggests some kind of monotheism, it’s important to make people more aware about our different religious views.
I saw quite many interfaith discussions between different monotheistic denominations, and all of them have sort of magic phrase (if the discussion gets too heated) : “Okay folks, relax and chill, and be at peace: anyway, there is One God”.
And some anti-polytheistic rhetorics may be added “to the plate” to cheer everyone up. Just some hours ago I watched a discussion at my FB friend’s page (russian), where the doubts about theology were attempted to be watered down by one of orthodox participants. Again, he used the “magic” line “God is One” and added that quote from the Bible that “Gods of the pagans are demons”.
I left a note that this is not respectful towards polytheists indeed :)
But so… is it possible, theoretically, to have interfaith dialogue with monotheists that will be mutually beneficial? (suggesting that monotheists participating will not be arrogant jerks only wanting to evangelize everyone).
Can that dialogue “God is One” – “No, there are Many” be productive and beneficial for all participants, even if monotheists probably are unlikely to “convert”, until they have live experience with the Gods as Reality – not just some theological theory?
“Monotheism – particularly as viewed from the perspective of those who follow pluralistic traditions – often appears as a kind of arrogance, not as a type of true spirituality.That there is only One True God, and all other Gods, are false, sounds like a statement of arrogant intolerance, not an experience of higher consciousness.
Monotheistic groups seem to claim ownership over God, as if the Divine were a kind of property, proclaiming to the world that only their God is the true God – and all other Gods should not be tolerated and probably eliminated. […]
Monotheists often create agendas to convert or conquer the entire world to a single belief, which becomes their main activity and effort in life that they promote with a religious zeal that can become fanatic and blind. […]
The One God of monotheism may be defined as infinite and eternal but he seems to act in a way that is partial and limited, favoring his chosen people, community or believers over all others, though these are also human beings. […]
The One God of monotheism may be regarded as formless or as an impersonal truth, but his actions appear mixed with ordinary emotions like anger and envy. His fiats, condemnations, heaven and hell seem more like human excesses than Divine virtues. It is clear, if we look deeply, that monotheistic formulations of Divinity are often colored by the ego of the people and groups who have made them.”
Source: — The Arrogance of Monotheism – A Hindu View
www.hinduhumanrights.info/the-arrogance-of-monotheism-a-hindu-view/
and it caused an interesting debate... (first on my FB wall, then it went to the web) -- you may see some of the followed responses on Galina Krasskova's blog :
“Polytheism, true polytheism as practiced by the ancient peoples of our planet, is the belief in many gods…not one god called by many names, not “God” under many guises…but many distinct deities, each with their own physical and spiritual manifestations and spheres of influence.” –Ptahmassu Nofra-Uu’a.
-- more in the comments, and notes from Galina herself
krasskova.wordpress.com/2015/05/14/qotd/
I asked her in the comments, if the proper and mutually beneficial discussion between polytheists and monotheists is still possible...
and I also want to hear your opinions, too...
(copying here my original question)
So, I believe that proper and respectful interfaith dialogue with monotheists, not “arrogant” ones, is possible.
Is it needed? I guess yes? In the world where religion “by default” suggests some kind of monotheism, it’s important to make people more aware about our different religious views.
I saw quite many interfaith discussions between different monotheistic denominations, and all of them have sort of magic phrase (if the discussion gets too heated) : “Okay folks, relax and chill, and be at peace: anyway, there is One God”.
And some anti-polytheistic rhetorics may be added “to the plate” to cheer everyone up. Just some hours ago I watched a discussion at my FB friend’s page (russian), where the doubts about theology were attempted to be watered down by one of orthodox participants. Again, he used the “magic” line “God is One” and added that quote from the Bible that “Gods of the pagans are demons”.
I left a note that this is not respectful towards polytheists indeed :)
But so… is it possible, theoretically, to have interfaith dialogue with monotheists that will be mutually beneficial? (suggesting that monotheists participating will not be arrogant jerks only wanting to evangelize everyone).
Can that dialogue “God is One” – “No, there are Many” be productive and beneficial for all participants, even if monotheists probably are unlikely to “convert”, until they have live experience with the Gods as Reality – not just some theological theory?
