Hi to all!

I want to ask opinions on my own theory. Now then, stay with me on this because it's hard to put into words
I've given loads and loads of thought to our gods/goddesses and can still only come up with the same thought - don't shoot me down in flames, purlease!

Since I don't follow any specific path, my thoughts are probably quite random so I do apologise!

It is my thoughts that our goddesses & gods are man-made creations in order to explain the tendancies of human nature.
I don't really believe that there are a number of gods or goddesses who live on a higher plain or float about somewhere in the universe, governing our thoughts and actions.
I think these gods/ goddesses are a manifestation (spell check please!!) of what makes us tick, an idea drawn up throughout the times to explain human nature.
I believe that we, as a species need some sort of validation of our actions and that the way we view our gods/goddesses are unique to our needs any specific time.
I largely look at the gods/goddesses as a way of understanding myself... does that make any sense to anyone?

I don't believe in actual reincarnation ( as in coming back in another body but with the same soul), but I do think our spirits live on through the lives we touch whilst walking in this world (like our kids, partners etc.), it's the essence of our soul which survives us. The actual body part goes back into the universe and acts as a sort of fertilizer I suppose.

I suppose to sum up, I believe that we are a creative energy, a life form of many complexities and that our gods/goddesses are representative of our very nature ( we as a species NEED to understand our natural instincts) as opposed to real, physical beings who are 'out there'.

What do you guys think?
Please don't all shout at me at once!!!!

Barnowl

Honey,

Check back through this forum, you'll find we've acutally already discussed this quite recently over a couple of topics. I know I started one.. and I think there might be this topic discussed on a thread about the afterlife???? Recent like.. sometime in Feb...

Arrrggghhh! Not Again! I think you will find my answer to that in the thread "Atheist Pagans", aside from that I am not in the habit of judging the paths of other Pagans. As for other points of view, I think you will find plenty in the back pages of each category on this Forum. Those of us who have long established the integrity of our beliefs would really like to get on with life. At least I would like to appreciate this site for the exchange of obervations on the finer nuances of Nature's mysteries...or am I to interpret your questions as a provocation?

Um, no, being the short answer, not provocation.
If I've missed earlier threads then I sincerely apologise for the duplication. I only joined the forum late Feb.

I'm quite happy with my beliefs, and their integrity thanks. I just wanted to try putting them into words so to speak and thought it may be nice to hear what other people thought, heck, I certainly didn't intend to piss anybody off......... walks away grumbling.... like being back at school..... mumble... did wrong essay


Barnowl

Naw, not getting pissed off, just hopelessly bored with repetition. Tends to throw me into the "let's cut to chase" mode. No personal offence intended, just a heathen reflex, I guess.

i like you thoughts on gods, and i agree with them. i like to thing they are archityple energies or parts of our own nature. their personality and 'power' are our own sub-conscious projection of energy. in essence we are our own gods.

Seeing as its a Sunday, todays reading is psalm 82, please note 82:6

A Psalm by Asaph.

82:1 God presides in the great assembly.
He judges among the gods.
82:2 “How long will you judge unjustly,
and show partiality to the wicked?”
Selah.
82:3 “Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless.
Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
82:4 Rescue the weak and needy.
Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.”
82:5 They don’t know, neither do they understand.
They walk back and forth in darkness.
All the foundations of the earth are shaken.
82:6 I said, “You are gods,
all of you are sons of the Most High.
82:7 Nevertheless you shall die like men,
and fall like one of the rulers.”
82:8 Arise, God, judge the earth,
for you inherit all of the nations.

Here endeth the lesson

Dinnae let them put you off Barnowl!

I agree with much of what you said and, looking at your profile, I empathize with a lot of what you say in your biography.

And I suspect many of the members of this group were in the same boat when they started here.

You have to stand up for yourself in this forum (some of them are just a bunch of pagans)!

Thanx Andy Have nae fears - I may be off - putting at times, but never easily put off!



Brilliant Warlok, exactly what I was trying to say!

Pagan is as Pagan does

Barnowl

Agreed. It is extremely likely that some Gods and Goddesses are man made creations.

Nor do I. My Gods are of this land, not elsewhere, they do not govern my thoughts or actions. Nor is it their business if I live or die. They are not higher beings.

Only applies to higher Gods. Those of this land, those who ARE the land (and I don't mean Gaia here) have nothing to do with what makes me or mankind tick. They are older than mankind and are more as the Romans thought genius (more commonly known as genius loci). They would exist whether humans did or not

My Gods neither validate or think anything of my actions. I do things for me, not for them, not with them in mind and it does need their approval or disapproval. I am responsible for myself, I do not need another being to tell me what I can and cannot do. I have no need for validation of my actions.

It makes sense yes but that's not the relationship I have with my Gods. I don't need them to explain my own actions. Nor do I need them to forgive my actions (Ie. the Christain sin concept, Jesus died so they could go out and bonk the neighbours missus without guilt) that's not the way for me. They don't reflect me in any way, shape or form

Yep, we become ground fodder, perfect for the roses However I believe in reincarnation to another human body, not to that of animal. If my spirit was to live on via a partner or child then when I physically die my spirit would die out for I will never have either. My memory may live on in those who knew me but that would be it. I believe we come back, time after time, after time

That is a very valid thought. However as I view my Gods very differently I disagree vehemently on the gods being representative of our very nature The issue very much boils down to how you see Gods