Absolute truth? Yes or no...

[sodaseller]

ohh we had this discussion over dinner on Sunday w/a friend that's a priest!! She said you need to go back to the Hebrew translation for the answer but that it's very clear if you go back to the original source. Just going back to Latin changes the answer.

do i get a Gold Star?

Two stars actually

 

[JennyMominRI]

ohh we had this discussion over dinner on Sunday w/a friend that's a priest!! She said you need to go back to the Hebrew translation for the answer but that it's very clear if you go back to the original source. Just going back to Latin changes the answer.

do i get a Gold Star?

From Judaism 101
This followed directly from the fact that G-d has no physical form. As one rabbi explained it to me, G-d has no body, no genitalia, therefore the very idea that G-d is male or female is patently absurd. We refer to G-d using masculine terms simply for convenience's sake, because Hebrew has no neutral gender; G-d is no more male than a table is.

Although we usually speak of G-d in masculine terms, there are times when we refer to G-d using feminine terms. The Shechinah, the manifestation of G-d's presence that fills the universe, is conceived of in feminine terms, and the word Shechinah is a feminine word

 

[scubamouse]

Woudl you settle for some crackers and wine?

as long as it's not communion wine

 

[scubamouse]

From Judaism 101
This followed directly from the fact that G-d has no physical form. As one rabbi explained it to me, G-d has no body, no genitalia, therefore the very idea that G-d is male or female is patently absurd. We refer to G-d using masculine terms simply for convenience's sake, because Hebrew has no neutral gender; G-d is no more male than a table is.

Although we usually speak of G-d in masculine terms, there are times when we refer to G-d using feminine terms. The Shechinah, the manifestation of G-d's presence that fills the universe, is conceived of in feminine terms, and the word Shechinah is a feminine word

the word my friend used was Rua (sp?) and that it's a feminine term. When the holy spirit is mentioned in the OT, this word is used. Does that sound familiar? Again you need to go back to the original Hebrew. In Latin the translation is gender neutral.

 

[punkin]

the word my friend used was Rua (sp?) and that it's a feminine term. When the holy spirit is mentioned in the OT, this word is used. Does that sound familiar? Again you need to go back to the original Hebrew. In Latin the translation is gender neutral.

ruah (with an H) and it is not the same as shechina. However, G-d in Judaism has no gender and is One (no trinity).

 

[cardaway]

Sure sounds like those "no words" folks were sure on to something.

 

[JennyMominRI]

the word my friend used was Rua (sp?) and that it's a feminine term. When the holy spirit is mentioned in the OT, this word is used. Does that sound familiar? Again you need to go back to the original Hebrew. In Latin the translation is gender neutral.

Hebrew for Holy Spirit is Ruach HaKodesh

Ruach" - (m. and f., pl. "Ruchot"); wind, air, breath, soul, mind, spirit, direction; as in "Mashiv HaRuach U-Morid HaGeshem," "Who makes the wind blow and the rain fall" (From the daily Shemoneh Esray Prayer); "VeHaRuach tashuv el HaElokim…," "And the soul will return to G-d…" (Kohelet 12:7)

"Ruach HaKodesh" - (f.); the Divine Spirit; as in "Sefer Tehilim nichtav beRuach HaKodesh," "The Book of Psalms was written with the inspiration of the Divine Spirit"

That doesn't neccessarily make the holy spirit female though ,anymore than masculine forms of G-ds name make him masculine..There is no Gender neutral name of G-d

 

[scubamouse]

Hebrew for Holy Spirit is Ruach HaKodesh

and that's a feminine word correct? And how is that different from the word Shechinah?

you can learn all sorts of good stuff at DIS can't you?

 

[hokiefan33]

Actually it wouldn't matter if you admitted to my statement because there are many, many others that believe their interpretation of the bible is the one and only and would consider your interpretations to be a lot of hooey. I personally don't think a absolute and rigid opposition to be open to others points of view is neccesarily setting a stellar example of one's own deep faith. Fighting over biblical interpretation is one of the reasons I am so disillusioned with organized religion. A waste of energy, in my opinion.

If it didn't matter what my answer was, why did you even ask the question?

I didn't say everyone would agree, just that I believe my interpretation is correct. You don't think such "absolute" and "rigid opposition" to other's points of view sets a good example of my own deep faith? Why not? It's because I HAVE such deep faith and believe whole-heartedly in what I do that I believe others are way off, thus my "rigid opposition" to them. It actually SHOWS my deep faith.

As to your disillusionment, everything will become clear in the end. See Revelation.

 

[Aidensmom]

And to sum up this whole thread, I will go back to what I originally said.

I believe there are absolute truths in matters of faith. There is a true God and a true interpretation of scriptures, etc. But all this disagreement just proves my point that though there is an absolute truth, and we can each believe we have knowledge of exactly what that absolute truth is, none of us as human beings really know all the details.

