Good to hear it, Kim...believe me, after a while on the Internet it's sometimes hard to see the difference between honest lack of knowledge and intentional insult.
I'll do my best to answer your questions.
Kim:
It seems the "Law" is the final basis then, for some sort of "just" system, "right" or "wrong." What is the "law" based upon?
Rae:
Human consensus about what laws are needed to keep their society running smoothly. E.g., if we had people running around murdering other people, our society could never run, because anyone running it could be murdered at any second. Right?
Kim:
I'm merely, really, curious about a pagan worldview that asserts there are many "truths."
Rae:
Okay. Ask a question about mine and I'll give you an answer about mine.
Kim:
And, yes, it really does all come down to Jesus and who He said He was. I can't speak for other "Christians" you know or have known. You stated "they believe a lot of other stuff too." I'm not sure what in particular you are referring to?
Rae:
Uh...like the inerrancy of the Bible, on the conservative Christian side. That is not related to Jesus saying who he is. (Yes, there are verses where Jesus says the scriptures are important...but that isn't relevant to his statements about WHO he is.) Like sacred tradition on the Catholic side of Christianity. Christians believe a LOT of stuff that doesn't deal directly with the statements attributed to Jesus in the Bible.
Kim:
There are, of course, sects within sects. I don't follow all sects. I do adhere to some definite fundamental truths...not particular sect-denominational-particular behaviors.
Rae:
Okay. I'll try to keep that in mind and not ask you questions about your Methodist beliefs.
Kim:
I'm merely curious...if an eclectic pagan asserts there are many truths...what is that assertion based upon?
Rae:
Depends on the Pagan. This Pagan can say that this is based on her experiences and knowledge of the world. There are many areas of life, for example, in which there ARE many truths. Some women find some men attractive who I think are not attractive. Some people actually like liver. (shudders) One can extrapolate from this that, given there are many other areas in life in which truths vary, religion can be one of those.
Kim:
And if all opinions are not equal...what makes that so?
Rae:
Morals, ethics, cultural beliefs, personal arrogance sometimes
Laws do, as well.
Kim:
I know the "law" has a role...is that arbitrary?
Rae:
::shrugs:: As an American, I prefer American laws regarding freedom of religion to others' laws. Undoubtedly British people prefer British laws and so on. Some of my views are due to the fact that I was raised here, not Bangladesh or Cameroon.
Kim:
Is truth arbitrary?
Rae:
What kind of truth are we talking about? If, for example, we're talking about the truth that I like birds as pets, then yes, I think that fits your definition...if not, please clarify for me.
Kim:
If so, then no, you have no right to say I cannot practice satanic rituals that involve sacrifice of people.
Rae:
Sure I can. If you want to live in my country, you have to abide by my laws or we have ways of punishing you. Simple as that.
Kim:
You give me Law, I say what Law is Supreme and Why?
Rae:
Er...in my example above, the law that can be enforced on you because you chose to be a citizen of this nation, and in order to be a citizen you must obey the laws.
Kim:
How do you even form a concept of what is Just? Of what is Good? Or Evil?
Rae:
Um, Kim? I was raised by two moral people. I have gone to many churches. I have thought long and hard about moral issues. I have been a conservative Christian (was one for 13 years). Why do you think I can't form a concept of justice, good, and evil when almost every TV show, movie, book, etc. in our society talks about good v. evil, let alone my upbringing?
