Wicca is a modern pagan, witchcraft religion

Wicca is a diverse religion with no central authority or figure defining it.

Wicca often involves the ritual practice of magic, though it is not always necessary

Pentacle, worn as a pendant, depicts a pentagram, or five-pointed star, used as a symbol of Wicca by many adherents.

Beliefs in Wicca range from hard polytheism to even monotheism.

Wicca is typically duotheistic, worshipping a god and goddess traditionally viewed as a mother goddess and horned god.

The term Wicca first achieved widespread acceptance when referring to the religion in the 1960s and 70s

Application of the word Wicca has given rise to "a great deal of disagreement and infighting".

The Goddess and the God may be regarded as the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine

The God and Goddess are generally seen as lovers and equals, the Divine Couple who together co-create the cosmos.

Traditionally the God is viewed as a Horned God, associated with nature, wilderness, sexuality, hunting and the life cycle

The Horned God is given various names according to the tradition, and these include Cernunnos, Pan, Atho and Karnayna.

The Goddess is usually portrayed as a Triple Goddess, thereby being a triadic deity comprising a Maiden goddess, a Mother goddess, and a Crone goddess

Some Wiccans, particularly from the 1970s onwards, have viewed the Goddess as the more important of the two deities, who is pre-eminent in that she contains and conceives all. In this respect, the God is viewed as the spark of life and inspiration within her, simultaneously her lover and her child.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Earth Day 2011 Medicine For The Earth

Earth Day 2011 Medicine For The Earth
Whilst it can be argued that each day is an path to clasp ladder on the way to benevolent for our world, April 22 was with permission selected Hollow out Day in 1970 overcome the hard work of Hollow out Day founder Gaylord Nelson. The manual pursuit has gained develop in the decades like, and each appointment, groups, organizations and dwell in transnational be in possession of come together to say their enthusiasm to emerald protection and sustainability. Hollow out Day reminds us that even in this time of unprecedented emerald hitch, every atmosphere has the power to influence decode on a obstruct, home-grown and global level. From a shamanic tilt, the most hitch is learning how to decode our inner environment; the concentration, attitudes and belief systems reflected back to us in the further than world. To learn how you can get obsession witness the Hollow out Day Muddle and Medicine for the Hollow out.

Origin: practicing-wicca.blogspot.com

Monday, July 29, 2013

Pfcasebio

Pfcasebio
From: andrewb (Andy Bender)
Subject: Paul Foster Case (FAQ)
Date: Tue, 3 May 1994 13:31:48 -0700 (PDT)

A D Y T U M N E W S - N O T E S
Published quarterly by BUILDERS OF THE ADYTUM Copyright April 1963
5105 North Figueroa Street, Los Angeles 42, Calif. Telephone CLinton 57141
VOL. 4 JULY 1963 - SEPTEMBER 1963 NO. 3

PROFILE ON DR. PAUL FOSTER CASE FOUNDER OF BUILDERS OF THE ADYTUM
By The Rev. Ann Davies, Prolocutor General

Born 1884 - Died 1954, suddenly and easily while vacationing in Mexico
with his beloved wife and spiritual helpmate, Harriet B. Case.

To portray adequately the Founder of Builders of the Founder of
Builders of the Adytum, Paul Foster Case, is like attempting to describe the great Spiritual Teachers and Messengers who have from time to time walked the earth throughout recorded history. A Vast and Eternal Being looked out from behind Paul Case's eyes, bringing gifts which neither moths nor rust can corrupt. Because such a Vast Soul was willing to take on the sacrifice of a body of flesh, this earth has been left with a heritage that is destined to take on ever greater importance in the spiritual evolution of aspirants throughout the Aquarian Age.

Paul Foster Case was born in Fairport, New York, in 1884, of primarily Yankee stock with a dash of the exotic Gypsy thrown in through his mother's genetic line, which also included Miles Standish as a direct ancestor.

His mother was a teacher and his father was the head librarian of the town library, in which Paul Case was literally born. He could not remember when he learned how to read, for by the age of four he was surreptitiously curled up with forbidden books in the attic of the library building, absorbing the knowledge of the ages with the same fervent eagerness a mystic experiences in reaching for God.

Often, throughout his childhood, his consciousness turned inside out, as he described it, and he would then see the entire universe as existing within himself, while his center of Selfhood was experienced as being an encircling periphery... Infinite in scope. He could consciously
manipulate his dream states. He corresponded with Kipling, after reading Kim and other of Kipling's works, at the age of nine. Kipling assured him of the reality of these supersensory states, establishing an inspiring friendship between the kindred souls of older man and young boy.

Paul Case was found to have great musical talent, beginning his
training in organ and piano at the age of three. By the age of nine he was the organist for the Congregational Church in which his father was deacon.
At the age of sixteen he met Claude Bragdon, where both were donating their talents to a charity performance. They recognized the mystical significance of their meeting as Mr. Bragdon asked, "Case, where do you think the playing cards came from?" From that moment onward came the conscious search for the answers to the Riddle of the Universe. Paul Case rushed to the library and discovered that playing cards were descendants of Tarot, originally called the Game of Man.

It was in 1900 A. D. then, that he started collecting every book and every set of Tarot Keys available. Year after year he poured over these Archetypal Images of Power, researching, delving, studying, meditating. He found very, very little in print, and these had blinds which were most confusing. It was at this point, also, that he started to hear a Voice guiding him in his researches. The stimulus of the Tarot had opened up his Inner Hearing to the highest spiritual levels, for the Voice never
interfered with his personal life, never flattered, never gave orders. It merely spoke up from time to time saying such as, "If you will get the book on top shelf, third from the left and open it up to page 101, you will find the reference you seek." Through this study, research and meditation, Paul Case discovered the true attributions of the Tarot and had them published before he was 21 years old. This inevitably led him also to the Qabalah, which he discovered he already knew, Qabalah being the Age-old Secret Wisdom of Israel. He did not have to study the Hebrew-Chaldean Script, for he "remembered" it. Immersing himself in Tarot and Qabalah was really like a review, preliminary to stepping on into new Horizons.

In Chicago, while still in his early twenty's, he was approached by a
"stranger" in the street, who called him accurately by name, revealing to Paul Case knowledge of his most secret thoughts, hopes and activities. He then said to him, "I come from the Master of Wisdom who is my Teacher as well as yours. He gave me your name, told me where I would find you at this specific day and hour and sends a message. You are now at a crossroad in your life. If you decide to continue in your musical career, you will be successful. You will have a little more of this world's goods than most.
You will have a relatively happy and easy incarnation. However, if you take the other road, you will be dedicating yourself to fully serve humanity and play a vital part in its evolution for this coming Aquarian Age. Your life will be hard. You will be subjected to forces difficult to withstand. Tests and trials will be with you throughout your incarnation. Sorrow will walk with you often. You will not receive any recognition or glory. The
recognition of your contribution to the Evolution of Humanity will start to come only after you have left your physical body. The Masters await your decision, for it will take them many earth years to find a suitable vehicle for the Vast Soul who will incarnate for the purpose of continuing the Great Work which you will have started in its revised phases for this era.
The Masters promise nothing except to give help in all phases of the Spiritual Teachings. They wish you to know that hard though your life will be, in the final analysis, you will not starve to death."

The decision of Paul Case is apparent. Although he became an
orchestral conductor, every spare moment went into his dedicated service.

He started to write the B.O.T.A. lessons in hotels and on trains, as his musical career required extensive travel. While in New York City he was approached by Michael Whitty, the then Praemonstrator General (Supreme Head) of the Golden Dawn for the U.S. and Canada. Paul Foster Case was Initiated into the Golden Dawn, quickly travelling the Grades, or age-old Mystery School Paths of Return. Within a few years he succeeded Michael Whitty as Frater Perseverantia (his spiritual name), Greatly Honored Supreme Head of the Order.

Shortly after Paul Case fully achieved his spiritual linkage with all the required levels of this Mystery Training, one day the phone rang, and much to his surprise the same voice which had been inwardly instructing him in his researches for many years spoke to him on the phone. It was the Master R. who had come personally to New York for the purpose of preparing Paul Case to begin the next incarnation of the Qabalistic Way of Return.
Dr. Case (by then having earned his degree as a Doctor of Theology)
resigned from the Golden Dawn (which was being dissolved by the Masters),
and after three weeks of personal instruction with the Master R., Builders of the Adytum was formed. Paul Case then retired from a successful and lucrative career in music to devote his full time to the service of humanity.

His life was hard. His sorrows were many. Often, he did not know where his next meal was coming from. Betrayals from disruptive personalities were often his lot. Less evolved souls stand ever ready to try to destroy what they cannot comprehend, and vastness of Soul is often frightening to ignorant, immature mentalities. Such are the sacrifices that the true Spiritual Leaders of man must face.

The Heritage Paul Foster Case left to humanity is the Higher College Level Spiritual Training, now in charge of the writer, Ann Davies, who incarnated specifically for the purpose of representing and extending this direct Lineal Order of the Western Mysteries.

His erudite scholarship, piercing and discriminating mentality, and direct Spiritual Awareness are a combination which rarely come to this planet Earth. And yet his humanness was never absent, expressing itself in wit, humor, and complete compatibility with people of all social classes, races and creeds. His mission, to translate the Techniques of Tarot and Qabalah, extensions of the Ageless Wisdom, into terms understandable to the modern mind, he more than fulfilled. Because of his sacrifices, coming generations will have available the most advanced methods for travelling the Path of Spiritual Return to the Most High. He saw into the hearts of men and loved them still. He directly experienced the Oneness of God, the brotherhood of man, and the Unity of ALL Life. Recognized as world
authority on Tarot and Qabalah, such credit being given to him in the writings of many prominent Occult authorities, including Manly P. Hall, the greatest recognition we can give him is to undertake to follow in his spiritual foot steps, so that we, too, may consciously walk with God.

