Panendeism.org

Joined : 01 Dec 2007 Posts : 15

I'm a long time subscriber to the elephant and the blind men view of God and religion, believing that there are many aspects of the truth that can all seem conflicting yet all be right. (Perhaps a good reason to use parables?)

Anyway, my family attends an Ethical Society and interestingly enough, a candle lighting ceremony almost identical to the one done on Easter vigil in the Catholic church was done as part of the "Winter Celebration / Solstice / Xmas surragate."

There was talk of fire images and ceremonies from the past. As I sat there, for some reason, after thinking of Deist ideas, the idea of God as the First Fire occurred to me. The first candle was the source of all the fires that followed, but had no control or perhaps even knowledge of the fires that sprung from it.

I could also imagine that a First Fire with some sort of consciousness would perhaps like the idea of multiplying and spreading.

Again, probably just another little porthole out onto the sea of Truth I got to peek out. I'm sure someone here has reference to a better way of saying the same thing by a wiser one than me.

Thoughts?

Subject: Re: Another blind man and today's elephant Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:02 am

I think there is a reason that fire has, in just about every culture, been seen as a gift from God, or the gods. There is something spiritual about fire, something about the finite nature of a flame mirrors the ephemeral nature of the human experience.
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“It’s time, we gave something back to the natural systems of order that have supported us, some care and tenderness, which is the most operative notion, I think – tenderness. Our isolations are gone, in the West and everywhere. We need to give some time to the arts of cherishing things we adore, before they simply vanish. Maybe it will be like learning a skill: how to live in paradise” ~ William Kittredge

Joined : 19 Sep 2007 Posts : 356 Location: : Arizona

Fire is flame, fire is passion, but especially, fire is the light that illuminates our way and symbolizes Truth.

As the song say, don't let the light go out. I have long been a fan of seeing Hanuka/Christmas as a traditional festival of lights--profoundly simple.
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Subject: Re: Another blind man and today's elephant Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:48 am

Yes, I've heard many comparisons of lights and flames to reason and our souls. I agree with Uriah that the finite nature of fire mirrors our finite existence and the passing of flame is symbolic of us passing down our lives to our children.

Also fire is a necessity of life in many parts of the world therefor fire has also come to be symbolic of life across many cultures.
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"Enjoy every sandwich" ~ Warren Zevon