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From a cultural tradition devoted to deicide: An open lament for modernity

  
By:  kpr37  •  paganism  •  7 years ago  •  7 comments

 From a cultural tradition devoted to deicide: An open lament for modernity

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Early 17th century: from ecclesiastical Latin deicida ‘killer of a god’, or directly from Latin deus ‘god’ + -cide

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/deicide

The definition says to kill a god. This would have been one of the thousands of various gods, goddess, and demigods.


 

I come from a long illustrious and distinguished philosophical tradition. One embedded with a deep abiding cultural ethic that has been habitually, and instinctively devoted to deicide for centuries. Classic Greek Cynics, intellectually and logically, killed off many of the gods, goddess, and various demigods back in the day.(middle third century-bc to the Council of Nicaea in 325 ad) Let's be clear, however, these ideas of a "god" having been killed is incorrect. Only the idea that they were some type of a  G*d.  Big  "G"..  G*d. has been altered.

 

They are now tourist attractions, art works, or even an icon on the sides of sneakers. See the goddess, Nike. As I type this, I have a winged Greek goddess on my feet. The goddess Nike is no longer said to be an active force in the universe, she has no influence on the society we live in. She is now a corporate symbol of athletic dominance and big bucks endorsements.

 


In Greek Mythology, Nike was the Goddess of speed, strength and victory. Also known as Winged Goddess, Nike is most often pictured as having wings


 

https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/nike/

 

As far as I remember, Nike was never attacked by the cynics, she was not offensive to their concepts or seen as a societal hindrance. She was harmless in their eyes. The first attacks were on communally disruptive deities or psychologically projected abnormalities, manifesting themselves in a divine form. Nike, for example, died out because of disinterest, not hostility. While hostility to another's beliefs is mostly uncalled for, dangerous beliefs, that harm individuals or societies should be logically challenged.  Me, I'm good without a pagan temple to the castrator being located down the street from me.

 

These acts of deicide, however, likely lead to the sudden fall of the cultural traditions and religious practices for all the citizens of the Roman empire by 400 ad. Setting off a catastrophic series of events. (Europe would not recover till the Enlightenment)  While the early Cynics were wholeheartedly, gleefully even, engaged in their intentional acts of deicide, they had neglected what came next. They had no answers for what came next. They had not really fully thought it out or considered it even as a possibility in over 500 years of thought. Not a single one could have predicted the coming of a monotheist religion arising and cornering the market, as it were, on the G*d concept.  Soon spanning the entire Europian continent as well as within the conscience of a far larger humanity. It was an event well beyond their scope of understanding. They knew of monotheism but did not view the concept of monotheism as man-made. The concept of the logos was as an observable feature of nature to the Greek Cynics. They did not attack it viciously, they only observed it, and debated what it could possibly mean. This concept did not rank high up on their outrage meter.

 

Monotheism or the pagan concept recognizing it was discovered by Heracleitus, it was the first concept of a single G*d in what was then a thourally pagan world. (The Jewish peoples were monotheists, as were the Zoroastrians at that time) This was centuries before the Septuagint (Greek translation of Jewish religious text) was introduced to pagan thought.

 


 The idea of the logos in Greek thought harks back at least to the 6th-century-bc philosopher Heracleitus , who discerned in the cosmic process a logos analogous to the reasoning power in man. Later, the Stoics , philosophers who followed the teachings of the thinker Zeno of Citium (4th–3rd century bc), defined the logos as an active rational and spiritual principle that permeated all reality. They called the logos providence, nature, god, and the soul of the universe , which is composed of many seminal logoi that are contained in the universal logos . Philo of Alexandria , a 1st-century-ad Jewish philosopher, taught that the logos was the intermediary between God and the cosmos, being both the agent of creation and the agent through which the human mind can apprehend and comprehend God. According to Philo and the Middle Platonists , philosophers who interpreted in religious terms the teachings of the 4th-century-bc Greek master philosopher Plato , the logos was both immanent in the world and at the same time the transcendent divine mind.


