The Trinity

[Lightkeeper]

Does the Trinity mean that Christianity isn't really a monotheistic religion. Is the Trinity a bridge between polytheism and monotheism? What do you think?

[cardero]

The Trinity was a mystery that was probably interesting in theory at the time but became a doctrine that was difficult to sustain or refute with future generations of understanding. I do believe there is some symbolic meaning but I believe it applies to physical entities. The Trinity to me symbolizes our mind, body and soul and the attention and balance that need to be given to these human aspects.

[Schizophretard]

It is the church's way to appear that it is a monotheistic religion.

[Outlaw393]

The Trinity is hidden polytheism. My church and Christian denomination does not believe in the trinity - but rather the Oneness of God.



I don't share their opinion...I'm a polytheist.

[arthra]

Baha'is see the trinity as acknowledging the Sun of Truth which can only be One... The rays of the Sun of Truth being the Holy Spirit and the Mirror which perfectly reflects and manifest that Light as the Manifestation of God whether Moses, Jesus, Muhammad or the Bab and Baha'u'llah...

- Art

[aged hippy]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Does the Trinity mean that Christianity isn't really a monotheistic religion. Is the Trinity a bridge between polytheism and monotheism? What do you think?

I think that the concept of "The Trinity" disqalifies the Christian religion from being truly monothistic, simply because the three are one, but they're not really... but... ... they are.

This confusion probably arises -- in my opinion -- because the characters were borrowed from other religions, there is for example a much older version from Egypt, which has Osiris/Isis/Horus for its constituents. This Trinity possibly originated in India and was carried to Egypt by the migration of the tribes concerned.

During the transformation into the Christian Trinity, things became much confused, leading to many balls to juggle in order to appear as a coherent concept.

It seems to me that - in the Christian concept of the Trinity, the balls are rolling around on the floor.


Peace, Love, & Light

[metis]

I think there may well have been a paradigm shift dealing with Jesus' nature when gentiles, probably influenced through Hellenization, took the idea that Jesus was "of God" and turned it into Jesus "being God". The reason why I believe this may well have been the case deals with how difficult it would be to somehow convince observant Jews that God was walking on earth as a man. This thought would simply go against Jewish thinking both then and now.

However, it's not too much a stretch to think they may have believed that Jesus was "of God" in believing him to be both a prophet and the Messiah. However, after the fall of the Temple and the decimation caused by the Romans in eretz Israel, it appears that gentiles essentially took over most of the leadership roles, and their aversion to picturing God in human form may not have been there, espeically those who were influenced by Greek teachings.

[vivamis123]

Does the Trinity mean that Christianity isn't really a monotheistic religion? No, three (father, son + holy spirit) are one...God. Is the Trinity a bridge between polytheism and monotheism? Maybe

I think the trinity is the father - Idea, the son - the demonstration, and the holy spirit - the experience. The three "parts" of creation.

[octavius]

As the Catholic Mass says, "Let us proclaim the mystery of faith..."

The triune God is in no way a polytheistic notion to those who worship him. There is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (ghost), all of which make up the one God. From an outside perspective, it's easy to criticize triune-believing Christians as being benighted, but I believe it's something you have to experience to understand.

Personally, I have always found this argument very pedantic. It's an interesting topic for polite discussion, but it's usually brought up in criticism.

[aged hippy]

Originally Posted by octavius

As the Catholic Mass says, "Let us proclaim the mystery of faith..."

The triune God is in no way a polytheistic notion to those who worship him. There is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (ghost), all of which make up the one God. From an outside perspective, it's easy to criticize triune-believing Christians as being benighted, but I believe it's something you have to experience to understand.

[ ... ]

In the same way that one doesn't consider the mashed potatoes, mince, and peas when eating a Cottage Pie. ?