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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