ecclesiastes
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« on: June 25, 2012, 03:10:AM » |
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Why do most of you assume that non-Christian (or even non-Catholic) religions are products of the devil or evil spirits? I see such comments often on Fisheaters. Could we not assume that the concept of God in other religions is merely man's attempt at understanding God without revelation, and therefore not demoniac, but merely imperfect or incomplete?
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Arun
He who fails to confront himself constantly fails to transcend his weaknesses.
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« Reply #1 on: June 25, 2012, 05:18:AM » |
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Well actually, mate, I consider non-Catholic religions to be either of the two, to be honest - although probably not in the VII-speak you've chosen to use there lol.
I'd say that the two categories false religions fall into are either, of course, the first - being those of deliberately deceptive demonic revelation (do I get points for alliteration?) in which you will often find people displaying eerie abilities and uncanny knowledge of the seemingly unknowable (yeah, ok so that's not a word...) and the second being that in which man has, without connection to God or His Church, tried to make sense or understand the natural principles around him - both spiritual and physical - and while you may describe it as "imperfect or incomplete" which sort of makes apologies for it, makes it sound like it's really very good and is quite fine if one opts for it over the Faith, I'd probably point out that Truth is not imperfect nor is it incomplete. Truth is Truth - Divine Truth is whole, and complete.
Religion is either Truth or falsehood - forget about your conciliar middle ground, my friend.
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It is my solemn and firmly held belief that the Cristeros were an entirely unjustified group of egomaniacal sociopaths and that Mexico would be a far better place today had they simply purchased Xbox360 consoles and lived out their ridiculous fantasies via an imaginary fantasy gaming realm Forget your lust for the rich man's gold/ All that you need, is in your soul/ And you can do this, oh baby, if you try/ All that I want for you my son/ Is to be satisfied All that we are is a picture in a mirror, with fancy shoes to grace our feet. All that there is, is a slow road to freedom; Heaven above and the devil beneath. We're all in this thing together, walking a line between faith and fear, this life won't last forever - when you cry I taste the salt in your tears. |
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Tim
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« Reply #2 on: June 25, 2012, 07:40:AM » |
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I trust King David he said all of the gods of the gentiles are demons. I can't remember the Saint which said, anything the Protestants have of the faith, they stole from the Catholic Church, but it sums it up nicely. I hope in God's mercy on those that are "good".
tim
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Graham
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« Reply #3 on: June 25, 2012, 09:47:AM » |
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I'm not a scholar, but from reading Plato I know that daemon - the Koine word used in the psalm in question - used to be a catch-all term for spiritual beings, whether good or evil:
"Everything daemonic is between God and mortal."
So maybe we should understand King David to mean that the Gentiles idolize all sorts of beings who are not the one God, including good angels and evil demons.
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Rosarium
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« Reply #4 on: June 25, 2012, 11:17:AM » |
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I'm not a scholar, but from reading Plato I know that daemon - the Koine word used in the psalm in question - used to be a catch-all term for spiritual beings, whether good or evil:
"Everything daemonic is between God and mortal."
So maybe we should understand King David to mean that the Gentiles idolize all sorts of beings who are not the one God, including good angels and evil demons.
Because angels do not allow this to happen. |
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Rosarium
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« Reply #5 on: June 25, 2012, 11:19:AM » |
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Why do most of you assume that non-Christian (or even non-Catholic) religions are products of the devil or evil spirits? I see such comments often on Fisheaters. Could we not assume that the concept of God in other religions is merely man's attempt at understanding God without revelation, and therefore not demoniac, but merely imperfect or incomplete?
The Psalm states "For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens.". This is not saying all beliefs are the product of evil spirits, but that the gods of those who do not worship God are demons. To follow any belief in opposition to truth when truth is knowable is to follow a demon in effect (if not actually the result of a individual demon). |
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GottmitunsAlex
"As the head of the Church, I cannot answer you otherwise. The Jews have not recognized Our Lord; therefore we cannot recognize the Jewish people." Pope St. Pius X
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« Reply #6 on: June 25, 2012, 07:49:PM » |
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Why do most of you assume that non-Christian (or even non-Catholic) religions are products of the devil or evil spirits? I see such comments often on Fisheaters. Could we not assume that the concept of God in other religions is merely man's attempt at understanding God without revelation, and therefore not demoniac, but merely imperfect or incomplete?
