Talk

Who's the pagan now?

It's taken for granted that development of monotheism marks the maturation of psychology of religion for the human race. But is this really true? Lets peer beneath the veneer of a single omnipotent God and see what we find.

If there is only one God, then what is Satan doing hounding us in monotheistic religions? If God is omnipotent why isn't Satan crushed and reduced to smithreens for attempting to lead God's flock astray?

A: Aha. You reach too far my child. Satan is the head of the Hell Inc. which is your destination in the afterworld for the insolence you display in this one.

So God being all-loving and all can't be stuck with the reputation of subjecting his children as we are all called to heinous eternal punishment. The persona of Satan (aka bad cop) will take the blame for all evil leaving God's reputation untarnished. God with his power of omnipotence dictates the acts that Satan may infact perform. So what we're saying is that there isn't really one God (or if there is, then Satan is also God since Satan doesnt have an independent existence). (To the reader: I've committed grave offences of philosophical inconsistency here. I'm only aware of some.) Throw in the angels and other creatures and you have in some ways replicated Zeus and his lesser Gods?

What about the Catholic church's attempt to build around Mary? If the confusing power sharing agreement of the Holy Trinity were not enough, the Catholic church has elevated Mary to an exalted position as well. You may now pray to Mary for intercession. Mary is another interesting character in this cosmic drama. A woman who has been impregnated by God (won't Zeus be proud. While his name may no longer be remembered his sexual lust for the female human remains entrenced in society).

Let's not leave Islam out of our party. Islam showers God with enough attributes to make a Viking blush. Omniscience is one attribute of God. If God is omniscient can he tell what we're going to do? If so, does that eradicate our posession of free will? If so then how can we be responsible for our actions in a pre-ordained, pre-destined world? (another crass simplification in my reasoning. Should I be prescribed a 100 Hail Marys?)

As we wrap up our sojourn through guilt country lets make a stop in the Eastern hemisphere. In Karmic philosophy "what goes around, comes around". Are Hinduism and Buddhism providing us anything besides a simple adage with no teeth. Yes coincidences are nasty, but pinning causality of a distant past as being responsible is quite convenient. Lest, the current life time not prove sufficiently long enough we'll leave you in a vicious cycle of re-births to make sure the Karmic account books balance.

fin.