Deist I am the only one I have ever met and would love to know if anyone has ever heard of this religion or considers himself a member. Famous Deists include: European Deists were Anthony Collins (1676-1729), Matthew Tindal (1657-1733). J.J. Rousseau (1712-1778) and F.M.A. de Voltaire (1694-1778). Many of the leaders of the French and American revolutions followed this belief system, including John Quincy Adams, Ethan Allen, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison Thomas Paine, and George Washington. Deists played a major role in creating the principle of separation of church and state, and the religious freedom clauses of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution. Most Deists believe that God created the universe, "wound it up" and then disassociated himself from his creation.They believe that one cannot access God through any organized religion, set of beliefs, rituals, sacraments or other practice. God has not selected a chosen people (e.g. Jews or Christians) to be the recipients of any special revelation or gifts. Deists deny the existence of the Trinity as conceived by Christians. They often view Jesus as a philosopher, rabbi, teacher and healer, but not as the Son of God. They believe that miracles do not happen. Religion based on reason in a nutshell, it makes a lot of sense really.
Aren't the four main branches of Sunni Islam: Hanafi Hanbali Shafa'i (East Africa & Asia) Maliki (North & West Africa) Wahhabi (Saudi Arabia) as part of the Hanbali branch and Deobandi (Indian Subcontinent) as part of the Hanafi branch. The four branches were named after the different of schools of <i>Fiqh</i> (Islamic law jurisprudence). <a HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiqh">Fiqh</a> <a HREF="http://www.carnegie.org/sub/about/pessay/pessay01.htm">Islam: A Mosaic, Not a Monolith</a>
Never heard of it. But this why threads like these are outstanding. Thanks for introducing it. Anyone ever heard of Meher Baba?
Part 2, back by popular demand... ... I also believe (or perhaps somewhat Gnostically intuit) that God/The Force/whatever could be seen as the thing that makes life happen, or as love, or as truth, or... and is a sort of power that is always around us, waiting to be connected to, reminiscent of "animism" -- a resource, with or without consciousness as we imagine it, moreso than a being who might or might not have opinions about us, or desires as to what should be done about us and our plight... j/k. Really I believe its name is Frank, it's a big Rockets fan and it used to post here as LHutz... Oh, and I believe that the Battle of the Network Stars should be fought with guns... (I promise I'm done now.)
i stopped being adventist last year just to be open minded. i simply called myself non-denominational - went to a variety of churches - and studied the Bible like crazy. i ended up coming back to the Seventh-Day Adventist church. i wouldn't say that i "lost my religion"...i just tried to stay open minded and not build my relationship with Christ around my denomination.
I have heard of Deism, and your historical accounts seem accurate. Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, and Washington were generally not widely publicized as being Deists so far as I know, possibly because the Anglican Church had such a tremendous influence on America during the colonial period. Interesting info though, I'd like to hear more about Deism.
This is exactly what it is, And Rocket104 that is how I have infered the shi'ite branch, as one that believes in Imaams as saviours or whatever. Sunny muslims (im sunny), dont hate teh Ismail'i'/Shia's , its just we dont see them as true Muslims, and clump them in the same group as the other *non believers*... Only diference with the Sunny sects is that they are all recognized as being ISLAMIC, and allowed. There is no blasphamey of the Quran or the prohet in these, but in Shia way they believe that ALI ( raziallaanhu) was a prophet after Muhammed(peace be upon him)... thas what I have been raised to believe. Also wakkoman, arent all religions just another way of life. Islam also says it is a way of life...
burlesk, I really enjoyed reading both your posts. I wish you felt like it more often. Thanks. If you know what happened to LHutz, there are a lot of long-time posters and lurkers who would love to find out. And would love to see his posts as well. Thanks again. I love it when folks like you pop out of the ether.
Thanks a lot, Deckard, you made my day. "I'm the only member" of mine, too, I think, though there seems to be tremendous overlap... I don't post much because I live in Vermont without a TV or a reliable car, so I don't get to watch the Rox pretty much ever, unless I find a way to get to the nearest sports bar, 10 miles away -- it does happen occasionally. So I don't have much of anything meaningful to add, usually. Clutchcity is like my morning news... don't know anything about LHutz, except that every quote or post I've ever seen from him, I've loved. BTW, I often quote your sig to people... Perhaps your sig IS your religion? p.s. -- OK, I lied. I got more. But I swear I'll unplug my computer after this... ahem... ... since we are all equally "of God", all having been brought to life by the power that is God, each partaking of a share of Godliness, perhaps all being a part of God, then we are all inherently as magnificent and valuable as we could ever reasonably want to be, and have nothing to gain from fighting over who is greater or who is worse, etc., as if there were a scarcity rather than an abundance of greatness to be had... God don't make no throwaway people. ... says me. I think here is where I really begin to trail off into incoherency... maybe it's just this head full of mucus I've got right now... my "religion" is a work in progress... Whatever gets me through the night, right? I hear that "there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophies, Horatio," so I just keep on dreaming and hoping...
I've heard of it . .. and considered myself one for a while. But I was mainly of the mind God Created and left never delved too much further. Over the years my religious ideals have run the gambit. I'm more spiritual. I figure God has a lot on his plate to be dealing with my petty problems. Rocket River
Any members of the Church of the SubGenius here? ------------------------------------------- "Do Your Best, Then… Don't Worry, Be Happy" -- Meher Baba
As a side note...how in the world is George Washington characterized as a deist? Here's a man who said over and over and over again that he saw the "hand of Providence" moving through the Revolutionary War and the formation of this country. That doesn't sound like a man who believes in a God that completely stepped away after creation. I think sometimes we ascribe deism to people that clearly didn't believe in those core principles.
Non Denominational Protestant Christian. My church believes in radical stuff like the great commission and that all men are your brother. We have a very cool, diverse congregation.
I think Michael Stipe has, but I don't know why. Philly, My father considers himself a "deist", but he also has considered himself a "Christian moralist" at times, too.