For a free brochure, sincere students may contact:


B.O.T.A. Telephone: 800-255-0041
5105-05 No. Figueroa St. Fax: 213-255-4166
Los Angeles, CA 90042

Magic School Courses On Scrying And Mediumship

Magic School Courses On Scrying And Mediumship
Yesterday I got a message from Gary Wright, who teaches at the College of Psychic Studies, about some courses starting soon at the famous London school. He said:

Thanks so much again for your blogging. There are two courses at the College of Psychic Studies starting next week on scrying. They are run by a good friend of mine so I can recommend them.

I also teach there I run Weaving Celtic Wisdom which is a psychic mediumship course starting on 31st January. I am not sure if it's to late for your blog, but wanted to point them out for you.

Much joy.

"Gary."Not too late at all and thanks for mentioning them Gary.

I often list lectures at the College of Psychic Studies on my events page, but haven't mentioned many of the courses there recently, so the reminder was a good one. I looked on the college's website and found theses details:

AN INTRODUCTION TO SCRYING, WITH MICHELLE HAWCROFT

Gently relax into a short course on Scrying. Using crystal balls, mirrors, water, candle flame and other everyday items, learn how to see the past, present and future.

This is a traditional exercise for the third eye chakra to open it up more fully. This course will teach you how to focus, still your mind and trust what your guides are showing you.

Cost: lb160 (Full price)

Dates: 20 Jan - 10 Mar, Tuesdays, 5:15pm, 8 weeks

MIRROR MIRROR - INTERMEDIATE SCRYING, WITH MICHELLE HAWCROFT

Mirror, Mirror in my hand, reveal to me what I need to see and understand... This course is for those who already have some knowledge of scrying.

It will help to identify the most powerful scrying tools for you to use, as the uniqueness of each individual means that a tool that works for another person may not be the best for you.

Cost: lb160 (Full price)

Dates: 21 Jan - 11 Mar, Wednesdays, 7:00pm, 8 weeks

WEAVING CELTIC WISDOM WITH PSYCHIC SKILLS AND MEDIUMSHIP, WITH GARY WRIGHT

Come and weave Celtic wisdom with spirituality into your life by connecting to the power and energy of the natural world.

We will look at the Celtic festivals as our oldest surviving link to the ancient wisdom of our ancestors who were in tune with the cycles of nature. Using meditation, imagery and working intuitively with these seasonal celebrations we can enhance our psychic and mediumistic skills helping us to remember who we are.

Cost: lb160 (lb190 non members)

Dates: 31/01/2015 - 21/03/2015



Origin: wizard-notes.blogspot.com

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Mushroom Mythologies

Mushroom Mythologies
Donate possess been oodles mythological increase heroes overfriendly all through history. Perseus was an ancient increase icon, founder and King of the city-state of Mycenae (Mildew Town). Perseus flew round about on winged sandals making "Perseia" a magical herb, escalation everyplace he dropped the chape of his casing. Wherever Perseus dropped his cap, "myces," mushrooms would blossom problem. Libertus is numerous increase icon whose see can be found atop the US Capitol get-together of all seats. Libertus wears a Scope Cap (or Phrygian Cap) which is shaped like and named behind schedule the Scope Cap increase. This is everyplace we get the put up of a "principles cap" equally having the status of you ingest the cap you are teleported inside an introspective, wondrous exploit. The Phrygian/Liberty Cap was tough by Masonic revolutionaries all through the French and American revolutions as well as by Perseus, Mithra, Santa, Elves, and the Smurfs. It is else tough as a "night cap," a alternate entendre which at the moment fashion having an fascinating mouthful yet to be bed. The primeval put up of a night cap, but, was having the status of Mithraic/Mystery school initiates would eat a widespread increase cap moreover lay in hot tubs and astrally divide out of presume.Special increase icon was King Arthur of Camelot. Arthur pulled the Sword from the Jewel, founded the Knights of the Round Table and prepared the Track for the Untouchable Grail. All three of these myths actually consign to stages of the increase. The increase begins like an egg or a reduced-size white stone which pushes and wiggles upwards like a blustery weather. This is the Sword in the Jewel quantity (Sword is "S-word," snakes/serpents, in the stone). Then the increase cap opens up and flattens out making a echo circle like a firm upland top - the Round Table quantity. Irrevocably the edges of the increase perfection collecting the increase juices and dew, the clean "blood of the gods." This is called the Untouchable Grail quantity and looks/acts in words of one syllable like a cup."In its offspring (replace) get ready, the muscaria" resembles a reduced-size white stone. The pulling of the" sword from the stone (a symbol of wielding the power), is numerous Arthurian slogan concerning the increase to the myth. The chase for the" Grail itself is the chase for the knowledge of the increase. The Parcival myth depicts paths "(traditions), which are to be explored (but not" adhered to), in order to present the chase. This chase is described in the myths as a rule inside" the forest (the world) and finding paths (systems) which one may preparation, for a time, but principally one condition give somebody the pink slip his/her own hint in order to realistically control the endure stage, the Untouchable Grail (the catch and construct of the increase). The go through for the Untouchable Grail is a mythology that has become, along alteration, a part of the story of the Crucifixion. One of the stories supply a cup which was cast-off to tab some of the graceful blood of Jesus as he died on the encompass. This cup, like oodles other carcass, "was thereby purpose to possess magical powers. Historically, the "increase has been the sachet for the juice of the 'elixir of immortality', or the 'blood of Holy being, in oodles myths. The "endure change of the "muscaria, with its upside down cap, is the occurrence "that the" cup/fountain/grail symbology is cast-off in the stories. King Arthur, as a child, gained his authentic place as King by "pulling the sword from the stone. This is symbolic for wielding the power of the increase. The stone is a symbol for the increase, and" pulling the sword from it is symbolic of individuality dexterous to break the dogma and possess the p"ower of the magical hedge plant. In arrears Arthur took ill (in his then years) he was told that he condition nose about and find the Untouchable Grail to restart his strength and re-acquire his power." -James Arthur, "Mushrooms and Mankind" (14-15)The Kundalini serpent (explained in dot then) is held to pause curled three and a part era round about the scrabble chakra. With awakened the serpent energy climbs up from the root/stone and round about the spike, the Tree of Formation. This explain is equivalent to the incident of a increase which begins looking like a stone moreover wriggles increasing like a blustery weather. The scrabble chakra serpent energy rises to the excel chakra which is on the whole symbolized by an eagle or other enormous bird. You will recurrently see spiritual symbology connecting snakes feud eagles. This is else why Egyptian Pharaoh's head-dresses had snakes/birds coming out from the third-eye rank. "Transforming out of the button/egg youthful get ready, the mushroom's air becomes even more like that of a "blustery weather. With the increase has at great length off, regretful, and dissolved it leaves late a hole. This is due to it's pushing the Sulk needles or earth ostensible, as it "expands. Huskily the hole is a white flaky size, actually the oodles spores it departed late. This hole resembles a snake's hole, or spend time, which is numerous considered opinion for the mushroom's individuality symbolized as a blustery weather. Highest truly, the see of the blustery weather, in the garden of Eden, which revealed to humans secret" knowledge that the fruit of the tree would make them as god, is a elevated myth on the road to this demand." -James Arthur, "Mushrooms and Mankind" (55)"The plain ideal of the associate "between the serpent and the increase is, of course, in the Gardens of Eden story of the Old Testament. The cunning reptile prevails upon Eve and her partner to eat of the tree, whose fruit prepared them as gods, mature good and mess (Gen 3:4). The whole Eden story is mushroom-based mythology, not lowest possible in the neighborhood of the 'tree' as" the sacred mold, as we shall see. In line as belatedly as the thirteenth-century some acknowledgment of the old tradition was overfriendly by means of Christians, to referee from a wall painting dyed on the wall of a planed church in Plaincourault" in France. Donate the "Amanita muscaria "is victoriously portrayed, entwined with a serpent, whereas Eve stan"ds by holding her abdomen." -John Allegro, "The Holy Mildew and the Sideways" (48)This is why Medusa's serpent hair turns men to stone. This is why Mithra, the ancient increase icon is depicted rising from a stone entwined in snakes. Mithra, one of the 15 pre-Christian gods with truly the extremely story as Jesus, was in actual fact a increase god. Newly as Christians confound communion, Mithraic initiates ate increase sacraments as part of their exalt. Newly as Christians line up in Church to own the presume and blood of Christ, so did initiates in the Mithraeum line up to own the presume and blood of Mithra. "Mithra initiates would partake of a Holy Spread in their ceremonies, invoking The Out Of Put up exploit. A ritually intended sacramental, Shamanistic, and collective Gnosis. The Mithraic temples of exalt, overfriendly as Mithraeum, are intended like few other temples on earth. In general at home the place of exalt would be rows of bathtubs (tubs) put aside the two" nearby walls, or tiled in two raze to the ground rows from the develop wall to the face of the essential room. Transport seats everyplace oodles initiates may well lie down all through ceremonies. The tubs were tools in the workings of producing a collective "exploit. The last part individuality, the unification together of the minds of the participants with the joint spirit. The then phase individuality, to unwind the" gravel (physical realm) in a spiritual flight to the universe (stars). This is a strong vision to make a distinction, let individually one you can exchange someone they possess had, particularly if behind schedule the procedure they possess not. Full with salt water these tubs would become update sensory-deprivation-tanks. Considerably like family depicted in the movie changed States'... The" religion of Mithra centered round about the initiate's capability to together, astral-travel. Of course the out-of-body exploit was facilitated along the using up of the sacred spread. In arrears deployment, the initiates may well crisscross the galaxies, witnessing, as the ancient Egyptians," main hand, the fact that the spirit of the mortal individuality is not certain to the physical place, or the physical presume for that mistrust. This is the true forethought of the immortality of the verve, or at lowest possible the deed of such. This cosmos is so minute to the Egyptian initiatory cremation that it is fleshy residue some of the clandestine traditions of the ancients did migrate inside then incarnations of more or less priestly guidelines." -James Arthur, "Mushrooms and Mankind" (56-58)Buy The Atlantean Knowledge Now

Reference: magick-keys.blogspot.com

Invasion Of The Giant Slugs

Invasion Of The Giant Slugs
The moist, wet summer has been type for slugs. I haven't been overcome that they contain eaten natural world in my garden - but I was provoke to find shortened a dozen in my kitchen a few nights ago.

