Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site mcnc.mcnc.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!mcnc!bch From: bch@mcnc.UUCP (Byron C. Howes) Newsgroups: net.religion,net.religion.christian Subject: Re: Byron Howes discusses gnosticism in relation to the Damager-God Message-ID: <823@mcnc.mcnc.UUCP> Date: Wed, 31-Dec-69 18:59:59 EDT Article-I.D.: mcnc.823 Posted: Wed Dec 31 18:59:59 1969 Date-Received: Sun, 22-Sep-85 05:23:11 EDT References: <8508172148.AA02946@sdcc6.ARPA> <308@pyuxn.UUCP> <2195@sdcc6.UUCP> <324@pyuxn.UUCP> <184@well.UUCP> <811@mcnc.mcnc.UUCP> <346@pyuxn.UUCP> Reply-To: bch@mcnc.UUCP (Byron C. Howes) Organization: North Carolina Educational Computing Service Lines: 27 Xref: watmath net.religion:7726 net.religion.christian:1343 Summary: In article <346@pyuxn.UUCP> pez@pyuxn.UUCP (Paul Zimmerman) writes: >Perhaps, as Byron says, there is an ultimate God who is very different >from the heinous evil Damager-God who wreaks havoc in all our lives. But, >sadly, it is that Damager-God we must face every day. As Byron says, we would >have no direct contact with the ultimate deity he describes. Anyway, if He >was truly good, wouldn't He take steps to eradicate the pig monster God >who maltreats this planet and its people? First, Paul, let me make it clear that I'm not arguing against your position. I don't necessarily believe it, but I am not arguing against it. I merely stepped in to elucidate a difference between your particular brand of maltheism and the Gnostic notions of a not-necessarily-benevolent G-d. Second, the ultimate deity is neither good nor evil, but beyond both. The Father "does" nothing, and is beyond comprehension by those tied to notions of good and evil. Traditional Christian notions do not fit well into the gnostic framework. I am enjoying the discussion and I'm pleased that it has made people reflect upon their own beliefs, whatever conclusions they may ultimately come to. Whatever one's faith, a deeper understanding of ones relationship to the infinite cannot be considered a bad thing. In this sense, even your maltheism serves more traditional ends. -- Byron C. Howes ...!{decvax,akgua}!mcnc!ecsvax!bch Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com