Are god/esses lonely?

[shimaura]

Just thought I'd share...

The other day I was just driving along, and the most curious thought entered my head: How much I would hate to be a goddess. I thought it would be like being really really popular at school... everyone would want to be your "friend" because of what it got them (being popular) and people would worship you simply because of what you look like or could give them, not because of who you really are. There would be no one to have real conversations with, because everyone would just ask things of you. Worship is all well and good, but it has very little personal gratification to the one being worshipped. DOn't you think?

*wanders away to ponder*

[Leander]

I can see what you mean shimuara. I read a story in which a goddess was in a perpetual state of sadness because she was unable to answer the prayers of her faithful: she badly wanted to help them as she could see what a state they were in, but they badly overestimated her power.

[Zophael]

Well if a goddess out there needs someone to talk to, I'd be more than happy to treat'em as an equal.

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

Divine loneliness is actually what I believe caused the Universe. We have a Goddess, all alone, just..existing. And she got bored, and lonely, and decided to make a friend, so we have the God. And they got to be reeeeeeally friendly *wink wink nudge nudge say no more* and from the joy of that union was born the Universe, therefore giving an entertaining second meaning to the phrase 'Big bang'.

[Bix]

Well, I guess worship helps them get over their loneliness.

[MoonKnight]

They're not lonely, they have us to play with. ;)

[Aidron]

I cannot speak for every deity out there, but the ones I worship do not possess a lonely aura or come across as such. I feel gods are like people in that when you give someone something or show love and admiration while expecting nothing in return, they often are more than happy to return the favor to show they feel the same. In other words, I do not simply call on deities when I need their assistance or honor them when it is necessary. I honor and commune with mine routinely because I love them, and while I will request their aid, I do not always enter such a meeting or circumstance with expectations of any boon or favor.

That, if anything, is what I would imagine keeps any deity from feeling lonely, should they even be capable of such. I personally do not think most would be, though I will not say all since there are exceptions to every norm, for they are eternal and better understand their own existence than we ever could, so naturally they are going to take great joy in what they are, have been and will always be.

If, however, you do approach deities with a "I call on you for a favor" mentality, not only would I deem that disrespectful and an obvious sign of a parasite oriented relationship, but the deities will probably eventually no longer heed your calls and ultimately ignore you to show that they are not a divine taxi cab to be used whenever you wish.

[KEishin]

I also view the gods as full personalities/people, and as such I think they can get lonely. I've never asked mine if they do, but its certainly something to bring up.

I did ask them one time what they wanted from us (i.e. we ask so much, yet give so little to them) and the answer was "be happy, peaceful and have love for each other."

[MoonDragn]

I always took the god/goddess in each of us literally. She can see through everyone's eyes at any time and feel the love we share. I don't think she would be lonely as she feels love from her worshipers and be close to them. Maybe like my dreams she visits some of her worshipers and have some good times ;)

[Pure Ahimsa]

Not all worship a god, and 'god' is a term that is different to some people. Some just acknowledge, honour and respect Gods. Some believe that they are only the physical body of a part of existence, an aspect of the divine.

[Darakash]

*wink wink nudge nudge say no more* and from the joy of that union was born the Universe, therefore giving an entertaining second meaning to the phrase 'Big bang'.

OK, now THAT was just funny! _handclapp

I get the impression from my matron and patron that they are pretty busy, but sometimes, i get this, "hey, I'm bored come play with me!" kind of energy from them, especially Tehuti(thoth), believe it or not! But for the most part in terms of our interaction with them, I think as long as the interaction isn't limited to only asking for things or that kind of thing, and remember to take time to sort of just appreicate them and talk with them and such....they won't feel lonely or used or bored.
Dk

[MoonDragn]

Divine loneliness is actually what I believe caused the Universe. We have a Goddess, all alone, just..existing. And she got bored, and lonely, and decided to make a friend, so we have the God. And they got to be reeeeeeally friendly *wink wink nudge nudge say no more* and from the joy of that union was born the Universe, therefore giving an entertaining second meaning to the phrase 'Big bang'.

Gives even more meaning to the term... Black Hole... ;)

[Toby Stimpson]

Good question...I was thinking that last night as well. Imagine living for a trillian years?...even with Godly powers (if you see them as litterally all mighty Gods with powers)...it must be difficult to not know an end. We Humans see things in such small ways...to us a thousand years is a long time...but considering that the universe iss till quite quite young...can you imagine what Gods have to look forward to?...ages and ages of life with nothing to do but look around the universe...it is quite frightening really.