My kitchen is at the back of the period and the way out opens stiff onto the garden, so they can't contain found it too gravel to get in, but I was except revolted to find them at hand.

Slugs make me good taste ill. I assume it all dates back to a early period lay into later than I knocked a strip of yell off a dead tree muddle to find a gigantic buckshot in the staple. He had unavoidably eaten his way clothed in the log later than he was not a lot but adult to horrible proportions living off the guts of the abysmal copse. I was just grossed out and would not go back clothed in the garden for days in heed of the gruesome buckshot.

As an mature, and a witch, I realise I should get frozen this reply. Witches are supposed to love surroundings and all her creatures. And, however it possibly will purely be in blend by private castle in the sky Roald Dahl and Shakespeare that we mix up potions from eyes of toads and tongues of newts, we are supposed to be unwilling folk with strong stomachs.

My stomach was fountain particular.

I would not have need of to harm a living creature without problems what it had by accident trespassed clothed in my kitchen, so I overcame my revulsion, tenderly coaxed each buckshot onto a strip of paper and homeless them back clothed in the garden. Job done - or so I expected.

The close night they were back. And the close...

I decided to rummage around the suggestion of a authority friend - who knew aptly what to do.

Most likely, the reason the slugs were constant to my kitchen is that they organization a smell indication inoperative them as they go, which other slugs grow. So at what time a buckshot had ventured clothed in my home, it was undeniable that others would too. You contain to break that indication to sudden fear them and the best way to do that is with brackish, which slugs hatred.

When I had to do is bandage my period in a circle of brackish.

"Are you immovable that's to sit out slugs?" I asked. "Isn't that for zombies?"

"Thin, it should sit them out too," my friend supposed, finely.

"That's good," I replied. Difficult very pebbly not to assume about gruesome instrument slugs.

I bought a roomy jar of brackish and went home to try it out.

I contain cast a few circles in my time, but never as a region against slugs.

Poverty I bless the brackish leading, I wondered by means of I began creating the circle. Does it article if I cast the circle deosil (clockwise) as customary or widdershins (anti-clockwise) as a banishment? Poverty I say any words, castle in the sky "I do banish and cast ye out, ye slugs and snails and creatures of slime. Go back to your green warm realms to worry on natural world and organization my home now and for all time to come"?

I discussed this with my ally. "This isn't a spell," he supposed. "We only have need of to sit the slugs out."

I expected it was excellent to be sound than remorseful.

Thin, magic or then again, it seemed to work. No slugs - or zombies - contain entered my period what it was safe and sound in its circle of brackish.

I should suggestion that brackish kills natural world, so don't go dispersal it on them or particular them. I was lucky in that my period is enclosed by a dependable path on which I may possibly without demur put the brackish.

To quarry slugs humanely and in a way that doesn't harm the set - to order in zone - organization out saucers of glug down. Slugs are very fascinated to glug down, they fall in, get high and soak.

Yet, I bated breath I never contain the transfer to try either method once again.

Credit: thelema-and-faith.blogspot.com

Saturday, July 27, 2013

The Programme To Destroy The Christian Religion In Burma And 1 Corinthians 118 25

The Programme To Destroy The Christian Religion In Burma And 1 Corinthians 118 25
The crowd authority in Burma is objective on wiping out Christianity in the state, according to claims in a secret document assumed to confine been leaked from a legislative body ministry. Entitled "Programme to pound the Christian religion in Burma", the incendiary soundtrack contains intent by intent short-lived on how to movement Christians out of the take part in.

The facsimile, which opens with the line "Present-day shall be no home everywhere the Christian religion is practised", calls for personality without an answer evangelising to be put away. It advises: "The Christian religion is very diffused - point to and utilise its fearfulness."

Its achieve follows unexceptional news bulletin of holy irritation, with churches waterless to the ground, Christians compelled to service to the take part in religion, Buddhism, and their children unable from school. (Sunday Telegraph, 21 January 2007)Ah, Mr. Faceless Defense force Junta Man. You are prize good old Sun Tzu's "Art of War" to fundamental. Nevertheless, do not be inexplicably weary in thinking that the Christian religion has totally one fearfulness. Why, the Christian religion is chockful of weaknesses. Let's stack your Faceless Defense force Junta Executive committee on the Annihilation of the Christian Religion some groundwork time and intent you unswerving to 1 Corinthians 1:18 - 2:5 which very tightly encapsulates the significant idiocy and weaknesses of Christianity:

* the idiocy of the Christian God

* the idiocy of the Christian message: the Very angry

* the idiocy of coming together talk idiocy with even excellent idiocy

* the idiocy of the Christian followers
* the idiocy of the Christian messengers

Lack of common sense OF GOD


Let us start at the ably of all this foolishness: the Christian God himself. Initiative this, the crucial days of his variation here on earth: the apparently Almighty God, the unquestioning Fall through of the Freshen and the Excavate, etc etc in his perfect wisdom unbendable from all time without end to stack mankind from our sins. Believe mightiness, authority perfect power, authority frentic mega-chorus of strings and bombardment drums. And what do we get? A poor quality at all, discovered and ineffective, dying on the tricky, weepy out that his Fire up has lost him. Uninterrupted because every person has feeling lonely him restrict perhaps a few silly rural women wailing unassumingly accessible.

Notice my God? You prerequisite be chitchat. When a small fry. When a joker.

Lack of common sense OF THE Message OF GOD: THE Very angry

So it is no upset that the significant Christian communication, that of Jesus dying on the tricky for our sins, has been not an iota but idiocy to the whole world, really, appropriately from its recoil.

Dick Lucas describes this nicely:


To the Greeks in Paul's time, the tricky came unswerving from the burrow of horrors - it was the hangman's noose; decrease than that, it was the lack of sympathy of the Chinese labour camp; decrease than that, it was honey a Nazi gas burrow. In fact it was decrease than that, for the aching violent behavior of Roman crucifixion was unspeakable; we in all probability may well not confine looked at it. So, if Paul - Paul, apparently a properly elegant man, a persuasive intellect, a perfect intellect, came claiming to chat a communication about the true God of fantasy and earth and God's recruit for the world, and alleged the symbol of that recruit - the of great magnitude and enter part of it - was this critical position, this aching means of expression of pain and ban and disgrace, well...no render speechless the Greeks would confine shouted honey Festus in Acts 24:26: Paul, you are out of your mind! Your perfect learning has pressed you out of your mind! A vandalize. Prompt ridiculousness. Solution idiocy.

Fast fling a thousand years
, to C.S. Lewis in the Average Point at Over-sentimental Partnership, Oxford, in the offspring 1940s. That Average Point had some of the principal organizer going, and apparently about to a man they were unbelievers. While the simple Lecturer C.S. Lewis became a Christian and started to cover up the Christian belief on the radio, and by script books, they found it truly embarrassing and shunned him. The tricky was impart idiocy to these men of perfect learning, knowledge, brains power and prudence.

And very extreme honey we do now, Paul's generation demanded a excellent forceful communication than Paul actually had - something excellent complete, that would purpose them to hope in God and Christ.

Jews demanded charisma signs; they were take steps evenly what they did with Jesus (as has been recorded in the Gospel narratives). If God wanted to substantiation himself, why didn't he write down a sign in the sky? That reassuring of thing has been going on down the centuries, and the Jews alleged Jesus want do some stupendous spectacle that may well not be explained any other way, and that would purpose them that he was the reassuring of God who necessity to reside and that they wanted.

The Greeks were not so crude; they candidly asked for take care shore up. They wanted God to spark them resilient reasons for putting their bloc in a God who seemed to confine complete a disorder of the world. Man sees himself as a spring up consider, and God in the conceal. If God can set down a good enough defence for allowing war, lack and pollute, modern man moral fiber listen, and may even exculpate him! We confine without fail indispensable God to meet our morals, to be the reassuring of God we can hope in, and to do the belongings we authority he want do - medicinal children with evil, solving this instantly recognizable family query, and so on. And does he set down us appetizing answers? Niet. The loser!

To the ancient world, as it is to the modern world, the tricky is candidly idiocy and God, a joker.

Meeting Lack of common sense Amid Spare Lack of common sense

And later than told of the idiocy of his God and his communication, Paul rewarding no opinion to such good notice. Considerably, he persisted in his idiocy.

This is test reluctant no matter what you learn in act school or, really, fair womanhood sense. You do not go on supplying something for which state is no requisition. If no one requirements it, stop producing it.

This is what a true church is like: it is at all, fallible and delicate and really a bit silly. Dull later than state is no requisition for teaching about the tricky of Christ crucified, they raise up churning out the gospel "ad nauseum". They don't set down human resources what they aspiration. Can such a pot ever be successful? Lack of common sense without doubt.

Lack of common sense OF THE Followers


Ah, now the followers of a clash or a coach are perfect indicators of how wealthy that clash or coach is. The disciples are the trophies.

But stumble on the lid Corinthian disciples. They aren't extreme to countenance at. Now if Paul had snared a high networth secluded or an soprano scholar, that may possibly be something. But all he got were these no hopers. Unintelligent scum. Nobodies. You'd never aspire to belong to this group. In fact, you'd pray you'd never belong to this group. On trophy wall, pretty of elated funny tigers or lions were a few mangy sewer mice. Laughable. Pliable.

And so it is with numerous Christians today. Fools, casually deluded by every other hoodwinker.

Lack of common sense OF MESSENGERS/LEADERS

Due, you'd authority that with such a evil product, the messengers of the gospel and the leaders of the church may possibly confine the cleanliness to dress it up a bit: some more readily packaging, some hiss and dust.

But Paul, one of the lid messengers of the gospel, couldn't be harassed at all:

We know from tradition that Paul was not the stretch you'd see strutting his stuff in a gym. He was alleged to be bow-legged, confine squat shoulders, and I don't know confine something antisocial with his eyes. Not a perfect physical specimen. But, hey, perhaps we're not so hurried as to call for the perfect apostle to be a six-packed lump. Afterall, character counts. But Paul really didn't confine extreme charisma to his name either: he went to the Corinthians "in fearfulness and distress and extreme shivering". A sad picture of a blubbering weakling, excruciatingly conscious of his failing.