 

https://www.britannica.com/topic/logos

 

 

How did the path to pagan inner faith deicide begin? Well, it was Diogenes of Sinope (a slave most all of his life) Who had a most revolutionary idea. That all of the ideas shared with him were the ideas of Men. He searched and could not find any with a divine origin. Not in any of the ideas claimed as having a divine origin, could he, in fact, find one worthy of being called divine when strictly logically examined. It was only later in life (late 50s early 60s) that he broached the subject with others. For a slave, Diogenes was permitted great leeway due to his mastery of philosophy. He was called the dog once, while sitting at his master's table, by a guest. He asked if the guest really believed who he was addressing was a dog? The guest applied in the affirmative. Diogenes rose from his master's table and proceeded to urinate on the leg of the guest.  Saying if you call be a dog, I may, therefore, be tempted to act like one. This did not end his life strangely enough. Perhaps it encouraged him to test the limits of free speech for his time.

 

At some point, later in life at another party held by his master, Diogenes got up to speak. He lavishly praised the gods, and goddess as any good pagan was likely to do. Profoundly praised their mighty powers, pontificated greatly on the benefits that they bestowed were surely all sure signs of their presence all around us. So they should be honored and deeply revered. No one could question that. Applause met him all around, it went over well. Until that is, he raised a second point. Since they are so powerful he said, let them be introduced into what is now called the arena of ideas.( A Greek concept of philosophic debate.) And then let them stand on their own merits. Surely we shall learn something, perhaps a valuable lesson he added, with a sly look in his eye

 

Of course one can not start with the  "Dii Consentes", or pantheon the 12 main components 6 male gods,  6 female goddesses. You must build up to toppling the big dogs of theology. Don't punch down at the  lower levels divine hierarchy either, aim a little up the chain at a feared or disliked deity, like Cronus, son of Gaia. Cronus the castrator of Uranus. (Uranus was the father of Cronus) Not a lot of good physiological imagery or attributes associated with the castrator. If you are new at the deicide game, make sure you pick the right target. Zeus, for instance, might not be right target for your first time out of the gate, trying to knock off a god

 

Was I picking the first deity to try to "knock-off" in such an inglorious manner? It would surely be the castrator. Who will defend the castrator? As it would be more than probable that he would be asked to self-castrate, as a sign of his personal devotion to the castrating deity. (some really did)

 

What this meant was, for the very first time ever.  Concepts supporting the ideas of gods were now competing for acceptance in the arena of ideas. When those ideas or others, are introduced into the arena of ideas, they become fair game.  A philosopher can grab any idea by the "figurative" throat that he so desires and then violently shake it about, stamp it into the ground if he liked, viciously pummel it, again and again. Just to see if the idea has any substance.

 

Cronus was impolitely tossed into the arena of ideas, forced to fight fiercely for his own existence.  Cronus was found lacking in substance, appealing attributes, or redeeming communal values. His rights to be deified were questioned and then roundly rejected by his philosophical examiners. The mocking and Greek memes of humor directed at him diminished the appeal of Cronus in the larger community of believers. Soon the castrator was a "god" without devotees and soon forgotten left to perish on a theocratic dung heap.

 

I believe that Nietzsche was using a similar philosophy in his failed attempts at deicide toward the monotheism of Europe. Good ideas die hard. That is why he failed where other succeeded. Monotheism has been in the arena for over one thousand years. Here is where I believe Nietzsche failed and admitted it. The most effective attempts to kill an idea, or the claimed divinity of an idea, are most effective when launched from within. Nietzche and Hitchens, in my opinion, were the two most effective at questioning if a concept or idea can be divine or G*d. Neither could complete a deicide as planned. Nietzche admitted as much here. He admits humanity's morality is metaphysical and is not found in nature by him.

 

Taken from Friedrich Nietzsche's, the Gay Science chapter named, "in what way we, too, are pious"

 


"Will to Truth" that might be a concealed Will to Death.  Thus the question "Why is there science” leads back to the moral problem: What in general is the purpose of morality, if life, nature, and history are "non-moral"?  There is no doubt that the conscientious man in the daring and extreme sense in which he is presupposed by the belief in science, affirms thereby a world other than that of life, nature, and history; and in so far as he affirms this "other world" - what?  Must he not just thereby deny its counterpart, this world, our world?  But you will have gathered what I am driving at, namely, that it is always a metaphysical faith on which our faith in science rests - that even we seekers after knowledge today, we godless anti-metaphysians still take our fire from the flame lit by a faith a millennium old, the Christian faith, which was also the faith of Plato, that God is truth, that the truth is divine. 


