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| Kemetic Orthodoxy | |
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| Topic Started: Mar 18 2009, 01:01 AM (4,002 Views) | |
| Davian | Mar 18 2009, 01:01 AM Post #1 |
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Kemetics and Atenists have not had a very friendly history. When Atenism flourished in Egypt, Akhnaton had the corrupt Amun priest class deposed and arrested. The Kemetics, in turn, persecuted Atenist believers after Akhnaton's death. But I believe that, history aside, most modern Kemetics are Atenists at heart. Their concept of Netjer is very similar to the way we perceive God. Unless they believe that the sunset is literally caused by Apophis swallowing Ra every evening, we only have our history to divide us. What experiences have you, as an Atenist, had with Kemetic worshippers? What do you think about the relationship between our two faiths? |
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"A religion old or new, that stressed the magnificence of the universe as revealed by modern science, might be able to draw forth reserves of reverence and awe hardly tapped by the conventional faiths. Sooner or later, such a religion will emerge." Carl Sagan | |
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| Astennu | Mar 18 2009, 01:25 AM Post #2 |
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I'm weird enough to believe that most paths lead to Aten (I usually say all, but there are certain paths I have my doubts on), and there is a difference between ancient and modern Kemetics. In ancient Egypt they were the majority religion and saw Atenism as a threat, in the modern world both are minority religions with similar points of view on many topics. I know the Kemetic Orthodox call their beliefs in the Divine monaltry, which does have much in common with monotheism. Of course, it has been argued that ancient Atenism was henothiestic. I know I may worship Aten, but I will not deny the beliefs of another or that their beliefs are as valid as mine. (Of course, I also add that we are all simply seeing parts of the larger whole and are unable to see the whole picture in our current form. Think the blind men and the elephant.) I'm afraid I do not know any modern Kemetis, although I would love to get to know some. I have posted on the International Kemetics forum, but there isn't a great deal of activity right now. (Which reminds me that I need to pop on over there and post on something I was asked about, thanks for bringing up the subject to remind me. LOL) |
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| Osarsiph | Jul 14 2009, 04:59 PM Post #3 |
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I will throw in my random thought on this topic of Orthodox Kemeticism and Atenism. I feel that Atenism was a distilled and purified form of what was best about Orthodox Kemeticism. Akhenaten believed as I do that all the gods of Egypt were based upon superstition and the ignorance of the masses and that the priests to these gods were exploiting the ignorance of the people for their own gain. Perhaps I shouldn't say all, but most. These gods wore masks that underpinned the the entire religious orthodoxy of the time period from the beginning to the end of the Egyptian dominance in world affairs. Aten is thus the supreme and only God that exists. What of evil then? Apophis the Great Serpent who resembles the Judaic-Christian concept of Satan could represent for us 'symbolically' the evils that are evident in the universe. Now, Aten is the universal God pervading all things. What about the dark nature of the Universe? Apophis? Should we give credence to such a being or force? It would be a form of dualism and a balancing act in nature which would put Aten and Apophis on equal footing. Or is Apophis just the absence of Aten, just as darkness is the absence of Light? Apophis was present at the creation of the Universe ready to swallow up Aten and the beginning as that Great Serpent. He was a huge serpent who was thought to have existed at the beginning of time in the waters of primeval chaos prior to creation and his power was so great that it was thought that he would continue to exist in an endlessly malevolent cycle of attack, defeat and resurgent attack. He is thus known by many epithets, ranging from evil lizard, opponent and enemy to world encircler and serpent of rebirth. Apophis would have existed prior to Re/Aten's coming into being ready to swallow up Re/Aten at His birth. Apophis would have been the eternal darkness before the 'big bang' creation of the Universe and still persists in all the dark regions of the Universe. |
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| Akhenaten10 | Aug 29 2009, 06:52 PM Post #4 |
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you bring up some really good questions. In the Atenist hymns it is mentioned that darkness prevails once the Sunlight disappears but no hint of a personified darkness I don't think, certainly nothing like Apophis. It seems more of a naturalistic darkness, the impersonal/primordial forces and chaos that are the absence of Aten and were present since eternity. These impersonal forces (I suppose we can see Apophis or a great Serpent as a "symbolic" representation of this) also have a hand in death I would think, which Aten may not be able to control completely? For death I mean as in the "body" and not the "soul" which continues to live on after our bodies dies. I see Aten, the Creator, as the being that sprung into existence within that Chaos and brought about Order, Light, Warmth, and Life into the Universe. But darkness and chaos still exist yes, I don't believe in a personal evil but those impersonal forces are always there and eternal. Do you think there is a Being that represents those forces just like Aten represents light and life? I don't believe so, but I'd like to hear more of what you guys think about all this? and besides, its just so interesting to talk about! 
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| Meryre | Sep 18 2009, 06:21 PM Post #5 |
Administrator
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I just want to say that I have come to the conclusion that there is ONLY One God and no otherworldly being's in existence. There are no angel's or demon's or ghost's of the dead haunting places, or demonic possession of any kind. Haunting's and demonic possession are psychiatric phenomena and are a misuse of the power of prayer which is the power of belief. If you believe in ghosts, you will see them even though they are manifestations of our psyche and are not real. If you believe you are demonically possessed and you are exposed to the sham of an exorcism, your belief and the belief of the exorcist will manifest itself in your psyche similar to hypnotism, and have it's effect on you as if it were real. Most people if not all, who experience demonic possession have psychiatric disorder's and having an ignorant priest come to you will only make you worse. Pray to God for help and He will help you with your situation. Have faith and BELIEVE. |
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| Thomas,88 | Dec 21 2011, 05:59 PM Post #6 |
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I believe that Aten is God, and there is only one., But it would be vain indeed to think that we know all there is to understand about the spirit world, death, the universe, ect ect. We are just mortals, here for a grain of sand of time. there is so much we dont know, and even more we couldnt even fathom even if we did. |
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| AmarnaGirl | Jan 4 2012, 02:47 PM Post #7 |
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I have been a member of the Kemetic faith for many years (admittedly struggling with it for quite some time - hence one of my reasons for joining you all here!) There are quite a few different "denominations" and beliefs in the larger Kemetic community,but if anyone would like,I can try to answer any questions for you! |
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3:38 PM Feb 6