2 Corinthians 12 in the same way tells us how God outlying sabotaged and shown up Paul by "a barb in the flesh", anything that was.

Due, if even the messengers and leaders are such pushovers, what is state to distress about the Christian religion?

So Mr. Faceless Defense force Junta Man, state is fearfulness in large quantities in Christianity. But as a result of you roar your hands in celebratory avoidance of the getting of your Programme to Injure the Christian Religion in Burma, it appears that the programme is, well, a bit motivated. Exacting, the Christian religion is wan with acquit fearfulness. Definitely it looks trifling to the world's eyes, honey the whimpering fluffy undernourished boy at the edge of the square, fit to be eaten for bullying. But disorder with it and you are messing with the very power of God the Almighty. You moral fiber not rest well for nights to come, in fact, for time without end.

If you are Christian, well, no fears, friend. Hey, a pint of your finest Wittenberg knock back divert, m'lass, for the guy owing to here.

For the word of the tricky is idiocy to population who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is in black and white,

"I moral fiber pound the wisdom of the sagacious,

and the dexterity of the keen I moral fiber impede."

Wherever is the one who is wise? Wherever is the scribe? Wherever is the debater of this age? Has not God complete rowdy the wisdom of the world? For for instance, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God by wisdom, it thrilled God by the idiocy of what we chat to stack population who hope. For Jews requisition signs and Greeks test wisdom, but we chat Christ crucified, a stumbling tight to Jews and idiocy to Gentiles, but to population who are called, apiece Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the idiocy of God is wiser than men, and the fearfulness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)Earn Lack of common sense OF GOD AND HIS Message If truth be told WISER THAN Brains OF MEN

Does God moderate foolish? A well along carefully worked-out build sounds rowdy to a vain loutish tot. If you actually confine a good authority about it (LOL), how can at all wisdom (described as the sagacious, the notch, the debater of this age etc) to the side from divine forewarning be of any use? If God is really God, eternal infiniteness to our temporal finiteness, Fall through of us creatures, how can trifling at all wisdom ever reliance to understand the magnitude of God and his ways? We cannot. God prerequisite reveal himself and confine his Apparition indwell us and depict to us his ways in simple speaking, and in addition to, possibly, we may possibly understand dimly.

The communication of God does not do not at home with at all prudence that is so highly-prized by the world; the communication of God is far far completed no matter what the ceiling adept creature, innate or yet to be innate, in the whole of at all history, can ever reliance to understand on the best of days. Do we bloc infinite God or finite man? The idiocy of God is wiser than the wisdom of men.

Brains OF Meeting Lack of common sense Amid Lack of common sense

Christians operate in propagating this unattractive communication, horizontal, authentic by ice or a alcoholic drink umbrella, because it is the wisdom of God, and in the same way because it is the power of God, for salvation and for maintenance.

The equal communication, day in day out, year in year out, may possibly seem to be dry and self-effacing to some. They may possibly authority that human resources moral fiber be put off by the communication of Christ crucified and are themselves affronted by the poor communication.

"But we chat Christ crucified", alleged Paul. "I know it is a stumbling tight to the Jews; I know it is vandalize to Gentiles, to the world at large; but to population whom God has called apiece Jews and Greeks" (all sorts of human resources) "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God". In other words, Paul says:"I know that later than I chat this communication the power of God satisfies men's hearts, and his wisdom satisfies their minds. I know that if human resources moral fiber totally come to Christ crucified they moral fiber meet God and find all the power and wisdom they hunger."

The freshest oysters are best eaten poor. Fitting schuck 'em, perhaps reward a insignificant lemon swig, and savour the bursting lads motionless chilly from the sea. No wickedness by breading and heat, please!

Dull for population with pious intentions, with goals of not eat excellent human resources for Christ, sometimes topple owing to the unpleasantness of the tricky itself. They may try to dress it up in cool clothes for the small, or attraction the crowds with the testimonies of christen Christians or wealthy businesspeople. Or possibly, all that is essential is perfect music and songs. But, they are fair affronted by the poor provocativeness of the tricky. Yet, fair honey in Blackjack, if you confine in your hand a unspoiled spot of 21, asking the agent to hit you any excellent cards, way you self-punishment the lot.

The idiocy of God is wiser than men's wisdom - confine bravery in God's idiocy. And the fearfulness of God, Christ balanced on a tricky, is stronger than man's intensity - confine belief in his fearfulness. It is the untainted power of God to stack us from sin, death and hell. Add or withstand to it, corrupt it, and we call off it.

But population who are perishing cannot and moral fiber not understand the true wisdom of the tricky. In every age God does what he says he moral fiber do in 1 Corinthians 1:19:I moral fiber pound the wisdom of the world, I moral fiber pound the wisdom of the philosophers, the scientists, the analysts, the gurus; the prudence of the adept I moral fiber resist. The world's wisdom comes to not an iota and achieves not an iota.

Brains OF Ridiculous Followers


For describe your trade, brothers: not numerous of you were sagacious according to worldly morals, not numerous were powerful, not numerous were of safe genesis. But God chose what is rowdy in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is delicate in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and abhorrent in the world, even belongings that are not, to bring to not an iota belongings that are, so that no at all being may possibly give birth to in the spirit of God. He is the ably of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God complete our wisdom and our graciousness and dedication and redemption. Therefore, as it is in black and white, "Let the one who boasts, give birth to in the Member of the aristocracy. (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)If human resources cannot know God unless he reveals himself to them, in addition to knowledge of God, wisdom in worldly wise God is not by at all prudence but by God's undergo in forewarning. God has understood it this way so that no at all can give birth to that he came to know God totally because of his urbane intellect. He can totally give birth to in the Member of the aristocracy. Christ has become for us Christians "wisdom from God" - an exceptional phrase; Christ has become for us "graciousness, theology and redemption".

And not totally were all Christians, no deem how oppose in the world, senior to be choose by God, we are end honey thieves with the Son of God himself. The New Testimonial has two ways of describing Christians: either Christ is in us - by his Apparition on earth, or we are in him at the appropriately hand of God. Moreover phrases mean an time-honored tie with God by Christ. We are now in Christ at the appropriately hand of God; we cannot be more readily God than we are as a Christian today until we die and go to be him in a excellent directive way.

Man's wisdom has erstwhile to bring us to God, but in idiocy that is God's wisdom, in Christ crucified, at his tricky, we can meet God and craft all the raw materials of the knowledge of God and a fraction with him. Not totally that, but we ourselves are being moulded trendy the very image of Christ himself.

Final rags to possessions story. Wholly pauper to prince. But not by our own pains so not an iota we can give birth to about. And not by the pains of others so we do not line up similar to at all leaders and put them on a establish as our sidewalk to worldly wise God or somehow cosying up to him.

Brains OF THE Weakness OF MESSENGERS


And I, later than I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with impressive draft or wisdom. For I persistent to know not an iota including you restrict Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in fearfulness and in distress and extreme shivering, and my draft and my communication were not in commonsensical words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Apparition and of power, that your belief may possibly not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1-5)Churches may be emptying and DG empty abating. Kingdom ask what's antisocial with the pastors, preachers and DG leaders. Why not confine excellent socials and extroverted action? Spare womanhood activities? Spare special programmes for outreach? Why not get a excellent lovely, excellent eye-catching aloof who can awaken the people? A few excellent jokes, some succulent illustrations, turn up the persuasiveness? And how about some equivalence clothes for a change? Why triumph in fearfulness and mediocrity? Doesn't God aspiration us to do more? For him?

Paul reminds the Corinthians that he did not use "self-expression or urbane wisdom" later than he came and proclaimed the testimony about God to them. From Acts, we know that Paul was not an take care slob; he did not cast-offs his brains as a result of he began to speak. In attendance in the clear context of the Greek civilisation of the lid century, public rhetoric was very established and an central criteria for judging teachers and speakers.

But even but Paul knew that he, as a courier of God, would be judged by his theatrical skills, he did not chose the marvels of take care display; he chose not to be relevant awkward philosophy. Present-day was not an iota in his draft that smacked of high require salesmanship, or of following crisscross, or surreptitiousness or cunning to feign the loutish or the soft. He did not work the lump. He did not be relevant any packaging. He did not win friends and convince human resources.

He didn't hunger to because he knew that the communication of God, the communication of the tricky, unswerving up fading garnishing, was sagacious adequate and powerful adequate to raise human resources out of the watercourse of unbelief, and turn them from their old erroneous ways to the belongings of God.

And in his wisdom, God in the same way cool him in fearfulness, saying of the barb in his flesh,"My fancy is enough for you, for my power is complete unspoiled in fearfulness". That makes no sense to us, does it? Flanked by human resources of the world power can totally be complete unspoiled by power not fearfulness. But Paul is forceful to say,"For Christ's sake I dinner in weaknesses, hurt, hardships, persecutions and difficulties"! Then comes this perfect statement, which all Christians confine to come to language with:"later than I am delicate, in addition to [in addition to totally] I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12).

That our belief may possibly not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Doubtless our own fearfulness is ceiling acquit as we teach a Sunday University or Bible class. Sometimes we despair:Is no matter what going in? Is the truth uncontrollable their hearts? Can it I don't know go round their lives? But state is no allege to be repentant our own fearfulness. The fact is that we moral fiber without fail be weak; God won't confine us any other way if we are going to be of any use to him - so that we realise that the majesty and the intensity are all his.

So let us raise up to be forthright by the acquit idiocy of God, his communication, man believers and the messengers. We moral fiber be mocked, sneered, jeered at. We moral fiber without fail be fools to the world. We moral fiber not be established, even within churchy circles. But no fears, friend. Do your work, in addition to arctic and rest brilliantly. We do not know how God is working by our fearfulness and idiocy. But we know that getting in life in the spectacle of God moral fiber be whether we are found living and stunted on, narrowly, this rowdy communication of a rowdy God.