The Psalm states "For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens.". This is not saying all beliefs are the product of evil spirits, but that the gods of those who do not worship God are demons. To follow any belief in opposition to truth when truth is knowable is to follow a demon in effect (if not actually the result of a individual demon). THIS |
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"Nothing is more miserable than those people who never failed to attack their own salvation. When there was need to observe the Law, they trampled it under foot. Now that the Law has ceased to bind, they obstinately strive to observe it. What could be more pitiable that those who provoke God not only by transgressing the Law but also by keeping it? But at any rate the Jews say that they, too, adore God. God forbid that I say that. No Jew adores God! Who say so? The Son of God say so. For he said: "If you were to know my Father, you would also know me. But you neither know me nor do you know my Father". Could I produce a witness more trustworthy than the Son of God?" St. John Chrysostom Sunday Homily
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GottmitunsAlex
"As the head of the Church, I cannot answer you otherwise. The Jews have not recognized Our Lord; therefore we cannot recognize the Jewish people." Pope St. Pius X
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« Reply #7 on: June 25, 2012, 07:50:PM » |
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Well actually, mate, I consider non-Catholic religions to be either of the two, to be honest - although probably not in the VII-speak you've chosen to use there lol.
I'd say that the two categories false religions fall into are either, of course, the first - being those of deliberately deceptive demonic revelation (do I get points for alliteration?) in which you will often find people displaying eerie abilities and uncanny knowledge of the seemingly unknowable (yeah, ok so that's not a word...) and the second being that in which man has, without connection to God or His Church, tried to make sense or understand the natural principles around him - both spiritual and physical - and while you may describe it as "imperfect or incomplete" which sort of makes apologies for it, makes it sound like it's really very good and is quite fine if one opts for it over the Faith, I'd probably point out that Truth is not imperfect nor is it incomplete. Truth is Truth - Divine Truth is whole, and complete.
Religion is either Truth or falsehood - forget about your conciliar middle ground, my friend.
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"Nothing is more miserable than those people who never failed to attack their own salvation. When there was need to observe the Law, they trampled it under foot. Now that the Law has ceased to bind, they obstinately strive to observe it. What could be more pitiable that those who provoke God not only by transgressing the Law but also by keeping it? But at any rate the Jews say that they, too, adore God. God forbid that I say that. No Jew adores God! Who say so? The Son of God say so. For he said: "If you were to know my Father, you would also know me. But you neither know me nor do you know my Father". Could I produce a witness more trustworthy than the Son of God?" St. John Chrysostom Sunday Homily
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ecclesiastes
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« Reply #8 on: June 26, 2012, 03:05:AM » |
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and while you may describe it as "imperfect or incomplete" which sort of makes apologies for it, makes it sound like it's really very good and is quite fine if one opts for it over the Faith
I don't think saying it is "incomplete" or "imperfect" equals making apologies for it. It means that, even if there is some element of truth in it, it is still inadequate without revelation. |
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ecclesiastes
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« Reply #9 on: June 26, 2012, 03:16:AM » |
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The Psalm states "For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens.". This is not saying all beliefs are the product of evil spirits, but that the gods of those who do not worship God are demons.
OK. I'll rephrase my question, then: how do you know that the "God" worshipped in other religions is not an imperfectly understood God, but a daemon? If you look at the way God is understood in some religions, you can find similarities with many things taught by the Church. Sure, they don't know the Trinity and such things that are only known through revelation, but they do seem to know something, like some of the Pagan philosophers who were used by the Church fathers. To follow any belief in opposition to truth when truth is knowable is to follow a demon in effect (if not actually the result of a individual demon).
And what about when truth is unknowable? A Srivaisnava Hindu from twelfth century South India had never even heard of Christianity, but followed a rich theological tradition that does show some paralels with parts of Christian theology. Is his case somehow different from a Srivaisnava today who may or may not know much about Christianity? |
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