Anybody know any good Gods they can recommend?

[moobu2]

I’m really tired of the “us against them” attitude monotheism always causes so Allah, Jehovah or any combination is pretty much out of the question. I’m willing to consider multiple deities also. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

[MindPilot]

1. No gods; no masters

The best deity is no deity.

[Az]

2. Technically speaking

Jehova and Allah are both the god of Abraham. Course the descriptions of the followers vary quite a bit. So picking the right god still seems a bit distant.

[papau]

22. LOL - good point!

:-)

perhaps one God has many names?

[arwalden]

35. Juno?

[ret5hd]

3. i got two (count 'em-2) for ya!...

The Flying Spaghetti Monster


and:

BOB!

[ClintonTyree]

7. My money is on the FSM............

I have been touched by his noodly appendage, and have seen the error of my ways.- Pastafarian-1.0 Ramen!

[ret5hd]

18. maybe...but ya' know what? ...

Bob gives you SLACK!

[MindPilot]

20. Arrr, Matey! Ya be foolin' with the appendage as t'were ye yardarm

Arrr

RAAAAmen!!

[EvolveOrConvolve]

43. Bob reminds me of that creepy guy

from the Enzyte commercial who walks around with a boner all the time.

[flowomo]

4. just listened to "Gilgamesh" on CD....

a new translation. Those Sumerian gods were very cool... so perhaps you could sign up with them. Business has been slow, so they'll be receptive. :)

O, and if you haven't read/heard it, "Gilgamesh" is really good.

[Magrittes Pipe]

5. Dionysus has always blessed me well.

[Rowdyboy]

8. I often called on Dionysus in college when playing pinball and he came to

my aid more often than not. However, you absolutely MUST be at least slightly drunk or high when calling on him. He won't help you otherwise!

[okieinpain]

6. God is a great god. forget all of that religous crap, just go to the

man him/herself.

[bonito]

9. Got the same religon as God

Don't have to go anywhere to find him, her.

[Grey]

10. read the teachings of Buddha.

At peace with yourself, you don't need a 'god'

[Old Mouse]

14. Buddha was a Hindu n/t

[madeline_con]

23. Jesus was Buddha...

Same same...

[Old Mouse]

26. not really

jesus said "play nice" but Buddha said "the game is rigged"

[Freedomfried]

11. Try forming your own conception of a "power greater than yourself"

thats all you need man....

[arcane1]

12. "thou art God"

so sayeth Valentine Michael Smith

[JuniperLea]

13. I like Inanna

Of all religions, I prefer Hinduism and Buddhism. I'm open to the ancient Mesopotamian Gods, hence the Inanna reference.

I love her:)

[madeline_con]

24. Hinduism is classist...

the Untouchables are a "religious" excuse for a class who does the "dirty work".

[Old Mouse]

28. it started well, with a unique view of social responsibility

but as with all things entropy, apathy and greed took their toll.

[manic expression]

31. That's not true at all

First of all, look at Bali. No caste system, no untouchables, and yet it is completely Hindu.

Second of all, the caste system is largely the practice of taking the work of one's parents. That is done in many cultures, perhaps most cultures.

The Dalits and caste oppression are whole different issues. Caste oppression almost ALWAYS stems from some conditions. When there are dwindling resources, a certain group may suppress another to consolidate their survival chances (this happens in many cultures). Another possibility is that a group gains power, and uses it to suppress other groups. You must understand that even the HIGHEST 'castes' are treated the same way:
"Pandey was a Brahmin, traditionally placed at the top of India's society and revered as priests and teachers. His alleged killers are Yadavs, once cow farmers, whose land holdings and cohesive ethnic identity have today made them politically powerful."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1505920,00.html

If you look at many cases where Dalits have been oppressed, Brahmins have come to the aid of those in need, sometimes paying for it with their lives (Phoolan Devi was spared execution by a Brahmin priest who freed her from her captors). The oppression stems from terrible conditions in an environment and in the mind.

Again, even the most "elite" groups are oppressed by caste conflict. This should tell you something.

What about the Dalit head of Rajasthan who was elected by the people (I believe it is Rajasthan)? What about Shivaji, who was not of the "ruler" caste, and who led Hindus of all castes against the Moghuls?

Groups who do "dirty work" are EVERYWHERE. I ask you to look at most janitors...minorities. Look at the people who cut white America's lawns...minorities. Look at the GHETTOES...MINORITIES. Please....

Most importantly, Hinduism has nothing to do with the caste system. It is a social structure (again, look at Bali), not a religious one. I challenge you to find a shred of real justification for the caste system in Hindu teachings (go ahead, use the "four limbs" argument...please). You will not find any.

[grytpype]

15. I kind of like Ormazd...

... the Good Principle of the Zoroasterians.

[longship]

16. Cthulhu!

Why not just go for the gusto!?