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

Gives even more meaning to the term... Black Hole... ;)

*snicker snicker* I never even THOUGHT of that one!

[goDez]

First of all, believing that it is possible to have JUST a Goddess is like JUST a God.. Valid (let's not disrespect anybody's view), but unlogic, since masculinity implies a force of balance, feminine force in this case. Therefor I would rather call God/Goddess IT..

Creation implies a goal to reach. A goal implies a plan. A plan does not neccesary imply emotion as a trigger, so therefor we cannot tell if the creation went from loneliness for IT.

I quite could agree with the idea that IT creates just for passing time. But that is not the question here. Would IT still be lonely today, with all these entity's in the world IT created, willing to talk to him (prayer, happens thousands of time each day)?

Unfortunately, only humans "pray" in the sence that we know it. What about animals, and plants? Do they pray? Possibly. Do animals have different ways of praying? Likely. Are they aware of creation? Most certainly. Can we tell?

My opinion: IT is just another form of life, under different circumstances. We couldn't understand. We wouldn't understand. It's beyond our grasp. Let's not pity IT, let's accept that IT is here and IT is working for/with us. Or not. That's called belief.

[shimaura]

I think everyone here, if not in the world to some degree, believes in Deity. I was just thinking how, when you're surrounded by all these simple-minded creatures (let's face it... we are compared to dieties!) it would be... well, rather dull at times. Aidron, I think you have it right, but I'm sad to say that not everyone in my world has that same feeling.

Deities need _pounce_ too!

:ringaroun

Silverfire Darkmoon, you are too funny :nyah: :dancy:

[shimaura]

Reminds me of a quote from the Mothman Prophesies... would you try to explain yourself to a cockroach?

[Paracelsus]

Some interesting points here - although I would suggest that the comment about prayer being a human only activity is wide of the mark - provided of course that you have a wide definition of prayer - I would include a wide variety of activities as being prayerful, from doing a good job, to making love, to thrashing about in a mosh pit. Wherever we are at our most whole, and at our most "connected", I think that we are praying. Within the mystical tradition (particularly in Catholicism) we find the idea that prayer is really about putting oneself in the presence of God - I like to think that this is a true way of understanding this activity, and thus it can be when walking under the stars, or sitting by a fire. Thus I also belive that animals, plants, and inanimate entities also pray - often purely by being themselves. (On a less serious note, I do also think that cats have got meditation well and truly sussed!).
I suspect that the Divine, in what ever form we view or understand it, is also reaching out to us- often in ways that we cannot comprehend, so yes, on balance, I would suspect that the Gods are, if not actually lonely, at least made more complete by interaction with their devotees.

[SheWolf]

The gods aren't human and they don't possess human flaws.

[Aidron]

The gods aren't human and they don't possess human flaws.


Since when is loneliness a flaw? It is based on desire, not a lack of perfection.

[Pure Ahimsa]

The gods aren't human and they don't possess human flaws.


Hmmm...
Well, In my views, each 'God' has a personal identity and personality, so human characteristics are not only human.

[SheWolf]

In your view exactly.

[BlackMagicalCat]

They're not lonely, they have us to play with. ;)
how were we suposed to stop hitler? by throwing flowers at him?violence is necesary to stop evil men from imposing thier will on the masses and the weak.hitler,bank robbers , ect,,,if someone was coming over to your house to kill your family would you stand by and watch?or prepare to protect them?not trying to critizize you but the freedom you enjoy was paid for with blood.,im editing this,now that you mention it,it is a little off subject,sorry.

[Silverfire Darkmoon]

Uh...............OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooookay. That's sort of, uh, odd. What does Hitler have to do with the social lives of the Gods?

[HarzWitch]

how were we suposed to stop hitler? by throwing flowers at him?violence is necesary to stop evil men from imposing thier will on the masses and the weak.hitler,bank robbers , ect,,,if someone was coming over to your house to kill your family would you stand by and watch?or prepare to protect them?not trying to critizize you but the freedom you enjoy was paid for with blood.,im editing this,now that you mention it,it is a little off subject,sorry.

Why are you bringing politics into a pagan message board? For the record Hitler was voted into power through democracy.