idquest Posted 21 hours ago As a rule, when we ask for something, there is a price to pay. For example, asking for something from a devil usually involves a some kind of spiritual payment, like selling one's soul, as saints and christian scholars teach us (I could be wrong here, please correct me then). But is not the same transactional rule apply when followers ask for something from their deities, such as Jesus, Allah, Buddha, etc.? Do people accrue a 'spiritual credit card' liability when asking for things from their deities? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lairg Posted 20 hours ago (edited) A woman was very pleased with a text from her ex. She showed me and said: He has moved past transactional relationship Perhaps the gods of humanity are less evolved than that man. I would look for entities that are not transactional. 46 minutes ago, idquest said: like selling one's soul In the ancient Egyptian and Kabbalistic systems the human format has 5 souls. The middle soul corresponds with the Christian soul. But the soul intelligence that approaches suitable humans has a temporary relationship with them - while the human establishes the stages of enlightenment. The solar angel (holy guardian angel) comes from the solar system to help. It is too profound to partake in transactional relationships. Edited 20 hours ago by Lairg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanity Check Posted 17 hours ago If the question is how God does things. Then it might be answered... How does the being who caused the Big Bang to occur in order for the universe to be created answer prayers. Entities of partial value and capacity use transactional methods due to their limited volume and energy. God's energy and volume would be infinite transcending mere physical limits. Like a nurturing parent, God would want people to pray to develop a relationship and ask for help when needed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted 17 hours ago 3 hours ago, idquest said: As a rule, when we ask for something, there is a price to pay. For example, asking for something from a devil usually involves a some kind of spiritual payment, like selling one's soul, as saints and christian scholars teach us (I could be wrong here, please correct me then). Yes you are wrong ... and so where the 'saints and Christian scholars' ( if that indeed is what they taught us ? ) . 3 hours ago, idquest said: But is not the same transactional rule apply when followers ask for something from their deities, such as Jesus, Allah, Buddha, etc.? In some religions magic is permissible as long as it is attributed to its deity or clergy . For other to get involved in magic it is considered evil and attributed to evil forces . Figure that one out ! 3 hours ago, idquest said: Do people accrue a 'spiritual credit card' liability when asking for things from their deities? No . Did you ever have to pay your Mother back ? ( I mean, for all the stuff you where given and asked for as a child . ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idquest Posted 8 hours ago 9 hours ago, Sanity Check said: If the question is how God does things. Then it might be answered... How does the being who caused the Big Bang to occur in order for the universe to be created answer prayers. Entities of partial value and capacity use transactional methods due to their limited volume and energy. God's energy and volume would be infinite transcending mere physical limits. Like a nurturing parent, God would want people to pray to develop a relationship and ask for help when needed. So God wants to have a relationship in exchange for service? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idquest Posted 8 hours ago 9 hours ago, Nungali said: Yes you are wrong ... and so where the 'saints and Christian scholars' ( if that indeed is what they taught us ? ) . Care to elaborate? 9 hours ago, Nungali said: In some religions magic is permissible as long as it is attributed to its deity or clergy . For other to get involved in magic it is considered evil and attributed to evil forces . Figure that one out ! This one is easy - this is just a fight for control and power 9 hours ago, Nungali said: No . Did you ever have to pay your Mother back ? ( I mean, for all the stuff you where given and asked for as a child . ) It is strange that when talking about transactions, people think that transactions are limited to the monetary ones. Monetary transactions are the cheapest in value. I believe that most people pay their mothers back by being emotionally attached to them and in long term family relationship with them. Nobody here talks about dollar amounts, although some people could. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sherman Krebbs Posted 7 hours ago 9 hours ago, Nungali said: In some religions magic is permissible as long as it is attributed to its deity or clergy . I have thought about this. It is very interesting. I sometimes go to this Lutheran church by me. I don't understand much, since its in a language I only pretend to understand, but I love the organ music and the rituals they conduct are absolutely breathtaking. They sing these magical chants, and then, if you want you can go up and drink the blood of their guru and a baked cracker. I sometimes sneak up there and have some. I might go to hell. Its funny, though, the blood tastes a little like wine. It is really a magnificent experience, a magical ceremony of purification, which if delivered by any other means, or understood as magic, might be highly objectionable to those participating. They also wear magical sigils on their cloaks. The sigils and rituals change from season to season. I don't know why , nor the spells that they use when the adorn them, but I am sure there are some and that they are quite elaborate. And the building is covered in symbols and has a massive picture of their guru, lying naked, save a conveniently dangling loose towel, dying on a cross ominously overseeing the dias, and constantly reminding of the pain and suffering in life, but also the resurrection and redemption from that pain and suffering that can be achieved by accepting his blessing. It is really cool, but the point is that, until recently, I never really understood it as a magical ceremony. Most people involved in it would probably not understand it as such, but it is. And I say this as one who does not really practice magic, or really practice anything at all for that matter, excepting laughter. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idquest Posted 2 hours ago 5 hours ago, Sherman Krebbs said: I have thought about this. It is very interesting. I sometimes go to this Lutheran church by me. I don't understand much, since its in a language I only pretend to understand, but I love the organ music and the rituals they conduct are absolutely breathtaking. They sing these magical chants, and then, if you want you can go up and drink the blood of their guru and a baked cracker. I sometimes sneak up there and have some. I might go to hell. Its funny, though, the blood tastes a little like wine. It is really a magnificent experience, a magical ceremony of purification, which if delivered by any other means, or understood as magic, might be highly objectionable to those participating. They also wear magical sigils on their cloaks. The sigils and rituals change from season to season. I don't know why , nor the spells that they use when the adorn them, but I am sure there are some and that they are quite elaborate. And the building is covered in symbols and has a massive picture of their guru, lying naked, save a conveniently dangling loose towel, dying on a cross ominously overseeing the dias, and constantly reminding of the pain and suffering in life, but also the resurrection and redemption from that pain and suffering that can be achieved by accepting his blessing. It is really cool, but the point is that, until recently, I never really understood it as a magical ceremony. Most people involved in it would probably not understand it as such, but it is. And I say this as one who does not really practice magic, or really practice anything at all for that matter, excepting laughter. Interesting perspective, thanks for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted 1 hour ago (edited) 6 hours ago, idquest said: Care to elaborate? First look into the word 'devil' and then the origins and history of the idea . If you believe in such concepts why does it follow that certain beings want payment and others not .... unless you have the idea that 'they are just bad ' without examining the origins of that idea . In folk traditions it usually comes from the mines ..... underworld : underground .: mining : IE. where the goodies are . Its dangerous down there , many died . Making an offering to the underground dieties might help you keep your life (and your soul attached to your body the more modern ideas come from 'Dr Faust 'and 'Faustus' popular stories in their day . The modern icon of the man that 'selss his soul to the Devil' has been tagged generally as the 'scientists ' . I think it would be better and bear better fruit to examine the dynamics involved in the modern manifestation of the myth . ... oh yeah and consider what 'soul' can mean ; not just the end version of (one of them) Faust where he is literally dragged down into a hell but when a living person on earth has 'lost their soul' ..... or something is "soulless " Quote This one is easy - this is just a fight for control and power And this Devil idea was generated by those same people that want to have control and power over you . Quote It is strange that when talking about transactions, people think that transactions are limited to the monetary ones. Monetary transactions are the cheapest in value. I believe that most people pay their mothers back by being emotionally attached to them and in long term family relationship with them. Nobody here talks about dollar amounts, although some people could. I guess you mentioning a credit card threw me off Here is one idea ; you give a dog a drink of water and you enjoy watching him drink the water . His enjoyment of the experience is enough . Another idea is that the 'transaction' is constantly being enacted ; the Gods are not corporeal, they need our incarnations to experience the 'wonders of the physical ' . Edited 1 hour ago by Nungali Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted 1 hour ago 5 hours ago, Sherman Krebbs said: I have thought about this. It is very interesting. I sometimes go to this Lutheran church by me. I don't understand much, since its in a language I only pretend to understand, but I love the organ music and the rituals they conduct are absolutely breathtaking. They sing these magical chants, and then, if you want you can go up and drink the blood of their guru and a baked cracker. I sometimes sneak up there and have some. I might go to hell. Its funny, though, the blood tastes a little like wine. It is really a magnificent experience, a magical ceremony of purification, which if delivered by any other means, or understood as magic, might be highly objectionable to those participating. They also wear magical sigils on their cloaks. The sigils and rituals change from season to season. I don't know why , nor the spells that they use when the adorn them, but I am sure there are some and that they are quite elaborate. And the building is covered in symbols and has a massive picture of their guru, lying naked, save a conveniently dangling loose towel, dying on a cross ominously overseeing the dias, and constantly reminding of the pain and suffering in life, but also the resurrection and redemption from that pain and suffering that can be achieved by accepting his blessing. It is really cool, but the point is that, until recently, I never really understood it as a magical ceremony. Most people involved in it would probably not understand it as such, but it is. And I say this as one who does not really practice magic, or really practice anything at all for that matter, excepting laughter. The high mass is also interesting , it has all the aspects of a magical ceremony. Some say that's because magic is a blasphemous copy of Christian ritual . BS ! As you noted, the church has picked up a whole lot of ritual and regalia from elsewhere ... that's an interesting study ! There is more than one version of the Eucharist ceremony out there ; The simplest ; take a substance , charge it / make it holy/ invite God into it and then eat it . all the way through to ; - personally I much prefer a beautiful woman on the altar than a tortured dying man . But then again, I am in 'the cult of life' not the cult of death . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted 1 hour ago However there is a magical teaching that might relate to this ; " when a man sells his soul for gold " The relevant passages : " ... Be thou therefore prompt and active as the Sylphs, but avoid frivolity and caprice; be energetic and strong like the Salamanders, but avoid irritability and ferocity; be flexible and attentive to images like the Undines, but avoid idleness and changeability; be laborious and patient like the Gnomes, but avoid grossness and avarice. 20. So shalt thou gradually develop the powers of thy soul, and fit thyself to command the Spirits of the elements. For wert thou to summon the Gnomes to pander to thine avarice, thou wouldst no longer command them, but they would command thee. Wouldst thou abuse the pure beings of the woods and mountains to fill thy coffers and satisfy thy hunger of Gold? Wouldst thou debase the Spirits of Living Fire to serve thy wrath and hatred? Wouldst thou violate the purity of the Souls of the Waters to pander to thy lust of debauchery? Wouldst thou force the Spirits of the Evening Breeze to minister to thy folly and caprice? Know that with such desires thou canst but attract the Weak, not the Strong, and in that case the Weak will have power over thee. ... " - Liber Librae Share this post Link to post Share on other sites