Campus Crusade for Cthulhu

Don't settle for anything less.

[Kashka-Kat]

17. sun gods/ goddesses

I guess if I had to choose a religion I think I would be pagan, either neo or paleo. Or some form of animism, the belief that "god" aka "life force energy" or "soul" resides in all living things and even the rocks and rivers and clouds. My spirituality is solely based on feeling-- how does it feel... I find "god" in the seasonal cycles and the movements and feel of the sun on my skin. The sun is literally a giver of life and both sun and moon do have direct effect on our hormones and general health and well being. Being so tangible, worshipping or honoring the sun and moon always seemed to make more sense to me than some old bearded guy in the sky.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_god
http://www.lyricalworks.com/stories/amaterasu/sunsymbols.htm

[ozone_man]

27. Why did we ever stop?

Perhaps the biggest mistake of civilization was removing ourselves from nature. Nature is my "religion".

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

19. Are you familiar with any of the polythestic religions?

A lot of it depends on what faith appeals to you. Here is a sampling of polytheistic religions with which I have a slight acquaintence:

The Goddess tradition-in actuality, there are many different faiths within this tradition, starting with the Egyptian pantheon, which includes Isis, Osirus, and Horis, which represent the reserrection concept. There are the Middle Eastern Goddesses such as Inana and Alot.

The Native American tradition with which I am most familiar is the Lakota tradition. The Grandfathers, Grandmother Earth, and the spirits of the different animals and trees are honored, as are all beings. The best way to find out about this path is to go to an inipi, or sweatlodge ceremony, as an introduction to this path.

The Hindu tradition is rich in gods and goddesses. Read the Bagava Gita to find out about Krishna, the Ramayana to find out about Ram and Sita and Hannuman. There are many many stories of other gods as well. Shiva, the Master Yogi, dancing on the dwarf of ignorance, is one of my favorites, and is part of the Hindu trinity: Brahma (the Creator) Vishnus (the Sustainer) and Shiva (the Destroyer).

There are many other traditions and paths with multiple deities, but I am not as familiar with them.

If you would like to experience a taste of different spiritual traditions without preaching and without having to join anything, I suggest you go to a Dances of Universal Peace circle and do the Dances .

[Ready4Change]

21. How about the "You'll know it when you see it" god?

Promise yourself that (until some god comes up and demonstrates, conclusively and without any doubt remaining whatsoever, that he/she/it is your freaking god) that you will go forth and live a decent, happy life.

If/when that god shows up, well, a god being a god, you might find it advisable to do it's bidding. But until then you are on your own.

Be wise.

[Behind the Aegis]

25. Murray...

...God of parking spaces. Call upon Him/Her when no space seems available. S/he is not a needy god/dess...no special rituals, no sacrifices....just the naming of your car and the occasional oil change! :)

[Big Kahuna]

30. Wow that's weird

I just posted about Manannan Mac Lir, who is the Celtic Sea God, about 3 seconds after your post.... I had cut out a large portion of boring facts about my Mother's side of the family are Murrays, which translates to "Men of the Sea". Weird.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=214&topic_id=26753&mesg_id=26940

[hvn_nbr_2]

44. Murray... Squat... Must be the same one.

I've always heard that Squat is the goddess of parking spaces. I know several people that she never fails.

[Big Kahuna]

29. Mananon Mac Lir

Celtic god of the sea.

I don't beleive in prostheletyzing so I won't go into gory details, but He is a cool shit.



http://www.manannan.net

[htuttle]

42. Excellent painting!

Nîn o Chithaeglir
lasto beth daer;
Rimmo nîn Bruinen
dan in Ulaer!

[catbert836]

32. I recommend Apollo and Artemis

They're the ones I pray to the most, anyway.

[NAO]

33. Look In the Mirror: THOU ART GOD!

Multiple-ego pantheistic solipsism really speaks to my inner experience.

[anarch]

34. Hail Eris

http://www.ology.org/principia/

[onager]

36. OK, if you just need a god...

...you could probably do worse than Serapis.

He has one big advantage: Serapis was a totally invented god, made up out of whole cloth, and you know that going in. None of this BS about "existed before the beginning of time, but not discovered until 5000 years ago by wandering goat-herders in Palestine."

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/serapis.htm

[CarbonDate]

37. Allow myself to introduce....

...myself.

United Church of CarbonDate. I'm starting it tomorrow.

[FM Arouet666]

38. There is only one GOD you need to know.

http://www.venganza.org/



:evilgrin:

[Dervill Crow]

39. Baphomet is pretty cool. n/t

[Nihil]

40. With or without head? (n/t)

[Dervill Crow]

41. I'm partial to the goat's head, myself.

I don't really "know" Baphomet; I just think he's impressive looking.

Gaia is more my kind of deity.

[Bloodblister Bob]

45. Try Epicurus Instead of a God

http://www.epicurus.info/