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I've often found that I cannot bring myself to believe many things in the Bible, but neopaganism holds my interest. I also equate "God + Goddess" with the whole of the Universe (or David Lewis' multiverse) instead of believing in a supernatural God.
It works for me, and doesn't require me to believe in any "voodoo."

Correct. And, perhaps the determinates include that humans must have arguments and discussions about free will. ;)

God* AKA the standard model AKA 3+1-manifold AKA math (okay, hush, I know Platonic realism is a form of transcendentalism) has a wacky sense of humor, indeed. "Ha! And they'll be forced to debate free will forever and ever! Man, I love making up weird reality TV show plots to watch."

* immanence may or may not be bliss but it sure beats transcendentalism (or transeunce, depending on context...) either way !!

So that's what Elvon was talking about!

Yeah.. what about magick in the world?
Don't get me wrong, Rowling has some good stories, but, I wish more people would be picking up any of Aleister Crowley's titles or Margot Adler's Drawing Down the Moon.
-os

[If you mean the flawed notion that "evolution can't happen because it means decreasing entropy," I completely understand that evolution is an open system (what we gain when we evolve is matched by the losses around us): the universe is inherently spiritual and meaningful, as a whole. That's what usually comes up in these kinds of discussions, but that's not what I'm referring to. I don't think you're referring to it either, but it doesn't hurt to check.]

I just mean that, if someone says our universe has some innate complexity S(0) = k, then k is the "Creator." This is known as pantheism (it's generally considered an abomination by the Church, because it is seen as "worshipping the creation, not the creator," but I digress). At any rate, entropy is always measured relative to something (like anything in physics); we only have delta-S, never absolute S. Basically, if you want to believe in God, let God = S(0). Worship Nature; plant some trees and fall in love life.

So you're saying you are not a big fan of the 'Your Rites Online' topic area where they discuss Eric Raymond's neopaganism and it's ramifications on the Church of All Worlds?

Oh, it's just that... Humans are just notorious for causing a LOT of radical change very quickly. Native Americans are typically considered to have lived in harmony with the planet. Does that mean they never killed anything?

What, are you kidding? A man's gotta eat, and you can't just walk around letting whomever and whatever take advantage of you and/or get in your way.

Consider this analysis of the Wiccan Rede. You can't get too much accomplished if you never break any rules (like the Prime Directive, or the local ordinances of your town, or social mores), but minimizing any "harm" that is done is always wise. (written in quotes because what is "harmful" is very subject to interpretation!)

The point is, it's never good to set in stone what you should or should not do. Many have tried to write a "complete code of ethics" that covers every situation, but such a thing will never exist, because there are new twists to every situation, and nobody can think of every possibility.

Should we interfere with developing life in the Universe? Well, quite possibly, yes! Wouldn't you be disappointed if the SETI project failed for no other reason than all the other life out there had decided not to fuck with us because, well, maybe we were still "developing?"

But then again, nobody should go aronud stomping blindly where they might be important developments occuring underfoot.

Humans are powerful creatures, in the sense that we have the capability to do an awful lot of change very quickly, if we so desire. With great power comes great responsibility, to quote a recent blockbuster release...

You forgot "Air" on that list. Well, unless someone has already patented it. :)

http://www.paganlibrary.com/rituals_spells/invocat ion_elements.php

North = Earth
East = Air
South = Fire
West = Water