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Anyone have any examples of consistantly benevolent deities?

Just curious, is anyone aware of any religious tradition(s) wherein the deity in question doesn't harm or threaten to harm people who tick them off? ... Seriously, I want to know ... I'm giving a presentation that will touch on this and I would like to be able to provide an example for discussion.

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Permalink Reply by Mims H. Carter on April 15, 2011 at 6:48pm

The Hindu deity Avalokiteshvara comes to mind. The buddhist diety know as Kuan Yin in China, Kanon in Japan comes to mind. Kuan Yin is always a female diety, and embodies the buddhist concept of karuna, usually translated as compassion. In all the stories and references I have read of Kuan Yin, she has never behaved badly to anyone.

Permalink Reply by Gianni Di on April 16, 2011 at 10:48pm

Hmm... She does have promise ... is she really considered a deity or just an enlightened individual ... I need to check that out ... thanks

Permalink Reply by Mary O'Grady on April 16, 2011 at 9:47am

How about the Flying Spaghetti Monster? (Sorry, can't think of any others.)

Permalink Reply by Anita Slaughter on April 16, 2011 at 2:23pm

I don't know enough about other traditions outside the tradional ones here in the USA, to make a comment. The pagans (Wiccan) are earth loving, tree hugging, and extremely low key. That is all I can think of.

Permalink Reply by Gianni Di on April 16, 2011 at 10:38pm

Thank you Anita! Yes I agree about the neo-pagans... some of the deities though, depending on the tradition could be downright nasty ;-)

Permalink Reply by Prog Rock Girl on April 16, 2011 at 10:50pm

So can the followers.

Permalink Reply by Gianni Di on April 17, 2011 at 8:21am

I've seen that first hand too!

Permalink Reply by Gianni Di on April 16, 2011 at 10:41pm

Yes Mary, Thanks! ... He only touches gently with his noodly appendage ;-D ... I considered him and the Pink Unicornbut these are just our farces to mock theistic convictions.

Permalink Reply by Napoleon Bonaparte on April 17, 2011 at 12:59am

Les Athees Napoleoneinne - VikingTrance

Deities ? Well... I could just make something up, Couldn't I ? Thats what everyone else does, I think !

Permalink Reply by Gianni Di on April 17, 2011 at 8:22am

Ha ... it's all made up anyway , right? ;-)

Permalink Reply by Earther on July 19, 2011 at 1:22pm

I guess they are all metaphors for pain and suffering consequences to life itself. The short stories that either ends as happily forever after or the latter follows scientific chronology among mythical beings.

Permalink Reply by Madison Burnett on August 7, 2011 at 6:09pm