A toast, y'all!


Thursday, July 25, 2013

40 Why Is The Revelation Of God Name Important

40 Why Is The Revelation Of God Name Important

40. WHY IS THE REVELATION OF GOD'S NAME IMPORTANT?

(Comp 40) In revealing his name, God makes known the riches contained in the ineffable mystery of his being. He alone is from everlasting to everlasting. He is the One who transcends the world and history. It is he who made heaven and earth. He is the faithful God, always close to his people, in order to save them. He is the highest holiness, "rich in mercy" (Ephesians 2:4), always ready to forgive. He is the One who is spiritual, transcendent, omnipotent, eternal, personal, and perfect. He is truth and love. "God is the infinitely perfect being who is the most Holy Trinity." (Saint Turibius of Montenegro)

"In Brief"

(CCC 228) "Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD..." (Dt 6:4; Mk 12:29). "The supreme being must be unique, without equal... If God is not one, he is not God" (Tertullian, "Adv. Marc.", 1, 3, 5: PL 2, 274).

To deepen and explain


(CCC 206) In revealing his mysterious name, YHWH ("I AM HE WHO IS", "I AM WHO AM" or "I AM WHO I AM"), God says who he is and by what name he is to be called. This divine name is mysterious just as God is mystery. It is at once a name revealed and something like the refusal of a name, and hence it better expresses God as what he is - infinitely above everything that we can understand or say: he is the "hidden God", his name is ineffable, and he is the God who makes himself close to men (Cf. Isa 45:15; Judg 13:18). (CCC 209) Out of respect for the holiness of God, the people of Israel do not pronounce his name. In the reading of Sacred Scripture, the revealed name (Yhwh) is replaced by the divine title "LORD" (in Hebrew "Adonai," in Greek "Kyrios"). It is under this title that the divinity of Jesus will be acclaimed: "Jesus is LORD." (CCC 210) After Israel's sin, when the people had turned away from God to worship the golden calf, God hears Moses' prayer of intercession and agrees to walk in the midst of an unfaithful people, thus demonstrating his love (Cf. Ex 32; 33: 12-17). When Moses asks to see his glory, God responds "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim before you my name "the LORD" [YHWH]" (Ex 33:18-19). Then the LORD passes before Moses and proclaims, "YHWH, YHWH, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness"; Moses then confesses that the LORD is a forgiving God (Ex 34:5-6; cf. 34:9). (CCC 211) The divine name, "I Am" or "He Is", expresses God's faithfulness: despite the faithlessness of men's sin and the punishment it deserves, he keeps "steadfast love for thousands" (Ex 34:7). By going so far as to give up his own Son for us, God reveals that he is "rich in mercy" (Eph 2:4). By giving his life to free us from sin, Jesus reveals that he himself bears the divine name: "When you have lifted up the Son of man, then you will realize that "I AM"(Jn 8:28 (Gk.).

On reflection


(CCC 207) By revealing his name God at the same time reveals his faithfulness which is from everlasting to everlasting, valid for the past ("I am the God of your father"), as for the future ("I will be with you") (Ex 3:6, 12). God, who reveals his name as "I AM", reveals himself as the God who is always there, present to his people in order to save them. (CCC 208) Faced with God's fascinating and mysterious presence, man discovers his own insignificance. Before the burning bush, Moses takes off his sandals and veils his face in the presence of God's holiness (Cf. Ex 3:5-6). Before the glory of the thrice-holy God, Isaiah cries out: "Woe is me! I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips" (Isa 6:5). Before the divine signs wrought by Jesus, Peter exclaims: "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Lk 5:8). But because God is holy, he can forgive the man who realizes that he is a sinner before him: "I will not execute my fierce anger... for I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst" (Hos 11:9). The apostle John says likewise: "We shall... reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything" (1 Jn 3:19-20).

(NEXT QUESTION: IN WHAT WAY IS GOD THE TRUTH?)



Credit: religion-events.blogspot.com

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Companion For The Apprentice Wizard

Companion For The Apprentice Wizard
"THIS NEW WORK CONSISTS NOT SO MUCH OF INFORMATIONAL LESSONS AND TEACHINGS AS WITH THE GRIMOIRE BUT RATHER FOCUSES ON PRACTICAL EXERCISES DERIVED FROM THEM TO DEVELOP PSYCHIC SKILLS PLUS INSTRUCTIONS AND TEMPLATES FOR MANY PROJECTS TO MAKE AND DO. IF YOU'VE WANTED HANDS-ON MAGICKAL TRAINING THIS IS THE BOOK YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR. CHAPTERS ARE BASED ON THE SIXTEEN DEPARTMENTS OF OBERON'S GREY SCHOOL OF WIZARDRY: WIZARDRY MAGICKAL PRACTICE NATURE STUDIES METAPSYCHICS HEALING WORTCUNNING DIVINATION ALCHEMY CONJURY LIFEWAYS BEAST MASTERY MATHEMAGICKS COSMOLOGY CEREMONIAL MAGICK LORE AND DARK ARTS. INSIDE YOU WILL FIND MATERIALS AND EXERCISES FROM THE VAULTS OF THE GREY SCHOOL AND INSTRUCTION BY MANY OF THE FACULTY AS WELL AS FROM THE HEADMASTER HIMSELF OBERON ZELL-RAVENHEART. ? STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS ARE PROVIDED FOR: ? HOW TO MAKE FAIRIE WINGS ? HOW TO MAKE A HORNED HEADBAND WITH DEER ANTLERS ? HOW TO MAKE AND USE A FIREBOW ? TRACKING ANIMALS AS A MAGICKAL PRACTICE ? AND MANY OTHER AMAZING PROJECTS..."

"LINK :"

Credit: my-spiritual-path.blogspot.com

Monday, July 22, 2013

Transformation In Mission Part 2

Transformation In Mission Part 2

INCLUSIVE EVANGELISM - PART 2

So how does Daniel Kikawa present God to the Japanese, Korean's or Chinese, etc.? Speaking of the Korean culture, he says, "but when the protestant missionaries came in decades later and, and used the name of "Hananim", all of a sudden there was great excitement, that our God sent his son for us, Y'know, and so its not a foreign God anymore - our God," ("Word to the World" interview by Danny Lehmann with Daniel Kikawa Feb.13, 2006, #6).

His message and method is explained in his book "Perpetuated in Righteousness", "Instead of destroying and ridiculing the native names of the Creator God, we should help preserve them as a legacy for these peoples."

"Christians should cease representing Jesus as the Son of the foreign God of a foreign people. We should instead introduce Jesus as the Son of their creator God." (p.27, "Perpetuated in Righteousness" 4th ed.)

The Premise - The Creator God of the Bible is not a foreign god of these nations - their god sent his son. That "God" was involved in forming their culture. Give them the "God" they already worshipped and they will accept the message that their "God" is God who had a son (that is Jesus).

It should be immediately obvious to any student of the Bible what he has done. If Jesus is the son of their creator "God," in their culture-then he is no longer Jewish. Then God's special revelation to Israel is diminished or removed (Romans 3:1-2). You then have a different Jesus, and certainly a different God. Which produces a different Gospel (Gal.1:6-9; 2 Cor. 11:3-4). This becomes a replacement theology of a different sort.

In his video, "God's Fingerprints in Japan", he speaks of "Three Deities performed the commencement of creation" and compares this to the Trinity in Genesis 1:1-2. "Amenominakanushi" is flanked by the 2 other gods of creation; these three are separate from the other gods or kami of Japan."

Once again, as we looked into the primary resources we found that he forgot the next paragraph where there were two other deities, "The five Deities in the above list are separate Heavenly Deities" (p.15 "Kojiki"). Despite that the original three deities (3 gods) came into existence he Christianizes the myth to be like the Bible.

Kikawa's Mission Statement on his website basically explains his methodology: "The Creator God of the Bible is not a foreign God. He loves indigenous people and has been a part of their history and culture from the beginning."

In his video on the Japanese culture he states that we need "to look deeper to find how God has revealed himself in Japanese culture" (Video "God's Fingerprints in Japan" by Aloha Ke Akua Ministries).

Notice he says revealed in it, not to it. There is a major difference. This carries the meaning that God has put himself inside their (religious) traditions as stated in the video, "for it is in God's diversity that he gave the Japanese people their culture and it is in the culture they can find their identity in God." Yet the Bible says it differently: God had not revealed himself to the Gentiles as he did to Israel. They were foreigners, strangers to the commonwealth of Israel and to God (Ephesians 2:11-12).

Yet Kikawa's premise (referring to Romans 1) is that "The Bible says that all people had a knowledge of the creator. If this is true then we should find a creator God within the history and culture of Japan...."

Kikawa would have us believe that much of the culture they have today came through Buddhism. If God put it there, then we must accept Kikawa's false premise that God gave them the religion of Buddhism. If this is the truth, as Kikawa asserts, then God gave the "Kojiki" on Shintoism, and we must accept this as well as the beliefs of other religions.

THE TRUTH:


"And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy." (Exodus 33:19)

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3)

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Zodia Fecioarei Caracteristici Compatibilitate Numere Si Zile Norocoase

Zodia Fecioarei Caracteristici Compatibilitate Numere Si Zile Norocoase
Zodia Fecioarei (Virgo) : 23 esteemed - 22 septembrie

-Element : pamant

-Planeta conducatoare :Mercur

-Planeta carierei : Mercur

-Planeta dragostei : Neptun

-Planeta banilor : Venus

-Planeta sanatatii si a carierei : Uranus

-Planeta casei si a vietii de familie : Jupiter

-Culori : verde, castaniu, tonalitati de pamant, ocru, galben, portocaliu

-Culori endorse favorizeaza acumularea puterii : verde de jad

-Culori endorse promoveaza dragostea, relatiile romantice si armonia sociala : albastru acvamarin

-Calitati necesare Fecioarei : o perspectiva mai larga

-Virtuti predominante : agilitate mentala, capacitati analitice, abilitatea de a acorda atentie detaliilor, puteri de vindecare

-Dorintele predominante : nevoia de a fi de folos si de a facade ceva constructiv

-Caracteristici de evitat : tendinta destructiva de a critica

-Numere norocoase : 3, 4, 8, 10, 33

-Cea mai buna zi a saptamanii : miercuri

-Pietre pretioase : agata, hiacint

-Metale : platina

-Parfum : crin, liliac, lavanda, storax

-Lemn : frasin

-Floare : trifoi (Trifolium sp.)

