On 7 Mar 2007 16:30:38 -0800, "Dapper Dandy" <dapperdandy4u@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:
>Hi there,
>
>I was wondering if any adherents to Deism would be kind enough to
>answer the following question for me...
>
>1} Could you please tell me how an individual converts to Deism or for
>lack of a better phrase, how does one become a Deist?. In other words,
>does becoming a Deist involve an official initiation ceremony which is
>akin to a Christian baptism or something along those lines?.
One doesn't "convert" to Deism because it's not a religion like
Christianity, even though it shares a belief in the same Creator.
One "comes to the conclusion" that the evidence to be found in the
universe is sufficient to reasonably sup****t the belief in the
universe's Creator.
I don't think there is any official Deist governing body or church per
se, so no official ceremony.
>2} Could you please tell me if adherents to Deism typically opt for
>burial or cremation when they pass away?.
Honestly, I wasn't expecting that one! I think most historical Deists
conformed to the cultural norms of their place and time. Usually that
has been bodily interment. If you prefer creamation, then by all
means, arrange for that. Deism is not a religion that prohibits this
or that cultural practice. To me, it seems to be an approach to God
and the revelation of his creation.
>3} Do Deists have an official symbol of faith such as the Crucifix
>(Christianity), the Star of David (Judaism), Aum (Hinduism), Khanda
>(Sikhism), or the Pentagram (Wicca)?.
There's none I'm aware of.
>4} Could you please tell me what the Deist view is of Homo***uality?.
I don't think there is one. There are no "commandments" in the usual
sense and no church structure to impose rules. I think an individual
who is intellectually and spiritually ready to embrace Deism is also
capable of comming to his own conclusions about homo***uality.
>5} Could you please tell me what the Deist view is of Abortion and
>Contraception?.
See no. 4.
>6} Could you please tell me what the Deist view is of Masturbation?.
See no. 5.
>7} Could you please tell me if adherents to Deism typically pray to a
>Deity or series of Deities in the same way that adherents to Judaism,
>Christianity, and Islam pray to their God?.
I think in general, the answer is no, yet many famous Deists have
prayed for intervention, and have been prayerfully thankful to
Providence for all the gifts we have been given.
>8} Could you please tell me if Deism has its holy days much like
>Christianity has Christmas and Easter?.
No, not as such. Whatever holidays the civil authority has granted
would be taken by Deists as a matter of the culture they're living in.
Thanksgiving might be the closest Deism would come to a "religious
holiday", as it is through Divine Providence that all our blessings
come and one should be thankful for the gifts one has received.
>If you could please assist me with my questions in the above text, I
>would be most grateful indeed.
>
>Thank you.
>
>Dapper Dandy
See www.deism.com for an introduction into Deism. Also, you might
check out http://www.godvsthebible.com/
as well. I haven't read the
latter, apart from the faq.
Padraic
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