The entity of God is much more than our human minds can comprehend. Yes, there are absolute truths about God and faith, but if my belief of what that truth is is slightly different than your belief of what truth is, which is the absolute truth? I do BELIEVE I know the absolute truth, but really only God knows for sure if I am correct. Until that day I can stand in front of God and see if I can get my answers, I will continue to study and learn and understand to the best of my human ability.

 

[L107ANGEL]

Oh boy, why didn't anyone tell me this turned into another game of who is the better christian Now I will never catch up

 

[sodaseller]

It's because I HAVE such deep faith and believe whole-heartedly in what I do that I believe others are way off, thus my "rigid opposition" to them. It actually SHOWS my deep faith.

Suggests

He then addressed this parable to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.
10
"Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.

The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, 'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity--greedy, dishonest, adulterous--or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.'

But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, 'O God, be merciful to me a sinner.'

I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

 

[hokiefan33]

ohh we had this discussion over dinner on Sunday w/a friend that's a priest!! She said you need to go back to the Hebrew translation for the answer but that it's very clear if you go back to the original source. Just going back to Latin changes the answer.

do i get a Gold Star?

Hey, a woman priest. Great...

 

[JennyMominRI]

and that's a feminine word correct? And how is that different from the word Shechinah?

you can learn all sorts of good stuff at DIS can't you?

Kadosh literally means Holy

Shechinah is the presence of God. This word has a feminine ending, and reflects the nurturing quality of this presence as well as the fact that God is both masculine and feminine and beyond maculine and feminine. I firmly believe that it is very important in this day and time to be constantly aware of this presence. As it says in Proverbs 3:6, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Furthermore, Hillel's dictum in Pirkei Avot to not separate ourselves from the community can also be interpreted in a larger sense as meaning that we should not separate ourselves from this sense of connection with the holiness of all things. And how can we do that? One of the easiest ways is through the beauty of nature. Every Friday if I don't go to Temple, then I go outside and watch the sun set, and as it does I suddenly feel a Holy Presence sweep over me, the Shechinah, the Sabbath Bride. Other times I will go out into a field late a night, and in that stillness I will also feel the Presence. I suddenly feel connected with everything, and my world becomes clear. As Rabbi Nachman of Breslov said, "As often as you can, take a trip out to the fields to pray. All the grasses will join you. They will enter your prayers and give you strength to sing praises to God." May the Shechinah be with you!

 

[scubamouse]

Hey, a woman priest. Great...

is that a problem?

 

[hokiefan33]

is that a problem?

Well gee, scuba, not if YOU don't think it is. At least that's how most of this board thinks, right?

 

[JennyMominRI]

I believe that For Jews there are certain absolutes..Those absolutes don't apply to others. Non-Jews are not and were never required to keep to Halacha.. This is why you don't see Jews out there trying to force the country to ban Red Lobster ..I just don't understand why some people feel they have the right to force there religions*absolutes* on the rest of the country
That said I do think there are some general absolutes that go beyond religion or personal belief..They are neccessary for sciety to work..This like Not murdering(different from killing) or stealing

 

[scubamouse]

Well gee, scuba, not if YOU don't think it is. At least that's how most of this board thinks, right?

it was a question not a declarative statement! I thought it was just the Catholics that didn't allow women priests.

 

[BelleMcNally]

Kadosh literally means Holy

Shechinah is the presence of God. This word has a feminine ending, and reflects the nurturing quality of this presence as well as the fact that God is both masculine and feminine and beyond maculine and feminine. I firmly believe that it is very important in this day and time to be constantly aware of this presence. As it says in Proverbs 3:6, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Furthermore, Hillel's dictum in Pirkei Avot to not separate ourselves from the community can also be interpreted in a larger sense as meaning that we should not separate ourselves from this sense of connection with the holiness of all things. And how can we do that? One of the easiest ways is through the beauty of nature. Every Friday if I don't go to Temple, then I go outside and watch the sun set, and as it does I suddenly feel a Holy Presence sweep over me, the Shechinah, the Sabbath Bride. Other times I will go out into a field late a night, and in that stillness I will also feel the Presence. I suddenly feel connected with everything, and my world becomes clear. As Rabbi Nachman of Breslov said, "As often as you can, take a trip out to the fields to pray. All the grasses will join you. They will enter your prayers and give you strength to sing praises to God." May the Shechinah be with you!

This is beautiful, thank you.

 

[BelleMcNally]

I believe that For Jews there are certain absolutes..Those absolutes don't apply to others. Non-Jews are not and were never required to keep to Halacha.. This is why you don't see Jews out there trying to force the country to ban Red Lobster ..I just don't understand why some people feel they have the right to force there religions*absolutes* on the rest of the country
That said I do think there are some general absolutes that go beyond religion or personal belief..They are neccessary for sciety to work..This like Not murdering(different from killing) or stealing

I completely agree that there are rules that should absolutely followed in society--but I'm not certain that I believe in Absolute Truths of the Universe, so-to-speak. I'm much more of a relativist that way...I think the world we live in is essentially mutable...maybe that's absolute truth-change!