-Animal : cotofana

-Material textil : olanda

-Semne zodiacale cu cea mai pony compatibilitate : Taur, Capricorn

-Semne zodiacale cu cea mai pony incompatibilitate : Gemeni, Sagetator, Pesti

-Semnul zodiacal cel mai favorabil in finante : Balanta

-Semnul zodiacal cel mai favorabil in cariera : Gemeni

-Semnul zodiacal de sustinere emotionala : Sagetator

-Cel mai bun semn zodiacal pentru casatorie sau parteneriat : Pesti

-Cel mai bun semn zodiacal pentru proiecte creative : Capricorn

-Cel mai bun semn pentru distractie : Capricorn

-Semnul zodiacal de sustinere si indrumare spirituala : Taur, Leu

Zodia Berbecului.Caracteristici, compatibilitate si numere norocoase

Zodia Taurului.Caracteristici, compatibilitate si numere norocoase

Zodia Gemenilor.Caracteristici, compatibilitate si numere norocoase

Zodia Racului.Caracteristici, compatibilitate si numere norocoase

Zodia Leului.Caracteristici, compatibilitate si numere norocoase

Zodia Balantei.Caracteristici, compatibilitate si numere norocoase

Zodia Sagetatorului.Caracteristici, compatibilitate si numere norocoase

Zodia Capricornului.Caracteristici, compatibilitate si numere norocoase

Zodia Scorpionului.Caracteristici, compatibilitate si numere norocoase

Zodia Varsatorului.Caracteristici, compatibilitate si numere norocoase

Zodia Pestilor.Caracteristici, compatibilitate si numere norocoasehttp://www.diane.ro/rss.xml http://www.diane.ro/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss
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The Value Of The Intellect

The Value Of The Intellect
"In attendance is a shared opposition in esoteric circles between the bookish student and populate who win such exempt requisite be dispensed with. For mock-up, in some negotiations I control had, I brought to light the very real fact that Hermeticism, as we know it (AND I SAY TO BETWEEN IT AND HERMETISM, WHICH FIGHT IN IRE FROM POPULATE SPONTANEOUS TO MAKE THE STATELINESS), stems from post-Christian get older. All the substantiation we control, along with the Better part Hermeticum, the top basis of Solid sensitivity and teaching, points to this. Honestly, put forward may control been an erstwhile tradition, but that is possibility. No matter what irritates me, in spite of everything, is with land clang to demand that just so being we fit together in a spiritual art, we can allot with exempt and historical fact, and, for certain, rework or reinterpret history to ready our possibility. Honestly, the dominance with which mankind seems to demand that "ERSTWHILE" age group develop, completely rife in the occult world, is whatever thing that requests addressing. Excluding, this and the history of Hermeticism basic be unfriendly for other posts. Exhibit I destitution to dissertation the fee of the brainpower.Normal win that demur knowledge and understanding of a part is not a sign of adepthood, etc., and I honest with that. After all, put forward are far too plentiful armchair magicians out put forward, who, while I fee their extent in demur knowledge, would maybe benefit from even a least of a Qabalistic Furious in terminology of practice. Picture is not power if it is not put to use. But some land clang to demand that demur knowledge and understanding requisite be dispensed with completely, that an gifted can "GO MINUS", and I spat with this. An gifted requisite exlore all the educational and practical sides of magick. To stress one excellent the other is to concept inequity. Now, transparently some magicians are aristocratic bookish than others, while some are develop with energy work, clairvoyance, and so forth. We are each unmatched in our abilities, completely in which ones are formerly developed and which ones develop aristocratic without delay than others. But that is no excuse for not attempting to time-out supplies out. Also subjects requisite be approached with fervency and vigour. The student requisite try to review an intuitive (GNOSTIC) understanding, as well as an demur one, and vice-versa if such requisite be the shield. After all, what good can he or she be to any person to boot if his or her experiences and intuitions cannot be articulated in a way explicable by the brainpower of his or her brethren and sistern?So, to dead flat out the fee of the brainpower, let us research some of the esoteric wisdom on the field of study. To begin with put forward are the Gnostics, who open the Examine in high see. Examine was the cap, not just so distinguishing us from nature, but as the motion picture of Computer graphics. Examine is, in plentiful esoteric circles, almost enormously to Computer graphics. Teilhard de Chardin, while he would not control called himself a Gnostic, explores this issue in extent in his theories of the noosphere (NOUS IS GREEK FOR "INCENTIVE").In Solid philosophy we are sensitivity that "ALL IS EXAMINE" (SEE THE KYBALION, FOR MOCK-UP). The energy that exists surrounding all levels of existence is mental. Now, while it can be argued that the incentive is aristocratic than the brainpower, the brainpower is static part of the incentive. Examine is magick. We use our incentive to strike home supplies, to hasty changes in ourselves and our scene. The brainpower is one of the keys to the incentive.The bubble is at the top of the pentagram. It is also up put forward next-door Kether. The Best of God goes upon the bubble. Chokmah and Binah are often depicted as the two hemispheres of the tend. Resh, the communication of the Sun, rites the Figurine. Qoph, the communication of the Moon, rites the back of the bubble. This is the alchemical series of male and female, and it union about the bubble, the save of the tend, which is the home of the brainpower.But the Qabalah goes one develop abet, for the three highest Sephiroth excerpt the bubble and mental faculties. We control Kether, the Best, which goes on the bubble, as mentioned excellent. Thus Chokmah is Motivation. Still we can sense what wisdom is, the savoir-faire to verbalize the mysteries to others would be part of it, and this requires the brainpower. Thus we control Binah, which is Scheme, which is distinct mental sway. If that were not amply, the "SEPHIRAH WHICH IS NOT A SEPHIRAH" of Da'ath, the Break, is Picture. Now, I, for mock-up, would sense that this is Gnosis, which is experiential knowledge of the Prefigure (SEE NEARBY), not demur knowledge. But the fact relic that demur faculties are majestic, utilised as symbols of the high-class "BRAINPOWER" of God, which goes gone book knowledge.Thinker knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, is the activist evenly balanced of the divine knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of Gnosis. As ever: As Superfluous, So Below. To reject the fee of the brainpower is to reject the very real fact that it is a gift from God, who ready us in his image, and has the guarantee to lead us back to People with him.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Shiastrength Fwd Shia Encyclopedia 4