 

http://www.lexido.com/EBOOK_TEXTS/THE_GAY_SCIENCE_FIFTH_BOOK_.aspx?S=344

 

Translated to pagan philosophy.

 


that even we seekers after "the logos" today, we "knowledge-less" anti-metaphysians still take our fire from the flame lit by a faith a millennium old, the " monotheistic" faith, which was also the faith of Plato, that "the Logos" is truth, that the " knowledge of the logos" is divine.


 

 

“Words, as is well known, are the great foes of reality. ”— Joseph Conrad

 

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-metaphysics/

 

So those who find their beliefs under attack (no matter what they are) fight for them. Don't let them die.  Deicide has happened 100,000s or 1,000,000 of times in human history. People are still trying. There is nothing wrong with that. It just makes belief stronger when we defend our concepts supporting our beliefs. Strong beliefs thrive, weak beliefs perish.  If you believe some concepts of god or gods are harmful or dangerous in your societies vigorously challenge them,  contest them openly, try to purge them or commit deicide upon them.  But know, that in this, the arena of ideas all contestants must be equal participants.

 

This icon or object of worship in philosophy (Diogenes of Sinope) was a truly "disgusting dude" and complete failure as a human being. But he made up for that with his gift of wisdom left behind. Human "prophets" are many times found to be deeply flawed, he, more so than most.

 

 Diogenes of Sinope taught that you should never take the words of Kings, Rulers, Emperors, Priests, Shaman, fortune tellers, auguries, wise men, politicians or prophets at face value.

 

They all have been known to have a greater propensity to tell a lie than the average man. Investigate everything they say before placing your belief in them and their words. Else you are likely to find yourself made a fool of, time and time again.

 

Truer words were never spoken!!

 

 

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kpr37
Professor Silent
link   author  kpr37    7 years ago

Why can't I change the islam tag to paganism?

 
 
 
Perrie Halpern R.A.
Professor Expert
link   Perrie Halpern R.A.  replied to  kpr37   7 years ago

You needed to go back to your blog post and enter a new value.. in this case paganism, which I did for you. 

 
 
 
kpr37
Professor Silent
link   author  kpr37    7 years ago

Eratosthenes, in 240 bc, when he first figured out the circumference of the earth, he did not credit his own inteligence. He thought the answer was within him, and by researching the Logos within, the answer was found.

 
 
 
kpr37
Professor Silent
link   author  kpr37    7 years ago

Further, when you say that if I deny, that the operations of seeing, hearing, attending, wishing, &c., can be ascribed to God , or that they exist in Him in any eminent fashion, you do not know what sort of God mine is; I suspect that you believe there is no greater perfection than such as can be explained by the aforesaid attributes. I am not astonished; for I believe that, if a triangle could speak, it would say, in like manner, that God is eminently triangular, while a circle would say that the divine nature is eminently circular. Thus each would ascribe to God its own attributes, would assume itself to be like God, and look on everything else as ill-shaped.

 

 

 
 
 
Enoch
Masters Quiet
link   Enoch  replied to  kpr37   7 years ago

Dear Friend KPR37: Great wisdom in this point.

The Hindu's have a famous story on the same issue.

A number of blind men are asked to touch and elephant and describe it.

Each touches a different part.

One describes the tusk. Another the trunk. A third a leg. One the tail. Another to mid section.

Each is correct in what they relate. Put together all the descriptions, and while accurate based on what is available to them, no one would be able to know what the totality of the elephant really is.

All we really have in this world is our own experience, and our understanding of how to interpret it.

We should go with what we have.

We should also respect that others have their insights.

Instead of trying to kill off G-d one revelation at a time because it doesn't match ours, we must accept that each has their own.

Better to learn form than slay off things that are not ours.

They may not work for us.

They may be just what others need.

Moreover, G-d may want His will of diversity in disclosure (revelation) to stand.

That is why missionary activity is salvation preventing sin.

It tries to over ride the Divine plan of diversity.

When was that ever a good idea theologically.

Great post and link.

We are indebted.

