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WilliamWDelaney
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25 Apr 2012, 8:17 am

A lot of people don't know it, but the philosophers of Late Antiquity often observed a kind of monotheism. The Stoics in particular believed that the universe might be a thinking, material substance, known as "God" or "Nature." They divided this into both "passive" and "active" principles. In any event, they were people who speculated in a scientific-minded manner on the nature of God or Nature, whatever they called it.

Anyway, I notice that a lot of people who regard themselves as "Christians" don't know very much about Christianity and don't really seem to hold any actual Christian doctrine central to their beliefs. In fact, some of them actually know considerably more about philosophy than they do about Christianity. I hear a lot of clever speculation on the nature of God. Therefore, I propose that what they really believe in is the philosopher's god.

Therefore, do you think that you might define yourself better as such a person than as a member of any other faith?

I'm an atheist, so I just find this interesting.



Rainy
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25 Apr 2012, 9:19 am

Quote:
Anyway, I notice that a lot of people who regard themselves as "Christians" don't know very much about Christianity and don't really seem to hold any actual Christian doctrine central to their beliefs.


It's probably because people had to adapt Christianity so it fits more with modern morality and ethics.



pat_can
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25 Apr 2012, 9:40 am

For me inner spiritual life is more important than doctrines. I'm roman catholic because I like some teaching about meditation and spiritual life. I take what I need. I don't care about dogma, pope, etc. I can be with liberal roman catholic or protestant but I don't like conservative people.



Grebels
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25 Apr 2012, 2:48 pm

These people will no doubt remain nameless.

Quote:
Anyway, I notice that a lot of people who regard themselves as "Christians" don't know very much about Christianity


Maybe you should get to know people better than just what they believe, or what you think they believe. Frankly speaking I am not interested in Philosophy, it was never my subject. However, I have thought about the Stoic's God since Paul had some similar beliefs. Was it simply Philosophy or a spiritual experience as well? It was a long time ago, so there's no way I'm coming out with definite statements.

It could be that Chrisitians choose not to talk about their spiritual experience on a web site such as this one.