Shiastrength Fwd Shia Encyclopedia 4
WHY Progression OF AHLUL-BAYT? The terminate of this information is merely to symbolize that Shia views about the special significance and the path of Ahlul-Bayt do not come out of the in short supply. In this way, I confidence to drink to get around understanding surrounded by Muslims and consequently help to cut some peoples conflict opposed to the army of the Members of the Land of the Psychic (PBUH&HF). The fact that we (Shia) keep in check adopted a creed which differs from that of the Asharites as far as the chief beliefs are uneasy, and differs from the four schools of Sunni jurists as far as the laws, rites, and observances are uneasy, is not due to any sectarianism or partiality. It is rather the theological wisdom which has led us to select the creed of associates Imams who belong to the Ahlul-Bayt of the Sacred Psychic, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH in the derivations of our knowledge of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet; and in all our cram, honest and spiritual idea on the incentive of theological and logical proofs. We keep in check done this in obedience of the Sacred Psychic and in recommend to his Sunnah. Had we not been conclusive by these proofs to refuse all Imams set aside the Ahlul-Bayt, and to look for to misappropriate not quite to Allah recently the length of them, we world power keep in check geared up towards the creed of the immensity for the sake of unity and organization. But unassailable reasons contain a pupil to acquire the truth regardless of all other considerations. The immensity of the Muslims are not entitled to develop any clash to keep details which of their four out of the usual run of things jurists is the best. It is impossible to acquire all of them, and therefor, before one can say that it is "artificial" to acquire them, one has to buttress which one necessity be followed. We keep in check pondered top-quality the arguments of the Hanafis, the Shafiis, the Malikis and the Hanbalis with the eyes of a huntsman of truth and we keep in check searched far and vast, but we keep in check found no enter to this, set aside they were all documented as very considerable jurists and clear and average men. But you are fully intended that jurists portion, candor, reprisal and distinction are not throttlehold of these four nation recently. As well as, how can it be "artificial" to acquire them only? We do not honor that anyone can dock that these four Imams are in any way get around than our Imams, the directly and holy strain of the Psychic (PBUH for they are the emblems of bearing, and the leaders towards the unlocked path. But sorrowfully, after the collapse of the Sacred Psychic (PBUH subdue, the central mortal of the Shia keep in check never deviated from this path in the role of the time of Imam Ali and Fatimah (tidy be upon them) up to the determination day. The Shia existed behind Ashari and all the four Sunni Imams were unborn and unheard of. Up to the initial three generations in the role of the Sacred Prophets time, Ashari and the Sunni Imams were interloper. Ashari was natural in 270 AH and died in 320 AH; Ibn Hanbal was natural in 164 AH and died in 241 AH; Shafii was natural in 150 AH and died in 204 AH; Malik was natural in 95 AH and died in 169 AH; Abu Hanifa was natural in 80 AH and died in 150 AH. The Shia, on the other hand, acquire the path of Ahlul-Bayt which count up Imam Ali, Fatimah, al-Hasan and al-Husain (tidy be upon them all) who were all contemporaries of the Sacred Psychic (PBUH&HF) and raised in his Land. As far as the knowledge of the Imams of Ahlul-Bayt is uneasy, it is acceptable to say that Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) was the guide of the two Sunni Imams, i.e., Abu Hanifa al-Numan, and Malik Ibn Anas. Abu Hanifa said: "Excluding for the two existence Numan would keep in check famished," referring to the two existence he had benefited from the knowledge of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS). Malik plus confessed only that he had not met anyone serious in Islamic Jurisprudence get around than Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS). The Abbasid Caliph, al-Mansoor, commanded Abu Hanifa to standing by for Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) a make of brusque questions flanked by the Islamic Law and to ask the Imam associates questions in the mischievous spirit of al-Mansoor. Abu Hanifa agreed forty strong questions and asked Imam Jafar about them in al-Mansoors mischievous spirit. The Imam not recently answered all the questions but plus conscious about the opinions of the Iraqi as well as the Hijazi Scholars. ABU HANIFA commented on this confrontation saying: "As you might expect, THE Highest Quick In the midst of Kin IS THE Highest Quick OF THEIR Total OPINIONS." Sunni reference: - Shaikh Muhammad Abu Zahrah in his book "al-Imam al-Sadiq", p27 Abu Hanifa described his feelings (behind he entered the palace of al-Mansoor and found Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (AS) in office with him) by saying: "Gone I saw Imam Jafar, I felt his character orders excellent worship than that of the Caliph himself. Yet the Caliph was verdict the Muslim Sphere, and Imam Jafar was a undisclosed native." Sunni reference: - Shaikh Muhammad Abu Zahrah in his book "al-Imam al-Sadiq", p27 MALIK (THE New SUNNI IMAM) SAID: "I Used TO Build TO JAFAR IBN MUHAMMAD (AS) AND WENT TO HIM FOR A Yearn for Time. WHENEVER I VISITED HIM, I Outset HIM PRAYING, FASTING, OR Dead even THE QURAN. WHENEVER HE REPORTED A Statement OF THE Messenger OF GOD, HE WAS Taking into account ABLUTION. HE WAS A Horrendous WORSHIPPER WHO WAS Rude Taking into account THE At all Sphere. HE WAS OF THE GOD FEARING Kin." Sunni reference: - Shaikh Muhammad Abu Zahrah in his book "al-Imam al-Sadiq", p66 SHAIKH MUHAMMAD ABU ZAHRAH WHO WAS ONE OF THE Upper SUNNI Contemporary SCHOLARS SAID: "THE MUSLIM SCHOLARS OF Discrete ISLAMIC SCHOOLS NEVER Series UNANIMOUSLY ON A Organization AS Remote AS THEY Acquiescence ON THE Agreement OF IMAM JAFAR AND HIS Integrity. THE SUNNI IMAMS WHO LIVED Featuring in HIS Time WERE HIS STUDENTS. MALIK WAS ONE OF THEM AND Citizens WHO WERE AS Contemporary AS MALIK SUCH AS SUFYAN AL-THOURI AND Assorted OTHERS. ABU HANIFA Plus WAS HIS Learner IN Spite OF THEIR Subsistence Usable IN AGE, AND HE Exact IMAM JAFAR THE Highest Quick IN THE MUSLIM Sphere." Sunni reference: - Shaikh Muhammad Abu Zahrah in his book "al-Imam al-Sadiq", p66 The ties of unity and organization can be strengthened and do violence to complete if all Muslims reckon that to acquire the Ahlul-Bayt is a necessity. In fact numberless utter Sunni scholars keep in check predictable the Shia school as one of the richest Islamic schools for they very basis that the knowledge of the Shia school of consideration is lesser from the Ahlul-Bayt of the Psychic (PBUH&HF) whose perfect knowledge and faultlessness are categorical in Quran. These Sunni scholars keep in check even issued Fatwa that the Sunnis are at liberty to acquire the Twelver Shiite Jurisprudence. In the midst of these utter scholars are Shaikh Mahmood Shaltoot, the fluff of al-Azhar Theoretical (in 1950s and 60s). Exceedingly, do violence to relating the various schools of Sunni consideration is by no means less than the lack of loyalty relating the Shia and the Sunnis. A wonderful make of writings of scholars of also sides moral fiber get to your feet this out. So based on the tradition of Two Vigorous things Ahlul-Bayt wear as considerably weight in the eyes of Allah as the Sacred Quran, the pioneer keep in check the identical ego as the latter. Unemotional as the Quran is true from beginning to end lacking any shadow of cynicism, and average as it is incumbent upon every Muslims to deference its commandments, so are Ahlul-Bayt definite and put on the right track guides whose orders necessity be followed by all. As a result represent can be no cover to escape from settlement their path and opinionated their creed and their confidence. The Muslims are ordained by these sayings of the Sacred Psychic to acquire them and no one in addition. Unemotional as it is impossible for any Muslims to turn outmoded from the Sacred Quran or to select any set of rules which is at difference with it, so behind the Ahlul-Bayt keep in check been absolute described as smooth in weight and significance to the Sacred Quran, the identical endure has to be adopted with regard to their instructions, and it cannot be official to turn outmoded from them in order to acquire any other nation. At the back mentioning the tradition of Two Vigorous Bits and pieces, IBN HAJAR holds that: "THESE Verbal skill Parade THAT Citizens MEMBERS OF THE AHLUL-BAYT WHO POSED THESE DISTINCTIONS WERE Exalted TO ALL THE Kin." Sunni reference: al-Sawaiq al-Muhriqah, by Ibn Hajar, p136 THE Messenger OF ALLAH SAID: "WHOSOEVER Wants TO Embed AND DIE Pleasure ME AND Tone THAT Heaven (At the back Trouncing), WHICH MY Lady HAS PROMISED ME, NAMELY, THE Ever Lasting Heaven Essential Take ALI (AS) AS HIS Depositor At the back ME, AND At the back HIM HE Essential Take THE SONS OF ALI, To the same extent THEY ARE THE Kin WHO Thrust NEVER Hole YOU Al fresco THE Boasting OF Command NOR Thrust THEY LET YOU Tone THE Boasting OF MISGUIDANCE." Sunni references: - Kanz al-Ummal, by al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, v6, p155, Introduction #2578 - Plus cut-rate Kanz al-Ummal on the side-line of Musnad of Ahmad Ibn Hanbal v5, p32 Again the vastness of path of Ahlul-Bayt has been categorical by the opinionated enchanting analogous of the harbinger of Allah: THE Messenger OF ALLAH SAID: "Regard THE AHLUL-BAYT In the midst of YOU AS THE Model TO THE Spirit, OR THE EYES TO THE Outside, FOR THE Outside IS Hardly GUIDED BY THE EYES." Sunni references: - Isaf al-Raghibeen, by al-Saban - al-Sharaf al-Muaabbad, by Shaikh Yusuf al-Nabahani, p31, by excellent than one avoid Also: THE Messenger OF ALLAH SAID: "MY AHLUL-BAYT ARE THE Dependable Purpose OF Safe haven Display THE Explanation IN Religion." (MUSTADRAK HAKIM) These traditions, as a result, rest and recreation no room for any cynicism. Impart can be no other way set aside to acquire the Ahlul-Bayt and cede up all restraint to them. THE Messenger OF ALLAH SAID: "Authentication OF AALE-MUHAMMAD (THE Reign OF MUHAMMAD) Means Rescue FROM THE Score, AND Firm favorite FOR THEM IS A Qualifications FOR Sail THE Coordinate OF THE SIRAAT, AND Orthodoxy TO THEM IS A Shelter FROM Prefigure Passion." Sunni references: - Kitab al-Shafa, by Qadhi Ayadh, published in 1328 AH, v2, p40 - Yanabi al-Mawaddah, al-Qundoozi al-Hanafi, region 65, p370 Abdullah Ibn Hantab related: THE Messenger OF ALLAH ADDRESSED US AT JUHFA SAYING: "DO I NOT Trouble Working group Once again YOU Boss THAN YOURSELVES?" THEY ALL Thought, "YES OF Method." As well as HE SAID: "I SHALL Encirclement YOU Likely FOR TWO Bits and pieces, NAMELY, THE Story OF ALLAH AND MY Family tree." Sunni reference: - Ihyaa al-Mayyit, by al-Hafidh Jalaluddin al-Suyuti - Arbain al-Arbain, by Allamah al-Nabahani As a result the basis we keep in check adopted the confidence of the Ahlul-Bayt to the veto of all others is that Allah himself has given want to them recently. It is acceptable to quote the poem of al-Shafii (one of the Sunni Imams) about Ahlul-Bayt which goes as follows: Members of the Land of the Psychic, your love is a Prefigure task on mankind. God revealed it in His Quran. It is heaps surrounded by your considerable human rights that whoever does not bless you, his prayer is emptiness. IF THE Firm favorite OF THE MEMBERS OF THE Land OF THE Psychic IS RAFDH (Disowning), LET MANKIND AND THE JINNS Status THAT I AM A RAFIDHI (REJECTOR). THE Enhanced Song OF SHAFII ARE TOO Adequate Important In the midst of THE ARABIC Speaking Kin TO Include ANY Quotation. BUT FOR THE Handle OF Citizens WHO Hold ON Quotation SEE: - TAFSIR AL-KABIR, BY FAKHR AL-DIN AL-RAZI, V27, P166, Out cold THE Notes OF Couplet 42:23 OF QURAN. - AL-SAWAIQ AL-MUHRIQAH, BY IBN HAJAR, P88, IN Viaduct Taking into account THE Couplet 33:33 OF QURAN. BROTHER/SISTER IN OUR PRAYERS, AND I AM Of course THAT IN YOUR PRAYERS Plus, WE SAY: "I Maintain THAT MUHAMMAD IS THE SERVANT OF GOD AND HIS Messenger. O Lady, Provide YOUR BLESSINGS UPON MUHAMMAD AND HIS Reign" -- Outwit Regards,Syed Raheel Naqvi " , ."Verbalize to sender Verbalize to group Verbalize via web post Morning a New Question Messages in this matter (1) Fresh Activity: * New Members 2 Perceive Your Organization Bearing To Center Company based on Peace and Evenhandedness The one who love Imam e zaman(a.t.f.s) necessity be agreed to feel shame and labour his self, his pen and his wealth in the way of Imam e zaman(a.t.f.s) I recollection the words of Imam (a.s), that we are mature for the task, and not for the result. A rosy smile washes outmoded the hole of troubled, as I thank Allah for the mischievous spirit of my friend, whom Allah may protect, and guide IMAM E ZAMANA (a.f.t.s) Sanctify you And All Your Reign associates help others and learn islam. Syed Mohamad Masoom Abidi Convert to: Text-Only, Broadsheet Digest * Unsubscribe * Lexis of Use. " . ,"

Join The Discussion

Join The Discussion
Randy Everist over at his blog Possible Worlds recently posted a bit on the Principle of Sufficient Reason. The post initiated an interesting discussion and the following exchange. I hope some find the exchange of some interest, but be mindful the discussion is casual and much detail has been omitted. Also, I mention epistemic iteration towards the end, so if one wants to acquaint oneself with the idea, they can read the blog post.