Peace and Abundant Blessings Always.

Enoch.  

 
 
 
kpr37
Professor Silent
link   author  kpr37  replied to  Enoch   7 years ago

Thank you my friend for the comment.

Instead of trying to kill off G-d one revelation at a time because it doesn't match ours, we must accept that each has their own.

In the definition I used, it says to "kill a god" this would be One of the thousands.(these are only human concepts) G*d, and its supporting concepts are real and can withstand any criticism. G*d surely fears not, the vastly inferior intellect of human beings. It is concepts not of G*d, that need to fear other ideas of men challenging them.

Better to learn form than slay off things that are not ours.

 

All of the stories of gods and goddess in the article are pagan, as am I .... I had it explained to me as reordering priorities in our mind. (Or removing clutter)  The very idea that these things have been killed, is incorrect itself as well. Only the idea that they were some type  G*d. Big "G".. G*d. has been altered.

They are now tourist attractions, art works, or even an icon on the sides of sneakers. See the goddess, Nike. As I type this, I have a winged Greek goddess on my feet. And I still consider myself a monotheist. The goddess Nike is no longer said to be an active force in the universe, she has no influence on the society live in. She is now a corporate symbol of athletic dominance and big bucks endorsements.

In Greek Mythology, Nike was the Goddess of speed, strength and victory. Also known as Winged Goddess, Nike is most often pictured as having wings

As far as I remember, Nike was never attacked by the cynics, she was not offensive to their concepts or seen as a societal hindrance. She was harmless in their eyes. Nike died out because of disinterest, not hostility. Me, I'm good without a temple to the castrator down the street from me.

I don't talk or think like this in real life. This is My search for The "divine" here in this comment  I will only use the Greek argumentative logical philosophy of the cynics. I believed it also was employed by Spinoza in the quote.

 

Further, when you say that if I deny, that the operations of seeing, hearing, attending, wishing , &c., can be ascribed to God , or that t hey exist in Him in any eminent fashion,

While all of what you say, may well be true, there is no proof that G*d experiences anything, as you or I do. 

you do not know what sort of God mine is;

He is claiming to recognize a separate concept of G*d.

I suspect that you believe there is no greater perfection than such as can be explained by the aforesaid attributes. I am not astonished; for I believe that, if a triangle could speak, it would say, in like manner, that God is eminently triangular,

Humans mistake or misattribute qualities of G*d that they find in themselves. You will likely never find the divine there, only fragmentary pieces of it, as our minds are limited. Where as the mind of the "divine", most by its very nature, be infinite. While conscience and reason are shared with the divine mind, we are again limited, as the "divine" mind is limitless. 

  while a circle would say that the divine nature is eminently circular. Thus each would ascribe to God its own attributes, would assume itself to be like God, and look on everything else as ill-shaped.

I believe Spinoza became an atheist because he could not prove the existence of G*d to himself using cynical logic.

The greatest cynical argument for G*d's existence is easy and short. It came from the stoic school

When challenged to defend the concept of G*d, as tangible as opposed to illusionary the philosopher asked for a definition.

Any and all gods, goddess, and even your precious Logos.

Agreed , let me define tangible he asked.

if there is a robbery in the street, and ten out of twenty witnessed it, the proof is established when they testified, is that tangible proof of a robbery taking place. 

they accepted the definition and agreed

He started off with G*d is.............. tangible and not illusionary

G*d is a concept that exists in the minds of humans, nearly all humans.

Democracy or freedom are of the same nature or substance of the divine, they too can not be passed from hand to hand, yet they are tangible concepts that are found to exist in the minds of humans.

 By the rules of the debate, when they agreed to the definition of tangible, as proof of the existence they lost. I was said to be a very short debate.

(ps)

As a pagan, I get few chances to debate G*d. I thank you for this one.

 

 
 
 
Enoch
Masters Quiet
link   Enoch  replied to  kpr37   7 years ago

Dear Friend KPR37: My pleasure.

I look forward to our first joint venture as co-authors of an article.

The more people know about both of our heritages, the less ignorant they will be of each.

Good things happen when ignorance recedes, and knowledge, understanding and tolerance come in at high tide.

Peace and Abundant Blessings.

Enoch.