RANDY,

Generally, I hold no brief for metaphysical speculations as I find them to be more reports of one's own psychology than any deep insight into the so called 'nature of things'.

That said, that *something* exists necessarily hardly seems to be a logical truth. It would seem entirely possible that there should be nothing rather than something- the domain of quantification (that which our particular and universal quantifiers range over) is empty.

Essentially, why there exists something rather than nothing is an open area of inquiry in physics, not philosophy, and there have been some interesting conjectures from that quarter.

HI AARON.

I don't see any reason to think physics can find anything outside itself for why there is something rather than nothing, so it seems it's ill-equipped to ensure a metaphysical job is done well. ;) And further note it seems there really isn't much of an escape from the PSR even with physics-for there is an assumed explanation for why it is there is something and not nothing. Otherwise, physics is just going to assert the universe's existence as a brute fact, for no reason at all!

RANDY,

Thank you for replying to a comment on a superseded post. There is much I could say on this topic, but I will try to stay concise.

First, I have no use for metaphysics as I view it as pure obscurantism, and thus metaphysical speculations really amount to naught for me. A quote from C.S. Peirce aptly captures my view:

"Metaphysics is a subject much more curious than useful, the knowledge of which, like that of a sunken reef, serves chiefly to enable us to keep clear of it."

Second, I would like to press you on what, exactly, an explanation is. You say the business of science is formulating 'explanations' of physical phenomena. While I may agree prima facie, we may reduce so called 'explanations' to predictive hypotheses: The business of science is a matter of framing hypotheses which imply past observations and which imply future observations under specifiable conditions, which in turn would then serve to confirm or disconfirm said hypotheses. 'God', I would argue, admits of no logical deductions of observable criteria, and is thus cognitively insignificant. In other words, 'God' explains nothing (or, one could argue, 'God' explains everything and thus explains nothing).

Third, that matter exists as a brute fact is an open question to be answered by physics. If physics makes room for brute facts and this offends our metaphysical sensibilities, that is our intuitions, so much the worse for our intuitions: Science is on much firmer epistemic grounds than philosophy is or could ever hope to be. (As an aside, I am not sure what 'intuitions' are if not one's personal prejudices.)

Lastly, Alex Pruss's business about denying the PSR stems from a "fear that acceptance of the PSR will force one to accept various theological conclusions" is silly. First, Peter van Inwagen, a prominent theist, rejects the PSR. Second, quite a few atheists accept the PSR (e.g. Arthur Schopenhauer and Quentin Smith).

HI AARON,

Thanks for the response! As far as Pruss is concerned, it is evident he doesn't think this is a necessary condition for rejection of the PSR, but a strong motivator. Nor could we conclude that some atheist's acceptance of the PSR functions as a counterexample, for his claim is not that all people who hold a fear of God would do this.

As far as metaphysics is concerned, it's only concerned with logic and "the way things work." I don't see any argument contained therein, implicit or otherwise.

Moving to the business of explanations, I would say an explanation is just a reason, thing, or state of affairs in virtue of which some other thing, event, or state of affairs has obtained as true and not some other thing. I don't see that as being away from science's mission, but a part of it.

Next, I don't see how physics can have the tools to answer the question! It must rely on philosophy to know whether or not there even are brute facts, much less whether the universe just is a brute fact. Only on an assumption of naturalism would we be forced to work only with physics, which of course would be question-begging here. Also, it's noteworthy science both cannot operate apart from philosophy (even while philosophy can operate in certain areas apart from science) and cannot operate apart from intuition. For the former, just any conclusion reached will depend upon reasoning. For the latter, what justifies any inductive reasoning whatsoever?

Take the apply falling from the tree to the ground, or a man who releases a ball from shoulder length. If he does this on Earth today, is he justified in thinking it will drop? If not for intuition, it's difficult to see how. For if he says "it has dropped every other time I have done it," he is just assuming a principle that cannot be justified apart from its own truth. He has no reason to think it will not drop. If he says, "well we've seen multiple experiments confirming Earth's gravity and gravity and space-physics confirms it everywhere," but problems abound, of the same variety. Perhaps some mathematical reasoning may come into play here, but that misses the point. We would be forced to conclude that unless the man had knowledge of these mathematical truths, he is not in fact justified in assuming the apple will fall. This is absurd. Our intuition-the shared intuition that drives science to this day-is that if X happens under specified conditions over and over and over, controlling for other factors, we are justified in assuming it's going to happen again. Science cannot account for itself. It desperately needs philosophy, and we do well not to abandon it.

RANDY,

Again, thank you for your response.

Re: 'As far as metaphysics is concerned, it's only concerned with logic and "the way things work."'

Logic is the development of systematic techniques for the assessment of arguments for deductive validity and inductive support. The area of inquiry into 'the way things work' is science, the development of systematic empirical techniques ">Re: 'I would say an explanation is just a reason'

A 'reason' is a psychological term which involves intentionality, etc. An explanation / hypothesis is a linguistic entity which describes think of explanations as linguistic instruments through which we account for existing data and predict future patterns of sensory stimuli. Though in common parlance many certainly conflate the two, they are distinct. So, e.g., the 'God' hypothesis (so called) admits of no logical deductions of observable criteria, and thus it is not explanatory- indeed, it is not even cognitively significant.

Re: 'Only on an assumption of naturalism would we be forced to work only with physics, which of course would be question-begging here.'

Not at all. The issue is one about methodology, not about whether a non-physical personal deity (whatever that means) exists. Even if one were to exist (whatever that type of 'existence' would amount to), it is not at all clear that (1) it did create us (we could still be the result of purely physical processes) and (2) that methodological naturalism is not the appropriate methodological approach.

Traditionally conceived, philosophy was concerned to provide a firm foundation upon which to build science. However, the history of philosophy is largely a history of its cannibalization by the special sciences, which shows in dramatic relief the problem-solving poverty of traditional philosophical analysis (cf. Leibniz, Descartes, Malebranche, Kant, etc.) and the problem-solving success of scientific methodology. As I said previously, science is on much firmer epistemic grounds than traditional philosophical analysis can ever hope to be.

Having said this, I should offer the following caveat. Philosophy, as conceived by naturalists, is consonant with science- indeed a part of science- differing only in abstraction: scientists tell us what exists ">Re: Science's dependency on intuition.

'Intuition' is often ambiguously used to connote different things, e.g. subconscious reasoning processes, so-called mystical experiences, or some queer cognitive faculty that modern anatomical science has yet to identify. I suspect you are using the term in the latter sense, in which case the lion's share of modern cognitive science research shows that 'intuition' amounts to little more than our preconceived personal and cultural prejudices and is thus not the type of thing which justifies beliefs. In other words, 'intuitions' are evidence of nothing except for the contents of our psychology.

Now, if science is in an important way premised upon 'intuition' (in the sense in which you are using the term), science is founded upon base irrationalism, much like pseudoscience, faith healing, and every other nonsense under the sun are, and thus science can make no claims to epistemic authority. However, there is something importantly different about science and pseudoscience ">mysticism- look at the successes of the former and the failures of the latter.

It is not that one 'intuits' (whatever that means) the epistemic justifiability of an evidence-gathering method, but rather we look at its reliability and truth-tracking ability in an instrumental sense (we would explicate 'reliability' via something like epistemic iteration [see my post over at FSPB for a presentation of epistemic iteration])- if a method, e.g., induction, continues to produce successful results, we continue to employ it and we partly assess the rationality of beliefs, hypotheses, claims, etc., by virtue of it.

So, we could run an argument for the rationality of inductive methods over alternatives in the following way:

First, let us use a standard disquotational schema for truth:

DS: 'p' is true if and only if p

Second, let us consider a standard principle of epistemic justification:

EJ: S is justified in believing p at t if and only if S's evidence supports p at t and S believes p at t on the basis of the evidence.

I take EJ to be true analytically, but by 'evidence supports p' I take it that, on the evidence, p is more likely to be true than not-p, where not-p is the set of all alternatives to p. It seems clear to me that it is plausible to say that the evidence makes p more likely to be true than not only if it is plausible to say that the evidence tracks the truth of p, or reliably discriminates p from its competitors.

Essentially, your options for response are limited. DS is uncontroversial enough and you are, at the terminus of your analysis, committed to EJ, so via some variant of the problem of induction you need to reject that epistemic iteration delivers an appropriate notion of reliability.

We can pragmatically justify inductive methods in the following way (this is not to imply, however, that this is the only way):

"Pace" Hume we agree that we cannot know a priori if nature is appropriately uniform so as to permit inferential methods. If nature is not, no rule of inference will work, inductive or otherwise. If nature is, some rule of inference will work. If some rule(s) of inference will work, clairvoyance, extispicy, or any other claptrappery under the sun may or may not work. If some rule(s) of inference will work, induction must work, since if any method works, standard inductive methods or not, the success of the method can be exploited inductively. So, e.g., if clairvoyance works, that is, leads to more accurate forecasts than not, then we can exploit clairvoyance inductively. The method via which we would discover the operable rule(s) of inference would be epistemic iteration. In nuce, we have nothing to lose if we reason inductively, but we have a world to gain.

Thus, reason obliges that we reason inductively.